NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Bryant Knox previews the five biggest games remaining in the Portland Trail Blazers’ season. The Blazers began the year exceeding expectations, but they’ve since lost momentum, including a seven-game losing streak in the month of February. If the team wants to play past April, they’ll have to find wins against the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and yes, the Charlotte Bobcats.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox states why the Blazers will make the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Portland had one of its most disappointing seasons in recent memory in 2012. But with a new point guard, a new coach and a new outlook on things, the team can get back to the postseason much sooner than some may have anticipated. Damian Lillard was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Trail Blazers for a reason. To Lead!
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox states five “what if” scenarios for the Portland Trail Blazers 2012/2013 NBA campaign. Every NBA season tips off with more questions than answers, but the Portland Trail Blazers have been home to the unexpected more than most the past few seasons. With as much talent as Damian Lillard brings into the league, it’s easy to see how the Blazers’ success will rely heavily on how well the point guard adjusts to the game.
NWSB insider Blair Thomas brings us his analysis on the Gonzaga Bulldogs newest addition to the NBA, and more specific, the Los Angeles Lakers family. British Columbia, and Gonzaga product Robert Sacre was taken with the 60th pick by the Lakers, in a move that could be more benefitial to the Lakers depending on what happens with Pau Gasol. Sacre follows fellow Zags members Rony Turiaf, and Adam Morrison as members of the Lakers.
NWSB insider Steve Lee brings us an NBA draft preview piece today. Where will Gonzaga’s Rob Sacre land in this year’s 2012 NBA Draft? Steve lists 5 possible destinations, including the team closest to where he grew up and went to college, the Portland Trail Blazers. It seems like a bit of a stretch to see Sacre in a Detroit Pistons uniform for some reason and yet at the same time it makes a lot of sense.
NWSB managing editor Q brings us his Love Em & Hate Em recap from Wednesday night’s game between the Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers. J.J. Hickson started in place of star forward LaMarcus Aldridge and scored a game-high 23 points and had 13 rebounds. Aldridge is nursing a sore right hip. Jamal Crawford scored 21 points off the bench in the first half.
NWSB managing editor Q brings us his Love Em & Hate Em recap from Sunday night’s game between the Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers. Raymond Felton and LaMarcus Aldridge both played well for the Blazers while Jamal Crawford, Wesley Matthews and the Portland bench failed to show up. The Blazers pulled it out in the end, though.
NWSB insider Blair Thomas raises an interesting question regarding Washington State Cougars men’s hoops. Is Ken Bone the right man to lead in 2012? Although he has a winning record in his current stay with Washington State, his lack of recruiting and conference wins may ultimately doom him in the end.
NWSB insider Jason Green brings us a Northwest Coaching Profile on ex-Portland TrailBlazers head coach Rick Adelman. After getting his start with the Blazers in the late 1980′s, Adelman has gone onto become one of the best NBA journeymen coaches of our time. Adelman took the vast majority of teams he coached to the playoffs, making the conference championship several times with multiple teams. He is now in Minnesota where he turned them into contenders from the doormats they used to be.
Washington Huskies insider Brandon Choate brings you a comparison of great magnitude from the UW Hoops program. With the debate ongoing about whether current Dawgs Tony Wroten and Terrence Ross will go pro after the conclusion of this season, he brings comparison to two ex-Huskies who were in similar situations. Detlef Schrempf and Nate Robinson were both chosen in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Portland Trailblazers fan and NWSB Managing Editor “Q” weighs in with his Love’Em & Hate’Em column for the Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors game on Wednesday night. Thursday the Blazers take on the Clippers. Jamal Crawford buried the biggest shot of the game for the win. They’ll likely be without LaMarcus Aldridge again, so it will be a battle to stop Blake Griffin and company.
