Blazers/Rockets Preview at Ball Don't Lie

[Minstrel]

From the Blazers Edge contribution:

For the Blazers to take this series, they will need to lean heavily on their strong home court advantage (34-7 in the Rose Garden) and their superior fourth quarter execution, namely Brandon Roy and his lullaby crossovers and mid-range jumpers. Roy is itching to blow up during this year's playoffs and truly establish a national rep for himself, but he won’t necessarily have to do it alone: Outlaw, Rudy, Blake and Aldridge have delivered in the clutch at various times this year.

A perhaps-overlooked matchup that might help determine the series is Aaron Brooks vs. Steve Blake. Blake gets abused by most playoff-quality point guards so drawing Brooks in the first round is a relative advantage for the Blazers. Despite the fact that Brooks will be able to get into the lane at will, he’s not Tony Parker, Chris Paul or Deron Williams. When your biggest question mark is at 1, it’s a good feeling knowing the opposing 1 is something of a question mark as well.

From The Dream Shake contribution:

The general consensus of many Rockets fans like myself is that Portland poses a dangerous threat to nearly every Western Conference opponent ... with the exception of the Rockets. As far as positional match-ups go, the Rockets have nearly everything pointed in their favor.

Yao Ming struggles with one brand of center: a small, agile post player with a low center of gravity and quick feet. Luckily, Portland suits up two giant slow people in Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla. While Oden and the Pryz may be solid low-post defenders and great shot-blockers, they play the kind of old-school, post-on-post defense that Yao thrives against. No post player in the NBA has a better post move arsenal than the Ming Dynasty, and his will be on full display for the duration of the series.

Kelly Dwyer's conclusion:

Kelly Dwyer: This is a classic offense/defense showdown, and as is usually the case in these sorts of games, the squad that does the best job of succeeding in an area that they’re usually less successful at will win.

Throw in the fact that, while Houston’s defense might be pretty stifling most of the time, Portland has the NBA’s most-efficient offense. And though the Rockets are great defensively, they’re not the league’s best defense. That sort of mitigates any advantage Houston would have because the team’s offense is better than Portland’s defense. Sick of this? Just enjoy the series, it could be pretty special.

Blazers in 7.

More at the actual entry:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...s-vs-No-5-Ro?urn=nba,157267#remaining-content

 

[Minstrel]

This bit from Blazers Edge's contribution:

"...namely Brandon Roy and his lullaby crossovers and mid-range jumpers"

Makes me wonder if "Lullaby" (or some variation thereof) might be a good nickname for Roy. It's one of the best characterizations I've seen for Roy's drives. They don't seem unbelievably explosive...but they seem to rock the defender to sleep and then bang. Roy is at the hoop and finishing.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This bit from Blazers Edge's contribution:

"...namely Brandon Roy and his lullaby crossovers and mid-range jumpers"

Makes me wonder if "Lullaby" (or some variation thereof) might be a good nickname for Roy. It's one of the best characterizations I've seen for Roy's drives. They don't seem unbelievably explosive...but they seem to rock the defender to sleep and then bang. Roy is at the hoop and finishing.

Maybe 'Sandman?' I don't why, but for some reason I have this little tickle in the back of my brain saying that it's already been used.

 

[PapaG]

Maybe 'Sandman?' I don't why, but for some reason I have this little tickle in the back of my brain saying that it's already been used.

I remember an NFL player who used to have that nickname? I'll google it and see if I'm right.

EDIT - yep, Broderick Thomas of Nebraska/Tampa Bay. Good memory, nik!

http://whatthebuc.net/CJsCorner/tabid/1048/Default.aspx

 

[Entity]

This bit from Blazers Edge's contribution:

"...namely Brandon Roy and his lullaby crossovers and mid-range jumpers"

Makes me wonder if "Lullaby" (or some variation thereof) might be a good nickname for Roy. It's one of the best characterizations I've seen for Roy's drives. They don't seem unbelievably explosive...but they seem to rock the defender to sleep and then bang. Roy is at the hoop and finishing.

When I see Roy do his thing I think it's surreal to watch, because nobody should move that effortlessly through the key, or toss defenders off like that for a jumper. I think the biggest reason that effect occurs and why he doesn't look as flashy as some guys is because when he does what he does, he still has enough time to put the ball up without doing it off-balance. He has perfect form, even after he jukes some fool out of their shoes. It's like that Joe Johnson NBA playoff commercial every time. Not always so exaggerated, but still...

The man controls time and space.