Today's Injury Update......

[THE HCP]

Trail Blazers F Nic Batum (shoulder) and G Jerryd Bayless (ankle) are both probable for tonight's game vs. New Orleans.

 

[EGame]

Thanks for the update. Hope we get to see both play tonight! Who is expected to start at SG and SF if both do play?

 

[Nate Dogg]

Update (11:11AM): Brief lineup notes from shootaround: The team has announced that Jerryd Bayless and NIcolas Batum are probable tonight. Steve Blake and Jeff Pendergraph will start again alongside Andre Miller, Martell Webster and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Blazersedge.com says the same thing!!!!!!
I can't wait to see Batum back in action!!!!!!

 

[Nate Dogg]

I love this Przy tattoo. I hope Batum brings Przy's energy and tattoo 2night!!

 

[THE HCP]

Wonder if they are trying to cut back on Juwan's minutes cause they don't want to wear him out. That would be 2 straight games coming off the bench for him.

 

[Foulzilla]

I think it has more to do with the backups than Juwan. I suspect Nate doesn't want to have both Cunningham and Pendergraph in at the same time, this way he makes sure there's always a vet in with one of them.

 

[MIXUM]

more importantly... is david west playing????

 

[THE HCP]

West (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against Portland, the Oregonian reports.

Yahoo is reporting the above.

Which is better? Questionable or probable?

 

[EGame]

Probable is better if you want them to play because it means they probably will give it a go whereas Questionable they aren't quite sure. West will probably test it out during warm-ups much like Bayless tried against Detroit.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I am so happy Nate found another reason to start Blake. I was getting worried about him for a bit there.

If both Bayless and Batum can play, Blake has no business starting

 

[Minstrel]

Yay, Batum is back!

 

[BlazerBeliever]

Blake has no business starting

I couldn't agree more!

 

[MIXUM]

agree mediorce...

bayless should start when roys out

 

[Pinwheel1]

agree mediorce...

bayless should start when roys out

They always need either Miller and Bayless in the game when Roy is out. Someone has to attack the basket. Seems like starting Blake helps ensure that. Play Bayless with Rudy more.

 

[BBert]

I am so happy Nate found another reason to start Blake. I was getting worried about him for a bit there.

If both Bayless and Batum can play, Blake has no business starting

And Rudy. If Rudy has his legs under him and Bayless is hobbled, why wouldn't Rudy start? Once Nico gets his legs back, Martell could play some SG. Lots of options.

 

[Mediocre Man]

And Rudy. If Rudy has his legs under him and Bayless is hobbled, why wouldn't Rudy start? Once Nico gets his legs back, Martell could play some SG. Lots of options.

Yes, exactly. I left out Rudy.

 

[STOMP]

And Rudy. If Rudy has his legs under him and Bayless is hobbled, why wouldn't Rudy start?

I'd agree if I thought Rudy had his legs under him... that hasn't been my opinion so far

Who would you rather guard Chris Paul... Blake Miller or a rusty Rudy? This might be the last game in a while I support the idea of Blake starting

STOMP

 

[BBert]

I'd agree if I thought Rudy had his legs under him... that hasn't been my opinion so far

Who would you rather guard Chris Paul... Blake Miller or a rusty Rudy? This might be the last game in a while I support the idea of Blake starting

STOMP

Can I pick a hobbled Bayless?

I agree, Rudy doesn't look up to snuff yet. He didn't look too promising after taking all those shots to his back against the Pistons either. I have a feeling Nico will be back to normal sooner than Rudy, but his skill set is also different and he doesn't have a bad back. I'd be interested in seeing a Miller/Martell/Nico lineup. But it's not my money they are playing with.

 

[LittleAlex]

I'd agree if I thought Rudy had his legs under him... that hasn't been my opinion so far

Who would you rather guard Chris Paul... Blake Miller or a rusty Rudy? This might be the last game in a while I support the idea of Blake starting

STOMP

Blake is better guarding bigger guards. Bayless is probably the only guy on the team with the quickness to come close to handling CP3. Maybe if Batum is in top shape he could take a shift on Paul for a few minutes.


All they are really going to do is try and make the game a bit harder for Paul. No one player is stoping that dude. It will have to be a team effort.

 

[B-Roy]

I am so happy Nate found another reason to start Blake. I was getting worried about him for a bit there.

If both Bayless and Batum can play, Blake has no business starting

Both Bayless and Batum are coming back from injury. Blake is coming off a double double.

I don't have a problem with this. Bayless should play himself back into the starting role today.

 

[STOMP]

Blake is better guarding bigger guards. Bayless is probably the only guy on the team with the quickness to come close to handling CP3. Maybe if Batum is in top shape he could take a shift on Paul for a few minutes.

all true but (working backwards) NB isn't in top shape, I'm presuming Bayless is hobbled, and Miller is slower then Blake and a worse option guarding the guy who makes them go.

No one player is stoping that dude. It will have to be a team effort.

no doubt

STOMP

 

[MARIS61]

I am so happy Nate found another reason to start Blake. I was getting worried about him for a bit there.

If both Bayless and Batum can play, Blake has no business starting

If either could hit from long range you might have a point, but neither can, and Blake is a smarter defender than either also.

 

[MARIS61]

I'd agree if I thought Rudy had his legs under him... that hasn't been my opinion so far

Who would you rather guard Chris Paul... Blake Miller or a rusty Rudy? This might be the last game in a while I support the idea of Blake starting

STOMP

Blake, then Rudy, then Bayless, then Roy, then Martell............................and if no other option, Miller.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Don't expect much from Batum . . . but excited to watch him play.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If either could hit from long range you might have a point, but neither can, and Blake is a smarter defender than either also.

Yep, cause that's all that is imprtant. Bayless shoots better from the field, line and draws more fouls.

Last year, Batums numbers were better than Blake's this year as well from those areas. And you are really saying that Blake is a smarter defender than Batum?

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Doesn't really matter who starts. All we have to do is hang with them til late in the 3rd quarter when CP3 gets hurt, then we'll go on to win easily.