Overall, it was a sloppy game where the pace was controlled by the officials constant calls. Portland looked less than sharp, but still look ten times better than the Kings. Before I get into individual stuff, I've got to make it clear how bad the Kings are. Sean May started, fouled out in 14 minutes, and was replaced by Kenny Thomas. Yes, that's the same Kenny Thomas that was over the hill in 2005.
Roy: Never seemed too into the game, outside of about 3 minutes in the 3rd quarter where it appeared he wanted to show himself and everyone else he could score any time he wants to.
LMA: Smooth...He scored a quite 20 points with even more fluidity than normal. You could see his ball handling is improved and he put it to use.
Oden: Wow. Greg looked way better. Spencer Hawes, Jon Brockman, Kenny Thomas, and Sean May tend to make opposing teams bigs look better. Greg showed a quick spin move that left Hawes in the dust, a nice left handed finish, a right hand hook with a much higher release, but my personal favorite was the turn and face 12ft elbow jumper he sank. On top of that he had a block on a shoot that was a good 2 feet above the rim and 8 second half rebounds.
Rudy: Seemed disinterested in the few minutes he played.
Joel: Same old Joel. Set good screens, made Hawes and Thompson work, and got rebounds in his area. He took quite a shot to the ribs.
Miller: For a guy who is clearly over-weight and not in playing shape, he sure was effective. His basketball savy made Sergio and Evans look foolish. His post up game was solid, hit his only jumper, and finished at the rim, all while playing at his own pace (Brandon Roy style). He did have a couple careless turnovers trying to get the break going.
Blake: Not his best game, but his minutes were real spotty and he never had a chance to get in any sort of a rhythm. Obviously Miller got the best of him tonight.
Webster: Rusty, but very active out there. It's clear that he has the ability to mold his game to whatever the team needs that night. Need a shooter? Need to relieve Batum and lock-down a SF? Want to make the opposing teams SF chase him and Rudy around the court for 48 minutes? Need someone to slash and take it to the paint? Webster has the skills to do all that, hopefully he puts it all together.
Batum: Was active as always. Missed a couple good looking shots near the rim. Played limited minutes, but only because he's had a busy summer, not because of his shoulder injury.
Outlaw: Same old Travis. Took some questionable shots, made half of them, and didn't do much else. Played exclusively at power foward.
Bayless: Played the last five minutes of the 2nd half and didn't show anything new outside of a shot that appears to have less of a hitch in it.
Udoka: Played the entire 4th quarter and looked very solid. The guy was more athletic than I remember. He knows where to be on defense. Doesn't need the ball on offense, but can space the court with his shot. Overall, I was very impressed.
I want to point out that the 2nd half starting lineup was Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, and Oden. Neither that lineup or the original starting lineup was overly impressive together, so tonight shouldn't have changed anyone's mind on what group is best together.
I don't know who will start, but my guess is Miller, Roy, Batum, Aldridge, and Greg. I'm more confident that Miller, Roy, Rudy, Aldridge, and Greg will be the lineup we see at the end of close games.
Great to have the Blazers back, can't wait for the regular season.
Rip City!
