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 Nov. 23 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. PDX fans have had this game circled on their calendars since the NBA released their schedule this past offseason, but with Brandon Roy no longer available for this contest, it appears to be just another game between two struggling division rivals. The key matchup in this one is between Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. Nicolas Batum nearly became a member of the T-Wolves this past summer.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about Damian Lillard’s performance through the early party of 2012. The young point guard from Weber State has been impressive so far as he has shown all it takes to be a standout point guard at the NBA level. Through four games, Lillard has played an average of 37 minutes, shot just over 40% from the field, made roughly 94% of his free throws, and scored 19.3 points per game.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox recaps the Portland Trail Blazers’ most recent roster moves. Nearly 24 hours before the team’s season opener, the Blazers opted to decline team options on Elliot Williams, Luke Babbitt and Nolan Smith for the 2013-14 season. All three players have the potential to make a roster next season, but at this point, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be in PDX.
NWSB Writer Bryant Knox talks about the strengths and weaknesses of Portland’s bench heading into the 2012/2013 NBA season. Heading into the new year, the Blazers are going to be one of the youngest teams in the league from the starting lineup to the 12th man, which should create for a number of ups and downs throughout the 2012-13 season. How will J.J. Hickson, Adam Morrison, Joel Freeland do in 2012?
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Byrant Knox gives us his 2012 starting lineup strength and weaknesses breakdown for each player. With Meyers Leonard, Wesley Matthews at SG, LaMarcus Aldridge at PF, Rookie Damian Lillard at PG, and Nicolas Batum at SF RIP City has some real great players to build around. One thing we know pretty well at this point, is what each starting player brings to the table.
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 Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Bryant Knox weighs in on the NBA’s best power forwards today and asks the question is LaMarcus Aldridge among the best? When Brandon Roy was still in Portland, he was the man and Aldridge was his sidekick. Not any more. Aldridge’s career-high 21.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 2011 came in a season where the Blazers ran the slowest pace in the NBA. Watch out 2012.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin tells us the five players that make up his all time starting team in the next chapter of our Moments In Time series on Northwest sports teams. The players mentioned on this list include: Bill Walton, Brandon Roy, Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and Clyde Drexler. That sounds like a dream team to me!
NWSB Writer Jonathan Irwin gives you his take on who can fill the role at center for the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s been a whirlwind week for the Portland Trail Blazers. Desperately trying to fill the void at center, it was announced Monday the team’s offer to RFA Roy Hibbert is going to be matched by Indiana. Then comes Wednesday, when it was announced that Euro league big man Joel Freeland will officially be making his way to Portland on a three-year deal.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Byrant Knox gives us his 2012 projections and predictions for the Blazers starting lineup in the fall. Unless the Blazers pick up a big man in free agency, expect the youngsters to make starting debuts. The stating center spot in Portland goes to Meyers Leonard, Wesley Matthews at SG, LaMarcus Aldridge at PF, Rookie Damian Lillard at PG, and Nicolas Batum at SF.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas talks about RIP City’s GM Neil Olshey’s possible interest in bringing in Chauncey Billups to Portland for Jamal Crawford. What could be a struggle for Olshey is trying to convince Billups to take a secondary role for a team that failed to make the playoffs in 2012.
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.
