Summer League Game 3 Game Recap: Blazers 78, Timberwolves 88
by Dave on Jul 17, 2008 9:33 PM PDT
Email
Print
Some folks will say this was the Blazers’ worst showing so far in Summer League. I guess it depends on your point of view. On the scoreboard, sure. We got outrebounded and we turned the ball over 25 times for 24 opposing points. That’s going to get you beat 9 times out of 9. We didn’t help ourselves by shooting 64.3% from the foul line either. Plus we fell victim to the Summer of Love. But all of that doesn’t amount to much. It’s Summer League. And this game showed us some new dimensions to the guys who are most important to us. Jerryd Bayless had another great scoring game with 29 points. He got his usual bushel of free throw attempts, hitting 13 of 16. However tonight he showed a couple of facets we had yet to see. First he hit some jumpers and finished some drives strong in traffic and transition both. Second he ran the point for stretches of the game, an assignment he’ll likely see more of over the weekend. He defended the point credibly and, as we said, was able to score at will. The coaching staff would like to see him involve more people as a point guard, but on a night where he was just getting his toes wet he did well. Petteri Koponen had a solid effort in some ways and struggled in others. He had a couple of aggressive drives and hit some jumpers. His offensive abilities have shown forth clearly this week. He looks at ease with the ball in scoring position. However he looks less comfortable handling the ball. He faced pressure tonight and didn’t handle it well. Those slow, long dribbles are starting to catch up with him. If Petteri makes it in this league it will be as a point guard and the one thing a point guard cannot do, especially if he works for Nate McMillan, is turn over the ball. Nicolas Batum also found his comfort level tonight. He hit 5 of 7 shots, grabbed 5 rebounds, and scored 12 points. After the statistical trickle he’s been producing that’s a regular tsunami. He had defensive responsibility for Corey Brewer much of the night and Brewer barely got a shot off. Some of that appeared to be disinterest, but give Batum his due also. On the other side of the ledger he, too, turned the ball over 5 times. He missed 3 of 4 free throws after draining dozens in a row in practice. Another observation from the coaching staff was that he put the ball on the floor too much on plays designed for him to shoot. He’s not using his length and athleticism to full potential. But he is 6’8”, he has the potential to finish quicker than a Casey Holdahl blind date, and he’s smooth like a Dave pick-up line when he’s moving with or without the ball. Everybody will be better off if they consider Batum an athletic utility player with potential for the future instead of an instant impact player. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll have a feature on the Summer League observations of Trail Blazers Director of NBA Scouting Mike Born. He tried to help us see the game in a little more detail, shared metrics to evaluate individual players, and put Summer League in proper perspective. Look for it just after noon Pacific time! --Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
49 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Sounds like our big little three are right on schedule
It’s funny to me that no one else on the team is getting even a whisper of attention. I know, they aren’t going to make the team, but it still seems kinda funny, as if Pet, Bat, and Bay are the only guys playing for the Blazers.
"I woke up this morning, Barbosa and eggs in my bed." --BlueBooYay
I thought about mentioning some other players
I mean you have that “P” guy… piccolo? who had some nice scoring runs. You have Keanu who made some nice moves and some dumb ones. You have the mountain man that got in a couple of nice blocks and made love feel a little less of the love.
But really… they’re not on the blazers. I wish them well, but a lot of them just won’t be playing in the NBA even if they could kick my bottom if I had a 10 point head start in a game to 11.
Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624
JR Pinnock
and he seems the most likely non-big-3 to make the NBA, but not for us.
by MavetheGreat on Jul 18, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
We talked about Chris Ellis last year
Chris Ellis played a lot better last year, I think… it seemed that way at least. He was banging, scoring, doing good stuff I thought. This year he hasn’t done much from what I can see. He should be the beefy big man our guards can pass to, or a guy who can set screens, but he hasn’t done much.
We miss Zendon Hamilton, that’s for sure. We need at least ONE big who can score so we can see how our guards can create for them.
Even the Bernard Robinson (that’s his name right? The dude who was drafted before?) hasn’t looked all that great. He’s very athletic, but abysmal offensively… usually there are a few dudes who look nice and you hope they find a home somewhere. This is a pretty weak team, and I think KP’s magic touch is lost forever more. If he was so great, we’d be undefeated in summer league…
Is Chris Ellis really Dale Ellis’ son? That’s what the announcers said during the recent game. I bet he wishes he inheritied Ellis’ top notch shooting, but at least he got a big body.
Mortimer
My summer league thoughts
Keanu Reaves thought he was the one and took a three pointer he shouldn’t have. New flash Davis. You’re neither Keanu Reaves or the one.
I agree on the ball handling of Finland. He feels sloppy handling the ball to me. I feel like he’s banging the ball against the floor instead of flowing with it. I particularly didn’t like it when the big clumsy ox was able to strip him and then dunk.
Bayless gives the ball a push on some shots and it doesn’t always have that spin I like to see. actually, Finland’s ball seemed to lack some arc too, at times.
One thing I’ve noticed from game 1 to 3. The team is playing more like a team. The first game it was strictly the finland and rex show. Now other players are getting into the mix and the passing seems to be flowing more.
There seem to be a LOT of Blazer fans here. I’m a wondering why they’re not all coming to dinner!
I had fun watching them play and enjoyed the game even if we did lose.
Oh, one last point is that when the blazers were down by ten or so, bayless called the team on the floor into a huddle and said a few words. It didn’t really work, but I liked watching that leadership.
Oh yeah, Bayless and Finland REALLY don’t like losing. Finland was a bit more on the complaining side. I think he needs to realize that calls are not going to be perfect and he needs to move on and play the game. Bayless didn’t seem to let bad calls effect him too much although I think I saw his eyebrow quiver on a few of them and his lips might have moved.
Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624
I saw him smile
last night when talking to Kevin Love!
by MavetheGreat on Jul 18, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Hold the phone!
Batum isnt’ an impact player? And here I was ready to package Martell AND Travis for some 2nd round picks. I hear the clippers are open to a deal like that one.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
Batman!!!
Anything Batman shows, shows well. He’s supposed to sit in Europe and improve but he wants to be here as 15th man. Will we let him pine up? I’m guessing KP wants to stash him no matter his progress so he has an open spot available for a midseason pick up if needed.
are cool nicknames
let’s bring ‘em over, have them with the team for a while, send ‘em to the D League for a while, play some mopup minutes. Perfect replacements for the all important T.Green/Wafer/McBob roles.
Boomshakalaka
You overlooked
all the tremendous potential they provide for BE debates: who should be the third-string PG, which of our scrubs should we trade for Lebron, etc.
The opportunity is just too great to pass up.
Who would you rather have on your team, Batman or King James? Batman saved Gotham multiple times. Oh, that’s not so good, maybe we should just trade him to NY where his obvious loyalties lie. King James persecuted the Pilgrims so they would find/found the New World (I know, pedants, they weren’t the first to find it or the first to found a colony there, but I liked the line), and ordered people to translate the Bible—the former doesn’t really fit the “culture”, the latter sort of does. Maybe the Pilgrims were L@ker fans? Then, we could overlook it.
Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo
by jscot on Jul 18, 2008 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
really?
batman’s arms are 3 inches longer than Lebron’s. It really shouldn’t even be a question as to who has more potential. Their shooting form is about equal, with Lebron’s release point being all over the map and Batum having a kind of strange wind up (maybe just a side effect of his totally not t-rex arms). Oh and to be sure to put Batum over the edge, he has been described as smooth several times by announcers. Additionally if you project his exponential improvement over the last week, he should be a real game changer by the all star break. More grounded in reality, when they interviewed Dean Demopolis he said that Batum had looked to be the best of the players during the training camp. Maybe what happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas.
Coping PetKo
BEdge creates noms-de-guerre for the players. PetKo is apleasing one, very copacetic, and I like, “Cope,” too. One syllable, multifunctional, strong. IT can mean “Muzzle for a Ferret” and “Maintain a Contest. See Petko, on defense, muzzling the quick1s.
How about BuffaloJBayless, any dignity?
"There's something in my library to offend everybody" Washington Coalition Against Censorship
Batum is/was nervous
He played exactly as if he was just getting some of his nerves under control. He’s still in development, but the more he plays the better he will get.
I suppose it’s a blessing and a curse when you have the physical tools but not the mental ones to compete. I’d like to say it’s easier to succeed from that direction than the other way around, but I really don’t know if that’s true.
Kevin Pritchard is a 4.0 Draft Day Student
Yeah
He looked more like a player out there, which would indicate a lot of it has been nerves. And his D looked good.
A couple more games showing improvement, and he’ll get his roster spot and his stint in Idaho.
Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo
Already looks better than Brewer
I can forsee Brewer being a big bust. I was pretty high on that guy during the draft.
Kevin Love, Bayless, Petko, and Batum
Was anybody else not that impressed with Love? I watched the replay of the game and I was seriously surprised that he had 26 and 15. He was matched up with Josh Davis or Hill all night and his individual offense was astoundingly mediocre. He probably had 4 O.Rebs from his own swatted shots by Hill.
He has a good feel for the game and his vision across the court is excellent. I’m not sure if any of his offense will translate to the NBA. He plays a far more controlled game than most of these summer league players because he doesn’t jump much. This keeps him in good position for loose balls or follow up shots. He won’t be able to get away with that in the regular season due to his height. On defense, I thought he was really a non-factor. I don’t think any of the Blazers were particularly intimated. The Jefferson and Love frontline will be a sieve for the Timberwolves.
I’m looking forward to seeing Bayless play more point guard. It’s hard for me to say much because he’s just putting his head down determined to score. On one hand it’s great to see him get to the bucket, but on the other hand, I hope this doesn’t translate into the regular season. There were numerous times were he could have made a good pass for a open look to his teammates, he never seems to be looking for them….at all.
Petko was just ok. A little out of control when he’s trying to get cute with the dribble. His dribbles are too long and too high, that’s why he backs his defender down to protect the ball. I liked how he was aggressive, but other times he was too quick to pull the trigger like Bayless. Our guards shoot a little too early in the shot clock for my liking. This was one of poorer defensive games, lost his man a few times, got beat in transition or the pick and roll. He’s been better. Also, our offense does look better when he’s at the point.
As for Batum, I’m just glad he had a productive game. Shut down Corey Brewer, although I don’t know how much of an accomplishment that was. Hopefully he builds some confidence going forward.
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO
Positioning
on rebounding is huge. Lots of guys have made a career out of getting the right position. If Love is able to get position and hold it, he’ll get his share of rebounds . Wes Unseld was only 6’7, but was an immense rebounder.
He’ll probably have a decent NBA career, but probably won’t be a star.
Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo
I, ummmm, agree with the Scot again...
............................. Love WANTS to be a great rebounder and outlet passer and he has the body type to achieve that—and he WILL be great at that. From the free throw line he’s damned near automatic, which is both rare and valuable in a big. If he gets the ball low, it’s 2 points, one way or the other.
The Unseld comparison is excellent. And remember, Unseld was a CENTER. Although give the “shoes count” rule, he was way bigger than 6’7”... Still, he was “unathletic” and “slow” and very, very good.
Now will Love be a STAR doing what he does? Probably not. But a STARter? Yes.
t
"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"
Yes positioning is important
But Wes Unseld played in a different era of basketball. Rodman, Barkley, and B. Wallace are much more athletic and quick. To be honest, he actually reminds me of Zach Randolph as a rebounder. Doesn’t get a lot of lift, but he’s in the right position.
With regards to this game, Love was basically picking up loose balls on the weak side and being in the right spot to pick it up. Our bigs were just flying all over the place and out of position. Bayless was our leading rebounder. Love likes to get down low after a shot, during an NBA game, if he and Jefferson are going after the boards, their transition defense will be awful. So, in this summer league game, not that impressed.
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO
Different era doesn't matter that much
A big body in the right position gets the rebound, even if other guys are more athletic.
Transition defense doesn’t matter if the guy gets the offensive rebound and puts it in the hoop.
Don’t get me wrong, transition defense matters, and our big men will beat guys like Love down the court if he doesn’t get a head start. But not every team has big men as fast as ours.
Would Wes Unseld have been the kind of star today that he was back then? Probably not. But Wes would have been a really good NBA player today, because he simply knew how to rebound, and he worked his tail off to get those rebounds.
I don’t think Love will end up being worth a #5 pick, but I think he’ll play a long time in this league. And I mean a long time, because his game isn’t built on athleticism, which can decline very quickly as a guy gets older. Love could still be around at 40. We’ll all hate him by then if he is. Duck fans have a head start on hating him already.
Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo
Shut down by Mtn Man, but always in the right place for the garbage
Hill really was able to shut him down as a post-up player, but he did out-position “our” guys every time and ended up with a lot of put-backs. I believe he’ll get schooled regularly in his first couple of years, but probably has the fundamentals to play clever and make himself useful. Certainly doesn’t look like a franchise player though.
I can see LMA going over or around him at will.
the thing you have to love about Summer League
It really don’t mean squat. We all get a chance to look at the rooks and do our OOOHs and AAAHs. All in the spirit of Blazerism. All will expound on their views on how our team should go this year…it is all in great fun. Fact is, when it is all said and done, don’t mean squat. KP and Nate have their plan. Anything we might add through speculation has as much effect as Flatulence in the wind. I am convinced that, this season has some major surprises yet to be revealed. Hehe, just more flatulence
We'll be fine.
Dave’s take on Bayless as a utility player with potential as opposed to an instant impact player is probably the downside, with the reality being somewhere between that perspective, and KP’s perspective that within 40 games, he’ll have it pretty much figured out. Mac knows he has to change some of his mechanics to get his jump shot off, but also commented that that can be taught. And, of course, we’d have another dimension to all of this if Fernandez was playing now, rather than playing in the Olympics for Spain. Bayless, like a lot of kids with only one year in college, obviously has room to improve. On the other hand, only two players drafted at the top of this years draft have shown much in the summer league, and that’s Bayless and Love. If we think we have a debate going about Bayless, consider what the fans in San Diego, Charlotte, Memphis, New York etc. must be saying – or speculating. Gallinari and Gordon both lasted one game, Mayo’s best production was 15 points, and Augustin has been handicapped by lacking players to pass to, and Westbrook’s scoring has yet to show up. At least Bayless is giving us some positives to talk about, which implies that he was more ready to play, than the other players – whatever else we say. In fact, if Dave thinks Bayless is a utility player with potential, you can imagine what he’d be saying about the rest of the draft, given no one else – including Rose, have remotely put the stats out that Bayless has. It’s also showing why KP drafted Bayless, which was to complement Roy, not to take a pure PG who had to have the ball all the time to be effective. Bayless has shown than his quickness will make him tough to guard, he can take it to the hoop, and in this game, his mid-range shot showed up – which he always had in college. Plus, the kid has the intangible of a real motor, combined with aggressiveness and fearlessness. He’s like a linebacker – he actually likes contact. The first half of the season will be a period of molding a team and giving the rookies time to get into the new system we’ll see. Because it will be a system, and everyone will play a little differently this year, I happen to think that we’ll start getting consistent production from Bayless, and very likely Fernandez, by mid-year. Bayless, after all, is performing better than his peers right now, has a work ethic that meets or exceeds any of them, and is coachable.
As Joe Freeman pointed out,
Bayless has been presented a golden opportunity with very few other team options for scoring. With that situation, he should be among the leading scorers at summer league. So don’t read too much into his success here. He has a ways to go, and altering the mechanics of one’s shot is a very large undertaking … if indeed that is the route it is determined to go.
It's Summer League
And the scoring is easy.
The fans are jumping,
Expectations are high.
Your owner’s rich
And your draft pick’s good lookin’
So hush, Blazer faithful
Don’t you cry
by knickfan on Jul 18, 2008 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
I took a signature from that.
"He is one of several very talented young players who has a great upside," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said about Qyntel Woods
Hey, Eben
I liked your (as usual) well-reasoned position, and I rec’d you for it. Then I read your subsequent post where you admitted having misunderstood Dave’s point. I had done the same thing, myself. But, I had to unrec you here. Sorry, man. In general, though, I do appreciate your calm and well-informed opinions.
"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"
These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.
Not to nitpick
but OJ had 26 against Milwaukee, and possibly the best dunk and best long bomb of the week. Granted those last two are not indicative of NBA readiness, but you can’t say Mayo hasn’t done anything.
Augustin had 30 the other night, and Westbrook was considered one of the best players in the Orlando games.
Bayless has shown scoring consistency beyond the others though, as Love has shown rebounding consistency. JB seems a little one-sided to me though, and so I’m anxious to see him play the point more in their last game.
by MavetheGreat on Jul 18, 2008 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree with all of this.
However, I think that Bayless has had the best or at worst the 3rd to best performance of any of the following:
#1 – 3. Mayo – could be argued he’s the best but JB has far better numbers
#1 – 3. Love – Could be argued the best by stats. JB looks far more deadly on offense but Love’s rebounding has been stellar.
#1 – 3. Bayless – As good or better showing then the two guys above him and better then anyone below him has a scoring average that looks like AI, Kobe or Lebron with nearly 6 boards!
#4. Beasley – had a good showing but should have been putting up Melo’ like number in Summer League
#5. Gordon – Didn’t look good and brought up concerns about injuries.
#6. Rose – Terrible, TERRIBLE showing in a setting he should have dominated. This probably has worried Bulls fans and put ice in their hearts.
Now keep in Mind Oden had a ho-hum Summer League – although he looked dominant at times – so take it with a grain of salt. Also we all know about Gallinari and Nate Robinson. None the less that is my rough rankings. The ranking keep in mind was based on expected versus actual performances with the top 3 players so far being interchangeable.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
Given that summer league is all about evaluation of individuals in a competitive setting...
................................. (rather than the game results themselves), after 3 games it’s looking to me like:
BAYLESS —-—-- A, NBA-ready and a natural-born killer
KOPONEN —-—-— B+, a bit of a project, not this year’s PG solution…
BATUM —-—-——C-, come back again in a few years, friend.
t
"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"
by timbo on Jul 18, 2008 7:25 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Dave/etc.
Misread your post. I agree on Batum as a utility, not an early impact player.
Other:
The interview yesterday with KP indicates that the Blazers picked Bayless to complement Roy, a special talent. They did not want a pure PG who has to have his hands on the ball all the time, because they want the ball in Roy’s hands in the 4 th quarter and in critical situations. They took Bayless for 1) size and quckness to defend the other teams point guard; 2) ability to bring the ball up and then dish off to Roy some of the time, – who will then run the play; and 3) ability, having put the ball in Roy’s hands, to then execute the pick and roll, get open, cut to the hoop, etc., so he then converts to an offensive player. Roy’s the overall floor general in the Blazers Scheme. Bayless will be a true combo. In this scheme, there is no “PG” solution – they already think they have it. Bayless, in sum, will do some point work, but so will Roy. They picked for a true combo situation because of Roy. Fernandez, in turn, will be somewhat similar to Bayless, with some kinks of his own. The 3 pt shot being one of them.
Batum is a couple years away
But is he better now than Travis was at his age?
I think so. Better hands, better dribble, smoother moves to the basket, better body control. Granted all we've seen are flashes, but it's there.Not as good a shooter
Travis is a fantastic jump shooter, and a mid-range to outside game is a very powerful weapon.
At first glance, they seem very similar, but Batum is more finesse and slithering his way to the hole. When Outlaw drives, it’s more power and athleticism. On defense and rebounding, Batum is more of a positioning player, while Outlaw is more about speed and length.
Right now, I think we need Outlaw’s ability to get his points no matter what, especially at the end of games. However, to win a championship, we may be better off with lock down defender to cover premier SF’s. So, the future depends on which of our three (if any) can put together defense and outside+midrange shooting.
If the race could be handicapped right now, KP wouldn’t be keeping Trout and Martell, plus picking up Batum.
At that age...
Travis was a really bad shooter. Batum is ahead of him in pretty much every category. HOWEVER, this isn’t necessarily something that means anything since Outlaw was so extremely raw and untrained.
Yeah, Travis is an awesome shooter now, after 5 years in the league. Batum is a better shooter, knows how to play more, and just doesn’t seem as explosive.
But otherwise, he’s good in categories (defense, understanding of the game) most raw 19 year olds struggle with the most, so there’s plenty of hope there.
Mortimer
I have no idea what happened to that post...
finishing…
better body control. We’ve only seen flashes, but it’s there.
I make it green...
Asked his specialty in the kitchen, Oden paused and said, "Hamburger Helper and tuna fish."
by MiledAnimal on Jul 18, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
OT: magic with words / long distance fan
Nice job working the brevity of a blind date and smooth pick up line in the same sentence. I was reading the post on cruise control, and started laughing when I read that.
Dave, just wanted to let you know I was hanging out with a good friend this weekend, a portland native living in new york, and it only took about 10 minutes of blazer talk for the blazersedge to come up. Like me, he checks the site every morning. Kudos to you, but another drain on the nation’s productivity.
The Kids are Alright
A – Bayless – has shades of Dave Twardzik, whom the Shonz use to call, “Pin Ball” for his wild drives into the lane. Roy has learned that a little pull-up jumper saves wear and tear on the frame over the year. Let’s see if the Roy man makes good use of that this year. Bayless needs to work on the same thing. I’d much rather have an aggressive scorer who can work on his game, than a guy with potential who need to be more aggressive.
B+ – Koponen – Now who exactly does he have to pass the ball to? Peteri has had to try to do a lot of things that he probably wont have to do with actual talent around him. That’s why Bayless has looked a lot better. Koponen is not a solo scoring threat at this stage of his career, but has decided to push his comfort zone in order to make the team. This bodes well for the future. I think that he is a better talent than Taurean Green, whom we had last year. And probably will surpass Sergio with more time to shine. I say sign him and then let him play in the D-League for a couple of months.
? – Batum – Looks like a sleeper keeper down the road. Not too many guys have that kind of smooth fluid body with size. If he can get a consistent jumper from 15, he will be a great energy guy off the bench in a few years
Draft Rights - Batum and Koponen - No options
The commentators kept saying Batum would be stashed in Europe for a couple of years, and you hear that here. However, since he was a first round pick, we have to offer him a contract. So, either he decides on his own to go back, or we have to sign him.
With Koponen, I believe that if we don’t offer him something, another NBA team could sign him. If he goes back to Europe, we’d keep his rights for another year. But if your draft pick wants to play here and you don’t sign him, you lose your rights. With the way he’s played this summer, someone will take him if we don’t.
Correct me if I’m wrong on either of these.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
