tlongII
10-23-2008, 10:31 AM
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/mighty_dunks_say_it_loud_and_w.html
LOS ANGELES -- Brandon Roy smiled Wednesday night because the rest of the NBA could finally see what he and his teammates have been witnessing for the past month: Greg Oden playing a dominant role for the Trail Blazers.
In his best performance of the preseason, Oden displayed power, touch and intimidation during a 12-point, 13-rebound performance that helped the Blazers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 87-75 at the Staples Center in their penultimate exhibition game.
"What he's showing you -- we've seen it," Roy said. "He's just starting to do it in games. He's just getting more comfortable out there. He even cracked a couple smiles when I was out there joking with him. And then, I was like, 'Yeaaaaah, Greg's back.' He's slowly coming into his own."
Oden actually should have been credited with 14 points, but the official scorers incorrectly credited Roy with a basket after Oden tipped in his own miss. Oden's night included a right-handed jump hook, a left-handed jump hook and four dunks -- two of them in a powerful, lunging style. He also directly changed at least three interior shots by the Clippers.
"I'm more comfortable out there," Oden said. "I think my wind is coming a little bit, and that's the biggest thing because I can run and set up and be able to move quicker. That's going to help."
The Blazers (4-2) conclude their exhibition season tonight in Utah, and coach Nate McMillan said he hasn't decided if he will play Oden. If he does, it will be for limited minutes. So there's a chance the next time Oden will see the court, it will be Tuesday in this same arena against Andrew Bynum and the Lakers.
Oden said his game is much more prepared for the regular season compared to when the preseason started.
"That first (exhibition) game, I was just going and trying to dunk, but now I feel more comfortable," Oden said. "I still have things to learn. I have to learn how Brandon and LaMarcus (Aldridge) play, and then be able to play off of them. But I'm learning each game and practice."
With Oden coming into his comfort zone, the only remaining question mark for the Blazers before opening night is who McMillan will start at small forward -- rookie Nicolas Batum, rookie Rudy Fernandez or sixth year player Travis Outlaw.
After Monday's game, during which none of the three small forwards asserted themselves, McMillan was coy in revealing which way he was leaning.
"I have until Tuesday to decide that," McMillan said. "I do. I have until Tuesday."
If one thing appears certain, it's that McMillan has eliminated the possibility of Fernandez starting. That move would require Roy to slide from shooting guard to small forward, which McMillan fears makes the Blazers too small.
That leaves Batum and Outlaw to vie for the position. Batum plays better defense, but Outlaw has experience. And starting Batum would allow McMillan to keep intact what he feels can be a special second unit of Sergio Rodriguez, Fernandez, Outlaw, Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla.
"Right now, I think we will look at Nicolas, but we will talk about all of that," McMillan said. "Do we give Travis a try? Or do we give Nicolas a try early and see what happens."
Roy said Monday that he wants Batum to start on opening night because he likes the makeup of the second unit, and because he feels Batum can handle it. On Monday, Batum started and found himself in early foul trouble. But by the end of the game, he was playing in control and moving the ball around while recording a blocked shot on a perimeter attempt by forward Paul Davis.
Roy said he counseled Batum early in the game, telling him to relax.
Afterward, in the locker room, Roy nudged Batum.
"Hey Nic! Relax, right? Remember? Relax?" Roy said.
Batum nodded.
"But good job, boy," Roy said before turning back to the interview. "I like him at the three. It keeps me at my natural position and keeps Rudy and Travis with that second unit. I think that's our best team."
LOS ANGELES -- Brandon Roy smiled Wednesday night because the rest of the NBA could finally see what he and his teammates have been witnessing for the past month: Greg Oden playing a dominant role for the Trail Blazers.
In his best performance of the preseason, Oden displayed power, touch and intimidation during a 12-point, 13-rebound performance that helped the Blazers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 87-75 at the Staples Center in their penultimate exhibition game.
"What he's showing you -- we've seen it," Roy said. "He's just starting to do it in games. He's just getting more comfortable out there. He even cracked a couple smiles when I was out there joking with him. And then, I was like, 'Yeaaaaah, Greg's back.' He's slowly coming into his own."
Oden actually should have been credited with 14 points, but the official scorers incorrectly credited Roy with a basket after Oden tipped in his own miss. Oden's night included a right-handed jump hook, a left-handed jump hook and four dunks -- two of them in a powerful, lunging style. He also directly changed at least three interior shots by the Clippers.
"I'm more comfortable out there," Oden said. "I think my wind is coming a little bit, and that's the biggest thing because I can run and set up and be able to move quicker. That's going to help."
The Blazers (4-2) conclude their exhibition season tonight in Utah, and coach Nate McMillan said he hasn't decided if he will play Oden. If he does, it will be for limited minutes. So there's a chance the next time Oden will see the court, it will be Tuesday in this same arena against Andrew Bynum and the Lakers.
Oden said his game is much more prepared for the regular season compared to when the preseason started.
"That first (exhibition) game, I was just going and trying to dunk, but now I feel more comfortable," Oden said. "I still have things to learn. I have to learn how Brandon and LaMarcus (Aldridge) play, and then be able to play off of them. But I'm learning each game and practice."
With Oden coming into his comfort zone, the only remaining question mark for the Blazers before opening night is who McMillan will start at small forward -- rookie Nicolas Batum, rookie Rudy Fernandez or sixth year player Travis Outlaw.
After Monday's game, during which none of the three small forwards asserted themselves, McMillan was coy in revealing which way he was leaning.
"I have until Tuesday to decide that," McMillan said. "I do. I have until Tuesday."
If one thing appears certain, it's that McMillan has eliminated the possibility of Fernandez starting. That move would require Roy to slide from shooting guard to small forward, which McMillan fears makes the Blazers too small.
That leaves Batum and Outlaw to vie for the position. Batum plays better defense, but Outlaw has experience. And starting Batum would allow McMillan to keep intact what he feels can be a special second unit of Sergio Rodriguez, Fernandez, Outlaw, Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla.
"Right now, I think we will look at Nicolas, but we will talk about all of that," McMillan said. "Do we give Travis a try? Or do we give Nicolas a try early and see what happens."
Roy said Monday that he wants Batum to start on opening night because he likes the makeup of the second unit, and because he feels Batum can handle it. On Monday, Batum started and found himself in early foul trouble. But by the end of the game, he was playing in control and moving the ball around while recording a blocked shot on a perimeter attempt by forward Paul Davis.
Roy said he counseled Batum early in the game, telling him to relax.
Afterward, in the locker room, Roy nudged Batum.
"Hey Nic! Relax, right? Remember? Relax?" Roy said.
Batum nodded.
"But good job, boy," Roy said before turning back to the interview. "I like him at the three. It keeps me at my natural position and keeps Rudy and Travis with that second unit. I think that's our best team."