Archive for the 'Players' Category

05
Nov

Batum Gets the Start

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers and Players

John Canzano of the Oregonian just posted an article confirming what we’ve all been wanting to hear…Nicolas Batum will get the starting job at SF ahead of Travis Outlaw. Here’s an excerpt:

He looks too young to buy a Powerball ticket. And I suspect that contributed to McMillan’s initial hesitation. Because if Batum looked gruff, had a beard, wrinkles, maybe some crow’s feet around his eyes and an AARP card in his pocket, I’m thinking the Blazers head coach in his fourth season would have been initially far more comfortable seeing him in the starting lineup. McMillan has started young players before. Just not when he had other options. And so this is an important moment of growth for the development of Batum, McMillan, and the dreams of this franchise. They go hand in hand, now, don’t they? The kid’s already earned minutes. Now let’s see what he does with more of them. Significant ones. With mom watching, even. Talk about pressure.

Personally I’m ecstatic. I’ve said this before, but I have never really embraced Travis Outlaw like others have. I never jumped on that band wagon last year, despite Travis being the Blazers’ third-leading scorer. I think he lacks fundamentals, can’t dribble the ball, and doesn’t know what an open shot is. I don’t hate Travis, but I wouldn’t be bothered if he were moved elsewhere to foster the development of Rudy and Nicolas.

The only concern I have is that Canzano is right, there’s a lot of pressure on this 19-year old kid from France. He’s getting his first start against the Utah Jazz in Utah, a place known for it’s constant “playoff atmosphere” all season and with his mother watching on TV, I’d be a bit shaken if I were him. But to me, Batum seems like the type of player who starts running before he even learns to walk.

01
Nov

Webster signs extension

By Willie 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers and Players

We’re a day late but here’s the press release.

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers signed guard/forward Martell Webster to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by General ManagerKevin Pritchard. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

“Martell has worked extremely hard to become the talented player that he is,” said Pritchard. “He’s only 22, so we expect to see even more from him as he gains experience and continues to improve. Martell exhibits all the things we expect from a Trail Blazers player, both on and off the court.” 

And then Martell himself:

“I’m so excited and honored,” said Webster. “Knowing that I’m going to be a part of the Trail Blazers family for many years to come is very important and special to me.” 

Although this press release says terms were undisclosed, ESPN is reporting the deal is 4 years/$20 million. The source is Bob Myers, Webster’s agent.

If those are true numbers (and I’m guessing they are pretty close to accurate), the Blazers got a steal. Five million a year is not a bad price tag at all for a guy who’s presence is already being missed a bit this year. The opener had multiple times where L.A. would double or commit to the drive from Roy and leave open someone on the wing. If that someone’s Webster, it’s just a long, 3-point lay-up. But from Outlaw, Frye and Aldridge, things get a little more dicey.

It’s also inexpensive enough that he’s still easily trade-able should we want to go that route in February. I’m not pushing for that, just want to make it clear that Martell’s ability and this fairly low price tag make him a valuable commodity should we try and pursue someone.

The deal also makes sense based on the number of years. When it runs out, Martell will be 25 years old and arguably at the top or close to the top of his game. He’ll have been in the NBA for eight seasons by then and will have developed his game. If the development’s good, keep him on with a longer, more expensive new deal. If not, let him go get overpaid elsewhere. Either way, right now it’s an awesome signing.

What did we ever do before Kevin Pritchard?

15
Oct

Practice Notes & Links

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers, Interviews and Players

I’m too lazy to comment on all these articles so I’ll just give you the means to read said articles without my psycho-babble wasting space on your computer screen.

The Blazers Blog on Oregon Live has notes and videos from Wednesday’s (today’s) practice. The videos included are interviews with Nate McMillan and Martell Webster which are below:

Nate McMillan on Wednesday’s practice
Martell Webster on his foot injury

Ben from Blazersedge has some quick, first-hand notes of today’s practice.

Finally the Behind the Beat Blazers Blog has a really nice preseason write-up of the Blazers with in-depth analysis of Roy, Aldridge and Oden along with notes about most every other (at least important) player.

06
Oct

Ike Diogu Out to Prove Doubters Wrong

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers and Players

This article comes from hoopsworld.com via RealGM. Here’s an excerpt:

“Three years ago, the Golden State Warriors made Diogu their ninth overall pick out of Arizona State only to ship him to the Indiana Pacers in January 2007. Injuries took their toll. So did a lack of playing time. But now settling in with the Portland Trail Blazers, Diogu is out to show he’s more than a lottery bust.

“It’s definitely frustrating. When you don’t get that playing time people start to question your ability to play in this league, especially when you read articles and people say I’ve underachieved,”

To be honest. I don’t know much about Ike Diogu. When we traded for him on draft night, I had to look up who he was, where he was from and what his numbers are. After some research, I was less than impressed. He’s bounced around the league a bit and was widely regarded as a lottery bust when picked 9th in the 2005 draft. Flash forward three years and he’s on his third team in only three years in the NBA. Three teams in three years for a NBA lottery pick? Prospects are not looking good.

All that history aside, I’m not about to count Diogu out. I’m also not going to give him a free pass just because he happens to wear a Blazers jersey now. If he can come in for 8 or 10 minutes a game, grab a few boards, play some defense and maybe even score a bucket or two, I’ll be completely satisfied. I think that’ll be his role on this Blazer team and I think he knows that. If he knows that going in and knows exactly what he can and should do, he’ll be a welcome addition to the Blazers for me.

How about you guys? Where do you think Ike Diogu fits into this team? What do you think his role is? Also do you even think he’ll be around after the trade deadline in February?

*Image is from Getty Images

02
Oct

Beasley: “rookie of the year is selling myself short”

By John 2 Comments
Categories: General NBA and Players

Every time I hear a story about Bealsey, I get a little interested. I see the rookie of the year race as Oden v Beasley. What also interests me, is when Beasley open’s his mouth. With Oden, he is a media darling, a jokester, a goof but respected. Beasley is as opposite, in my mind, as possible. He acts like a kid, talks like a kid and has little understanding, in my mind, what the NBA is about. Everything Oden talks about is Team, Team and Team. Beasley on the other hand is, me, me and me. Well, instead of talking about helping the Heat make the playoffs, this is what he said:

I want to be MVP, no disrespect to nobody,” Beasley said Monday after the Heat’s practice at American Airlines Arena. “I don’t ever want to be second best. I feel I can walk down those steps to the locker room and be better than everybody else . . . I think going for rookie of the year is selling myself short.

I know… Beasley wants to be MVP… Right. I like confidence, I like a player getting out there and saying I can play with anyone and I’m not scared. But seriously? Vegas doesn’t think R.O.Y. is selling Beasley short, in fact, they are giving the title to Oden.

When asked what his favorite food was, Beasley responded “fast food.” Right, the cuisine of MVP’s. Beasley did an interview where he made constant jokes and smiles when talking about his $50,000 fine. He then ate a bag of Skittles. Something about this guy just rubs me the wrong way. When you make a mistake, you own up to it. You don’t hide it and then make jokes when you get caught.

I know Beasley will be a great player. He will put up big points, but if he can’t focus on winning, and bow down to Wade in Miami, then that team could be in for trouble this year. I liked them to surprise a lot of people and make the playoffs, maybe as high as the 6th spot. Now, I’m not so sure.

02
Oct

Oden is a Freak

By John 7 Comments
Categories: General Blazers and Players

Last year, Greg Oden was a kid fresh out of college excited to start his NBA career. Then, trategy happened and Oden had to miss all of his would-be rookie year. Now, one year later, Oden is ready to get his NBA career started, and what a difference a year makes…

Oden: One Year Ago

Oden: Present Day

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SERIOUSLY? ODEN IS A FREAK OF NATURE!

30
Sep

Miles Puzzled About Failed Drug Test

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General NBA and Players

A new article just came hot off the ESPN presses only about 10 minutes ago. It comes from Chris Sheridan and it adds yet another chapter to the Darius Miles saga. Here’s a quote:

NEWPORT, Rhode Island — Darius Miles says he has no clue what made him fail a drug test that will cause him to serve a 10-game suspension if he makes it through training camp with the Boston Celtics.

Speaking at length Tuesday for the first time since his suspension was announced by the NBA over the summer, Miles said he never took diet pills — the over-the-counter medication in which the banned stimulant he tested positive for, phentarmine, is most commonly found — and had never taken any medication other than what was prescribed by Portland’s doctors and trainers.

“I wish I knew. I really do wish I knew, but [Celtics president] Danny Ainge told me ‘leave it alone,’ so I left it alone,” Miles said.

At this point, I’m nearly convinced that Darius Miles will indeed play 10 NBA games this upcoming season even after his 10 game suspension IF he does get signed to a contract after training camp. That’s a pretty big IF, so don’t label me as someone who’s already convinced that Miles will get a contract with the Celtics. The article states that only he and Sam Cassell are the two players with non-guaranteed contracts on the Celtics’ 16 player training camp roster.

The thing is this, even after the suspension, Darius still has 72 left to play 10 games somewhere in those 72 games to get his salary put back on the Blazers. For anyone who doesn’t know exactly how badly it will hurt the Blazers’ salary cap, Miles’ contract, if put back on us, will take up 2/3 of the cap. That’s a lot of money.

However, scenario two is that the Celtics sign Sam Cassell (which I think is much more likely to be honest) and Miles bounces around the league looking for a team to sign him to some short-term contracts. However, with that 10-game suspension looming over his head, I’d find it hard to imagine a team signing him to a 10 day contract, having him sit out, then sign him again after his suspension has been served.

30
Sep

Yet Even More Media Day Videos

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General NBA, Interviews and Players

I’m sure you’re sick of all these quick, non-substanced updates but hey you know what, that’s what we do. The Blazers Blog just updated with two more videos from the Blazers Media Day featuring Ike Diogu and Martell Webster. Both videos can be seen below:

Raw video: Ike Diogu at media day

Raw video: Martell Webster at media day
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