Practice facility open

[illmatic99]

I watched Williams' exhibition game in Memphis this summer, and the dude looked very good. Had like 40 or 50pts, and there was actually SOME defense being played, but I don't think the competition was very legit.

Great slasher and rebounder. Reminded me exactly of Westbrook. But he has a far better handle than EWill.

 

[Mediocre Man]

jwquick Jason Quick
Aldridge compared Williams to Rudy Gay & Travis Outlaw b/c he is always able to get shot off. "He's like Travis Outlaw but more skilled.''


LOL ouch

 

[Mediocre Man]

Now if he can just make that shot he can get off over anyone we might have something

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Williams took Nolan Smith's starting position away from him for a while at Duke.

 

[PapaG]

jwquick Jason Quick
Aldridge compared Williams to Rudy Gay & Travis Outlaw b/c he is always able to get shot off. "He's like Travis Outlaw but more skilled.''


LOL ouch

All joking aside, it is crucial for the bench to have that sort of player. It's why getting rid of Bayless was such a boner, IMO, and why I wouldn't mind Roy staying for a year. If Williams has that type of offensive ability, and can play some defense, it would somewhat dampen my outrage when Roy gets released in a few hours.

 

[RoyToy]

Should be an upgrade over Rudy then if the hype is justified

I really don't see how some people think this roster is worse than last year. Exactly what did the Blazers lose? Patty Mills and Rudy? Joel Przybill started like 10 game at one point for crying out loud because Camby was injured. I don't get it. I even think Cunningham started some games.

I'm going to go ahead and say Nolan and Elliot will be better than Patty and Rudy.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Travis had an unstoppable shot as well....he was 6'9 with a 40" vert.

Elliot is 6'6 with a pre-combine 48" vert, that people say he bettered in camp last year. He hit the "Dwight Howard sticker" mark jumping off of two feet.

The guy who has been consistenly causing jaws to drop wide open is Elliot. I talked to a scout today who believes Portland may have gotten the steal of the first-round of the draft. We all heard the stuff about Williams recording a 48" vertical jump in pre-draft testing. So, he was tested again. He actually bettered that mark. I've never seen a guy who causes the entire gym to stop, turn, and watch, when his vertical is tested. Jeff Pendergraph told me this week he's never seen anything like it, and said he saw Elliot take just two steps, go off TWO feet, and hit the 12-foot mark with his right hand.

 

[RoyToy]

I mean Andre Miller is gone, but his fit with the team was always questionable

 

[Nikolokolus]

mtokito

Aldridge said he's been taking heat on Twitter for not coming out for Brandon Roy in amnesty debate. Said he has no control over decision.


I find this quote interesting. I know I am reading into things though

Roy's presence doesn't help his career ... never has, never will.

 

[Masbee]

I really hope those minutes go down a bit

I agree. I would like 38 mpg.

He tired out in the playoffs last season. Of course, it hurt that Dallas had a freakin platoon of bigs to throw at him.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I talked to a scout today who believes Portland may have gotten the steal of the first-round of the draft.

I wonder if we use the same pizza delivery guy?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Roy's presence doesn't help his career ... never has, never will.

Yep. Couldn't agree more

 

[Mediocre Man]

I am a bit nervous about Felton's pocket passes. I have never really watched his game, but pocket passes are so much harder to handle for big men. Hopefully he and LA can work together to develop more of an oop pass

 

[illmatic99]

Video of LA: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/trail_blazers_back_in_portland.html

 

[RoyToy]

I wonder if we use the same pizza delivery guy?

Maybe your pizza was a little more burnt than his?

 

[MickZagger]

Imagine the difference its going to be for Wallace playing with Felton, who he's familiar with.

I like the makings of this team better than most.

Spurs on the decline, Lakers playing a whole new system (we'll see some drama with Kobe for sure), Mavs and OKC will still be tough. Denver nope. Utah too young. I see us getting homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

 

[RoyToy]

Totally forgot about the Lakers losing Phil Jackson. That's pretty big.

Spurs this point are definitely old, and younger, more athletic teams(see Memphis last year) give them fits.

Tyson Chandler isn't a lock to go back to Dallas(and Caron Butler is also a free agent)

OKC and Memphis seem to be the teams, with OKC being the toughest. We'll see if Memphis can continue to improve(and isn't Marc Gasol a FA?)

 

[illmatic99]

Jeez. LA doing 2 a day workouts already.

Back to the gym!

https://twitter.com/#!/aldridge_12

 

[JDC]

Here's Elliot's huge alley dunk he had in that Memphis scrimmage during the summer.



Freak athlete. He's got some holes in his game, but he should be good for some outlaw-esque theatrics.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I mean Andre Miller is gone, but his fit with the team was always questionable

Just off the top of my head, I thought he fit VERY well with La Marcus and Wesley.

 

[THE HCP]

[video=youtube;6LHTRbWoWoc]

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

22. Portland Trail Blazers - Elliot Williams
Compares To: MANU GINOBILI - Yes, Ginobili is taller and has a thicker frame than Williams, but both are outstanding slashers with that soft touch and very quick release, making them valid gunslingers. Unless Williams can prove he can play the point, he will be better served as a combo type coming off the bench. The thing about him is that he's not like most gunslingers, as he also takes pride in his defensive abilities. He's a pesky type that has the court vision and long limbs to create nightmares for smaller opposing shooters. Simply put, he's an ideal complementary piece for an established team, as he can provide relief minutes at both guard positions, but right now I would not advise giving him too many minutes running the offense. (TSX)

He has the all the ability in the world to be a pest on the defensive end. It'll be a while before he gets that chance in Portland.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I'm excited to see what Williams can do this season. Of course, he'll have to get some minutes to show us anything.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'm excited to see what Williams can do this season. Of course, he'll have to get some minutes to show us anything.

You mean the Williams behind Gimp, Matthews, and Batum?

 

[BBert]

Just off the top of my head, I thought he fit VERY well with La Marcus and Wesley.

Andre Miller fit with everyone except Roy and Nate. And he was the best thing that could ever happen to Greg Oden.

 

[tlongII]

Williams will be in the rotation this year and I'm excited to see him. With the compressed schedule we're going to need him.

 

[THE HCP]

Remember how excited everyone was about Armon Johnson?

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

HCP,
Get your ass out there and film a Road Trippin' show!!! Road trip from NEP to PF!

 

[THE HCP]

Thinking we'll do our first one on media day whenever that is!

 

[BBert]

Remember how excited everyone was about Armon Johnson?

I don't remember that. I remember wondering why two supposed NBA players couldn't make their college team more successful. Then I saw him play and thought he was garbage. Williams is one of those raw amazing athletes that get fans like me excited, though, even before we've really seen him play.