NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Bryant Knox breaks down how Nicolas Batum has earned his contract through the first half of the NBA season. Batum signed a four-year, $45 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves this past summer, and the Blazers needed to make a decision. Let him walk, or risk paying too much money. Needless to say, the Blazers matched the Wolves’ offer, and it’s paid off up to this point in the year.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the rumors of the Sacramento Kings being sold to Seattle. Though there were early reports coming from the daughter of NBA agent David Falk that the Kings were being sold to Seattle (which were quickly dismissed), Seattle having a basketball team in 2013 became more concrete when Adrian Wojnarowski, a reporter for Yahoo! Sports, tweeted that the two sides were very close to an agreement.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about Portland’s easy victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Not at all resembling the team that lost to a mediocre Sacramento team just a few days ago, Portland jumped out to a lead and kept asserting their dominance, proving they are at least above a certain tier of teams in the NBA. One of the players that has been essential to Portland’s uprising this season is LaMarcus Aldrige.
NWSB Insider and Seattle SuperSonics blogger Clinton Bell gives us the first of his series “Checking in with the future Seattle SuperSonics” pieces. As their record shows, the Sacramento Kings aren’t anywhere close to being a contender yet, but they are just about where are Sonics were when they were stolen from us. A great core of exciting young players will have this team in position to contend when the changing of the guard happens in the Western Conference.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Hornets matchup. Hampered by a hip injury, Wesley Matthews has tried his best to get back in the game. He had yet to play since December 8th before starting Sunday. He also says the thing about this game—that seems to be getting buried—is how good Nicolas Batum was.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down Portland’s quarterly report. With a fourth of the NBA behind us, Portland’s performance is right about where it should be. The starters continue to push this team forward, while the bench continues to drag it back. After a torrid start to the NBA season Nicolas Batum’s production has taken a turn. There cannot be any doubt about Damian Lillard for rookie of the year.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox discusses whether or not the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge has hit his NBA ceiling. Aldridge’s ceiling has made him an All-Star power forward in a tough Western Conference. Whether he gets back to the All-Star game this year or not, he’s one of the best big men in the league, and he’s an offensive threat every night of the week.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Cavs matchup. Portland finally nabs a game on their East Coast swing, aided by a big game from the starters—all scoring in double digits. But Wesley Matthews slump continues, and the Blazers struggle to box out the Cavs.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin gives some insight on rookie sensation Damian Lillard’s quirky phobia of statues. But not just any statues, but statues of historical figures. With the Blazers paying visit to the Washington Wizards, it must have been a trying day for Lillard.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Wizards matchup. The Headline: squaring off with the winless Wizards, Portland continues its East Coast losing streak with this new 82-84 loss. Batum looked like he’s coming out of his slump, and Hickson had a season high 19 rebounds. But with four games left on the roadtrip, Portland needs to find some wins.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin takes a look into Nicolas Batum’s stellar beginning to the 2012/13 season. Despite an offseason spent trying to get away from Portland, Batum looks to have turned a corner in his career. With highs in all stat categories, Batum is becoming a major cog for the Blazers.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Pistons matchup. The Headline: despite a nagging back injury, LaMarcus Aldridge comes alive for Portland; unfortunately, it’s not enough to hold off the Pistons in this 101-108 loss. Also, the rookies show promise while the stars fade. The Blazers rolled with four bench players in this one, rookies Will Barton and Meyers Leonard were prominent.
