Tuesday Practice Report
by Ben Golliver on Jan 27, 2009 2:42 PM PST
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CRUCIAL UPDATE (4:40 PM)
Brian Hendrickson waited Brandon Roy out and got a great story about the dunk last night. Must read. Here's a link and here's your teaser...
"My freshman, sophomore year ... all I wanted to do was dunk. I loved dunking," Roy said. "I got labeled as a slasher. People started saying, 'He can't really shoot. He can't really handle the ball. He's a high-flier.' But people would say, 'Those come a dime a dozen.' And I said, 'Well, let me try to add something that people don't have.' And that's when I started to develop the whole all-around thing. Because I said, 'Well, not many players are all-around.'"
--------------------------------------------
The team scattered pretty quickly after practice so not much doing in this report. A few things of note but nothing extraordinary.
Blake's Injury
Blake looks doubtful for tomorrow. He came out and talked to the media for a minute. He said that he ran into a clean pick, that he was in too much pain to play through it, and that he's not sure where he's at in terms of a timeline.
[Update: Sean at Oregonlive has video of Blake discussing the injury.]
Nic Batum
I think Monty Williams got my page. He was spending extra time working with Nic after practice, working on his jumper but also, it seemed, just working to develop his confidence.
Nic seemed in good spirits after the session and he ended it with another attempt at a free throw line dunk (just missed). Monty was enthusiastically pointing out on the floor to him where he had taken off from, clearly impressed. The dunk attempt caused me to whip out the camera but I wasn't quick enough, so I asked Nic to take another run at it, this time on video.
Monty interjected on his way to the locker room, joking, "Oh no. That's the kind of thing that gets someone injured. You'll get the video but I'll get in trouble." Nic smiled sheepishly (that's his default reaction to all situations). Maybe next time I'll be more johnny-on-the-spot.
Bayless
I waited awhile to see if Brandon would come out to talk about his dunk but left at around 2 o'clock, roughly 30 minutes after the rest of practice was over. When I left, Bayless was still working on his jumpshot. One reporter called him "maniacal." As I left, his hands were on his hips in between reps and he was taking deep breaths. Working to the point of exhaustion? His off switch remains broken.
Travis Outlaw
Most of the guys (Greg, Brandon, Travis) were hiding out in the weight room and were lifting with Tupac Shakur bumping very loudly. First "Changes" and then "Hit Em Up."
You haven't lived until you've heard Travis Outlaw shout along to the extremely profane diatribe at the end of that song. Here are the PG13 lyrics if you're curious. Pick it up around "Oh yah Mobb Deep." Fair warning: eighties babies might find themselves reminiscing about high school while reading that.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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Comments
Too bad about Blake
Was there any worry that he came back too soon? Any thoughts on whether he was trying to keep his spot?
some raised eyebrows from media folk about the situation but blake was taking it in stride.
Any thoughts on whether he was trying to keep his spot?
i don’t think you’re ever gonna get that out of anyone affiliated with the team. so that’s up for you to do decide.
i think blake is secure for this season. you may feel differently.
blake is a hard-nosed guy. he just wants to be out there.
by Ben Golliver on Jan 27, 2009 2:49 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think he was worried about losing his spot.
IMO he felt he could come back and contribute.
Obviously he was wrong. Management (Nate, Jay, KP, someone) should have probably made him sit. I mean, it was the completely injury plagued Clippers. Even if they were at maximum health we shouldn’t need Blake to win that game.
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 3:23 PM PST up reply actions
Wow Ben
Ballsy move to ask Batum to try the dunk again.
And this is why I love Bayless. He will work harder and harder until he is doing what we need him to do. Six assists and one turnover? I call that growth. Shooting over 50% in the last few weeks? Growth.
Outlaw/2Pac lyrics
Jeez. No wonder dude is dead eh? – Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
I thought he just came back from the dead to record new albums
you know, like Chris Rock said:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kp3z_2pac-chris-rock-mentioning-tupac-ne_music
That’s not edited and it’s classic Chris Rock, so it’s got R-rated language
"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"
are they all pac fans?
you ever get a chance to ask them if they west side til they die?
I don't keep kids from growing
in case anyone was wondering
"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"
Ben - awesome report
so glad you have the time and access…:-)
sometimes I can close my eyes and picture it…
must be the grammar :-)
"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07
Sometimes, it's the prose I close my eyes & relate to
I had a job in the great north woods
Working as a planter for a spell
But I never did like it all that much
And one day the ax just fell.
So I drifted down to Tillamook
Where I happen to be employed
Workin’ for a while in a lumber mill
Right inside of town
But all the while I was alone
The past was close behind,
I seen a lot of bicyclette
But one never escaped my mind, and I just stay
Tangled up in bluebooyay.
Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around
by Lizzy Lowblow on Jan 27, 2009 6:14 PM PST up reply actions
...Nice
I muttered something underneath my breath
While she studied the lines on my face
I must admit I was a little confused when she
bent down to tie the laces of my shoes…All Tangled up in blue..
Dylan the Poet
"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07
True
I can only imagine. hehe
Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around
by Lizzy Lowblow on Jan 27, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
Blue always tells me...
…to tuck my shoelaces
to keep them out of her chain rings
Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around
by Lizzy Lowblow on Jan 27, 2009 7:01 PM PST up reply actions
Makes me happy
To know that our guys listen to the good rap. Not the crap that passes for rap and hiphop today. (Yes, I’m 23 and complaining about the music that youngins listen to.) If a Blazer ever comes out to Soulja Boy, I was be calling for trades instantly.
by Zaig on Jan 27, 2009 3:12 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
There is such a thing as good rap?
Next you’ll be claiming country music is really music.
hakkaa päälle !
Don't hate!
Appreciate!
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions
I've never been much of a Tupac guy...
or a gangsta rap guy, and I don’t like much of what’s on the radio…
but there is some very well done music that is rap. And country, too.
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 3:20 PM PST up reply actions
Jerry Douglas? Alison Krauss?
I loves me some bluegrass.
OK, OK, I love grass of all kinds. – Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
I only play
Jazz,blues,rock and roll and hillbilly music,Jerry can be like trying to get a drink from a fire hose sometimes,I play slide and my brother plays dobro,no question that he is da man
by southern oregon on Jan 27, 2009 4:07 PM PST up reply actions
right on
Jerry Douglas is the man. – Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
I don't recognize Jerry Douglas
But I love Allison Krause. I wouldn’t classify her stuff as country. It may be sort of in the neighborhood, but it’s more bluegrass & folk.
To be honest, there is a fair amount of country music that I consider ok to pretty good. The lines have been blurred considerably over the past few years. And there were always country artists I liked, Vince Gill, Reba, Dolly Parton.
Mostly I don’t like the twangy, whiny sounding type of country. Not saying it sucks. I just don’t care for it.
hakkaa päälle !
Jerry plays dobro for Alison.
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
I love Dolly's bluegrass albums
I love that Collective Soul song that she sings bluegrass style – I forget the name of it though. – Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
he was there early and often
like Kareem – Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
Thanks, Ben!
Even your modest (also see short and skimpy) report is good times!
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 3:12 PM PST reply actions
atta boy, ben!
Now with more meat!
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
Wow.....that does take me back.
That was bumping from my high school parking lot just about every day for a while. Great track.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Favourite Pac song?
i think i have to say Two of Americaz Most Wanted
Now follow as we riiiiide
Mother**** the rest, two of the best from the West side!!!
And I can make you famous
N*ggaz been dyin for years, so how could they blame us
I live in fear of a felony
I never stop bailin these, westside G’s
If ya got it better flaunt it, another warrant
2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8DgWnbVng&feature=bz303
MVP *** MVP *** MVP
I've never scored more than 38 ..... not even in Little League.
That's my favorite tupac song
I’m not a big tupac fan..and pretty much stopped listening to rap in the early 2000s..
I’m more of an old-school Snoop, Dr Dre, Run DMC, LL Cool J, rap/hip fan.
yeah
it’s why i like Americaz Most Wanted so much… Snoop and Dre are clearly involved and it’s just so good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8DgWnbVng&feature=bz303
MVP *** MVP *** MVP
I've never scored more than 38 ..... not even in Little League.
"thugz mansion"
From the back of Travis Outlaw's Franz card: Travis leads the team in monstrous thunder dunks, wins awards for post game interviews, and often gets extra points for degree of difficulty.
i know post-life don't count
but still that stuff is great
From the back of Travis Outlaw's Franz card: Travis leads the team in monstrous thunder dunks, wins awards for post game interviews, and often gets extra points for degree of difficulty.
Best Pac song is obviously..
Ambitionz aza ridah!
“I won’t deny it, I’m a straight rida
You don’t wanna f**k with me”
Holla If You Hear Me
That is one of my weight lifting songs and I don’t like most rap. California Love is good too.
I'm a little confused by your tactics
by oderiferous emanations 74 on Jan 27, 2009 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
All About U
Takes me straight back the mid-90’s…plus you can beat Pac’s collaboration w/ Dru Down and Nate Dogg. Puts an extra hop in my step!
by The Mallorcan Rocket on Jan 27, 2009 5:53 PM PST up reply actions
I thought you just really liked him
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 27, 2009 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
ben....
JERRYD BAYLESS DOES NOT HAVE AN OFF SWITCH!!!
He is a cyborg tyrannosaurus sent back by future dinosaurs who have been living in a cave in Nicaragua waiting for the human race to destroy itself before making the comeback of all comebacks.
They have perfected cyborg technology as well as mastering the space-time continuum to send back Baylesaurus Rex to dominate our time.
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." - Bill Simmons 6/26/08
the only area they fail
is emotional range.
they’ve mastered anger, excitement, and intense.
but satisfaction is misconstrued into more anger and intensity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8DgWnbVng&feature=bz303
MVP *** MVP *** MVP
I've never scored more than 38 ..... not even in Little League.
A little helpful info............
For those of you that have never seen this http://www.nbastuffer.com/charts/pwrchart.png it is a helpful resource for charting offensive and defensive efficiency. Basically it is a graph which shows where each teams offensive and defensive efficiency ranks in relation to others. As you can see the closer to the upper right corner you are, the better. Even though the Blazers record is not quite as good you actually measure up quite well with SA, Dallas, NO, Denver, and Houston.
Anyway I predicted that you guys would finish ahead of Dallas earlier in the season and I just wanted to see how you measured up against the other teams now. Good luck the rest of the season, hope to see you in May.
Brandon is awesome
Seriously. I’m not joking.
"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 27, 2009 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
Turning points
That dunk changed that game. The Blazers went on a tear after that and never looked back. I wonder what it means for Brandon looking forward to the next half of the season.
When I re-watched that clip just now and read through the article, I saw a guy maturing. He’s more and more comfortable with himself and his game. It sounds like he’s rediscovering parts of himself that he suppressed in reaction to outside opinion. Now he does what he wants, and his goal is the win for himself and his teammates. It seems more natural, to allude to a nickname.
Also, I bet he’s tired of seeing layups not drop for him, and I bet that was a super-satisfying finish.
These young guys are great to watch aren’t they?
Up for argument
The Clippers reponded nicely and drew within 1 to end the 3rd quarter… that is until Rudy hit a ridiculous 3 to end the quarter. That was the moment I knew the game was over, despite only being a 4 point lead.
Wait, so Brandon could be a high-flyer AND conserve his body? I knew he was more athletic than many people think, but that's AWESOME
Gimme more B-Roy, take it to the next level. If he would throw in the occasional high-flying dunk through traffic while generally using his seemingly effortless ability to change direction and speed to catch players off balance he truly could become a respected star in this league and maybe more than the secret star he already is primed to be.
Oh, and good job Hendrickson for catching up with Brandon on this aspect of his game.
that article was a brilliant find
basicly, brandon has been supressing his natural tendancies and his most promanent core instincts and been giving us nothing short of brillience. what happens when he opens the flood gates?
Man, we should forfeit before roy’s hammy explodes, knocking him into LMA’s ear who loses his balance and hits Greg’s knee… - HurraKane212
http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html
Nice story.
But it did want me to just say nooooo … to the idea of Brandon changing his mental outlook back to looking for the dunk. One of the things I love about Roy is his mental approach and discipline, along with the controlled way he plays the game. A little bit of agressive dunking is ok, but I would hate to see it at the expense of the rest of his game.
hakkaa päälle !
excellent story BH
thanks for calling it out Ben
- Elgin
I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant
Hey Ben
Next time you see Bayless, can you ask him if that was a shot attempt or a lob to Greg? That would be swell.
"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez
lol
just what do you think bayless would say to that anyways, lolol
Man, we should forfeit before roy’s hammy explodes, knocking him into LMA’s ear who loses his balance and hits Greg’s knee… - HurraKane212
http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html
I am rec-ing this post for its good spelling. Yay!
When I die, I'd like to go out like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car. - jack handy
iv'e been trying to improve on my spelling and puncuation,
i’ve simply never been anything close to a natural. The rules of spelling never really made sence to me, but at anyrate, I am trying.
Man, we should forfeit before roy’s hammy explodes, knocking him into LMA’s ear who loses his balance and hits Greg’s knee… - HurraKane212
http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html
Rec'd
Most of the guys (Greg, Brandon, Travis) were hiding out in the weight room and were lifting with Tupac Shakur bumping very loudly. First “Changes” and then “Hit Em Up.”
You haven’t lived until you’ve heard Travis Outlaw shout along to the extremely profane diatribe at the end of that song. Here are the PG13 lyrics if you’re curious. Pick it up around “Oh yah Mobb Deep.” Fair warning: eighties babies might find themselves reminiscing about high school while reading that.
Oh man, I’m having flashbacks (born in 83)! Put me in the never trade TO camp, just for the possibility he spits that at Kobe/KG at some point down the road :)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield
- Early stage Marlo at this point, but Bayless is the emotionless killer new to the game. He will take over, and there will be causalties – it’s just a matter of time.
hahhahahaaa
I was gonna just say keep him cause he’s the Blazer who Most Looks Like Chapelle…
"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07
"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07
by LetsBlaze on Jan 27, 2009 7:28 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield
- Early stage Marlo at this point, but Bayless is the emotionless killer new to the game. He will take over, and there will be causalties – it’s just a matter of time.
by blazeraddict on Jan 27, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
He was inspired
Outlaw must have decided to play Hit ‘Em Up in honor of Cheikh Samb’s sickle-cell weak defense last night.
Article
Who cares if people nationally don’t recognize Roy because he isn’t flashy enough. I’ll take the more skilled player over the more flashy player anyday.
I’ll admit, Roy’s dunk and Rudy’s 2 assists to Outlaw/Oden were damn pretty and fun to watch, but it’s the fundamental plays that win games.
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