Pictures/reports from training camp

[Rastapopoulos]

The Blazers' official twitter feed is putting out some photos. Pictures from today (Sunday):

 

[Rastapopoulos]

In unrelated news, did you know that Armon only has half a ring finger on his right hand?

 

[HailBlazers]

Whoa that's creepy ^

Looks a little somber/quiet at training camp. Should be good for this team though, they've always strived through adversity. It's times like this were lucky to have Sarge as our coach.

 

[julius]

strange that none of us noticed that last year.

 

[Mediocre Man]

It's great to see Williams has the ability to get past that defensive dynamo, Dan Dickau

 

[3RA1N1AC]

wait, armon has a full time shocker going on, kinky

 

[Blazinaway]

wait, armon has a full time shocker going on, kinky

I am seeing Armon as a chucker who does not make many shots, EWill simply has another gear beyond anyone on the team and may be a better distributor that Armon. If Raymond really wants to run as I think then this team could be fun to watch. If EWilll can develop decent shooting, with his speed and hops he could be something special. I can see him guarding anyone's PG's better than anyone we have.

 

[julius]

Isn't Williams a SG?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Isn't Williams a SG?

Yeah he is all SG. I read someone say last year that he could play the point, but I seriously would doubt that. Defensively yes, running a team.....no

 

[Blazinaway]

Isn't Williams a SG?

yes, but the fact that EWill is probably already ahead of Armon does not bode well for Mr. Hammer. My guess is Smith is the backup PG, unless Ewill surprises us with better PG skills then we think he had.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

"Blazers practice report: Youngsters' film tutorial; what Kurt Thomas brings; more on Raymond Felton".

I wonder about this:

McMillan talked about how effective a screen-setter Thomas is, and how he imagines Thomas playing with the second unit and clearing space for Nicolas Batum.
“He’ll be coming off (the bench) with Nic, so that combination, Nic coming off screens off his side, you try to take advantage of that,” McMillan said.

Batum off the bench? Sheesh.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Yeah he is all SG. I read someone say last year that he could play the point, but I seriously would doubt that. Defensively yes, running a team.....no

I really wish the Blazers would stop that. Trying to convert a SG into a PG never works.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Yeah he is all SG. I read someone say last year that he could play the point, but I seriously would doubt that. Defensively yes, running a team.....no

He has played the point both for Duke and for Memphis. In fact, he took the PG job away from Nolan for a spell at Duke, I think. But yes, he's one of those "lead guards" that flourish in college but not usually in the NBA.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

[video=youtube;plPWYEHcoKk]

 

[julius]

I wonder how long it'll be before there's a sign that says "Red Hot and Nolan"?

OOh....TM julius!

btw, holy shit at the 2:25 mark

 

[HailBlazers]

"Blazers practice report: Youngsters' film tutorial; what Kurt Thomas brings; more on Raymond Felton".

I wonder about this: Batum off the bench? Sheesh.

Well Wallace is a borderline all-star (while playing the 3). And, with Batum in the second unit he will be the focal point and finally get tested in being a go-to guy.

Felton said when camp opened Friday that he could see him and Aldridge producing the kind of pick-and-roll chemistry that he had with Amare Stoudemire on the Knicks last season. Before he was traded to Denver, Felton played so well for New York (17.1 points, 9.0 assists) that some thought he deserved to make the All-Star Game out of the Eastern Conference.

“We can kind of have a one-two punch like me and Amare had in New York,” Felton said of Aldridge. “It's going to be a lot of fun.”

Great to hear, like that sound of this. Could be the key to Felton showing up Dre.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Well Wallace is a borderline all-star (while playing the 3). And, with Batum in the second unit he will be the focal point and finally get tested in being a go-to guy.

But our 5 best guys by far are: Aldridge, Wallace, Batum, Wes and Felton. I assume Nate is stuck on starting Camby, but I assume he won't play many minutes. And I suppose if Batum does come off the bench, he can be given a larger role.

 

[julius]

[video=youtube;mwLAjhz-WIM]

When you get to 7:50, pause it.

I think you'll appreciate it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

"Blazers practice report: Youngsters' film tutorial; what Kurt Thomas brings; more on Raymond Felton".

I wonder about this:





Batum off the bench? Sheesh.

You expected something different?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Nolan greets skaters at the Rose Garden

 

[Trader Ed]

It's great to see Williams has the ability to get past that defensive dynamo, Dan Dickau

He jumped over him

 

[Trader Ed]

Who cares who starts at practice.....

Felton, Matthews, Wallace, LMA, and Camby should start
Batum should not right now.....

 

[Pinwheel1]

From that video I could not tell if Smith can run a team, but he sure looks polished as a scoring PG. I know these are "High Lights" but he seems to have all the shots. In the past it seemed like all our PG draft picks had one weakness. This guys seems to have 3 ball range, a mid range J, a floater in the lane, and can finish at the rim. That is a good start.

 

[julius]

From that video I could not tell if Smith can run a team, but he sure looks polished as a scoring PG. I know these are "High Lights" but he seems to have all the shots. In the past it seemed like all our PG draft picks had one weakness. This guys seems to have 3 ball range, a mid range J, a floater in the lane, and can finish at the rim. That is a good start.

you got that all from stopping at 7:50??

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Batum's dinner (self-made, according to him)

 

[illmatic99]

hehe Minute Maid juice box.

I believe that he actually cooked.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I don't believe that's his dinner. Ou est le vin de table? Ou est le camembert?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Wesley trying to prove that he can pass, really:

 

[Mediocre Man]

Wesley trying to prove that he can pass, really:

You can clearly see him yelling check right there. This was no way a pass

 

[BrianFromWA]

"check" made me laugh. Well done.