NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor Bryant Knox gives us all a Portlander’s perspective on the situation regarding the Seattle Supersonics and the Sacramento Kings. It’s easy to sympathize with the city of Seattle, as having a team and a player like Kevin Durant ripped away would be devastating. However, empathizing with the city of Sacramento can’t be ignored, as Portlanders would fight to the death to keep their team.
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 Insider and Portland Trail Blazers Blogger Bryant Knox breaks down how the team earned an ‘A’ at the 2013 NBA trade deadline. Portland’s bench has been the worst in the NBA, and it found a huge upgrade at the point guard spot when it picked up Eric Maynor from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Damian Lillard has been fantastic, but he’s playing the fourth-most minutes in the NBA and he needs help. The other move—or non-move, if you will—was to keep J.J. Hickson.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox explains why the Portland Trail Blazers would be better of bringing J.J. Hickson off the bench this season. The Blazers bench is averaging just 12.8 points per game, which is hands-down the worst in the entire NBA. Meyers Leonard may not be ready to take the starting center role, but Hickson would be a far better leader off the bench at this point in the 2012-13 season.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs. Thunder matchup. The Headline: Despite doing everything else right, the Blazers can’t make their shots, landing their first loss of the season. Damian Lillard becomes just the third NBA rookie to get 20 points and 7 assists in his first two games. But not even that can erase the disappointing play from Batum and the bench.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers Nov. 1 matchup against the OKC Thunder. The Blazers are coming off a contest where the crowd had their back for an entire 48 minutes, and it will be interesting to see how this young group responds with the boos coming their way on Friday. Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Hickson and Nicolas Batum all stepped up to the challenge against the L.A. Lakers, and the Blazers will need similar performances Friday.
NW Sports Beat Insider and Writer Blair Thomas highlights what has been the journey of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra in another Northwest Coaching Profile. After three years playing in professionally in Germany, he found his way to the Miami Heat video room and became one of Pat Riley’s favorites due in large part to his work ethic and preparedness. Enjoy, and congrats Coach!
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas weighs in with a very sensitive subject. The Sonics fans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder beef. Blair likens this to a bad breakup between a boyfriend and girlfriend, where the Thunder are the hot gf who goes on to make it big in life, and the Sonics fans are the bf who can’t seem to let go or get on with his life.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Supersonics blogger Clinton Bell tells us why the death threats for the Oklahoma City Thunder t-shirts are alright in his book. With the theft of the Sonics by Clay Bennett and company, the fans of Seattle should be outraged at this kind of mockery to their brand. Not only do they steal our team, but then they use our logo to snidely rip us after our former team is on the verge of a possible NBA Championship.
NWSB managing editor Q brings us his Love Em & Hate Em recap from Wednesday night’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers. J.J. Hickson was a great pickup by the Blazers and he is showing his value. Jamal Crawford has been disappointing of late. This is a guy who has carried teams in the past with scoring ability, but he is in a major slump.
NWSB managing editor Q brings us his Love Em & Hate Em recap from Sunday night’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City. It’s hard to understand why, but the Blazers can’t seem to get out on three-point shooters this season. Like most of the guards on this team, Wesley Matthews has struggled most of the year. LaMarcus Aldridge struggled through this game.
Portland Trailblazers fan and NWSB Managing Editor “Q” weighs in with his Love’Em & Hate’Em column for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Trail Blazers game on Monday night. It’s tough to win a game when you get outrebounded 59 to 39. It’s even harder to win when the refs are horrible. LaMarcus Aldridge had 39 points. What more can you say about how brilliant he has been?
