NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB inside and Blazers blogger Jon Irwin reports on what he thinks are the odds for Portland players to bring home top NBA honors. Leading the way is Damian Lillard, who has a great shot at the rookie of the year award. LaMarcus Aldridge has a great resume for MVP, but is a long-shot in today’s NBA.
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. The Blazers struggled this past week, but a few solid performances continue to give this team hopes for the postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge, JJ Hickson and Nicolas Batum earn All-Star recognition, while Meyers Leonard takes home honors for Dunk of the Week.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 13 matchup against the New Orleans Hornets. The key matchup in this one is going to be at the power forward position, where LaMarcus Aldridge will be playing against both Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson.
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 Editor and Insider talks about Portland’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks. When Portland took the court against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, there were plenty of similarities between this contest and their game in Minnesota. The Blazers established a lead, could not find a way to continue building that lead in the second half, LaMarcus Aldridge had a monster game, and Nicolas Batum was still missing.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 6 matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The last time these two teams faced off, Dallas blew a huge second half lead, and Portland escaped with a victory. LaMarcus Aldridge proved to be the hero with his game-winning shot. This time, Portland is coming off a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves that saw them almost blow a big lead of their own. The key matchup is going to be between Damian Lillard and Darren Collison.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the Blazers’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night in Minnesota. Portland entered the fourth quarter leading the T-Wolves 77-58, a relatively large margin by NBA standards. But despite this big lead, the game turned interesting as Minnesota was able to put on an impressive fourth quarter, scoring 40 points along the way. A huge block by LaMarcus Aldridge that stopped what could have been a game-tying shot with the clock winding down.
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.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Steve Lee recaps the first half of the 2012-13 NBA season. There are key wins and key losses that have put the Blazers where they are today, which is one spot out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum have all had great seasons, which is why the team is playing better than most anticipated.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 2 matchup against the Utah Jazz. This game is going to be the second of a back-to-back series. Portland failed to earn a vicotry in the first game of the home-and-home matchup, and they’ll look to get revenge just 24 hours after losing by nine points. The key matchup in this one is going to be between Damian Lillard and the rest of the Jazz point guards.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 1 matchup against the Utah Jazz. Portland is coming off an emotional comback win against the Dallas Mavericks, and they’ll need to keep momentum going if they hope to make the postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge will be matched up against both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap in this one. Whichever player he is facing will be the other half of the game’s key matchup.
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. The Blazers struggled this past week, but a few solid performances continue to give this team hopes for the postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge, JJ Hickson and Nicolas Batum earn All-Star recognition, while Damian Lillard takes home honors for Dunk of the Week.
