NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor Bryant Knox takes a trip down memory lane and recaps the Portland Trail Blazers’ five worst draft picks in franchise history. Greg Oden, Sam Bowie, LaRue Martin, Martell Webster and Sebastian Telfair all make the list. With the 2013 draft right around the corner, let’s hope Portland grabs someone closer in talent and potential to Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers’ blogger Jason Hartzog gives five tips to the Portland Trail Blazers that, if followed, will lead them to the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Aside from building off of the success of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland needs to find a more defensive minded center, draft the best available player, and add some depth to their roster that they don’t currently have.
NWSB Insider Bryant Knox breaks down how Gary Payton can help Damian Lillard become a better defender for the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has a ton of confidence on offense, and if there’s anybody who can help transfer confidence to defense, it’s the Glove. According to Jason Quick of The Oregonian, the two Oakland natives have talked, and they plan on working on Lillard’s defensive game during the 2013 offseason.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers Blogger Bryant Knox breaks down the top 5 point guards in Rip City. Today’s NBA point guards rule the association, but back in the day of the big man, elite floor generals were tough to come by. Despite only playing one season, 2013 Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard makes the cut. The other players to make the list are Rod Strickland, Damon Stoudamire, Geoff Petrie and Terry Porter also make the list.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers’ blogger Jason Hartzog details how Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge are the building blocks of Portland’s future. Portland needs to give Lillard and Aldridge players who will compliment their styles. Should they choose to do so, they will see success in the near future. One thing Jason liked, was the move to try and get Roy Hibbert last off-season. That could have pushed them to the playoffs this season.
NWSB Insider Bryant Knox breaks down how Damian Lillard won the 2013 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award. This award was decided a long time ago, but it was officially announced on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Lillard became just the fourth player in NBA history to win the award unanimously, stealing first-place votes away from Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond. On his own team, Lillard had a bigger impact than LaMarcus Aldridge, all but solidifying the award.
Good signs for Rip City In case you haven’t noticed, the Portland Trail Blazers are in the midst of a significant rebuild. The 2012-13 season came and went without a trip to the playoffs, but if there was one positive takeaway, it was the performance of rookie Damian Lillard. Damian Lillard did it on the court, but [...]
Bryant Knox recaps the 2012-13 NBA season with grades for every Portland Trail Blazers player. LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard, JJ Hickson, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum all played well in the starting lineup. Meyers Leonard and Eric Maynor showed signs of potential off the bench, while the rest of the reserves struggled more than they succeeded.
Jason Hartzog grades the job that Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts did during the 2012-13 NBA season. Rip City gave Stotts his third attempt at being a head coach, and he did well considering the roster he was handed. Placing Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge was a recipe for success from the beginning, but allowing Nicolas Batum to become an integral part of the offense is what pushed him toward All-Star levels.
Bryant Knox breaks down which NBA prospects the Portland Trail Blazers should target in the 2013 NBA draft. If PDX can enter the top 3, Nerlens Noel has to be on their radar. Big man Alex Len will be tough to obtain, but with a draft-day deal, he could be a target. Michael Carter Williams, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cody Zeller should also be on Portland’s radar.
Bryant Knox breaks down three spots where the Portland Trail Blazers need an upgrade. With JJ Hickson’s future up in the air, starting center is the obvious one. Eric Maynor’s future is also questionable in Rip City, so backup point guard is a priority as well. Wesley Matthews has become a very good player, but neither he nor Will Barton are great enough to hold down the 2-guard spot by themselves.
Bryant Knox grades the job that Portland Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey did during the 2012-13 season. The good is highlighted by Damian Lillard, JJ Hickson, Eric Maynor and even Roy Hibbert. The bad is reserved for the depth, or lack thereof, that the team was depth. The Nicolas Batum contract and the drafting of Meyers Leonard look good, but are still up for debate.
