Suns Take Charge Early
posted: 11/26/2006 at 10:19 PM
Just minutes into Sunday night's game against the Phoenix Suns at the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers were faced with some familiar problems- how to get Zach Randolph the ball, and how to stop their opponent from getting easy looks at the rim. Zach was doubled and tripled by a swarming Suns defense, and scored 18 points with just 28 minutes, but they were hard-earned points. The effort to pound the ball inside resulted in a somewhat stagnant Portland offense, and the Suns did what they do best- run and score.
For the second straight game, the Blazers' saw their opponent shoot an extremely high percentage in the first half, and got in an early hole. Like Saturday's game at Sacramento, the hold was too deep, and the Blazers ended up falling 119-101.
Raja Bell missed a new career high by one field goal, scoring 30 points in 41 minutes. He was 10 for 19 from the field, including 7 for 12 from behind the three-point line. Two-time MVP Steve Nash was at his best, scoring 23 points and dishing out 10 assists. Nash would say after the game that this may have the Suns' best game of the season.
The Trail Blazers were led offensively by Travis Outlaw, who netted a new career high of 22 points on 8 of 17 shooting. Jarrett Jack scored 13 points and dished out five assists, but also turned the ball over four times.
One troubling stat catagory in the past two games for Portland was points in the paint. They gave up 44 points in the paint against the Kings on Saturday, and surrendered 54 in the paint against Phoenix. The hustling Suns also recorded 17 fast-break points, and 21 second-chance points.
Outlaw's 22 points, came while playing a career-high 45 minutes. He was thrust into a bigger role against the Suns when LaMarcus Aldridge was hit with two quick fouls, and then also took an elbow to the mouth from Phoenix's Jalen Rose. Aldridge needed five stitches to close the wound, and then tried to go in the second half, until he was hit again and was taken out of the game.
Aldridge's foul trouble, and injury, left the Blazers thin in the middle. That helped Phoenix rack up the points in the paint, and outrebound Portland 41-35. Help is on the way on the Blazer front line. Joel Przybilla is expected to practice Monday, and there' s a chance he'll be in uniform Tuesday.
The Trail Blazers' four-game homestand continues on Tuesday night when they host the Indiana Pacers at the Rose Garden.
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Hard to believe. Another awesome exibithion of talent of PG Sergio Rodriguez ang again you do no comment anithing at all.
Let's hope we bounce back when Roy and Pryzbilla are healthy. Fans might start thinking last season never ended unless something happens quickly.
its incredible!! can you talk about Sergio?He did 10 assists and 9 point in 22 minutes and nobody talks about him!!
Does anybody still have doubts about Rodriguez?
Has coach McMillan thought about starting Sergio and Jack? It doesnt seem like any of the other guards are doing that well. Maybe Sergio at the 1 and Jack at the 2 (or vice versa). At least until Roy gets back.
And just the other day someone was giving me a hard time for gushing too much about Sergio. He has even laughed and said he's going to start paying me to be his publicist. I love that he has so many fans, and if you're a regular reader, you know I'm one of them.
yellowjackets,
Not a bad idea. Jarrett played the two-guard spot a lot last season, and is big enough to guard some bigger shooting guards. They'd be a quicker team with that combination on the floor, that's for sure.
MB
I was at the Phoenix game and love our young guys and the potential of this group, but I find our offense vey dull and one dimensional. We try to get it into Zach, then when he cant't force up a shot due to double covergage, we jack up an outside shot before the clock expires. We do not run plays for the other 4 on court that result in any easy baskets. Until we get production from the others on court, we are going to be very easy to defend.
Mike: Aldridge, Sergio, and Roy -- The only thing that is working against them is their experience level. I say give them as much chance without burning them out as we can. As earlier sugguested Jack can easily play the 2. Tell nate I Dare him to start Sergio like he has Aldridge and Roy,, I Guess with three rookies i can make that a "Tripple Dog Dare" lol.
I think a speedy offense would help overcome some of the dragging that has come about lately. Think of the speed the offense would have with a lineup of Serge, Jack, Outlaw, Aldridge, and Randolph. Uptempo would be a understatement.
Starting both PG wouold be interesting but let's not give up on Martell. I would like to see Martell get some confidence taking the ball to the basket. I think Webster is the future of the org. just as much as any youngster.
Sergio's passes are accurate and on time. It looks easy, but it isn't. Jack's passes to Martell and other shooters often are a hair late, making it difficult for shooters to get their shots off. I think Martell should get his minutes with Sergio whenever possible. This may be suicide, defensively, but when we can get away with it, we should take advantage.
Sergio is not only the best passer on the team, but his vision is matched by very few in the league. Soon, defenses will start adjusting to Sergio and force him to prove he can score. He kept the defense honest, last night, and i know he can score on a consistent basis. Offensively, i think he's the most talented player we have outside of Randolph and Roy.
There just aren't many players in the league that make players around them better. Depending on what kind of ball you want to play, you have to consider Sergio as the future PG of the franchise.
I wonder if Phoenix's front office and owner were puking, last night, while thinking of their fantastic decision to give us Sergio for a small contribution to their bottom line. There is no other player in the league who's game mirrors the aging Nash's as much as Sergio's. I will never understand what they were thinking.
I'm still waiting for Rodriguez, Aldridge, Outlaw, and Roy to all be on the floor at the same time. Seems like that could be a team that could really run the floor, with Roy stretching the court with his ability to hit the jumper. And Outlaw and LA (his new nickname) running and dunking. The Blazers look like a totally different, and better, team when they push the ball. They are not a jump shooting team period. Coach Mac needs to loosen the reigns just a bit, and yet still micromanage until these young guns get some experience.
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