A Memorable First Night
posted: 10/07/2008 at 11:09 PM
This is the preseason. Yes, I get it. It was an exhibition game and it didn't count. But, if you're tuned in to what's happening with the young Portland Trail Blazers, you know what I know. This mattered. This mattered on multiple levels.
In this one little preseason game, on a Tuesday night in October, we learned about Greg Oden. We learned about Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. Our belief in Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge was reassured. We saw that Travis Outlaw, Joel Przybilla, and Martell Webster look improved. And, we even witnessed that Nate McMillan can go 10 or 11 deep on a regular basis, if he wants to, as Ike Diogu and Nicolas Batum are more than capable. Note that I haven't even mentioned Jerryd Bayless, Steve Blake, and Channing Frye (Blake and Frye didn't play).
We knew that this team would need a little time to mesh together. I was expecting it would take longer than a quarter and a-half, but on this night it sure didn't. The Trail Blazers turned an 11-point deficit into a 35-point second-half lead, and ran away from the Sacramento Kings 110-81, in the season's first exhibition game. But, the final score is perhaps the least-important fact I've given you so far.
Oden is not yet in game shape. But, he moved defenders around at will, hammered down several jams inside, and showed that you'd better bring more than two players at him if you want to stop him from getting to the rim. Oden finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a little less than 20 minutes of action. Ask Spencer Hawes if Oden has his explosiveness back on the defensive end. He's probably home right now with a bottle of Oil of Olay trying to get the words "Spalding" removed from his forehead.
The amazing thing about Oden, he can be a game changer without even putting up huge numbers. This isn't a surprise, but it's one of those stats you have to look for. Oden caused 9 fouls on Sacramento defenders. This is actually a stat they keep in Europe. He changes everything when he's on the floor. And, he passes well enough out of double teams that this is going to create so many open shots for his teammates.
Rudy is an absolute freak of nature. To our friends reading this overseas, you knew this already. It was always said that Wayne Gretzky could see a play develop several seconds before it happened. It's too early to slap tags on Rudy, but he possesses skills you cannot teach.
Fernandez had Blazer fans on the edge of their seats, and many times on their feet, the entire second half. He put together a personal highlight reel that will be difficult to top by anyone in the preseason. You know the crazy part? He had 6 points and 5 assists. That sounds like a quiet night. The 19,321 in attendance will tell you otherwise. You'll have to see the highlights of this one to begin to understand what I'm talking about.
If you're a fan of Spanish basketball (and I know a lot of them read this blog), you've got to be beaming with pride, because Sergio has just put himself back on the map. Maybe above anyone else, he needed this. Oh, how he needed this. He started, woke the team up late in the second quarter with back-to-back three pointers, and was absolutely brilliant in the third quarter. Sergio ended with 11 points and 7 assists, and was obviously very comfortable with Rudy as his wingman. "We've been doing this for years," Sergio told me after the game.
Roy was his usual efficient self, shooting 5 for 6, and ending with 14 points and 7 assists. Aldridge had a very off night, for him, and ended with 13 and 5 rebounds. Martell had 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Przybilla had 7 points and 12 rebounds. Not many teams have a backup center as capable as Joel.
I'm not extremely impressed that they beat Sacramento, playing without Kevin Martin and Brad Miller, in the exhibition season. What was impressive was the way this team played, especially in the second half, and the way the already-healthy chemistry appeared to be even healthier than expected coming out of training camp.
It was an atmosphere you don't find in preseason games in this league. The energized crowd was absolutely eating up every highlight, every replay, and certainly got its money's worth. Have you ever said that about an exhibition game? That's right, it was just an exhibition game. But, it sure seemed to be a whole lot more.
Wednesday night the Blazers take on the Golden State Warriors at the Rose Garden, and we'll be televising this one on KGW, and the Blazers Television Network, in HD. I only hope we get half the show we got Tuesday. Even if that's the case, fans will still be going to bed happy, and dreaming of what's to come.
By the way, to hear the post-game comments from Nate McMillan,
click here. To listen to a quick interview with Rudy,
click here.
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It is midnight and I am still dreaming of what is to come. I was at the game with my cousin Joe who is so nice to take me to games because he has season tickets.
Believe the hype because the Blazers are going to make some noise this year. For it being the Kings and only preseason I will try very hard to keep things in perspective. But I don't know if Brad Miller could have stopped Greg or if Kevin Martin would have done any better against Rudy.
It is time to start calling him the Magician like my cousin says. Those 5 assists were like nothing I had every seen. The 6 points worth more then that. He is a game changer. He has the ability to make plays ahead of the defense. His court vision is incredible.
Unbelievable game tonight. I can't wait for the regular season. I think we can go 14-10 in the first 24 games MB. I don't see us losing a home game in the first 8. The Rose Garden is too electric and we love the team too much to let them. I think we can get 6 road wins easy. I'm predicting a 50-32 record 5th/6th seed in the playoffs. What do you think?
P.S. If you have some influence on music choice or can make a suggestion. I think the Team needs to be introduced to a song called Swagger Like Us by 4 great MC's Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I. Ask some of the players I bet they know it. It should be our anthem. It gets me pumped for the game. Cause no one has a swagger like us.
I must admit i was a little worried about Oden, but hey! It is just what you said Mike. He changes the opponent's plays. Happy to see that.
And of course, as i'm from Spain, i was waiting to see Sergio's game. I'm really happy about him. Yes, it just one game, but i think this can be his best season.
Wow wow wow!!! I have seen right now Rudy's Alley oop Lay up in the game!! AAAgghh!! He didn't do that kind of things in Spain!! (Well' almost! hehe!)
Great news from portland!!! Really good first macth of preseason!!!!!
The connection Sergio-Rudy can be lethal!!! They knows really well... and they love to makes alley-hops with much facilities!!
Roy, great, as always!!!!! Inside, this year portland can be stronger than other years, this team have much options to be in playoff!!!!
Regards from Spain!!!
I'm sad I didn't go but I'll be at work with a smile on my face all day. Just knowing it will be on TV tomorrow too. I'm so proud to be a Blazer fan and that this team represents Portland the way it should. I can't wait for the game tomorrow. Many many good times to come.
I told you all that Greg would be fine, He came out and completely dominated tonight. He abused everybody with his sheer force and savvy moves off his pivot foot. and he showed quite a bit of explosiveness as opposed to fan fest night. I can see it now in real life unfolding, That championship dream. It is upon us now, So behold, If you will, This exceptonal group of guys whom Kevin Pritchard has brought together as a unit which will grow into one of the greatest forces in NBA history.For it is these dedicated young men, who will indeed, turn, transform, and will that dream into our reality... That Ever So Elusive Title of... ~NBA Champions~
It is torture being stuck down here in Los Angeles. Me and my buddy (in PDX) purchased the Brandon Roy Pack. I will be flying up for games throughout the season.
I wanted to be there so badly. I had a feeling this preseason opener would be special. My buddies were giving constant texts from the Rose Garden. I had Sportscenter on, the espn.com gamecast, the Blazers liveblog, the Oregonlive.com blog, espn live boxscore, etc.
Just scraped up everything on the "inter-webs", including some choice footage on YouTube in the last couple hours of Oden and Rudy. Wow. Just sick. I've never seen a preseason crowd that electric. We really have something great.
Fellow Blazermaniacs, I want to say though, please stop with all the Championship/Dynasty talk and just enjoy the process. We still need the luck/timing to go with the talent to accomplish anything. Lakers, Hornets, Rockets and Celtics are huge obstacles. "We" haven't done anything to warrant that type of talk.
Great blog Mike! We in Spain already knew what Rudy & Sergio were capable of, what I like is that you're starting to appreciate it! Just wait until they try their alley-oop!
Hi everybody. I'am one of the Other side of the athlantic reeder of your blog. Unfortunatly in spain can´t see the game but I see the highlights. Just say one thing. Rudy just show what he was doing in Europe for years but I notice that all people think that he was use play 35 or 38 min per game bur this is not true. He use to play "only" 25-28 minuts per game due to the particulary spanish coach Aito. with these minuts we was able to score 22pts per media. What I'm tring to say is that he don't need no be the one who shot all the balls. He is ok playing few minuts than Roy, Blake... So Good luck for you to have such a great player. Enjoy it.
Hi everybody. I'am one of the Other side of the athlantic reeder of your blog. Unfortunatly in spain can´t see the game but I see the highlights. Just say one thing. Rudy just show what he was doing in Europe for years but I notice that all people think that he was use play 35 or 38 min per game bur this is not true. He use to play "only" 25-28 minuts per game due to the particulary spanish coach Aito. with these minuts we was able to score 22pts per media. What I'm tring to say is that he don't need no be the one who shot all the balls. He is ok playing few minuts than Roy, Blake... So Good luck for you to have such a great player. Enjoy it.
As you said Mike, I know it was preseason - but what a fun game to watch!!
At the very least, it shows that this team has so much potential for this season. Luckily, with the collection of good guys and hard workers on the team, I'm convinced that they will work to meet their potential. This is going to be a great year...
Ha! 'Oil of Olay', that sounds like something the wild one would say.
Thanks Mike:
I never got to hear the game or find much about it last night. Sure great to have you blog about it.
It tickles me that Oden did OK. He really needed a confidence booster. Although I knew he would be ok, I am glad he started early. I am sure he will have some bad games, but this will let him know he is more ready than he thought. Can you imagine what he will be like when he is 100% and can play the whole game?
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. Do you suppose he was the big catalyst for Sergio being fired up?
I think winning the first exhibition game meant as much to the players as it did us fans
hg
I have to say that Sergio was impressive, but Rudy really stole the show. With the crowd chanting RUDY during and even after the game, his passes and alleyoops were ESPN highlight reel worthy. His court vision will make this team significantly better. Aside from LA's off night, these guys met or exceeded expectations (which for me is a 6 or 7 seed in the playoffs - crazy high, but we are deep with mad skills!) Roy was Roy, Oden showed he is a beast that will be tough for any team to contain, and Outlaw and Webster (can you say dunks?) were looking good for the first game. We have been waiting for this for a long time and it was well worth the wait. Mike - your blog makes it great to be a fan! GO BLAZERS!
What a great night for the Spanish contingent! Sergio was great, but Rudy really stole the show. If Sergio is Spanish Chocolate, how about a little Spanish Coffee for Rudy? He really gets guys going with highlight reel passes that will make ESPN. Oden is a beast, Roy was Roy, and Webster brought the hammer dunks that were just plain sick. Everyone but LA (hey, we all have off nights) met or exceeded expectations, which for me are crazy (like 6th seed playoff crazy) high. Been waiting for this all year, and it was well worth the wait. Thanks for the great blog Mike!
Mr. Barrett,
Hi! I have a question for you if you do not mind. Do you know if Portland has picked up the 4th year options for Roy, Aldridge, and Rodriguez yet? As well as 3rd year option for Oden? They have until the 31st of this month to do so but there has been no announcement yet and I was just curious.
Thank you!
Rudy's 6 points and 5 assists had to be the most dynamic and action packed 6/5 ever.
Rudy was great and I can see him getting some minutes at the 1 just so he can be on the floor.
You could really see a difference when Oden was in the game, he really changes the opponent's offensive flow and really opens up the court for everyone else on offense. He demands double and triple teams and allows Roy and LMA to get free. I think Oden might average 3+ assists this year just from passing out of double teams.
I am very proud of Sergio, he seems like he has stepped up to the challenge instead of shrinking n the face of opposition.
Bayless did pretty well too.
As you know, it isn't the backup that brings a team down when the starter is injured, it is the backup's backup that hurts. I think our team is well equipped to handle injuries and won't have as big a drop off from the 2nd string to the 3rd string.
This is gonna be fun, RIP CITY baby!
Wow... Rudy! A great game overall for everyone! Those passes from Rudy were just amazing and also that pass he caught under the hoop in mid-air and reversed it up for an allyoop lay in.
A great game from the big fellow Oden last night too. I saw enough to expect him to be a dominant force in the NBA by the end of the season. It was a great atmosphere for a pre-season game last night. I'm pumped for tonight! I can't believe that Oden is finally playing, it seemed like we drafted him 5 years ago because of my anticipation.
JON - SECTION 306
>>Przybilla had 7 points and 12 rebounds. Not many teams have a backup center as capable as Joel.
That's 7 points and TWELVE rebounds in 22 minutes.
That'd be 25 rebounds in a 48 minute game, or 26. I'm too lazy to do the math this morning.
World. Class. Rebounder.
t
Unbelievable game; this team is stacked from top to bottom and is very promising. I can't believe how good Rudy looked his first night out...he and sergio are gonna be a nice tandem.
Hats of to KP for doing such a great job with this team. He has made nothing but solid decisions.
Unbelievable game Mike, can't believe how good they are gonna be! Rudy is going to make a strong backcourt duo with Sergio, and they will be fun to watch.
Hats off to KP for doing such a good job over the years...this team is quite improved; that is an understatement.
Any chance of a highlight reel?
MB, If you HAD to choose your favorite Rudy play from last night, what would it be? The menu is long.
I knew he was a player, but I had no idea that he is so extremely adept at passing. Quality quality stuff.
Prior to the Olympics, I feared that the Blazers may have been over-selling Rudy, just a bit. Rudy helped calm that notion with his stellar gold medal game. He also pleased the home crowd in the scrimmage. But MAN, last night he downright rocked the Garden like it was his J-O-B, and IT IS!!!
Rip City is back (tell Canzano)
Oden and Rudy for Co-ROY
Thank you KP !!!
That was the most fun I have ever had a pre-season game.
Lets Go Blazers !!!
Bring on the Warriors !!
i work for the blazers and took yesterday off to go see the game. it was definitely a good choice haha!
the game i witnessed along with everyone else was mind-blowing. i knew rudy was nba ready from the start and tonight, he went out and proved it. greg oden was a bit slow in the first quarter but as thing started to heat up, he was hitting people left and right when they doubled team him.
sergio and martell were the most improved players. i believe martell played better yesterday then he has ever in the last season.
this is just the beginning though. hopefully, there is more to come....
Rudy Fernandez... oh my!
I was at the game last night, and I attended the fans asked inter-squad scrimmage game as well. And Rudy just progressed in my mind, this guy is a player. This guy is amazing! A terrific passer and court visionary. I've watched some highlights on the TV news and slowed them down. What a treat, like a back door to Martel for a dunk that key was Rudy taking like he fumbled the ball and then gaining control. And no looking the backdoor pass off his right yet. Amazing! I could go on and on about this guy. Right now, in spite of all the other great players on this team. Rudy Fernandez is the most exciting player. I had seen in the Blazer uniform in a long time. . .I can't wait to see him in the rotation where he shooting from the outside. You barely took any outside shots last night. The statistics, totally alive and its impact on this game amazing amazing amazing!
Greg Oden, while he needs to get in better shape, showed glimpses of what is to come in how he changes the game and opens up the court for everyone else to operate. He will be electric, just give him time.
I was lucky enough to watch the game on Direct/tv's King's cmca channel 689. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I live in the portland area, comcast and d/tv need to get things done NOW. Thanks Mike for all the good work.
MB,
I haven't heard much about Blake. How long will he be out?
... and when bad days come, we ll still be able to enjoy these highlights over and over. Yesterday plays will never die.
Thanks Blazers!
But let's be patience in bad moments, cause if we can dream this year, next we ll require the ring :)
Wow, I've still got tingles from last night! What an amazing performance. It was everything I hoped for. The first half I was disappointed that we were down and the Kings were actually challenging us. I expected us to dominate teams like the Kings and dominate we did.
We are going to exhaust teams. Every time Nate made a substitution I just laughed to see what talent was being added to the court. It's endless. I really don't care who starts at this point. It doesn't matter. They're all so freaking good!
Rudy is the man! He is a true competitor who represents everything a professional basketball should be. When he clapped to the fans after the game in appreciation for their support, I went crazy. What a class act!
There are too many good things to say about this game to list. One thing that we did that I loved was that once we got the Kings on their backs we kept them their. No mercy. I can't wait to match up with teams like the Celtics, Lakers, and whoever. Bring em on!
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just learned that Bend Broadband is only carrying 13 games this year...just those on major networks. THIS S..KS! I'M SO FRUSTRATED! Damn greedy Comcast!
I was able to watch just about every game I wanted when they were bad - and yes I watched them when they were bad - now that they are on the verge of becoming something special, I can't see them at all? AAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!
SOMEBODY PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
agMike;
I made a prediction that the Blazers would be much better in the paint due to Oden. And they wouldn't have to rely on the treys so much. Their jump shots would improve due to Martell, LMA, working hard and BRoy practicing catch and shoot.
It looks like for now I was right with 54 pts in the pt or so in the paint. Great improvement from last year, do you think Charles will say we don't make any easy shots? It sounds like it was a terrific game.
hg
I was at the game last night and indeed it far exceeded my expectations. At first Greg looked very nervous. But he seemed to gain confidence as the game went on. When they passed him the ball in the low post and he made his mind up to take it to the basket, there was just no stopping him. And Rudy was a one man highlight reel. He is even better than I had hoped for. I have never had so much fun in the preseason. Can't wait to go tonight.
Except for the announcement at the start of the game on the PA no one would have known this was "just" a pre-season game. Can anyone truthfully say they expected this kind of performance in the first game?
PLEASE: Blazer management put DUNKS on the stat boards permanently!! My brother & I recounted at least 15, probably closer to 20. That's 1/3 of their total field goals! When is the last time someone saw that many dunks from the Blazers in one game?
Brian Wheeler's postgame comment "that was a month worth of highlights in one game" was priceless!
I was at the game and it was like watching an all-star team play high school kids for the last 2 1/2 quarters. I downloaded the highlights of that game to look back at this game as the begging of a new Blazers dynasty! Oden will be that monster in the paint we needed! Rudy will be an all-star! I’m glad Sergio played well!
BTW
Those of you who have satellite TV and cant get league pass because it's blocked out there's something you can do to go around that. Search the blogs at
blazersedge.com
HEY MIKE SORRY THAT IM WRITING IN CAPITALS BUT DUDE U WERE SUPPOSED TO GET A PEN BUT NEVER CAME BACK REMEMBER ME? I TOOK A PIC WITH MIKE RICE AND GOT HIS AUTOGRAPH BUT DIDNT GET YOURS!
SEARCH ME UP ON MYSPACE " Baller23" AND MY PROFILE PIC IS ME AN RICE SO YEAH PLZ WRITE BACK THNAKS!
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