NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor Bryant Knox breaks down who the Portland Trail Blazers are expected to draft according to the national media. ESPN, CBS, Sports Illustrated and Hoopsworld are just a few of the publications. Players on Portland’s radar are Shabazz Muhammad, Cody Zeller, Alex Len, Kantavious Caldwell-Pope and the Northwest’s own Kelly Olynyk. With money to spend, free agency will be a hot topic around PDX as well this offseason. Stay tuned.
NWSB Insider and Seattle SuperSonics blogger Clinton Bell gives us his two choices for lottery picks the future Sonics should take a hard look at come July. Cody Zeller, and Nerlens Noel lead Clinton’s picks for much needed big man help on this Kings/Sonics roster. DeMarcus Cousins has the ability to be an All-Star for many years, but he needs a little help up front. Zeller has the offensive ability the Kings lack up front, while Noel is a defensive mastermind that will help on the low post.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Bryant Knox weighs in with some predictions for the offense in Rip City in 2012 under Terry Stotts. The season could be full of rough patches, as the team will enter with a young, inexperienced roster, but know right now that even if the team can’t find success right away, they’re going to put on display a far more entertaining brand of basketball in 2013. The utilization of LaMarcus Aldridge should be nothing new.
NWSB Editor and Writer Chris Anderson talks about Meyers Leonard, Portland’s second pick in the 1st round of the 2012 NBA Draft (11th overall). After weeks of working out many athletes and reviewing countless hours of film, the Blazers found themselves drafting Meyers Leonard from Illinois with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Leonard’s greatest strength is probably his size and ability.
NWSB Editor and Writer Chris Anderson talks about Damian Lillard, Portland’s 1st pick in the 2012 NBA Drat (6th overall). After weeks of working out many athletes and reviewing countless hours of film, the Blazers found themselves drafting Damian Lillard from Weber State with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He can hit shots from anywhere on the court, drive to the lane, and rebound.
NWSB Editor and Writer Chris Anderson talks about Will Burton, Portland’s second round pick out of the University of Memphis in the 2012 NBA Draft. After weeks of working out many athletes and reviewing countless hours of film, the Blazers found themselves drafting Will Barton from Illinois with the 40th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Though he may be an average player in the NBA, Barton can nonetheless contribute significantly to the Blazers.
NWSB Insider and Washington Sports blogger Brandon Choate brings us historical news from the University of Washington men’s basketball program. Husky hoops had 2 players drafted in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, the first time in history having 2 first rounders. Terrence Ross went #8 overall to the Toronto Raptors while Tony Wroten went #25 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Bryant Knox grades and analyzes the draft night by the Portland Trailblazers and Neil Olshey. The team took away 3 players in the 2 rounds. Welcome in the new RIP City ballers. Damian Liliard, Meyers Leonard, and Will Barton. The Blazers came in with two glaring holes in their rotation, and they left with two very solid players. Grade B.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas breaks down the 1st and 2nd rounds of the 2012 NBA Draft for the Rip City faithful. What a day. One of the best days of the year. Fun day to be a Blazers fan. There were no first round trades in Neil Olshey’s first draft in the Rose City. The team took away 3 players in the 2 rounds, 2 in the first with Damian Liliard and Meyers Leonard as well as 1 in the second with Will Barton.
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 Writer Bryant Knox details players the Portland Trail Blazers should avoid drafting with their picks in the 2012 NBA draft. The Portland Trail Blazers will have two lottery picks in this week’s NBA draft, and while the potential is there in every prospect, there are a handful of players the team must avoid with the No. 6 and No. 11 picks. Players include Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Steve Lee chimes in with a some destinations he sees fit for Jamal Crawford’s talents. With Ray Allen rumored to go to Miami, Boston would be an ideal fit for Crawford. He could come in and start, and help them with another deep run in the playoffs. Or there is the Timberwolves, they could rival the Trail Blazers as a northwest favorite with all of the northwest talent on their squad.
