NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 8 matchup against the Houston Rockets. These two teams have faced off twice this year, and Portland has come out on top both times. Each team is fighting for the final playoff spots out West, and the winner of this one will be that much closer to acheiving their goal of the postseason. The key matchup in this one is between J.J. Hickson and Omer Asik, although watching Wesley Matthews defend James Harden will be fun to watch for all fans.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers Blogger Bryant Knox breaks down why LaMarcus Aldridge should be the starting center in Rip City. Despite being comfortable as the team’s power forward, advanced statistics show how valuable Aldridge has been at the center position throughout the 2012-13 season. The Blazers’ big man has stated that he wants to play alongside a dominant center, but if given the chance, he could be that imposing big that the team desperately needs.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 4 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This will be the third time that these two teams have faced off this year, and Portland is 2-0 in the series. In fact, since the 2008-08 season, the Blazers are 19-2 against Minnesota. The key matchup in this one is between J.J. Hickson and Nikola Pekovic. For Minnesota, Kevin Love and Brandon Roy are out with injuries. For PDX, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and Ronnie Price are all day-to-day.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella gives us his weekly Rick’s Picks, naming the All-Star performances showcased in Rip City. Going toe-to-toe with Spurs point guard Tony Parker, Damian Lillard was once again being baptized by fire in his rookie season, and like so many of his outings this year, Lillard impressed. LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and JJ Hickson earn All-Star recognition in week seven, while Nicolas Batum takes home the Dunk of the Week.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Steve Lee tells us this week coach Terry Stotts said this about Center/Forward JJ Hickson. J.J.’s not the prototypical center, but he complements LaMarcus Aldridge well. He’s a big guy, strong and athletic, and what he can do defensively against pick-and-rolls with his athleticism will help us. We can’t wait to watch the breakout season in 2012.
Resident NBA blogger and Portland Trail Blazers writer Steve Lee tells us today when you look at the Blazers backups, here’s hoping that those who hear their name announced at the beginning of the night have eaten their Wheaties! Joel Freeland, Myers Leonard, Luke Babbitt, Victor Claver, Sasha Pavlovic, Elliot Williams, Nolan Smith and Ronnie Price have their work cut out for them in the 2012 NBA season around the corner.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox breaks down how the Portland Trail Blazers did in ESPN’s annual NBA Rank. The team’s players range from No. 20 all the way down to No. 460, but the question is, did ESPN get their rankings right? LaMarcus Aldridge led the way at No. 20, Damian Lillard was surprisingly low at No. 211 and Jared Jeffries was surprisingly high at No. 268.
NWSB basketball insider and Trail Blazers blogger Steve Lee tells us At the very least, these players could help bridge the transition gap of a once promising lineup as the future Blazers learn the NBA ropes. With the Portland Trail Blazers in full rebuilding mode Leandro Barbosa, Derek Fisher, Michael Redd, Kenyon Martin are all possible players the could bolster the RIP city roster for opening day.
NWSB Writer Steve Lee gives you his five reasons on why the Portland Trail Blazers will not make the playoffs in the upcoming basketball season. With the ever increasing talent surrounding the teams in the west, Portland lacks the depth, and talent to make a run for the postseason. Plus, there is the injury curse that plagues Rip City. All in all, this Blazers team is just too young and unexperienced to beat out the likes of Dallas for the final playoff spot.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella tells us the five reasons why its ok for RIP city hoops faithful to get comfortable with the Terry Stotts hiring. For starters the early criticism of the Terry Stotts hire was the players’ desire to retain Canales as the head coach. They flat out like the guy. Wesley Matthews, and LaMarcus Aldridge were fond of him and instantly taken aback by the hiring of Stotts. It’s all good now.
NWSB Writer Steve Lee takes you on a journey through his experience with the 2012 NBA Draft. After extensively combing through the mock drafts on ESPN, CNNSI, YAHOO, and pretty much everywhere in between and beyond for the past week and all through the morning, the day is finally here. Lee updates on picks and goes in depth about the Blazers draft picks. Meyers Leonard and Damian Lillard.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella tells us the 5 moves new Blazers GM Neil Olshey needs to make for the Blazers to be competitive in 2012-13. By resigning JJ Hiskson, Olshey will have a player that is already comfortable with the system, and the core group of players. Of course if everybody in Rip City had their way, the newest Blazer this summer will be Steve Nash. Just look at his track record and ask yourself why you wouldn’t want this guy?
