Tale of Two Nights For Young Western Captain

by Steve Weinman on Nov 1, 2008 3:08 AM EDT in NBA Comment 4 comments

By his own admission, Brandon Roy wasn't ready to play Tuesday night. The third-year guard went just 5-for-15 with 5 assists as the Blazers got wiped out by the Lakers in their season opener.

The Blazers' captain made sure none of that was to occur again on Friday.

The youngster looked nothing short of lethal against the Spurs. He drove to the basket with a level of aggression raised even from what he showed throughout a productive first two years in the league. That earned him seven trips to the foul line. But it was his midrange game that truly astounded.

Roy looked as comfortable as I've ever seen him taking the ball in isolation sets, breaking down his defender with a hard dribble move at the top of the key and then pulling back to rise rise up for a jumper. His entire shooting motion looked fluid and natural, and he rose above Spurs defenders with what seemed like startling ease throughout the evening. He finished with 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting to go with 7 assists, and he made it abundantly clear once more that he is the catalyst that makes this young Blazers team go. It was a very nice recovery for both him and his team from a rough season opener in LA.

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I didn’t watch the game, presumed Portland would continue their lengthily struggles against the Spurs. When was the last time they beat them prior to last night? 2005?

Brandon Roy had four shockingly poor games against San Antonio last season. All told his averages where 9 points and 5 assists per game while shooting 29%. Good to see him have a good game against San Antonio.

Who was guarding Roy? Bruce Bowen played only 22 minutes, he must have been ineffective, who covered Roy after Bowen?

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What were the Spurs thinking starting Matt Bonner? That’s a suicide mission. Spurs should not be losing to the Blazers (sans Oden) on the backboards. Kurt Thomas only had 20 minutes too, Thomas is exactly the type of rough rebounding force that bothers Portland. No other big men without Oberto there. How weak do San Antonio’s bigs look right now? Duncan has to have some help.

That was only 32 minutes between Booner/Thomas who was playing alongside Duncan the rest of the time? Plus Duncan must have had a breather or two. I’m guessing Ime Udoka was in the power forward slot.

Where’s Mahinmi? Is he not back from his injury yet? I thought he was meant to be back at the end of training camp.

How weak do the Spurs supporting cast look right now?

I think I’ll go out of my way to watch this game solely to berate the Spurs properly. This box score looks like madness, their supporting cast looks like madness.

by Who on Nov 1, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I watched the first half, and Roy was going around Bowen and getting to the rim fairly easily.

How old is Bowen now— 36?

The Spurs sure could use a player like Tiago Splitter. They have managed to draft brilliantly, even picking late in the first round. But last year the weak dollar and the niggling NBA rookie scale did them in.

by Brickowski on Nov 1, 2008 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think my favorite part of the game was how pumped Portland’s crowd was. I think that city might have been saved as an NBA town, post Jail Blazers. What a phenomenal job by that front office, picking up not only very talented young players, but “good guys” who are so generally likeable.

I can honestly see this group skipping the club on the weekend and planting flowers or something.

If that crowd continues to build, it could be a legitimate advantage like Golden State had the year before last.

Big brother no longer needs to watch, because the world is convinced he is.

by Schupac on Nov 1, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs