On Your Marks
posted: 10/29/2006 at 11:01 PM
It's seems like only yesterday we were watching prospects work out in preparation for the NBA Draft. A huge draft day followed that process, and we learned so much about the immediate, and not-so-immediate future of this franchise. A great summer league in Las Vegas followed in July, and then came the off-season workouts in August. Finally, in September, the players began to report (those who hadn't spent the summer here), and we really started to get the fever. Now, following training camp, and the pre-season, we're ready to launch into another NBA season.
The Trail Blazers looked at this past weekend as "taking some final exams" in preparation of the big day, which is Wednesday. Coach Nate McMillan, and his staff, is busy putting together playing rotations, drawing out all the potential scenarios, and preparing a game plan for the first game. That's at Seattle on Wednesday night.
You would think, perhaps, they're looking ahead at the first week, or even first couple of weeks of the season. But, that's not the way coaches work. It's an over-used cliche', but it is truly one game at a time for these guys. McMillan always says, "the biggest game of our season is always the next one we play." We'll board the plane on Tuesday afternoon and head for Seattle.
Unlike the coaches, we can look ahead, and it'll be a tough opening stretch of the schedule, as the team plays it's first two games, and seven of its first 11 on the road. It's Seattle Wednesday, at Golden State Friday, and then the home opener on Saturday night against Minnesota.
We've debated a lot about what faces this team in the opening game. Would it be better for this young, inexperienced team to be playing at home in the first game? Or, is it better to get away from all the distractions at home and open on the road? Will it be more pressure than is perhaps fair, opening against a rival, the team's biggest rival in the league, in the opener, on their home floor? How will McMillan handle playing his former team to being a season where expectations are much greater than last season? How will Brandon Roy, who will be in the starting line up against Seattle, handle playing in his hometown, against the team he grew up watching? Those questions will be answered very soon.
Friday night the Trail Blazers ended the exhibition season with a six-point loss at Sacramento. It was another game the Blazers were very much in until the very end. The desire of this team was on display throughout the pre-season, and we saw signs the chemistry is building. Roles are being defined, and adjustments were made.
The team ended the pre-season with a 2-6 record. As we've pointed out, this is the same record last year's team ended with after the exhibition season. What I'd like to find out from you today, is do you feel better about this 2-6 record than you did a year ago? Did you see enough to get you excited, or do you have major concerns? If so, what are they?
RSS FEED
I think my biggest concern right now is Webster. This team needs him in the line up on a nightly basis getting big minutes.
Other than that the team shows some exciting promise. I look forward to wednesday when I'll finally get to SEE this new blazer team. I'm hearing good things about Zbo and Roy and Travis seems to be doing well but it's hard to tell just how much of an impact these players will have until I actually get to watch a game. That's the thing I'm most looking forward to.
The team is playing with energy and has been fun to watch this pre-season. But any fan has got to have grave injury concerns. Martell's back, how serious is it? Aldridge has never played a game in the league and he's already had his first surgery and rehab. Dickau has chronic injury problems, Zach is coming back from an inured knee, Darius may never get back from the same injury, Joel has had recent knee problems, Raef's calf is still recovering, and Jarrett's coming off ankle surgery that kept him sidelined all summer.
If everyone were healthy all this season, the Blazers might have something to build on heading into next year. My concern is that with the injury problems we've been plagued with lately, this may be a very, very long season. If we can get through the campaign without more injuries, I'd consider that a partial success in itself.
We didn't start the preseason with a set rotation. Unlike other teams, we basically started form scratch. We had new guys, late additions, injuries, and a crazy schedule. So, our record isn't an accurate account of what's going on with this team.
I came away from the preseason seeing one trend i believe can't be ignored. We played better using lineups that could run the floor, mostly because of defensive considerations. This is one reason why i think Aldridge will get meaningful PT this season.
I think he could see minutes with Zach. He can hit a jumper, which will create more space for Zach, and he can certainly get up and down the floor. I'm sure we'll see this combination, this year.
Turnovers will go down as the rotation gets some regularity and chemistry is built, and our offensive should be light years ahead of last season. I'm dreaming of the sick combination of Aldridge, Zach, Webster, Roy, and Jack against smaller lineups. I'm excited to see how we do.
The talent seems quite raw and the players very specialized in what they are good at offensively.I expect the team to look much better when Miles gets back.
Wasn't sure that relying so much on posting up Zack was a good idea but then again it's getting the opponents into the penality first and this might be the key to early success. Hope we don't wear him out.
I like this team but then again I always do. Because nobody else is saying it I will. They will make the playoffs. Have to think that way, I'm sure some of the players do. I might as well join them. A great coach could pull it off and Nate might just be one of them.
Bingo Bango Bongo !
MB,
With all of the offseason moves and the picks Portland made, how can you not be more excited about this years 2-6 record than last years? We should have expected a poor pre-season record because these guys are still trying to get used to playing with one another. I believe the first half of the season the guys will struggle a little, but after the All-Star break, I expect them to be much more effective playing as a team since they'll have some chemistry built.
I would not be one bit surprised to see this team finish close around .500 and we all know that would be a TREMENDOUS improvement from last year. Some say they see the Blazers in playoff contention again in about 3 or 4 years. I think that they will be flirting with the playoffs by next season. If we make one or two more moves, we'll be good to go. Brandon Roy is the PERFECT guy to build a franchise around.
I do have a major concern. Obviously Darius Miles and his health are a concern. Another question is, does he really want to be here this season? If Portland gets off to a bad start, I have a feeling we'll be seeing the same old Miles from the end of last season and we definitely don't need that attitude around with the young guys we have. Another concern is, will Zach stay out of trouble? I knew right away when we decided to let Randolph get playing time a few years ago that Rasheed's bad attitude and complaining would effect Randolph in the future. Same with Damon Stoudamire. How hard is it to do something you love (professional basketball) without getting into off-court trouble? My last concern is Jamaal Magloire. He seems a little slower than everyone on the court and likes to turn the ball over a lot. How hard is it to not travel? I can understand traveling in some situations but come on, you're in the NBA.
Although I feel better than a year ago, the low assist per turnover ratio and inconsistency on defense in this year's preseason are major concerns.
Hey Mike, long time reader, first time blogger. I am very optimistic about this year. The pre season doenst really translate into reg. season performance anyway, however if it werent for those couple games with horrific amounts of turn overs, we could easily have finished 4-4 or even 5-3. I chalk much of the turn over problems to a new group of players still getting to know each other and the system. Hopefully after 10-15 games, we will really start to play cohesively and efficiently. If we can do that, we might just see an exciting season.
everyone that commented here has great views! i saw an article by the espn prediciting the outcome of the blazers and that had blazers on the bottom of everything. anyway, there was a blogger that said he would get a blazers tatoo if blazers win 10 a row.
this year, i think it can be done. im actually starting to think about using the old vintage blazers logo...mmm...hey, that reminds me...dont forget, the blazers were the worst team a season before the '77 championship. im getting an another tatoo if blazers win the champs like they did in '77. oh it was an amazing year! bill walton=lemarcus aldridge=championship. what do you think?
nate
I am hands down the biggest Blazers fan outside Portland. I am from Brazil and will follow every single game listening it on KXL on my computer. I am very excited and think at least this year we can count on guys to have passion and heart on the court.
Best regards to all,
Ricardo Santos
Turnover, turnovers, and more turnovers.
We just don't have any margin for error and not one preseason game with more assists than turnovers is the biggest thing that jumps out at me. I love JJ, but he's got to do better in this area if he's the starter.
On a positive note, I love the effort and it feels good to like most of the guys on the roster again. It's been a while and I can't wait for Wednesday.
Go Blazers!
Hey Mike,
Definitely feeling better this year than last. My one major concern is lack of a clear starter at small forward. This could hurt the teams ability to find its identity and develop some chemistry. Hopefully one of the guys will step up and make themselves the obvious choice for the starting role.
Hey Mike,
Definitely feeling better this year than last. My one major concern is lack of a clear starter at small forward. This could hurt the teams ability to find its identity and develop some chemistry. Hopefully one of the guys will step up and make themselves the obvious choice for the starting role.
Hey Mike,
Definitely feeling better this year than last. My one major concern is lack of a clear starter at small forward. This could hurt the teams ability to find its identity and develop some chemistry. Hopefully one of the guys will step up and make themselves the obvious choice for the starting role.
Mike,
As I was thinking about the team last night, there are many positions which are improved from last year. Starting with Center, unlike last year we have, I believe, Pryzbilla who will not suffer as many injuries as before, a Backup Center in Magloire who will be a low post scorer and enforcer, and a shooter in Raef who can spread the floor. In many ways this team has many more dimensions to it than it did last year.
The Power Forward position will also be improved. Zach is ready to have an All-Star year with his health not in question this year unlike last (remember, he has a room already reserved in Las Vegas for the All-Star game). Travis Outlaw's play has been much improved and will serve well as a backup power forward as well as Raef who could see some time. How can we forget our #2 pick? He will be able to contribute some as well. Compared to last year when we had an unhealthy Zach, and Ruben and Skinner playing the 4 this is a much better position.
The Three is probably the one position I am most concerned about. I know Ime has played great in the pre-season, especially on defense. But with Martell's injury, and his youth still present, it seems as though this position could be a little inconsistent. Last year With Ruben, an unhealthy Miles, and not knowing what you'll get from Outlaw and Martell every night I still think this position has improved. Especially if Ime can contribute right away and gain the confidence of his coaching staff to use him on a regular basis. I believe Ime is that calming consistent force that the team needs at the 3.
The 2 is maybe the most improved over last year. While Dixon did a serviceable job last year, seeing Roy step in makes me believe that we have a true off guard of the future, and now. Yes, he will make his rookie mistakes, like everyone, but I believe his learning curve will be much faster than most. Don't be surprised that by the end of the year, the offense will run through Roy, especially late in games. Compared to last year the offense is more geared to attack the basket as opposed to streaky outside shooting. Dixon is a great outside shooter/scorer who I believe is best when coming off the bench. I see a possible lineup of Dixon coming off the bench, and Roy sliding to the point. This would take any defensive liabilities with Dixon at the 2 and negate them.
At the point, the loss of Steve Blake may be the biggest hurdle to overcome. I am a big Jack fan and I believe that he will do a great job for team this year. My only concerns are at the end of game ball handling situations. Last year's game against Denver where he was stripped in the last few seconds of the ball game shows me that ball handling might be a concern. Dickau coming off the bench will be good, as I like the energy he brings to the game (I used to play with him a little in Vancouver before he turned pro, and he does not lack confidence). If Dickau or Jack gets hurt this position could be a concern. I would rather not put Sergio in the game except for mop up duty or 5 minutes here or there to change the pace of the game (too many turnovers). Roy's natural position is not the point and I would just assume not have him guard quick fast point guards. This could lead to too many fouls.
Overall I am excited about this coming year. I see that Nate has softened up a little this year (although I am sure he would not want to be categorized as soft), and I believe that this team will potentially be a .500 ball club. That is the most wins I can see. Realistically I see the win total to be between the 20 last year and the potential 40. I believe this year more than last year the win total will have a lot to do with coaching. If Nate can get the right mix on the floor at the right times, I believe unlike last year that the second unit will be as strong as the first. This will allow, as Nate likes to say "to play all 48 minutes" and be competitive.
Thanks Mike for your great Blog and for putting up with Wild Rice! (just kidding, I am actually a fan of the Wild one, call me crazy I know)
Chris
Better than last year, I'm still a little sour about losing Viktor though. I was a little disapointed in Jamaal's numbers and Joel's points. Joel can catch the ball in the key and dunk it on about everyone. I didn't really see anything more than the highlights but I think our posts need to step up. I'm with Rob on the injuries, we have too many players injured.
Hmmmm. Excited? Interesting. Am I excited to see a team win 20 - 30 games and struggle all year? Does that make sense?
To tell you the truth, I'm excited to see what Branson Roy is going to do. I'm excited to see Jack, Roy, Martell, Zach, and Pryz. I'm excited to see Roy, Martell, Outlaw, Z-Bo and Pryz just to see if anyone can matchup with such a HUGE lineup.
I'm a little worried about Martell's back. That could be a damper on the season if it becomes a problem. I was actually happy that Darius' knee wasn't going to be ready so we could see Martell and Travis in the SF rotation.
I was excited to see Pryz and Magloire fight it out for Center, but Magloire hasn't showed anything except being Joel's backup.
I'm excited to see a team on the floor that I can say, "I like those guys." I'm excited to say, "Did you see that?!"
Yeah! Bring on the season. Lets see if the team can turn some heads and surprise some people. I would like to see the team grow faster than anyone thought and actually do something in a division up for grabs. I'll be excited!
Hmmmm. Excited? Interesting. Am I excited to watch a team win 20 - 30 games in a season? Does that make sense?
Actaully, I'm excited to watch what the kids can do. I'm excited to see if the kids can put it together faster than anyone thinks and make a run in a division that is up for grabs. I'm excited to see Brandon Roy and if he will be 'The Man' from game 1. I'm excited to see a team play and want to win and work hard.
Okay, you got me. I'm excited to see if JJ,Roy,Martell,Travis,Z-Bo, Jamaal, and Pryz can become a great team in a short period of time! I'm on board!
I think Mark answered his own question when asking about Mags' uncanny ability to travel..........he's in the NBA. I don't know if the traveling violations will be called as closely during the regular season as they were this preseason, but if the past gives any insight, it probably won't. Personally, i'm all for the NBA getting back to a point where players actually have to be able to play basketball to perform, well. I would be happy to see guys like Magloire forced to adjust to proper officiating or find a new line of work.
I'm really looking forward to seeing them play this year.. I think this year is going to be very telling with lots of ups and downs.. With all the great moves the front office made,I think we are one year away from being really good.. Jack is going to get a solid year under his belt, as will roy and Webster.. I hear Zach is tearing it up and making other guys better now... The presants of the new veterans like Reaf and Jamaal will be a big plus in the locker room.. Should be a fun year!!
I'm also hoping that the officiating will tighten up this year. I saw so many non calls last year it made me sick. It gets annoying to watch someone on a fast break take like 5 extra steps before they do some fancy dunk and they get no call. I understand that the referees are human and everyone makes mistakes, but come on.
I would also like to see the NFL's officiating tighten up too. I rest my case after last years Super Bowl.
Due to its youth and players unaccustomed to playing together, this team needed a pre-season much more than both.
That said, while I saw only one game, the results were promising. 2-6 is disappointing, as you almost expect a team like this one to do better than most because they're not playing 8 guys auditioning for the 11-13th roster spots, but I guess that works both ways.
As for injuries, I'd say the team is in decent shape. All teams have some problems. The exception is Martell - he is essential to the development of chemistry and roles, and the PT is important to his development. That said, players seem to be fitting into roles better than I would have expected. It is right to be concerned about the number of people who could be hurt, but this is a deep team and right now the historically injury-prone guys are healthy.
Someone mentioned the influence of Darius. While it's a concern, Darius just won't have the influence in this system. Nate controls things much more than did Cheeks, and there is a good culture here now. A guy like Darius has less influence in a healthy culture.
So am I excited? Yes! This team is dramatically improved. It has energy. It knows what it needs to work on (ie TO's). It's a bunch of good guys - this is the kind of team a city wants to root for. I will be. Go Blazers!
I’m excited for this fresh team. I like that the team is much cleaner (no more bad apples) now. I’m excited about Roy. I think he is going to be the next franchise player for Portland. I am now a proud season ticket holder.
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