Preview @ Forum Blue & Gold

by PtownJake on Mar 8, 2009 7:17 PM PDT Comment 53 comments

One of the main L*kers blogs and member of the new ESPN collective, Forum Blue and Gold has their preview up of the Blazers (Here). I don't want to do a full preview of the game; I'll leave that to our resident Dr. Deckard but I do want to address a few things mentioned on FBG's post.

In regards to Brandon Roy,

...he may be the most physical PG in the league and that allows him to get into positions to get the shots he wants. That kind of PG (think D-Will) has really given the Lakers trouble in the past.

It is interesting to me that other teams are referring to Brandon as a point guard. Just because he runs the point doesn't make him a point guard but that is just my opinion. Over the last two seasons, Roy has not given the L*kers much trouble. If anything, he has been rather average. In the six contests that have been played between the two teams, the Blazers are 2-4. Roy missed both road games last year, the second road game this season and the Blazers lost every one of those. In three games he's played in, he has averaged 19 points on 42% shooting and the Blazers went 2-1. Being at home and Roy's presence definitely helped with the wins but he hasn't broken out with any huge numbers. His high point total was 23. Kobe and the rest of the L*kers have done a serviceable defensive job on Roy.

In regards to the L*kers keys to the game,

This is going to be a high-scoring game. That said, whichever team plays the best defense is going to get the win. For the Lakers, that means protecting the rim. The Blazers are good on offense because they have guys that get to and finish at the rim.

I agree that this is likely to be a high scoring game. Unless Nate can motivate the squad to step up defensively like they did against the Spurs, the Swiss Cheese that was the Indiana and Minnesota games will reign supreme.

I disagree with the characterization of the Blazers' offense. Aside from Brandon Roy, there isn't one player on our team aside from Bayless, when and if he plays, that aggressively tries to attack the rim. The Blazers are a jump shooting team. If the L*kers can defend the pick-and-roll and rotate to get a hand in our shooters' faces, it could prove to be a long and painful death to our current home win streak.

In regards to limiting offensive rebounds,

The Blazers grab 32.4% of their missed shots, the highest percentage in the league. Aldridge and Przybilla are good on the glass, and this is an athletic and long team. Teams that beat the Lakers tend to do it because they got a lot of easy buckets, often on fast breaks, but another way is offensive rebounds and put backs.

Lamar Odom, since Andrew Bynum went down, has been on a rebounding tear. Had he played as strong during the first half of the season, he would have been an All-Star. During their recent rough patch (two losses in a row is a rough patch) for the L*kers and even their two most recent wins, Odom has been inconsistent and not the aggressive player his team needs him to be. While I would love for that guy to show up tomorrow, Odom seems to get up for Blazer games. I digress.

Regardless of which Odom shows up for the game, one of Portland's keys to this game is going to be second chance points. If our jumpers aren't falling, our bigs are going to HAVE to pull down offensive rebounds for the Blazers to even have a chance.

Read the rest of their post. It is one of the better written blogs in the sporting hemisphere and remarkably objective, aside from the L*ker homers posting in the comment section.

I am going to be at the game tomorrow. If anyone wants to meet up at halftime, how about Schonz's place? The guy that fell on Broyposse's parents already confirmed and he said that he is buying the first round.

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nice breakdown

The Blazers are good on offense because they have guys that get to and finish at the rim.

i think we have the talent to play this way, we just don’t

Q: Do you feel the city of Portland still wants you?

A: I know this team does, the organization does. Everybody else, I don't worry about that. We worry about our family right here (in the locker room). I know I got their back and I know they're behind me.

by maid tu rek on Mar 8, 2009 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

by MavetheGreat on Mar 9, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shhh! Don't tell them we like jumpshots

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Mar 8, 2009 8:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A superior assessment!

Thanks for the research, dude! You forgot about the part where we distract Odom with shiny trinkets, though. He comes off as one of the dumber guys in the league, so it might work.

The part that worries me about this game is how well their big men pass and shoot. The kind of rotation problems we tend to have will get us killed.

by T$ 225 on Mar 8, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel dirty after hitting the link.

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Mar 8, 2009 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The filth is more of a mental thing

It WILL come off.

by T$ 225 on Mar 8, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what else is a point guard

other then the guy that runs the point?

Oderint dum metuant

by WhiteRabbit on Mar 8, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he meant "handles the ball" rather than "runs the point".

Because running the point would make him a point guard.

by zaruga on Mar 8, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think guarding the point would make him a point guard

by pualo on Mar 8, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Nash doesn't even guard the point a lot of the time

He guarded Bowen and Finley today. They always scheme to hide him on the defensive end.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 8, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah.

When Batum guards the opposing point, that does not in any way shape or form make him a point guard.

Roy plays some point. He plays the position secondarily. But he’s a shooting guard who plays some point, (or a combo guard) not a point guard.

by zaruga on Mar 8, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not guarding the point guard, guarding the point

by pualo on Mar 8, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When was the last time the Lakers beat us in Portland?

As I recall, it’s been a while.

by zaruga on Mar 8, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Quick with the answer.

It’s been six years since they’ve beat us on our turf. They’ve lost 19 of the last 25. Regardless of how we’ve played the last three games, we’ve beat them soundly in years when we fielded a far weaker squad.

by zaruga on Mar 8, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you jerk!

why would you drink with that foo? hahahaha

take the beer and dump it on top of him and yell out “pouring some for my boy that can’t make it tonight”

do me proud jake.

+2 for breakdown
-1 for last sarcastic sentence which was somewhat funny…hahahah

Yes on Proposition #9 (RLEC must go!!!!)

by broyposse on Mar 8, 2009 9:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're my boy Broy...

Nobody does that to a BEr and gets away without a beer dumped on the head. We’ll turn this into a repeat of the Artest/Detroit massacre.

by PtownJake on Mar 8, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it would be best if that guy just stays away from beer period for a while

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 9, 2009 1:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some Random Lakers Thoughts from Somebody that Watches Them a Lot...

(1) Kobe Bryant’s game more closely resembles Outlaw’s than any other Blazer’s… That guy loves midrange and long fadeaway jumpers… He’s not always money though, I’ve seen him brick not one but two of ’em at the end this year where a make meant overtime or a win…

(2) The Lakers’ “Big Three” remains: 1. Kobe; 2. Pau; 3. Derek Fisher. This is unchanged from the start of the season — Bynum is actually their #4 guy on the totem pole (although he was red hot for about 5 games before he got hurt).

(3) Pau Gasol is an authentic superstar in my book — meaning to me, a perennial all star who is among the best at his position in the league. He’s better than LMA and better than Chris Bosh and better than any other 4/5 you care to name. Very soft touch and quite a good rebounder. Most important guy on the Lakers’ team, really — you stop him and you force Kobe to start flinging, which is the way the Lakers lose when they lose… He is a true 7-footer, by the way.

(4) Lamar Odom is the happiest guy in the NBA in the wake of the Bynum injury, getting to do his thing in a big way in this, his contract year. I didn’t care for him much at the start of the year, but I must say that I’m warming up to him. Good shooter from the baseline and he can run. Good rebounder. Solid player. He’s listed at 6’11" but he’s really more like 6’9" and might not even be that.

(5) Fisher is shooter, not a passer or a slasher. If you leave him open, he WILL kill you from the 3 point line. He’s been around for an eternity, everyone knows him. I’ve been really impressed with the dude’s TOUGHNESS. Very Brandonian in that way — seems like a mellow cat, but he’s nails.

(6) Backup PG Jordan Farmar is among my favorite Lakers. Very quick, runs the break very well, active defender that creates a lot of turnovers, good slasher to the rim. His knee surgery earlier this season doesn’t seem to have slowed him down a bit.

(7) Powell and Mbenga have been getting minutes that are on the table after the Bynum injury. Powell is a so-so big, pretty much a place filler that could be an 11th man on any team in the NBA and a starter on none. Mbenga is showing signs of being very effective in the paint. He’s very strong, the sort of low post rucker that I adore. When Bynum went down I made a comment that it might actually prove beneficial for the Lakers, assuming he was able to come back okay for the playoffs, and I was roundly heckled — but I was on the mark. And here’s the thing that’s been added to Phil Jackson’s tool kit: Mbenga.

(8) I don’t like operaman.

(9) Trevor Ariza has been a very valuable guy for the Lakers this year — sort of an All Growed Up version of Nic Batum. Runs well and can shoot.

(10) Luke Walton started the season needing a DNP-CD tattoo and has reemerged as a starter. I have a hard time getting too worked up about him.

(11) Bynum is going to be the #2 Center in the NBA, to Howard. What a specimen! I don’t think the Laker faithful are having “injury-prone” hysterics about him the way the Blazer crowd is about Oden. Center is a rough position, sorta like Offensive Tackle in the NFL… Stuff happens.

(12) Phil Jackson is cool.

(13) The Lakers have the best announcers in the NBA: Joel Meyers and Stu Lantz. Smooooooth.

I’d peg the Blazers’ chances at 50-50 if they show up to play. If they pull another crap game out of the bag like we’ve been seeing lately, they’ll get bombed by 25+ and there will be much angst on the Bedge.

I’m really excited about this one.

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 8, 2009 10:17 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

once again, you prove useful

Q: Do you feel the city of Portland still wants you?

by maid tu rek on Mar 8, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

one thing though,

and better than any other 4/5 you care to name.

Do you think he’s better then the aging Duncan now?? I haven’t seen but one or two games apiece from either the Lakrs or the Spurs when they weren’t playing Portland.

PS… I before E except after C – except in the word

apiece

where fire fox is telling me it’s wrong that way

Q: Do you feel the city of Portland still wants you?

by maid tu rek on Mar 8, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd take Pau over Duncan any day of the week...

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 8, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim Duncan might the best power forward in the history of the game. He’s won four championships.

Pau Gasol is a multiple time-all star who faded in the finals last year when facing Garnett.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 8, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially at their respective ages, 28 and 32

Four years ago, it would have been Duncan over Pau.

by PtownJake on Mar 8, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think i still take Duncan

hes a beast, look at his #’s this year still producing strong.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Mar 9, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go THAT far

Pau is good, but as a 2nd banana.

Duncan can lead a team anywhere, and has. AND he doesn’t wilt in the face of a KG, because Duncan can defend and stand toe to toe with anyone in strength and toughness. Gasol can’t, and didn’t, against KG last Finals.

Pau is very good with other very good players, and wasn’t very good as the star of his own team. That isn’t a negative thing, he’s just a better co-star than a headliner, and there isn’t any shame in that.

Duncan and Kobe would not lose. It would be impossible. Big man defense would be even better, as would rebounding and post play. Pau benefits a lot (as does Bynum) with the attention Kobe forces other defenses to give him. Duncan can handle that attention all on his own and if he was the 2nd dude to focus on instead of the 1st, he’d be even more effective.

Pau isn’t soft, but he isn’t strong. He’ll get out bullied and out muscled by KG again. Duncan wouldn’t.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Mar 9, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he will cost his team a playoff game this year with his weak late game FT shooting. Watch.

Any Spaniard knows what I’m talking about.

In case he doesn’t, I’m invoking the Lamar Odom clause and he will.

by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trevor Ariza only shoots 32% from three. That’s sub-Batumian.

Oden has potential to be much better than Bynum. Oden is already a better rebounder and as efficient a scorer. Give Oden a few years to develop like Bynum has had.

Pau Gasol is not as good as Chris Bosh.

erstar in my book — meaning to me, a perennial all star who is among the best at his position in the league. He’s better than LMA and better than Chris Bosh and better than any other 4/5 you care to name.

Tim Duncan. Kevin Garnett.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 8, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oden v. Bynum will be very interesting a couple years hence. Bynum was showing signs of taking the leap to the next level when he went down...

27 and 15 rebounds at Minnesota in 30 minutes; 24 and 14 in 41 minutes at Charlotte… He had about 5 games in a row putting up that kind of production as I recall — although if you look at the stats he’s 14 and 8 in 29 minutes, which is a few more points than Oden but roughly comparable. But he was definitely hitting the next gear when he went down.

Ah, Garnett is better than Pau. I’ll give you that one. I’d take Pau over the very excellent Bosh or the aging Duncan though, mostly because he can play true Center in addition to PF (Bosh being a straight 4, for my money). That deal picking him up last year altered the shape of the NBA universe…

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 8, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I remember, Bynum played poorly against Oden, in the first few minutes of the first game and in the second game.

The two will both be very good… but Oden is going to get a lot of athleticism back from microfracture that Bynum just doesn’t have. Oden is already comparable, and players are known to take a big jump in production the second year after microfracture.

Oden was also gearing up before the injury, dropping a 24/15 and a few other huge games. They’re both good.

Garnett is better than Pau. Duncan will be good for the next six years. He’s incredible right now, a huge defensive upgrade over Pau. It’s not like he relies on athleticism to be a great player.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 8, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Early in the year Bynum had games where he floundered around just like Oden does in his bad games... Then something clicked for him...

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 8, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bynum was a fourth year player that went down to injury for half a season, and struggled coming back from a lesser injury than Oden suffered.

That shows how incredibly hard it is to come back from injury. It’s just difficult.

Oden will catch his stride. I’m not too worried about it.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 8, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ill be honest Timbo

I dont see superstar in Bynum. Maybe just average starter. I would be surprised if he made more than 2 all-star games in his career.
people here lose their mind over one game for him. i dont get it. its almost as undefensable as our undying love for Odens game when he hasnt played much

It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bynum is much more than an average starter

But I am firmly in the “Oden will be better” camp, and I don’t think it’ll be a question in a few years time.

Oden is naturally stronger, more skilled, better touch, and more team-centric. He’ll regain even more of his athleticism, following the standard post-micro schedule that everyone else has followed. Bynum is still limited offensively and benefits IMMENSELY from playing with Kobe, who attracts as much defensive attention as anyone, and playing alongside one of the best interior passing big men in Pau Gasol.

If we knew how to get Oden the damn ball when he was wide open (and we will, we just don’t know how yet), Oden would have been scoring a LOT more than he did.

Kobe had some practice playing with a big man with Shaq, and it helps with a guy like Bynum.

Bynum will be very good, though his actual skill and production has been overblown. He’s obviously better than Oden right now though. I just don’t think it’ll last, Oden has a better touch, is stronger already, and a better boarder.

I don’t wanna sell Bynum short though, it’ll be a long rivalry.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Mar 9, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just dont see it.

his game is predicated on kobe getting him open shots. His post moves are on par with Gregs, and thats not saying much. I just think he will be a decent center. He wont be a jarrod collins or anything but he wont be in the same league as yao or howard or many of the other big names.
Of course its hard to think that way down here, you know as much as I do that Bynum is already 1st team all NBA to laker fans

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Sasha Vujacic pic is priceless

by PtownJake on Mar 8, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

great stuff...except #12

phil is not cool. i’m not digging his strut albeit from injury.

so who are you rooting for timbo?

Yes on Proposition #9 (RLEC must go!!!!)

by broyposse on Mar 9, 2009 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lakers have nothing to gain from the win; Blazers have a lot to gain -- so Blazers, of course.

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 9, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lakers want home court in the finals.

by MiledAnimal on Mar 9, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for the most part i think this is dead on

Kobe is still a great player but he has really lost a step. his legs are probably getting worn down, dude has been in the league FOREVER.
I agreed with you (except Pau isnt better than duncan) up to the operaman photo. then things get iffy.

9) Ariza cant shoot. He is an excellent defender and is good at getting garbage points. Everyone needs someone like that. If he is shooting all night, Blazers win by 20. Ariza shooting = sergio shooting.

11) No. Not even close. I think Bynum is possibly the most overhyped player in the league for the last two years. I bet he makes less than 3 all-star appearances in his career. I take it you are a laker fan as well, as no one other than purple and gold think that he is a superstar. HOWEVER, Blazer fans, be ashamed that Laker fans are far better fans when it comes to Bynum (who has never played in more than 46 games in a season, excepting his second year when he avg 6 mintes a game) and his injuries than we are to Oden. People on here want to cry bust and trade oden and he has alreay equaled the amount of games Bynum has ever played, yet LA fans love Bynum. Go figure.

12) I hate that he is the lakers coach, but he is kinda funny, and he is a cool figure in LA. Jeannie is an interesting lady too. I have no complaints there.

13) you could not be more wrong on this one brother. Stu Lantz is top 5 worst announcers in the league. Hands down. I dont hate Meyers, but Lantz is brutal. BRUTAL. Makes the Clipper announcers look like Cosell and Albert.

I think the Blazers win at home per the usual and then get destroyed in LA per usual. Cycles are hard to break.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ps I live in LA and watch many Laker and Clipper games and listen to the radio here

so im not just making this up from my comfy seat in Portland. I live in the heart of darkness

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet Kobe seems able to rearrange his game, somewhat like MJ. He has developed much more of a post game, improved his midrange jumper, developed new moves, etc.

by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, he hardly goes to the rim anymore

apparently he continues to copy jordans training manual, as he has become a better shooter and really works on picking his places to score. he rarely goes off the dribble other than a rock step and dribble because he can shoot over anyone at will

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting observation on #11

probably has more to do with Portland Media and the Media in general crowning him the Messiah before he set foot on the court.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Mar 9, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably

Considering many call him a bust and injury prone and never amount to anything. If he plays one more game this regular season, he will have played one more game than any time in bynums career, the one non-playing year excepted. Yet NO ONE in LA complains about Bynum being injury prone, all they ever do is talk about how they can’t wait until he comes back.

I think some of it is that Portland remembers Bowie, and secondly that donkeys always REMIND us of that when they talk trash and it angers us that Oden cant prove them wrong until he is healthy.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

for Operaman – Elgin

Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards

by 22baylor on Mar 9, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what makes Roy not a PG?

the only PG thing he doesn’t do all of the time is guard the opposing PG…

DWill is a great guy to mention.. sometimes it is not that easy to differentiate their games..

I want to see a Bayless vs. Odom moment.. one of the final steps to BRex Unleashed

"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum

by idoltime on Mar 9, 2009 5:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In that vein

Why isn’t K@be a PG. HE is just as much a point as Roy.

by NWfan on Mar 9, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why not?

K*be plays the exact same position as Roy.. PG-SF as the need strikes.. why do they get called SG when they start? Fisher and Blake are both combo guards.

It is all very arbitrary.. many teams have plays where the guards switch who is on point… many teams also run plays designed for their point forwards..

in some ways, K*be is MORE of a PG than Roy because he is probably somewhat more likely to get the defensive assignment of the other teams PG than Roy is..

"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum

by idoltime on Mar 9, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Side note

Blue and Gold? Last time I checked it was Purple wasnt it?
I should start a Blazers site called the Orange and Black

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The reasoning....

From their website.

Former Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke loved the color purple but, for whatever reason, refused to say that was the color he liked. He called it blue. So, to deal with the problem that the uniforms were clearly purple but the owner didn’t want it called that, Chick Hearn (or maybe Cooke himself) came up with calling the Laker purple "Forum blue." And it stuck.

by PtownJake on Mar 9, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting

makes sense now.
glad someone explained it

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 9, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

moral of the story:

if you have enough cash to own the Lakers, you can point at something that is purple, call it blue, and have a lot of people nod their heads solemnly. – Elgin

Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards

by 22baylor on Mar 9, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs