Quick Observations from a Night of Basketball

by Dave on Nov 1, 2007 1:18 AM PDT in News

I watched a couple other games last night and I have two quick observations:

Kevin Durant looked pretty much like I expected him to. You could sure see flashes of talent but basically he was taking too many tough shots. I was surprised to see the Sonics use him on the weak side so much. He was the fifth player in many four player sets. However this did seem to open things up for them a little. Basically he needs to drive a lot more and run hard both ways. The key to his scoring will be getting way more than the 4 free throws he got last night.
I got three words for ya: Lu...Ol...Deng. This guy is a player and a half. I only watched a couple quarters of the Bulls-Nets game and he did more amazing things in that 24 minutes than I saw the whole last season for the Blazers. It's not just his scoring either. It's his defense, rebounding, being in the right place at the right time. This kid is WAY for real.

I guess this is what I mean about celebrating, yet also being reasonable about, all the Blazers' young talent. We do have some of the best young guys in the league but they also have a lot to prove...even the ones that are playing well now. It's easy to get myopic and forget that Chicago has Deng and Orlando has Howard and so on. Right now Deng is clearly better than any of the smalls on our roster, even the celebrated rookie version of Roy. I know that's heresy but it's true. (I'm not saying it could never change either.) I believe that we will develop into one of the best teams in the league in a few years. But it won't be because of talent alone and it won't be without a lot of hard work. It's not an automatic gift just because of the names on our payroll.

Fortunately our guys have more than talent going for them and they work hard!

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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sexy deng

luol has been on the radar for he lst season and a half...i think he's their franchise player..another late blooming soccer player that stumbled onto a hoop court...nothing but upside

durants shot volume is the main reason why i didnt wat him here... he needs 25 launches a game to be effective... He would have blown our "culture" out of the water...we didnt make a mistake...

Its hard for me to believe that dwights not on roids...my man is built like a humb vee... I know they make insane loot but at what cost...starting with shaq and working down..if you really look at em its not natural..I pray our youngsters dont follow suit

if it can be conceived it can be achieved

by lyfefindsaway on Nov 1, 2007 2:05 AM PDT reply actions

Is Howard juiced?

I had the same thought about Dwight Howard. There have been freaks of nature in the past (e.g., Daryl Dawkins). But in this day and age, when you see a guy like Howard it's hard not to wonder.

Is steroid testing even on the NBA's radar? And even if it is, is there a test out there for HGH yet? I hate what performance enhancing substances have done to baseball, and I sure don't want them to ruin hoops now.

by hurryup09 on Nov 1, 2007 2:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Howard always looked like that

Dwight Howard was a freak of nature as a high schooler even... just like Oden is, but Howard just has this massive frame and body. Since he has had it since high school, I'd say it's natural.

Shaq, same thing. Naturally a freak of nature. Now he has some layers of fat over the big muscles, so he looks even bigger.

I know some stiffs have been caught with steroids, so I don't think I'm being naive in saying the above players aren't juicing.

But, what do I know. Maybe it's as bad in the NBA as the NFL and MLB. But I'd figure we would have heard many more players implicated, such as what has happened in baseball and the NBA coke days of the 80's.

So far, I've only heard of 1 or two NBA guys in trouble for steroids, and I can't remember their names because they weren't big time players. Both were white centers, I believe, with at least one being a Michael Doleac type player (but not Doleac.)

I'm all for injecting a bucket of steroids into Oden's micro'd knee and keeping it hush hush amongst us fans. No other juicing allowed though!

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Nov 1, 2007 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope you're right

Because I hate that stuff with a passion. One thing I do know: it's prevalent in high schools now. I sat next to a Texas high school coach on a flight a few years back and he said steroids and HGH are rampant at that level. Another interesting and alarming thing he told me: that a lot of the freakish injuries you hear about in sports (e.g., Bo Jackson's hip injury and Bond's knee problems) are due to steroids--that the stuff dries out connective tissue. I hadn't heard that before.

Anyway, I'm rambling: the point is, I hate that stuff and I hope it isn't finding its way into basketball. But I suspect that it is. Stern is arrogant enough to be turning a blind eye to it; we've already seen that with referee gambling. (Can you believe Stern STILL is lobbying for a Vegas franchise??)

by hurryup09 on Nov 1, 2007 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

dwight howard on roids

if you knew anything about dwight howard as a person, you would not even speculate.

by noaher on Nov 1, 2007 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Aloha

Check out this sweet photo of Dwight Howard jumping to kiss the rim.

http://www.alexrudloff.com/2006/08/26/dwight-howard-is-a-man-beast/

Fatty, Big Daddy on the BE, Man o' international renown, Postin' from his own thrown, Tellin' us what we couldn't see

by tominhawaii on Nov 1, 2007 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Howard

I admit I don't know anything about Howard as a person. I did see a piece about him on t.v. where he demonstrated some of his rebounding techniques--he's clearly a student of the game--and he also breakdanced a bit. He's certainly seems to be a wonderful guy. But remember: so does Mark McGuire. And McGuire also was considered above suspicion because he'd been big & strong when he first came into the bigs. I never bought that argument: it was obvious to me that Mark was juiced (Sosa too). But no one wanted to hear it.

In Howard's case, I really have no idea. My guess is that he's clean. But I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that he's artificially enhanced just because he's a great guy and was big even in high school.

My point: I hope that the NBA is really being vigilant in keeping the game steroid and HGH-free. My fear is that they're assuming that basketball is a finesse sport, so NBA players won't be tempted to use those drugs. That assumption would be foolish. They also used to say that sprinters and baseball players wouldn't be helped by using steroids. Ben Johnson and Mark McGuire showed how wrong those assumptions were.

by hurryup09 on Nov 1, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

youre right i didnt grow up with him

I am proud to know a few former and current players..so did you grow up with dwight? or do you just know him from the streets?

if it can be conceived it can be achieved

by lyfefindsaway on Nov 2, 2007 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Apples/Oranges

Unfortunately the draft link between Oden and Durant will always invite apples to oranges comparisons. Also unfortunately our apple is under repair.

I'm afraid a lot of the negativity in analysis of Durant is tied somehow to the fact through no fault of his own, that he was NOT The Blazers choice.

Even if I'm unfairly guessing at the motivation behind the evaluation, well mine is different. From what I've seen, Durant is going to be a great, great player. If his presence as a Blazer would of blown our culture away, then all I can say is Fire in the Hole!

Durants got some physical growing, and some learning to do, but I think he's a perenial all-star in the not too distant future.

None of this should be taken as a referendum on Oden. It's just my separate evaluation of an Orange we did not select.

I have no problem saying as Paul Allen did, that you can not fault the decision process. I'm happy with Oden and dying to see him next season. But seems to me that a lot of Blazer fans knock Durant for no apparent reason.

I hope when all is said and done, the reality is that we would of won by chosing either All-Star Oden or All-Star Durant. Hopefully both become the great players they were projected to become. So far, I'm impressed with what I've seen of Durant. His imperfections, are the type you should expect from a young player, and those flashes of greatness, leave you blinking.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 1, 2007 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure ...

PJ has told Durant to let 'em fly. In fact, in one of their preseason games, I saw PJ pull Durant over to the side after he hesitated on the play. I couldn't read his lips, but it sure looked like he was saying something to the effect of: "Look, you're hear to SHOOT THE BALL. So SHOOT THE BALL!" If that's true, he'll have a lot of games like he did last night, but he's gonna learn pretty quick what works well for him and what doesn't ...

by bfan on Nov 1, 2007 7:27 AM PDT reply actions

I agrees witcha bfan.

I thought Durant looked pretty ordinary last night but as you say he will soon figure out what works for him. I also agree that "shoot the ball" is exactly what the Sonics are asking of him.

I must be in an agreeable mood this morning as I also think Dave is right on when he says that before he becomes a force, Durant will need to get to the line much more.

by TwoDeep on Nov 1, 2007 7:50 AM PDT reply actions

The problem with Durant taking it to the hole

...is that he's going to get hurt. There was one play last night when Kenyon Martin moved under Durant as he tried to pack it. Durant landed awkwardly and I winced. As Barkley said during the pre-game, Durant is still "flimsy." I'd hate to see a hall of fame career aborted by a Livingston-type injury. Let Durant bomb away from outside and only drive occasionally for now. By next season, he'll have a more NBA-ready body.

by hurryup09 on Nov 1, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Ya gotta admit Hurryup,

at least there can be no allegations of steroid or human growth hormone involved with Durant.

I'm not sure slight built players are necessarily injury prone though. Could be the opposite actually. How about T. Prince? Another is the player I most liken Durant to: George Gervin. I personally like basketball players to be built as such and not muscle bound freaks. Shaq should have been a defensive lineman. The nature of the game these days requires players to bulk up in the weight room. I, like you, so much hope this emphasis isn't resulting in juicing . I used to be a huge track fan but because of what's happened regarding steriods I barely give it a thought today. Baseball: When McGuire and Sosa (and eventually Bonds) began not just edging out but obliterating single season home run records set by Ruth and Maris that had stood for decades, I knew there was something wrong.

Yah, Stern should be doing everything withing his power to ensure these franken-athletes don't permeate the NBA.

by TwoDeep on Nov 1, 2007 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Skinny guys

You have a point that sometimes skinny guys can be durable. But Durant is sure pushing the envelope. I do wince when there's contact, like on that Kenyon Martin undercut. We'll see, though. I'm rooting for him to stay injury-free. Did you see where he said he's been staying in touch with GO and even praying for him? That's a nice kid.

One thing, skinny guys put less of a pounding on their knees. You worry about big, heavy guys who can jump out of the building. Greg Oden's not in that category yet, but if he bulks up ala Shaq it could become a concern.

by hurryup09 on Nov 2, 2007 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

The Bulls are about 2 years ahead of the Blazers..

Deng, Gordan, Hinrich are young guys but they have a few seasons under their belt. Plus, they have a seasoned allstar in Ben Wallace. Our two main guys are just entering their 2nd season...they didn't even play a whole 1st season. And our other main guy is an injured rookie...we'll see how we compare with the Bulls in a couple of more years.

As for Durant....I watched that game solely to see him play. He missed A LOT of shots, but I still came away impressed...he changed my opinion about him. He has all the tools to become an offensive force in the NBA. He showed a lot more ability to get to the rim than I thought he had...and he seemed to be passing the ball better. Durant is not going to get many calls this year, but he will eventually. Remember Durant is 18 or 19 years old...once he matures a little bit, I think he's going to be a great player in the NBA.

The one guy I came away really impressed by was Delonte West. That guy can flat out play. I think Seattle got themselves a new starting point guard out of that deal with Boston.

by JasonT on Nov 1, 2007 8:51 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah Delonte is a phenom

He's so fast and sneaky. He plays pesky D, he gets to the rim, and his outside shot is money too.

When church and state marry, the devil pays for the reception.

by fisheyes on Nov 1, 2007 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

Not to mention..........

Look at all those scores over 100 points!

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Nov 1, 2007 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

delonte

I agree, delonte is the man. he and wilcox are the best players on their team right now. i couldn't believe ridnour didn't get one minute last night. being an oregon alumni i'm a little biased for sure. i hope they are just playing watson to try and show he has value so they can trade him. if thats the case it might backfire. i understand the redundancy at the pg position for the blazers, like we need another point guard, but the idea of ridnour coming to portland to run our team makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

by noaher on Nov 1, 2007 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

No not Ridnour please

Ridnour has had his crack at running the point on an NBA team. And he fell short. Why should the Blazers add yet another above-average-but-still-mediocre point guard? We've already got 2 or 3 of those.

When church and state marry, the devil pays for the reception.

by fisheyes on Nov 1, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

i can't have any fun?

jesus, you're so serious. i understand it is not a good move. it's not one that i would really even support. i didn't say we should make that move did i? i just assume there are plenty of duck fans on this board and i was tapping into our collective sweet spot for ridnour. back off.

by noaher on Nov 1, 2007 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Deng is entering his 4th season

I suspect that when Roy and Aldridge are entering their 4th season, that the gap between Deng now, and those two then will have closed considerably if not vanished.

That's not to say that Deng isn't a very good player...he certainly is.

by moldorf on Nov 1, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions