Rockets Edge Blazers in First Vegas Game
posted: 7/6/2006 at 4:42 PM
Houston 88 Portland 82The Houston Rockets summer league team used incredible outside shooting to defeat the Trail Blazers summer league team on Thursday afternoon in the first game of the Toshiba Vegas Summer League at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, 88-82.
The Rockets were 10 for 17 from behind the three-point line and shot 56 percent as a team. They were led by former Oklahoma State star John Lucas, who had 26 points, but it was the long-range shooting of former St.Joseph's star Pat Carroll, and Steve Novak, who played at Marquette, who combined to shoot 8 for 12 from behind the arc, that did the big damage. Novak was drafted in the second round (32nd overall) by Houston last week, and looked very good today.
The Trail Blazers were led by Martell Webster's 29 points. He got off to a slow start in the game, but came on to shoot 10 for 19, including 5 for 8 from behind the three-point line. He was clearly the best player on the floor for either team, and looks like he's gained strength in his upper body. I talked to him briefly after the game and congratulated him on a nice effort. He said, "yeah, but we lost." That's what makes him great, and so likable.
Martell's game improved every time rookie Brandon Roy stepped on the floor for the Blazers. Roy was used at the point-guard spot most of this game, not a position he's used to playing, but was very impressive in this game, scoring 12 points and dishing out 8 assists. He was concentrating so much on getting everyone involved and on running the offense, he didn't look to do much on his own. When he did, he easily got to the hoop, and showed great strength with his ability to finish in the paint. He also went down to the block and posted up his defender several times.
Keep in mind, Roy has only had one night to learn this offense. I was sitting in front of a couple of scouts from another team and they were gushing over his game. I heard it mentioned several times that it appeared Roy was playing at a different speed than everyone else on the floor. His ball-handling skills are much better than expected, and he's quick enough to guard opposing point guards. In short, it's very clear after even just one game, why Roy was so in demand on draft day. It's true that he was probably the most NBA-ready player in the draft. The Trail Blazers were a different team when he was on the floor. The best part is, he can play three positions, and has the poise of a guy who played four years of major college basketball.
LaMarcus Aldridge had a good first day in the summer league. He showed his outside shooting range, and after a slow start, scored 8 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Aldridge played some at the power-forward position and also played some center in the second half. He has great back-to-the-basket moves, and even stepped out and hit the perimeter jumper several times. He had an impressive rebound slam dunk, and is a good defender. He blocked a shot (even though he wasn't given credit for it) and altered several others with his length. You're going to be suprised at how athletic he is and how well he runs the floor for a guy nearly 7 feet tall. Rice, who was sitting next me, as always, was going nuts for Aldridge during the game. At one point he said to me, "I'm not sure if he's more like Dwight Howard or Kevin Garnett." I know, Rice is dramatic. I said back, "will you give the kid at least two summer league games before you start tossing up comparisons?"
Travis Outlaw had a tough first game, and appeared to be trying a little too hard to make things happen. He shot just 3 for 12 from the floor, and scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the game. The Blazers have been considering playing him at the power forward position in the summer league, and have been telling him to crash the boards at both ends. The effort was certainly there, but I'm sure Travis was unhappy with his overall showing.
Raef LaFrentz, one of the newest Trail Blazers, was on hand to watch the first summer league game, and spent most of the game sitting by player personnel director Kevin Pritchard. Before the game started LaFrentz spent some time with Nate McMillan, and talked to all the members of the coaching staff and met the players on the summer league team. I had a chance to visit with him, and he told me after the initial shock of the draft-day trade wore off, he started getting very exciting about joining this Blazers team. I think people have underplayed the importance of this acquisition. He'll give the team a different look at the center spot. He can stick the deep outside shot and should really stretch opposing defenses. How much will Zach Randolph love that? Raef is living in his off-season home in Iowa, and was more than happy to make the trip to Vegas to see some of his new teammates and new coaching staff.
There are always recognizable faces in the stands at the summer league, and today there was a reunion of former Blazers at one point. Geoff Petrie and Wayne Cooper, now with the Kings of course, were sitting by Buck Williams, who is helping out with Golden State's summer league team. Buck and Cooper were teammates in Portland. Buck looks like he could still play in the league. His smile comes so easy, and he's so friendly, I had to remind myself this was one of the toughest customers in the league during his era in the NBA. He's living in Maryland and said he really misses the Northwest.
The Trail Blazers summer league team gets back to work tomorrow night (Friday) when they take on Golden State. That game, like today's, can be heard on a tape-delayed basis on KXL 750 AM in the Portland area, at 9pm. Talk to you later. I'm going to go watch Rice's wife lose more of her husband's money. I wish you could see it. They don't allow cameras near the tables, otherwise I'd post pictures of it.
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Mike,
I am enjoying your blogs very much. I am an older fan and have been a Blazer ever since their inception into the league. I'm very excited about the prospects of the team this year, especially after the disappointing season last year.
Keep up the good work.
Mike,
I am enjoying your blogs very much. I am an older fan and have been a Blazer ever since their inception into the league. I'm very excited about the prospects of the team this year, especially after the disappointing season last year.
Keep up the good work.
Great story. Webster got 29 points? Insane! I, for one, am very excited to hear of his improvement. I hope he is able to bring that level of play to the table this year. Roy was roy, you know we are all going to be holding signs up "Roy for ROY!" this year. A little disappointed in Aldridge's performance but, it is only one game. I hope these kids mesh well together and learn the nba game well. I think the future is bright, bright and bright. (This is coming from someone who has always disliked the blazers. Watching how they did their draft and their trades, I have a whole new outlook.)
Keep us up to date
I know Martell would come alive from behind the arc. My friends keep yapping about lack of outsid shooting, and I know that Webster would improve and will continue to for a while to come. With the friendship of Webster and Roy, the blazers will open up the low post for Joel, Raef and Zack. This is going to be a great summer league and an even better year!
I know Martell would come alive from behind the arc. My friends keep yapping about lack of outsid shooting, and I know that Webster would improve and will continue to for a while to come. With the friendship of Webster and Roy, the blazers will open up the low post for Joel, Raef and Zack. This is going to be a great summer league and an even better year!
Sounds like some positives, eases a lot of my PMD (post-Morrison depression).
Nice story Mike, sounds like fun down there with Rice and co. Your blog is sweet! Keep it up.
Thanks Mike. This is what great coverage is all about. You are the best. Now if our friends at the Oregonian can take note maybe they will become more positive too (they are today).
For all our Spanish friends here is one Oregonian looking forward to having Sergio with us this year. The summer league is a chance for new players and guys wanting to get extra work but the real work seems to be in training camp. Thanks for the support. 0h - and we will all be watching for Spain in the world championship this year, hoping you do well except when you play USA of course.
RIP CITY!
the blazers didn't drat adam morrison and now i am no longer a fan for two years. o and by the way they traded my two favorite players in telfair and khryapa. Thanks a lot guys...see u in 2 years
I am not sure about the logjam we now have at point guard? CAn Roy play small forward?
Hey Mike, you and rice are a great team. I love the post game interview. I hope rice still has some money left after the trip. you guys are doing an outstanding job. THANK YOU!!!
Hey Mike....could we possibly get some video or a detailed description of Joel from today's game against the warriors...I really think from what I have read that Joel has the right attitude about the game of basketball, sounds very aggressive and thinks he is and plays bigger than he really is (weight wise)...great coverage from you guys, keep it up
Ray,
This is a great beginning for the organization. I've always admire Martell and i hope he may bring it to the NBA and be consistent. For Roy and LeMarcus not bad, but not great. I hope they will perfom great in the summer league as well as the NBA.
Ray,
This is a great beginning for the organization. I've always admire Martell and i hope he may bring it to the NBA and be consistent. For Roy and LeMarcus not bad, but not great. I hope they will perfom great in the summer league as well as the NBA. Where is the Spanish Chocolate? Joe Freeland and Travis Outlaw your better than that.
Mike, no need to sugarcoat it. Travis Outlaw was absolutely horrible. I watched the game. He looked out of control and totally bogged down the Blazer offense. He doesn't make anyone better because he doesn't seem to be able to process multiple things at the same time. When he gets it in his head he is going to shoot, a shot is going up, whether it is in the offense or not. I like Travis a lot as a person, but I think the window is closing on Outlaw. Soon, the "great potential" tag is going to get dropped, and other teams are going to see him as just another athletic guy that doesn't understand the game and can't translate athleticism into basketball skill.
Mike,
Pass on heaps of praise to the management. I am so looking forward to the coming season.
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 2006-07 opening day starting line up!
(C) Lamarcus Aldridge
(PF)Travis Outlaw
(SF)Martell Webster
(SG)Brandon Roy
(PG)Jarret Jack
YOUNG RUN AND GUN
Replaced at the 5 to 7 min mark (TIMEOUT) of the 1st quarter by.
(C) Joel Przybilla
(PF) R. Lafrentz/B. Skinner
(SF) Zach Randolf
(SG) Juan Dixon
(PG) Steve Blake
VETRAN GRIND IT OUT
AND LET THE PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (Y) TEAM AND THE PTB (A) TEAM DUKE IT OUT ALL YEAR FOR BEST PER 48 MIN. STATS.
CAN YOU SAY SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT!!!!
Hey Mike--what ever happened to Kevin Pittsnoggle? I was hoping that the Blazers might pick him up as a free agent since he wasn't drafted--I was hoping we would take him in the second round, so for him to be still available...or is he?
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