Tag Archive for 'center-court-blog'

12
Oct

Blazers Lose Game 4 to Jazz

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers

The Blazers lost (not surprisingly) to the Utah Jazz this afternoon 80-93. The Blazers were without Rudy Fernandez, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. While Rudy’s ankle was still O.K. to play on, the staff wanted to play it safe and keep him on the bench, the same went for Aldridge and Roy. With those three on the bench and Blake and Frye nursing injuries the Blazers were spread thin and started with the line-up of Outlaw, Jackson, Oden, Randolph and Rodriguez. No offense to those guys, but that unit is not the unit to get it done.

For the boxscore click here.

For the AP story click here.

Finally, for some in-game observations from Casey Holdahl head over to the Center Court Blog here.

16
Sep

I <3 LA

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: Players

Another great article from the Trail Blazers Center Court Blog by Casey Holdahl. This new post chronicles the play of one LaMarcus Aldridge during 5 on 5 pick up games at the Blazers practice facility during the past few weeks. Reading it gives me chills and I’m willing to bet it’ll do the same to you. Here’s a quote;

Aldridge, knowing he’d have a tough time going blow-for-blow and toe-to-toe with Oden in the block, took the rook out to the three-point line and started displaying some skills that I had never seen before, namely the cross-over dribble. You ever see Aldridge dance at the three-point line before shaking his man? Me neither, but I saw it yesterday.

OOHHHHHHH BUDDY!

12
Sep

How the Boys are Lookin’

By Jeff 1 Comment
Categories: General Blazers and Players

The Blazers Center Court Blog just updated with a really nice write-up of how a few Blazers have been looking during their practices at the practice facility in Tualatin. Here are a few quotes:

– Steve Blake looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. Outside
of Steven Hill (who lives in a hotel and is thousands of miles away
from his friends and family, hence he’s got nothing better to do),
Blake is the most consistent presence at the practice facility. As Jason Quick has reported,
Blake has been working on his vert, and it shows. He’s not playing
above the rim, but he definitely looks more explosive. A bit more
muscular too.

Martell told me at the end of the season that he was going to work on
his ball handling, and from what little I’ve seen, an improvement has
been made. He also continues to gain confidence in his ability to put
the ball on the floor. This might be the year everything comes together
for Marty, and not a moment too soon.

The thing with a guy like Steven [Hill] is that he’s already better than other
big men who are under contract in the league. He’s better than Jamaal
Magloire. He’s better than Jerome James. I’m sure there are others.

Read the full article here. DO IT.

04
Sep

Jackson & McMillan Caught on Tape

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: Interviews and Players

The Blazers Center Court Blog updated today with a pair of videos with Nate McMillan and Luke Jackson. I’ll post the latter video here, but you’ll have to head here for the McMillan interview video.

If you don’t know what I think about Luke Jackson, I suggest you read this post. Now, after reading that post, you may think I hate the guy and you would be partially correct. Only partially. It’s not like I absolutely do not want him on the team or anything like that. If the guy proves that he has the chops to make it to a NBA roster, more power to him. My problem is that so many other teams have signed him to contracts only to see him get injured and become unproductive. Look, as you can see in the video, Luke’s a nice kid with a good head on his shoulders. He knows the what kind of opportunity he has been given with this invite to training camp and wants to make the most of it. I am just wary of giving up the 15th roster spot to a player who potentially may contribute as much as an empty one. But if he can drain a few 3’s in James Jones’ absence, I’m all for it.

04
Sep

Channing Frye Blog Series

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: Interviews and Players

The Blazers Center Court Blog just updated with a new 3-part blog series centered around interviews with Channing Frye.

The first is called “The contract catch-22.” If you are unawares, this upcoming season is a contract for Channing Frye. Many people have questioned his motivation regarding his off-season workouts this summer. Is it about money? Or is it about him as a player? Here’s an excerpt:

So finally this summer I’m like, this is what I do well. This is where I feel like I’m comfortable, you know? And I understand my diet; I understand my body. I understand what position I’m going to play; where I’m at. I found out this works for me, this doesn’t. For me it took me this many years. Regardless if this is a contract year or not; I would have still done the same thing and I continue to do what I’m doing and push myself because this is just who I am and this is what I do.

As much as I would like to believe Channing, part of me still believes that this upcoming year being a contract year has definitely been a motivating factor for him. I’m not saying that money is the only thing driving him, of course not, but I’m just saying that NBA players are not dumb. If they think they can make more money, they have to prove that they’re worth the money. What better way to do that than to have a stellar year in your contract year and get paid the big bucks?

Part 2 is titled “It’s tough being a Trail Blazer.” The article mainly focuses around the notion that people think the Blazers are “soft.” Personally, I don’t think entire teams can be soft, only certain players *cough* Pau Gasol *cough* The Blazers always seem to finish strong around the basket and stand together as a team whenever “ish” gets thrown down (I’m looking at you Lamar Odom). When asked to define toughness on the court, Channing gives a pretty good answer:

Center Court: What is toughness on the court?

Channing Frye: Toughness is your ability to get your job done regardless of situations. I think toughness isn’t a matter of being the guy that’s always trying to fight everybody. It’s a matter of, what is your job on the basketball court? Are you going to let other people dictate what you do? You know what I’m saying? That’s being mentally tough.

Finally, part 3 is all about Channing’s diet. If you’re like me, you actually like hearing about diets and what athletes it. You can read the whole thing here.

20
Aug

Rudy Mania

By Jeff 0 Comments
Categories: Players

Here’s an avalanche of Rudy Fernandez coverage:

Dave from Blazersedge.com gives his thoughts and opinions on Rudy’s game against China and how he’ll mesh with the Blazers offense.

Casey Holdahl has updated the Trail Blazers Center Court Blog with two posts about Rudy. The first is another recap of the Spain vs. China game, highlighting Rudy’s play. The second is all about Rudy in picture form.

After missing the game early this morning (Comcast no longer carries MSNBC on regular cable) I’m excited to see the absolute positive buzz Rudy continues to generate at the Olympic games. 21 points, 8 rebounds, six assists and 2 steals in only 34 minutes of play is truly astounding. Spain is now 2-0 with impressive wins over China and the 2004 Gold Medal winners Greece, and Rudy has been a force in both games. The USA vs. Spain game is live this Saturday at 7:15 AM with the tape replay at 10 AM on NBC.

Rudy seems to be improving his play as the games go on. Watching highlights of him truly makes me excited to see him in a Blazer uniform. However, the true test will come against team USA. Rudy will be facing the best players in the world and I’m anxious to see how he will perform. If Rudy can put on a similar performance against America’s best I can no longer see any doubt about how he’ll perform when he comes stateside.

Wanna comment on this post? Head over to the forum

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