On a rare night when Directv viewers got a game that a whole lot of other people in the area may not have been able to watch, some random thoughts after a wire-to-wire 112-98 Portland win over Sacramento:
Nicolas Batum: What I liked about him is that he continued to do his thing in spite of a poor shooting night. I mean, a year or two ago if Martell Webster went 2 for 9 from the floor, I don’t know that you’d see him grab eight rebounds. Batum is going to be a good player and don’t worry about his defense. Kevin Martin and John Salmons went nuts last night and the only person on the Blazer side of the court with a prayer of stopping either one of them was the guy in the turtleneck, Nate McMillan. And at his age, I think even Nate would struggle with the assignment. Man, Martin had 34 points on just 13 shots! He’s quickly becoming one of the top three or four offensive players in the league.
Travis Outlaw: He’s always been one of my favorite players but I’m kind of beginning to believe that when this team finally begins to cull the herd a little, trade some of its youngsters for a veteran presence, this is the guy most likely to go. In some ways, he doesn’t fit anymore. This entire team has become so proficient at moving the ball, playing unselfishly and being smart — ultimately that will be a big part of its identity. And I’m not sure Travis fits with that identity. Last season, he was needed on the second unit for his scoring but I’m not sure that’s the case this season. Rudy Fernandez is going to need shots and Channing Frye can score, too. Sergio is making open shots and penetrating – even Joel Przybilla seems improved at the offensive end. I just don’t know how well it will work for Travis to go off on his own in a clear-out situation on the right side, determined to get off a shot. And I’m not sure he’s going to be happy with fewer shots.
Brandon Roy: Only the players comfortable in their own abilities do what he does. The guy is a surveyor — he sits back and surveys what his team is doing, figures out from there what it needs, then provides it. He’s confident enough not to worry about his points and usually just makes sure everyone else gets off first. It’s a very rare skill, folks. Just watch the patience with which he operates. It’s amazing.
Greg Oden: Better. He was better and it was nice to see him up to 30 minutes. Sacramento isn’t much of a test for him, though, and it’s no accident his best games have come against the Kings, who are not going to be a good defensive team. Still, he ran better, passed better and hit most of his shots. And as Jerry Reynolds, whom I respect a lot, said during the broadcast, “We’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg, folks. And it’s a big iceberg.”
Steve Blake: If he stays healthy, he’s going to have a very good season. He makes the open 3 and has the intelligence to know what this team needs from him.
Sergio Rodriguez: I don’t know if it’s Rudy’s presence or just maturity but he’s really starting to figure it out. By the end of the season his trade value will be pretty high.
Rudy Fernandez: He’s going to suck up minutes from Outlaw and Rodriguez, no doubt about it. You just have to get him as many minutes as you can. There are going to be so many open shots because of the two big guys on the inside and this is the guy you’d like to see take as many of those open shots as possible.
LaMarcus Aldridge: I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s going to lead the team in scoring and maybe average more than 20 points per game. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him at the All-Star Game.
Overall: When they shoot well from the outside (and the Kings gave them so many open 3s Monday it wasn’t even a true test) they’re going to be dynamite. It was a good game for them — but against a team that’s really not going to be very good.
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Tags: Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, John Salmons, Kevin Martin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez, Sacramento Kings, Sergio Rodriguez
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