Leaving Las Vegas
posted: 7/12/2006 at 5:42 PM
Phoenix 91 Portland 82The Trail Blazers finished play in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League today, falling to the Phoenix Suns 91-82. Portland ended the league with a record of 3 and 2, and tonight most of the players head for the airport to fly home (not necessarily Portland, of course).
While it may have been a loss on the scoreboard, it was hard to feel too badly after watching rookie Brandon Roy finish the league with his biggest game yet. Roy, who has wowed national writers and broadcasters with his play in Las Vegas, scored 35 points today, including 15 in the third quarter when the Trail Blazers got themselves back into the game. At one point in that third, Roy scored 11 straight points, including hitting back-to-back three pointers and helped the Blazers cut Phoenix's lead, which had been as big as 18, to just 5 heading into the fourth quarter. He ended the game 13 of 22 from the field, and was 3 for 3 from behind the three-point line.
I've tried to give you a taste of what other people have been saying about Roy down here in Las Vegas, as he has been the most outstanding player here, without a doubt. Today simply added to his terrific week. But, as I've been reminding you, this is just summer league, and we don't need to remind Roy of that. As he told us on the radio show on Tuesday night, "summer league can be fool's gold. I know it won't like this when the regular season begins." In other words, don't worry about Brandon getting a big head because he was able to dominate this league.
The most impressive thing about Roy today was the fact that when his team was struggling early at the offensive end he simply decided to take over the game. The coaches had been asking him to start looking for his own shot a little more, and he certainly did that. Keep in mind, once again, Roy was playing the point-guard position this week. That's not a position he played in college, and probably won't spend much time there when the NBA's regular season rolls around. Roy ended play in Las Vegas averaging nearly 20 points per game, and shooting a whopping 65% from the field. Not bad for a point guard... who really isn't a point guard.
One last thing on Roy, and then I'll move on. We've been talking about him all week, obviously, and really the only question remaining about his game was his long-range shooting ability, because we just hadn't seen it. Going 3 for 3 today, and 4 for 6 during the league helps answer that question. He's got a very pretty stroke, and it so effortless, just like everything else he does. Okay, just one more thing. I liked this line from Rick Kamla who said, "Roy has a vibe, a poise, and an aura, that screams star."
Speaking of first-round picks, LaMarcus Aldridge had his best game of the summer league today as well. It's really a guard-dominated league, and the big guys don't get many touches. Today, however, the Blazer coaches wanted the ball in Aldridge's hands a little more. He ended the game with 19 points (on 8 of 12 shooting), had 9 rebounds(5 offensive), and 4 blocked shots (we had him with 6).
I spoke with LaMarcus before the game and asked him if he minds not getting all of the attention, with what Roy is doing. He told me, "not at all. I love that I can fly below the radar a little bit, and I love what Brandon has done. He and I will go through the fire together this year."
Travis Outlaw had a nice game as well today, and continuing on this theme, it was probably the best game of the summer league for him. Travis struggled in the first couple of games, and really tried to force his offense. Today he was just out there hustling his tail off and letting his athletic abilty take over. He ended with 16 points and 7 rebounds, and had another highlight dunk finishing a fast break.
Zach Randolph was in attendance today, and really seemed to enjoy being around all of the guys. He met the new additions, and caught up with the returning Blazers, and gave trainer Jay Jensen and strength coach Bob Medina and update on his knee, and workout schedule. He told me his knee is feeling great, and that he can't wait for things to get started in Portland. I also asked him about Joel Przybilla returning to Portland and his eyes lit up. He said, "it was great that Joel chose to return to Portland, when he had the opportunity to sign with either Detroit or San Antonio. He really believes, like we all do, that we've got something great going here. He wanted to be a part of it."
By the way, Zach did the third quarter in the radio analyst's chair next to Wheels and Antonio today. He came out of his seat when Travis hammered down his dunk in the third. I reminded Zach that he's not supposed to be a cheerleader on press row. He said, "you guys always do that." Touche'.
I'm actually writing this blog at the gate at the airport in Las Vegas. We've got a while before our flight departs for Portland. This is probably the first time I haven't been sitting in a cloud of smoke since we've been here.
This town is a smoker's paradise. We even made a run by a local grocery store- not a convenience store, but a national chain grocery store. People were puffing away, and yes, there was a line of little old ladies playing slot machines near the front of the store, all blazing away. Our checker, who was obviously working a "day job" had a pack of smokes sitting on the counter and even dropped the f-bomb, twice, while ringing us up. The lady behind us considered, out loud, calling the manager, and then we realized that checker
was the manager. That was a first. I know, what happens here is supposed to stay here, but that's just too good not to mention. I was with TV producer Scott Zachry and photographer Jeff Curtin, and we're still talking about that one. We got to the car in the parking lot and were like, "did that just happen?"
Other "highlights" from the week in Las Vegas:
-After we went to watch the Little River Band in concert (if you're from the 80's you'll appreciate that) we were invited to the hospitality room to meet the band. Wheels knows the tour manager and that's how we pulled that off. Comped tickets, of course. It turned out that we were the only ones in the room, and sat with the band for a couple of hours. That was pretty cool. Rice loved all the free stuff, and I'm suprised he didn't take out some Tupperware.
-While in the hotel lobby ordering coffee to go, assistant coach Maurice Lucas discovered he didn't have any money (Rice can relate). Zachry had to buy his coffee for him, and commented "I'll never see that 3 bucks again."
-The massive fountain in front of the Bellagio has to be one of the top free attractions in the world. It's incredible. I don't really gamble, so that was my entertainment.
-The big winners in Vegas- plastic surgeons and tattoo artists.
-I already know what LaMarcus Aldridge snacks on late at night- Teddy Grahams and Cheez-its. I had to made a run for him late on Friday night.
-The In-n-Out Burger just off the strip. Holy cow. When are we getting these in P-town? Curtin says he saw the most beautiful woman in the world, eating a Double-Double, in the joint. He asked Z and I if we agreed, we said "no, our wives are the most beautiful women in the world (that one is for you, dear)."
-Oh, that Brian Wheeler. What a giver. The local economy is in better shape than it was a week ago.
-Antonio Harvey set up shop by the pool at the hotel. Good scenery I suppose. His comment to that, "come on man, I was working on my tan."
-At the actual summer league it was a reunion of sorts for former Trail Blazers. On one afternoon I saw, Buck Williams, Terry Porter, Danny Ainge, Jerome Kersey, Wayne Cooper, Geoff Petrie, Mario Elie, and T.R. Dunn. And, of course, from more recent times, Sebastian Telfair who I talked to today.
-Lastly, and most importantly, this summer league provided a buzz and feeling about the Portland Trail Blazers that I haven't felt in years.
Be good.
MB
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Mike-
I look forward to reading your blog everyday. It provides a temporary relief from my blazer addiction. Can't wait until the regular season starts...4 months is WAY too long.
I am pleased with Roys performances. It shows he can play in the nba well. Yes its only the summer league but...I am also plzed with outlaw and aldrige and Webster when hes on fire. When hes cold its nice to see others stepp up. Thats what a team is. Helpin others out a little. Its all good in the hood fine on the vine sweet on the street. If i had the money i would buy season tickets for life.
Mike,
Just wanted to say great read. I wish I could of been down there . I can't wait for the season to start.The Blazers are going to be fun this year.Just wanted to Thank everyone at the Blazers for all of your hard work . Even my season ticket reb Todd : }GO BLAZERS !!!
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the great reports from Vegas. Sounds like everyone had a good time. Can't wait for the preseason so I can see Roy in action. As a former Huskey, I had hoped Roy would do well down there, but he has exceeded my expectations. Hopefully Nate can figure out a way to keep Roy and Martell on the floor at the same time.
Summer league is over and we finished 3-2. I have a real good feeling about this season and cant wait for it to start. Great work Mike on the updates through out the off season.
man I miss Portland.(except the rain)I'm a Blazer fan who now lives in LA but I still keep track of whats going on with the Blazers, and it looks like everything is coming together for them. I'm happy for that.getting Lemarcus and Roy was great moves. I kinda felt sad to see Telfair leave Portland but I know it will turn out good for our team in the long run.....GO BLAZERS!!
Mike great article, but where's the box score? I need to know what Martell did against Phoenix, please. Boy Roy and LaMarcus are certainly showing why they had all the hype!! I think this might go down as 1 of the best drafts for the Blazers in quite sometime. Keep up the good work.
Mike,
I enjoy your blog and your work on the air. I have to take "lisght" exception to your criticsm of Vegas and it's smokers. Yes, smoking is allowed in all casinos. There have been efforts to outlaw it, but the operators are paranoid that that might mean they'll lose customers.
As for grocerie stores, smoking is not allowed in shopping areas as you implied. There usually is smoking allowed in the gambling areas, which are almost always slightly more private areas (and also areas children are not allowed.)
What I'm trying to say, probably not very well, is that there are a lot of good people who call Las Vegas home. I'm one of them. I mean, I call this my home, good is a relative term. The broad strokes you seem to be using to paint us all are grossly unfair.
I don't know which store you were in, but there are a multitude of great places to shop and buy groceries in Las Vegas, and if I knew the one you had your experience with, I would cease to buy there.
Who doesn't eat Teddy Grahams and Cheeze-its late at night??? Sounds like some fun rookie hazing opportunities with Aldridge here....thanks for the great blog - laughed out lound
Ken,
Thanks for your response. We had a terrific time in Las Vegas, as I said all week, and it's an incredibly unique place. Our stories are reflection of that. The grocery store incident was actually very amusing, and it's one of our favorite memories, as strange as that sounds. There's just so much that happens there that's out of the ordinary, and I actually think it's kind of refreshing. Anything goes, and that's obviously been a big part of their tourism advertising campaign. The smoking thing is just so different from what we're used to in the Northwest, where people aren't allowed to smoke anywhere. I don't smoke, and it actually doesn't really bother me to be around others who do. It's just so unusual to see, when you compare it to what we see up here in the NW. I'm kind of more "live and let live" so to see relaxed rules, on everything, I don't think is necessarily an evil thing. As I said earlier in the week, for people watching, there's no place like Vegas. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip. And, we were always treated very, very well by everyone in Vegas. We travelled with the team to the Salt Lake City summer league for the first couple of years, and for the last two have been in Vegas. What a contrast.
Start making your signs Blazer Fans, "Roy 4 RoY". The performance he had to end the summer league will silence all the critics for a long time. We finally have a draft pick who has the ability change the direction that this team had been heading in. Nate is going to finally be able to pprove that he is the great coach Portland hired last year.
Four Months.... *weeps* i can't believe its that far away...oh well good luck to us!!!!!!
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