New Summer League post over at O-Live

by Blazerholic on Jul 11, 2008 4:28 PM PDT

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/121574310374440.xml&coll=7

"There was style, substance and intrigue during the opening practices of the Trail Blazers' summer league team on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Style was provided by lottery pick Jerryd Bayless who had Blazers veteran Travis Outlaw and the rest of the gym buzzing after he drove through traffic and dunked high and hard, then followed it up with a delicate teardrop shot in the lane.

"Dang! Did you see how high he got?" Outlaw squealed from the sideline after Bayless dunked. Moments later, after the high-arcing shot in the lane, Outlaw remained impressed. "And he's got the touch, too."

The substance was provided by first-round pick Nicolas Batum, the 19-year-old small forward from France. A noted defender, Batum raised the eyebrows of Blazers coaches and management with his offensive game during the first two practices.

"If I was going to say there was a guy who kind of opened our eyes the first two days, it's Batum," general manager Kevin Pritchard said. "He's making shots and making plays for other people. We know what he can do defensively -- he's going to be a good defender. But he looks comfortable out there already."

Good Stuff!

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Good read on Batman

Sounds like he will get the minutes and with five games the 19yr. old’s nerves should settle down to show his worth.

KP wants to keep a “defensive wing” and Batman should demonstrate that he is IT.

Can’t wait for the show to begin.

by spencerbutte on Jul 11, 2008 4:44 PM PDT reply actions

If Barum can play good defense

then Webster or Outlaw is gone. I guess Webster could save his job by playing the 2 spot more, but he would probably be the third option.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 11, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

link

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 11, 2008 4:56 PM PDT reply actions

Hrmm

And yet, no mention of Sergio.

Not surprisingly, Bayless, Batum and Koponen will be the focus of the Blazers’ summer league team when it begins a five-game schedule in Las Vegas on Monday. The team started practicing Wednesday and will hold workouts in Tualatin through Saturday before departing for Nevada.
Assistant Monty Williams, who will coach the summer team, said he will play those three extensively in the 40-minute games, joking that he would play them 48 minutes if he could.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Jul 11, 2008 5:02 PM PDT reply actions

Segio

is spending his summer somewhere else. The Blazers were disappointed when he told them he was not going to participate in the summer league this year (lord knows he needs it) but what can you do? They can’t force the guy to play. Seriously though Sergio, don’t lose your spot to the Honka freaking Playboy.

Somebody wrote me during the draft that a guy on a Knicks blog had dubbed Pritchard "The Hamburgler". In this case the appellation seems accurate. Robble-robble. - Dave

by chrischa on Jul 11, 2008 5:08 PM PDT reply actions

Sergio is working out

on his shooting with a Blazer coach in the Canary Islands.

Remember, Sergio did very well last year in the Summer Leagues. He has nothing to prove (like Ike D.) there. Since he will be contending for minutes at point with Bayless (shooter), Sergio has to improve that part of his game.

by spencerbutte on Jul 11, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Glad to hear it

He’s seemed very unhappy with the team at times, and after losing his spot on the Olympic team not too long ago, I started to wonder if this could be a sign of him becoming more malcontent down the road. The Canary Islands seem like an odd locale tho…

by Blindsteepler on Jul 11, 2008 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions

He's from the Canary Islands

Sergio is from there, but last I heard Shooting Coaches can survive in Vegas as well and teach Sergio how to shoot as he tries to keep his spot on the team, and not get passed by with the new foreign flavour of the week.

I’m glad he’s working on his shooting of course, but he’s got a lot more than that to work on, and most of it involves game situations. He needs 5 on 5 against good players, and to get into the off-season runs in LA, Houston, wherever. Not just shoot jumpers with a coach.

I understand he’s down, and I would be too. He’s gotta fight though! He’s being a matador and letting the other PGs go right by him.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought he did rather average

In last year’s summer league.

For a speedy guy who played well as a rookie getting his chance to show what he can do as the main PG on a team, I thought he really did pretty poorly—at least, he didn’t stand out as an exceptional NBA talent in a league pretty much dominated by guys like him; albiet he’s not a scorer like the other quick guards who dominate there.

I was under the assumption (or thought I had read/heard) that KP and Friends didn’t tell Sergio he had to go to Summer League, because for him to refuse to go is pretty bad. Lotsa 3rd year players go, especially if they are as raw and young as Sergio. He needs practice running a team, PLUS shooting. He can do both.

I’d even go as far and say Sergio did pretty BAD in last year’s summer league, considering the expectations. He has much, much, much more to prove and didn’t show he could run a team even in that friendly environment.

Sergio should be all over being in the Summer League. If he truly didn’t want to do it, even with Bayless and PetKo coming in, that’s awful. All they’re gonna do is be put in a position to easily pass him by with a decent showing in Summer League, while Sergio doesn’t show himself fighting for his role.

Sergio is sorta in the Martell Webster zone after Marty’s 2nd season. Decent/potential laden rookie year, bad sophomore campaign, attitude in a funk, lotsa questions about their future, other people at his position to contend with, etc. Martell didn’t do that well in Summer League last summer either, but he showed he was fighting for it.

I dunno Sergio…

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I wonder if Sergio is still involved with His National Team?

The Olympic Team would possibily like to have Sergio helping them get ready for “The Games”.

I wonder what will happen?

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 11, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Ain't the Spanish team practicing now?

Sergio is in the Canary Islands, not practicing, and I doubt the National team is in the Canary Islands.

I hope he can practice with them, get some run in. Like I said above, he needs to practice shooting but more importantly he needs to get some real 5 on 5 in and learn how to defend and run a team.

He’s got talent, but he has holes even King of the Shooting Coaches can’t fix.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I think both Ours and Spains National Teams are on break!

I know Our Coach ain’t practicing with his Team.

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 11, 2008 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Ya mean Nate?

The US team was practicing just the other week I guess, but I’d assume our guys practice and join up less than the other national teams. The US Olympic team tries to make it as little of a burden for the NBA dudes as possible, I think, even to the detriment of our medal chances.

Obviously, I don’t know for sure if the dreaded Spaniards are practicing right now, and only a genius could say (or Amlmart1). I just wouldn’t be surprised if they were, but I hope Sergio gets to play with them.

Go run, play, learn, Sergio! Canary Island don’t teach you nuthin’ except what home is like, and you spent your entire life learning that already and where has it gotten you?

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions

When Spain annouced their Roster for their Nat'l Team..

...I thought they left one spot ona Team, Open.

Is it still possible, that we may see, “El Mago” on an “Olympic Podium” the 24th of August?

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 11, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Unlikely. Perhaps if an injury happens.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 11, 2008 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Bet he'd limp up there on crutches...

To get his Bronze

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 1:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Well Dang...

...Why Hang?

Ina Canary Isles!

I’m runnin’ out o’ xcuses here.

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

The "E" is a worthless "Piece o' Poo"...

...for startin’ a word with.

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I see a feeling of mptiness in your posts.

You serial letter killer.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 12, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Thar ya go Jo!

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Worthless piece o' "E"

Although it is the most us’d (& abus’d).

I may not need it “No Moir”.

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, the Spaniards are practicing a lot from 7-2-2008.

They will play before the Olympics at least with Argentina, Rusia, Lituania, Croacia y Letonia and about 8-12 games.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 11, 2008 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Kidd was Golfin' today!

Him, Charles and “Air Jordan (smokin’ a Stoggie) in “The American Classic“

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 11, 2008 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions

right

he was solid in summer league last year, but it wasn’t like he stood out as a NBA rotation player amongst scrubs. He was outplayed by Jose Juan Barea for goodness sakes.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 11, 2008 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions

seems like alot of energy for Sergio

you agree with me dont you Mortimer when I state Sergio makes no matter in the PTB plans. He’s gone like Jarrett Jack right? I just cant figure how KP is going to package both he and Web. Can you?

"Meow" --- My cat Bonzi on whether or not Travis Outlaw should start or come off the bench.

by bow4meow on Jul 11, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions

The difference being that Jack had trade value and Sergio doesn't...

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Jul 12, 2008 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Defense

Sergio will also need to be a better defender than Bayless. If Bayless and Sergio are compareable in shooting and slashing, Defense could become the determining factor. Something else that isn’t mentioned very much is that Sergio (as of right now) has more proven point guard/playmaking skills than Bayless. That could quickly change, but on the passing/setting up teamates/running the fast break game, currently Sergio is more proven.

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 11, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Playboy...

... beats no-play boy.

'77

by LaoTzu on Jul 11, 2008 5:19 PM PDT reply actions

"Batum will be signed this year"

says Quick.

Good read from Quick. To link up: click on Quick.

Batman isn’t signed with anyone else and the Blazers want to lock him in.

by spencerbutte on Jul 11, 2008 6:14 PM PDT reply actions

Oh you're just a bandwagon jumper

Sure, you like Batum NOW, but where were you during the season and before the draft?

You only like Batum because he was drafted by the Blazers, you big homer you.

Me? I was telling people about him since DAY ONE and even had his cute punim as my avatar. You? You don’t even know his real last name: It’s BAT-UM, not BAT-MAN. Batman isn’t even a real person, buddy.

You’re just a damn OBOE (Obnoxious Batum Only Endearer).

Cool that Batum is being signed, he’ll be fun. Please, have either or both Martell and Trout really break through this season so we don’t got a Sergio/Jack replay… please please pretty please…

Mortimer!

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Soon you too

will be a OBOE. It’s just a matter of time.

Before the draft, posters said, “Never draft him, you must be his brother or family.”
Recently some posters said, “Batum will only be sent back to Europe.”
Now posters are saying, “Batum will only play in the D-League.”
Some are hinting that, “Batum will only come in when it’s obvious the game is already won or lost.”

That’s before they have seen him play.

by spencerbutte on Jul 11, 2008 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, please

we can do better than that.

Overt Batum Ovation Exhibitionist?

OBE is Order of the British Empire, BTW.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 12, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

C'mon

A lil’ isle in the ocean.
Give me a break.

Pitch ‘n Putt’s callin. It’s a “Heck o’ a Day”.

"Lenny Suckerpunch Never bet on me" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jul 12, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Trout

Travis is now considered a veteran?

by Trail Blazer on Jul 11, 2008 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

Blazer's veteran

He’s been on the team longer than anyone, probably everyone but Paul Allen. I think that counts, but he’s been in the league what, 6 years now?

"... and with the thirteenth pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Portland Trailblazers select: David Bowie, of space." Draft Bowie!

by Sarbonis on Jul 11, 2008 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

It's scary

that we’re so young, the only player who gets actual burn (sorry Raef) is a 6th year player. And when I scary, I mean scary good!

by Blindsteepler on Jul 11, 2008 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Some more good stuff on Batum...

http://www.columbian.com/sports/blazerBanter/

“Williams impressed by Batum’s potential”

Batum looks good. However, he’s skinny as hell at only 190 lbs. Even if he ends up better than Webster and Outlaw in the future, he’s almost certainly not there yet.

by poster on Jul 11, 2008 10:27 PM PDT reply actions