Who is Sekou Smith?

[Blazer Fanatic]

Do I have an excuse for not knowing who Sekou Smith is?

Hold that thought.

Does Sekou Smith have an excuse for not knowing who LaMarcus Aldridge is?

As it turns out, Smith is a contributor on NBA.com's Hang Time Blog. In his "News of the Morning", Smith summarizes 3 top stories: the Blazers win over the Pacers, the Twolves playing the Spurs in Mexico City, and Boston's coach Bradley.

He posts a paragraph saying Paul George and Damian Lillard put on a show, then rips 250 words from a 950 word wright-up by Joe Freeman on Oregonian Live that didn't mention LaMarcus Aldridge. So yeah, not a single mention of the best player on the Blazers in Smith's post. One of two things occurred to me: either leading a team to victory and in rebounds and points (and tied for the lead in assists, with zero turnover and zero personal fouls, 1 of the team's 3 steals, and 1 of the team's 4 blocks) over the team with the best record in the NBA isn't noteworthy, or this jackass doesn't know who LaMarcus Aldridge is. Seventy-seven percent of Sport's Nation gets it (as to who the best Blazer is). What's this guy's excuse?

This isn't about taking anything away from Lillard, but I don't get this constant disrespect towards, arguably, the best PF in the game right now, and absolutely the best and most consistent Blazer on the team. Normally, I'd link the article, and even post a quote or two that adds to my take, but this guy doesn't deserve the clicks. Ask me tomorrow who this guy is and my answer will be "I don't know."

 

[illmatic99]

He used to be a beat reporter for the Hawks I think. He's now on NBAtv and writes for NBA.com. Generally pretty knowledgeable.

He along with a lot of us are taking LA for granted. That's what consistency breeds.

 

[BrianFromWA]

yeah, he's from ATL. He's one of the guys who've been "upgraded" from beat writer (for AJC) to uber-blogger to "personality". Going basically from Jason Quick to a poor man's Screamin' A. Smith.

Like a lot of guys, decent knowledge about who he covers, but I'm sure HCP watches more ball than he does.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

That explains a lot. Apparently 44% of Georgia thinks Dame is the better player, 2nd only to Florida. LA needs to do more commercials, preferably with little to no dialog.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Aldridge gets no love, he's been consistent and getting better for years and we cheer Gerald Wallace from the stands. I've been saying all season the homers in the rose garden need to chant MVP for our man and I just get people asking me if I'm serious. Um yes, he's the best player on the best team in the west that just beat the best in the east. He deserves MVP talk especially from the home crowd.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

And who the truck is Fran Blinebury?

Another nba.com scrub?

"It’s always risky to make too much of a fast start. Just think back to a year ago at this time when so many gullible folks were lining up to buy tickets on the Knicks’ Fantasy Express. But the Blazers, while shooting 3s almost as much as those Knicks, could be in the mix more for the long haul because Stotts has them sharing the ball with an offensive style led by LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum that is a joy to watch at the same time that they’re paying more attention on defense."

Right, so the guy, WES-MOTHAFKN-MATTHEWS, leading the Blazers in 3pt made, 3pt FG%, True Shooting percentage, and Effective FG% gets no mention... not to mention the entire NBA in some of those stats. At least he mentioned Lopez a bit later, but come on guy. Wake the truck up.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I read a lot of basketball talk, and don't know Fran.

Edit: when I put it into the google machine, the first thing that came up in the auto-fill was "Fran Blinebury Fired" from his columnist job at the HOU Chronicle.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I know people don't like to hear this, but playoff success matters when it comes to national attention for small market players. LMA is almost 30 and has never been out of the first round (partly through no fault of his own). Lillard gets some ink right now because he's only a second year player and is playing very well, but if he goes another 5 years without a playoff series win people will (rightly) stop talking about him too.

You can agree or disagree that this is right, but it is the way it is and it's never going to change until/unless he can get his team deep into the playoffs and play well doing it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I know people don't like to hear this, but playoff success matters when it comes to national attention for small market players. LMA is almost 30 and has never been out of the first round (partly through no fault of his own). Lillard gets some ink right now because he's only a second year player and is playing very well, but if he goes another 5 years without a playoff series win people will (rightly) stop talking about him too.

You can agree or disagree that this is right, but it is the way it is and it's never going to change until/unless he can get his team deep into the playoffs and play well doing it.

Yup, making noise in the playoffs would change a lot of opinions real quick.

And I swear Sekou Smith was a reporter in Indianapolis before he was in ATL.

edit - he was. He was a beat writer for the Pacers before the AJC snagged him.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I was talking blazers with co workers here in south Carolina and none of them knew who nic batum was, when I said Damian lillard was rookie of the year they asked who and what college he went. Outside of Portland the team is as well known as we would know bobcats.

 

[Hobbesarable]

LA needs to do more commercials, preferably with little to no dialog.

LMAO! Thank you for the laugh, fanatic!

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I was talking blazers with co workers here in south Carolina and none of them knew who nic batum was, when I said Damian lillard was rookie of the year they asked who and what college he went. Outside of Portland the team is as well known as we would know bobcats.

Perfectly understandable. But that's a straw man. I'm talking about a (now 2) sports writers for NBA.com. The bar should be set a little higher than "a co-worker" don't you think? The bar is so GD low for these guys, it's embarrassing.

 

[illmatic99]

One media personality who consistently gives LA some love is Steve Kerr. This was from last night.

@SteveKerrTNT
LaMarcus Aldridge can score on the low block vs anyone- he's proving it tonight vs the best D in the NBA. Separates him from Love & Griffin.

 

[Natebishop3]

The answer is simple.... Aldridge must kill the Batman.

 

[oldmangrouch]

NBA culture. Too much emphasis on individual accolades.

 

[Natebishop3]

NBA culture. Too much emphasis on individual accolades.

Unfortunately, individual accolades are very important in the NBA. They affect how the refs treat you and that's extremely important during the playoffs and when the game is on the line.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Perfectly understandable. But that's a straw man. I'm talking about a (now 2) sports writers for NBA.com. The bar should be set a little higher than "a co-worker" don't you think? The bar is so GD low for these guys, it's embarrassing.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you. I'm just saying, theyve been media blacked out for so long no one knows anything. Even when Aldridge makes all star game he plays 2 minutes so no one sees him. Guys like batum and Matthews are even less known.Media pays no attention unless you are LeBron James or jump over a kia for a big fat advertisement plug

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Yup, making noise in the playoffs would change a lot of opinions real quick.

And I swear Sekou Smith was a reporter in Indianapolis before he was in ATL.

edit - he was. He was a beat writer for the Pacers before the AJC snagged him.

I don't think the Blazers have proven anything, just so my frame of reference is clear. Does that make it OK for nba.com writers to dismiss, leave out, ignore, or not even know what they're talking about? I'm of the opinion that if you're going to write about something, know wtf you're writing about. I'd rather they not write about Portland at all to be honest. Clicking on one of their stories is like when a 3-5 year old child tells you "I HAVE to tell you something" (which inevitably is when you're right in the middle of a conversation or something more important), and you cave and lean over while they whisper in your ear "that cat is really fuzzy." "Thanks for wasting my mothafkn time - again!!!" I mean... "That's really interesting Hun."

 

[julius]

One media personality who consistently gives LA some love is Steve Kerr. This was from last night.

I think that Kerr is partly correct. It's harder to (now) take LaMarcus out of the game. Griffin is a stud, but he's still at a point where he relies on his jumping and speed instead of skills. Love is really good, but he's not leading his team to wins. Impressive stats, yes. But wins? No.

I wager a bet it's easier to take Love and Griffin out of their games than it is LaMarcus. I think the two of them will get there though. Just RIGHT NOW, they aren't.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

One media personality who consistently gives LA some love is Steve Kerr. This was from last night.

I've only been saying this for as long, if not longer, than Kerr. I wish it was as easy as saying I'm just bias, but it's so blatantly apparent that it's simply a case of being aware of reality. Why can't we hold all media/sports personalities who report on the NBA to this standard? It's sad.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I've only been saying this for as long, if not longer, than Kerr. I wish it was as easy as saying I'm just bias, but it's so blatantly apparent that it's simply a case of being aware of reality. Why can't we hold all media/sports personalities who report on the NBA to this standard? It's sad.

"David stern is the root of all evil" -God

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I think that Kerr is partly correct. It's harder to (now) take LaMarcus out of the game. Griffin is a stud, but he's still at a point where he relies on his jumping and speed instead of skills. Love is really good, but he's not leading his team to wins. Impressive stats, yes. But wins? No.

I wager a bet it's easier to take Love and Griffin out of their games than it is LaMarcus. I think the two of them will get there though. Just RIGHT NOW, they aren't.

Griffen had 16 pts vs Indy. Where are those 10 missing points LA has on him? Post moves. Neither Love, nor Griffin can hold a candle to LA on the block.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've only been saying this for as long, if not longer, than Kerr. I wish it was as easy as saying I'm just bias, but it's so blatantly apparent that it's simply a case of being aware of reality. Why can't we hold all media/sports personalities who report on the NBA to this standard? It's sad.

For a six year period I had to read newspapers from all over the country every night for work, and I learned from that experience that 90% of sports writers are exactly the same and write exactly the same crap. There is very little originality in that industry, and I'm sure Sekou Smith was just throwing something together last minute and put very little effort into it. Dame is the flashy player on our team. He's the one with commercials, he's the one who just won the ROY, and he will most likely end up being the face of the franchise regardless of whether Aldridge stays beyond his current contract.

If the Blazers keep winning, the world will find out about the Portland Trail Blazers.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

For a six year period I had to read newspapers from all over the country every night for work, and I learned from that experience that 90% of sports writers are exactly the same and write exactly the same crap. There is very little originality in that industry, and I'm sure Sekou Smith was just throwing something together last minute and put very little effort into it. Dame is the flashy player on our team. He's the one with commercials, he's the one who just won the ROY, and he will most likely end up being the face of the franchise regardless of whether Aldridge stays beyond his current contract.

If the Blazers keep winning, the world will find out about the Portland Trail Blazers.

I wonder what the pay is like. I may want to pick up a side job. Lazy is a good description.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Aldridge is #1 pf in game right now and easily top 10 all around player. If all star games were based on skill he'd be starting in west. He will be voted in by coaches and David lee will cry some more. He will play 4 minutes tops which is fine because he needs to save himself for a long playoff run.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder what the pay is like. I may want to pick up a side job. Lazy is a good description.

The pay is crap, the pickens are slim, and the competition is fierce. There's a reason why I got out of sports writing. It's a tough racket.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

ESPN first take just advertised talking about Portland before the commercial. When they returned from the break, Smith and that Ginger spent about 60 seconds on it and onto the Jets. LOL It must kill them to have to talk about the Blazers.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Griffen had 16 pts vs Indy. Where are those 10 missing points LA has on him? Post moves. Neither Love, nor Griffin can hold a candle to LA on the block.

First, those 10 missing points weren't from post moves. They were from 6 more shots LMA took from the perimeter. Last night, LMA was 3-4 in the paint (with 3 more shots that got fouled, so he shot FTs). He was 8-15 on jumpers (2-5 from paint-to-15 feet, 6-10 from 16-23').

No one likes LMA in the post/paint than I do. I think he's one of the best in the NBA. Yet no one hates LMA taking contested fadeaways and 19-footers more than I do. Last night his 6-10 shooting was above-average (and above his average) and it helped us. I'd submit (and have multiple times) that LMA is better for the team in the paint than taking contested fadeaways and 19-footers, open or not.

I showed in some threads earlier in the summer that if LMA took a step inside on a few of his jumpers, and a step back (to 3pt line) on a few of his jumpers, then he'd get an extra point or two a game with no increase in shots or skill level. But while I think his post game has improved, and he's taking an extra 2.5 shots a game this year (in fewer minutes), because they're long jumpers rather than more shots in the paint, he's only getting 1.9 points per game more with those extra 2.5 shots (over the last two years).

Yes, he has the skills to be the best PF in the NBA. When LaMonster comes out, no one disputes that. But to say that his post game is what separates him from Love and Griffin is a bit disingenuous. Over the last 3 years he's doubled the amount of 16-23' jumpers he's taking, and perhaps coincidentally, his shooting percentages have done the following (while his FT/g has stayed right at 5):

FG%/eFG%: 51%, 48.2%, 46.5%
TS%: 56%, 53%, 50.8%

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

First, those 10 missing points weren't from post moves. They were from 6 more shots LMA took from the perimeter. Last night, LMA was 3-4 in the paint (with 3 more shots that got fouled, so he shot FTs). He was 8-15 on jumpers (2-5 from paint-to-15 feet, 6-10 from 16-23').
...
Yes, he has the skills to be the best PF in the NBA. When LaMonster comes out, no one disputes that. But to say that his post game is what separates him from Love and Griffin is a bit disingenuous.

Shooting fewer shots is a fair argument, so lets look at that.

How is Griffen shooting from outside the restricted area?
In the paint/outside RA: 32% 8ft-24 ft 30%
LA? 44.7% 42%

I'm certain someone with Synergy could look up Griffen's assisted dunks and put backs out of his restricted area numbers and paint a similar picture.

Does Love or Griffin command a double team, and make teams pay who don't?

LA's turn around jumper is his post game. Granted, it's not ON the block, but they are back to the basket post moves nevertheless. It's not your "at the rim" perception of a post game. But it is back to the basket, bump and grind, work the opposing teams bigs, iso ball, post game. It's ingenious, not disingenuous.

 

[Nikolokolus]

ESPN first take just advertised talking about Portland before the commercial. When they returned from the break, Smith and that Ginger spent about 60 seconds on it and onto the Jets. LOL It must kill them to have to talk about the Blazers.

No it really doesn't. They talk about what pays the bills and satisfies ratings requirements. There's no conspiracy.