Advantage Second Unit
posted: 10/06/2009 at 10:29 PM
In many ways this was a typical first exhibition game for two NBA teams. There were moments of impressive execution, mixed with a bit of sloppy play. There were also several signs of the players having heavy legs following training camps, individuals looking to regain their stroke and rhythm, and certainly there were encouraging things to build on, as the Blazers downed the Kings 98-86.
The one glaring difference between these two teams, on this night, was Portland's incredible depth. As we've talked about, it's not only that they've got a solid second unit, it's that the entire second five could easily be starting for this team (and many other teams). What that means is, you've got a second "starting" group to go against opponent's reserve units.
The result of this huge advantage, I believe, will be many outcomes like the one we saw on Tuesday night- competitive game for a while, but an easy Portland victory in the end. This Blazer team will simply wear opponents down.
Can you read a ton into an exhibition game- especially the first game? Probably not. But, Nate McMillan's many options were very evident. He went with a different starting five in the second half, and look for this to continue throughout the pre-season. He's going to toss different combinations out there to see how they play together.
To no one's surprise, LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers in scoring, with 20 points, on an efficient 8 for 11 shooting.
Greg Oden, who showed off some of his new offensive moves in this game, ended with 18 points and 9 rebounds in just over 25 minutes. He had dunks, he had jump hooks, he went to the left hand, and even hit an elbow jumper when he was left open. Mostly though, he showed that he's a very difficult match up, especially if he continues to play with the second unit. He'll be playing against backup centers in this league, and there won't be many who can hang with him.
A great sign was the fact that Oden was 10 for 12 from the free-throw line. He gets fouled a lot, as you probably know. This will continue. Among centers, only Shaq was fouled more times per minute played last season than Oden. If Greg shoots even 65 percent at the line he'll easily score in double figures every night. He's already a defensive game-changer, and given the attention he'll draw on offense, it's scary how big an impact he could have on a nightly basis.
Among the other double-figure scorers the Blazers had on this night were Andre Miller (16 points, 5 assists), who played very well, and is the most vocal player on the court that the Blazers have had in years. Travis Outlaw had 10 points in 21 minutes.
Nicolas Batum started, and played just 9 minutes. That's by design, and look for that to continue. McMillan realizes Batum and Rudy Fernandez played all summer, and their minutes will be watched closely during the exhibition season. Rudy played just 17 minutes, and probably won't get more than that in the next few.
Brandon Roy is using this exhibition season to just get his feet under him, and will certainly pace himself. He played 27 minutes, and even though he wants to play about that many minutes a game during the pre season, will probably get a game off all together within the next two weeks. No one is worried about his progress.
Dante Cunningham, Juwan Howard, and Jarron Collins didn't play, but that'll likely change Wednesday night, when the Blazers play the Kings again, in Sacramento this time.
The Blazers will ramp things up as the exhibition season continues, but I expect McMillan to spread the minutes around for the next few games. He'll be doing some experimenting, but he'll also keep and eye on minutes and will involve everyone.
To listen to McMillan's post-game comments,
click here.
Not everything was positive in this game for the Blazers, and rebounding is the one area McMillan specifically talked about after the game, as something they need to improve upon. The Kings, who weren't a good rebounding team last season, out boarded the Blazers 44-34, and were allowed to grab 16 offensive rebounds.
It was just one of eight exhibition games, and a chance for the Blazers to get on the court and beat on someone else. All things considered, it was business as usual, and game two is Wednesday.
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Daunte played? I see a DNP coaches decision besides his name.
Looks like Oden had a excellent game!
Oden is going to be a monster
Thank you for more then an update, but the first news I was able to get.
It was said that Greg got fouled a lot, but you didn't mention how is epidimic fouling went. Does it seem like he is getting cured from sick fouls that takes him out of action? It sounded like he played great and that is what was needed.
Our local radio station that is effiliated with the Blazers didn't air the game, I don't believe. It was my bowling night so I probably wouldn't have heard much anyway.
Thanks for burning the midnight oil to keep us starving fans alive.
hg
Thanx for the update MB: for those of us on the East Coast - this is very refreshing!!!! Go Blazers!
MB,Thanx for the update.I cuoldn't get it on radio.I live in Eugene.Is there some local radio that might carry the game?Thanx for answering my Andre question on Courtside.It was good to hear the straight scoop,as always. Sounds like Oden is rockin.I'm glad for him.He is a good kid.It's drivin me crazy not bein able to watch a game till the 27th. BLAZERSROCK
I can't believe we got outrebounded by Sac.What is the problem?We should be dominating the boards with the horses we have.Oden is looking good,So is Andre.LMA,you da man.I figured Martell will take a few games where he can relax.I did get to watch some highlights on NBA.com.I tried a link to watch a link to the live stream of the game ,but it was a runaround.
hg,
Looking at the boxscore Oden ended up with 4 fouls in 25 mins. I remember looking at the boxscore around the 3rd quarter and Joel had 4 fouls and Oden only 2!
hg,
Three of Oden's four fouls were offense, and away from the ball. One for a moving pick, a loose-ball foul, and one for lifting Spencer Hawes off the floor with one arm while training to gain position on the block. Something he's still working on, and I'd rather see him get fouls like this than get a few away from the ball on defense.
MB
Mike:
Thanks for the info. I went all over the Internet and couldn't find a thing about him fouling. Sounds like he is well on his way to recovering from his epidemic fouls. Of course, we play on their playing field tonight and that may be different. Especially with replacement refs
hg
MGB: I am embarrassed to say, I have a heck of a time with box scores because no one ever gave me a class on Abr.
While I have your attention I think I may owe you at least one beer. I think Oden may start by regular season. The jury is still out on Andre because he may be needed more with the second unit. He needs to morph into at least two.
hg
It sounds like Oden showed some improvement. Hopefully, he can bring this type of production on a consistent basis.
Mike...why aren't these preseason games being televised? Heck, I can't even listen to the games online, b/c I don't live in Oregon, and the affiliate radio stations do not broadcast the games online. Help us!
i listed to it on the radio which was ok but i would rather watch the game. i get alot more from the game if i watch it. whoever was with wheels i didn't care for.
I think miller and oden will start. we still have alot of work to do but the blazers will come around. just getting started. go blazers.
I'm not worried about the poor 3-point shooting, because we have good shooters and that will come around. However, the rebounding is concerning. That is desire and technique, not athleticism. Note Moses Malone could barely jump over a toothpick
hg,
I wrote up the definitions of the abbreviations of NBA.com Box Scores.
Pos = Position Played
Min = Minutes Played
Rebounds:
FGM-A = Field Goals Made-Attempted
3PM-A = 3 Pointers Made-Attempted
FTM-A = Free Throws Made-Attempted
+/- = Differential in points scored while that player was playing. + is how many more points scored than the opponent while a player was on the floor and - means how many points the opponent scored over what your team scored while a player was on the floor. A minus or plus may be more of a indicator of who was on the floor with a player rather than how well that player played. But a lot of times when other stats don't show a player is having a good game this might be a indicator that he is doing stuff that helps the team that doesn't show up in most of the stats.
Rebounds:
OFF = Offensive Rebounds
DEF = Defensive Rebounds
TOT = Total Rebounds
AST = Assists
PF = Personal Fouls
ST = Steals
TO = Turn Overs
BS = Block Shots
BA = Block Against
PTS = Points Scored
Hope that helps! Here's the Blazers boxscore from last nite.
http://www.nba.com/games/20091006/SACPOR/boxscore.html
people dogged Oden last season, but watch. He's still very young and didn't even develop his game at all in college! He's going to be the truth. Andre is just what we need. With him and Blake, oooweee!! I think our guard play is solid, our big guys just got to be monster EVERY night defensively. We have a very nice looking squad! RIP City is baaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!
To all those who hated on Oden: uh-oh! People got to remember, he didn't even develop all the way in college! He busted his knee, but he was a kid when he did that, I knew he would heal. Oden is going to be a beast. Andre Miller is solid and proven. Him and Blake, who ever starts, ooooweeeee!!! Our guard unit is nasty. We just need our bigs to get nasty defensively. Not dirty, but make people thing long and hard before coming to the rack. We got Oden, now if LA can get nasty defensively, he'll be an all-star.
Rip City is baaaaaaaaack!!!! Duckworth would be proud (RIP).
Sorry for the double comment. I thought one got erased. Oops.
Ooops, that should have been Field Goals instead of Rebounds the first time I put Rebounds.
"The patience of Trail Blazers fans has been tried a lot lately."
So starts the recap, which goes on to site the progress of our players and how badly we have wanted to see them compete, then implies that we were rewarded with a victory and how happy we are about that. While this is true, it does not address the most patience-testing element, which was the lack of television coverage.
Plenty of Blazer fans have expressed their frustration about not being able to watch Blazer games because of the Comcast deal. Now even those of us that live in the city and subscribe to the service have been snubbed. I watched a recap online which proved that somebody was holding a camera. Why wasn't it our guys? Why couldn't it be Mike, Mike and Rebecca calling the game? I enjoyed the radio program, but there is a huge difference. Wheels and Tone did a great job, and it was fun to hear Rice's endorsement for sausages(he must REALLY like those sausages), but the radio call is good when you're driving, or working outside, not when you're sitting in your living room. I almost fell asleep a couple times. You know how it goes; the dog sits on the couch and starts to snooze, you've had a long day and a couple beers, and next thing you know, it's third quarter and you don't remember half time.
I know it's probably too late to strike a deal on this, but I feel like you should know that we miss this team and the television crew like the desert misses the rain.
Go Blazers.
Man, are we as fans getting spoiled or what? I know you need to be able to receive comcast, but if you are lucky enough you can get all 82 reg season games televised in HD no less, but we complain about not being able to watch preseason games on tv. Now I'm right with you, I'd love to be able to watch the preseason games and especially the one located at MC since I don't have tickets to that, but thinking how few games we got to see just a few seasons back it's really incredible how many we get to see now and how many anyone in the world will be able to see if the Blazers do start streaming games as I've read they will this season.
Hey Mike,
I thought that most of the guys looked a tad rusty with the exception of LA and Greg, although Oden didn't look eye popping dominate to me he looked light years better than he looked last year. I believe that all his hard work this summer is going to pay off big time. I think he has the chance to become one of the most dominating big men in the league given the time on the court. If he can stay healthy I think he has a chance to be even more imposing than Howard. (given enough time.) I love what I saw out of LA he is becoming a beast and man I think if this team can stay healthy and happy (minutes) that we can bust that Championship window wide open.
On a lighter note I had my youngest daughter with me at the fanfest when you stopped to chat with me at the Blazers gear shop last sunday and she was curious on how I knew you, I told her about bringing the grand-daughter footprints straight from the hospital to the draft party for good luck and how you thought i looked to young to be a grand-pa, she laughed and then asked me who the heck you were? I couldn't stop laughing, she loves the Blazers but is not even in the same stratisphere with me when it comes to being a hugh Blazer homer. Thanks for being such a great Embassador for the Blazers, I love the fact that your not afraid to be a a Homer on TV just as Wheels is not afraid to be one on the radio, just wish Comcast would get a deal done with DirecTV so I could TIVO you and listen to wheels while at the games. Keep up the good work Mike and thanks again.
Glenn
Hey Mike, I thought that most of the guys looked a tad rusty with the exception of LA and Greg, although Oden didn't look eye popping dominate to me he looked light years better than he looked last year. I believe that all his hard work this summer is going to pay off big time. I think he has the chance to become one of the most dominating big men in the league given the time on the court. If he can stay healthy I think he has a chance to be even more imposing than Howard. (given enough time.) I love what I saw out of LA he is becoming a beast and man I think if this team can stay healthy and happy (minutes) that we can bust that Championship window wide open.
On a lighter note I had my youngest daughter with me at the fanfest when you stopped to chat with me at the Blazers gear shop last sunday and she was curious on how I knew you, I told her about bringing the grand-daughter footprints straight from the hospital to the draft party for good luck and how you thought i looked to young to be a grand-pa, she laughed and then asked me who the heck you were? I couldn't stop laughing, she loves the Blazers but is not even in the same stratisphere with me when it comes to being a hugh Blazer homer. Thanks for being such a great Embassador for the Blazers, I love the fact that your not afraid to be a a Homer on TV just as Wheels is not afraid to be one on the radio, just wish Comcast would get a deal done with DirecTV so I could TIVO you and listen to wheels while at the games. Keep up the good work Mike and thanks again.
Glenn
Good game last night.....I'll start with Oden, he looked great, I almost fainted when he hit that elbow J. I know you said he worked on his faceup game but I didn't think he would have that yet. Shaq's been playing 15+ years and still cant do that...WOW. I was also happy to see him finish with his left.....Bayno is the man. Also I agree with you MB Oden will be making a living at the line this year.......I calling it right now Oden for most improved player award. And we could very well have 3 all-stars this year, i'm just saying.
LA looks fantastic not only his game but his new tatoo's on those BIGGER arms........very nice....he is so smooth.
I think rebounding will be there, I don't know how it wouldn't.
I also like B-roys lines in the hair. It may not seem like anything but, it is just a little extra flash and flair. I know thats part of what we all love about Roy is that he is such a classy understated guy. But I believe he needs to bring a little more pizzazz if you will.......not anything over the top. You may ask why and I'll tell you. The way the NBA works is like any other entertainment industry. The more exciting flashy interesting the more publicity you get. Nationally Roy still does not get the respect he deserves. He still doesn't get the superstar calls on the court. For example the ESPN show PTI, (Tony) said Durant and a handful of other players were better than B-ROY, whom none of them were actually better......ESPN nba site has player has a new article, with player predictions/awards thing, and ROY is screwed over in that as well.......You may think none of this matters, but unfortunately just like the rest of life its a popularity contest.
sorry about that I always get a little off my original subject, but I guess thats what blogging is for....
GOOOOOOO BLAZERS>...
oh ya.....NBA TV......and alot of games are free right now at least for comcast users
i know how you feel 5 doggs thats kinda how it went for me too.
some of the articles coming out are about popularity ball n is right. the one where it states roy might have a break out year makes me laugh. As for durant being better then roy whoever said that should be taken out back and dealt with. kevin is a scorer thats it, he can't play d worth spit, can't pass worth sht. As for the articles about oden if he becomes what everybody told us he wouldn't become i will never shut my mouth.
never ever ever.....ever
well im ready to watch the game to night oh ya comcast suck
well wheels keep it live
go blazers
I thank you, I'll put that list in my favorites to view when needen
hg
Am I the only one here who thinks its crazy that SAC outrebounded us by 10 and got 16 offensive rebounds also.That is the one thing that I was worried about the most coming into this season.I know we are working on D a lot this year,but IMO defensive rebounding is just as important.I still think it may be our biggest weakness.Plus how many of those 16 offensive boards turned into field goals.I have to agree with MGB that we are lucky to see so many games during the year,so I'll try to be patient.AARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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