tlongII
10-14-2009, 09:42 AM
http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail_blazers_turn_back_the_cl_2009_10_13.html
The NBA preseason is all about trying new things. New lineups, new coaching staffs, new uniforms. But on Wednesday night the Portland Trail Blazers (2-1) and the Phoenix Suns (1-2) will try something old on for size: the Memorial Coliseum. For the first time since 1995, the Trail Blazers will play a game in the “Glass Palace,” the site of some of the greatest moments in franchise history. Tipoff is schedule for 7 pm.
In what is being dubbed a “turn-back-the-clock” game, each quarter will symbolize one of the four decades of franchise history. The team will pay tribute to each decade of Trail Blazers history by bringing back former players and staff to help kick off the 40th anniversary season. The Trail Blazers will also wear their new “Rip City” alternate jerseys.
As for the game itself, both teams will be looking to bounce back from losses. For the Trail Blazers, the trip to Staples Center was not kind, as the team struggled to find its shooting stroke throughout the game and wound up shooting only 38.2% from the field as a team. In scoring only 85 points, it was clear that the offense was not in regular season form. However, the lack of offensive rhythm can be linked to the fact that 14 different guys saw action, with none playing more than 25 minutes.
If there was any concern about how Andre Miller would operate in the offense under Nate McMillan, it seems those worries can now be forgotten. Miller continued his consistent and heady play from the point guard position, as he scored 11 points and dished out three assists in 25 minutes. With his 11 points against the Clippers, Miller is now the only Blazer to score in double figures in each of the three games so far this preseason.
Once again, the Trail Blazers front court showed the versatility and ability to control the glass against very talented competition. LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden got the start, and both provided valuable contributions. Aldridge led the team with 13 points, while Oden was aggressive on the glass and had eight rebounds to go along with his seven points. Joel Przybilla also was able to control the paint, and although he only had one point, Przybilla made his presence known by grabbing 10 boards.
Under Alvin Gentry, the Phoenix Suns have returned to the “7 seconds or less” philosophy that the team operated with before Mike D’Antoni left for New York. With a starting lineup consisting of Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, and Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix remains one of the most explosive teams in the NBA. Nash continues to be the engine that makes this offense run, and despite the beating that his frame takes every season, he remains among the elite point guards in the league.
In order for the Suns to return to the form that saw them emerge as one of the elite teams in the Western Conference, Amare Stoudemire must stay healthy for the full season. Stoudemire had a slow and tough return from micro fracture surgery, and just as it seemed he was close to 100%, he suffered an injury to his eye that required two surgeries and ended his season early. According to Alvin Gentry, Stoudemire is still not fully recovered from the injuries, but is playing with a high level of intensity.
"He's just not physically where he's going to be. I like the effort he's playing with. I think he's playing harder than he's played the last five years that I've been here. ... He just can't quite complete certain plays."
Blazers fans will likely see a familiar face in the starting lineup for the Suns, as former Trail Blazer Channing Frye has emerged as the starting center. Frye was expected to compete for the spot with Robin Lopez, but Lopez will miss the start of the regular season with an ankle injury. Brandon Roy will welcome the chance to play against the Suns, as it was against Phoenix that Roy scored a career-high 52 points in the 124-119 win. For the season series, Roy averaged an impressive 31 points per game, which was the most he averaged against any opponent last season.
Wednesday night’s game can be heard locally on 95.5 The Game with Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey. As a special treat, legendary Portland play-by-play man Bill Schonely will help call the action alongside Wheeler and Harvey.
The NBA preseason is all about trying new things. New lineups, new coaching staffs, new uniforms. But on Wednesday night the Portland Trail Blazers (2-1) and the Phoenix Suns (1-2) will try something old on for size: the Memorial Coliseum. For the first time since 1995, the Trail Blazers will play a game in the “Glass Palace,” the site of some of the greatest moments in franchise history. Tipoff is schedule for 7 pm.
In what is being dubbed a “turn-back-the-clock” game, each quarter will symbolize one of the four decades of franchise history. The team will pay tribute to each decade of Trail Blazers history by bringing back former players and staff to help kick off the 40th anniversary season. The Trail Blazers will also wear their new “Rip City” alternate jerseys.
As for the game itself, both teams will be looking to bounce back from losses. For the Trail Blazers, the trip to Staples Center was not kind, as the team struggled to find its shooting stroke throughout the game and wound up shooting only 38.2% from the field as a team. In scoring only 85 points, it was clear that the offense was not in regular season form. However, the lack of offensive rhythm can be linked to the fact that 14 different guys saw action, with none playing more than 25 minutes.
If there was any concern about how Andre Miller would operate in the offense under Nate McMillan, it seems those worries can now be forgotten. Miller continued his consistent and heady play from the point guard position, as he scored 11 points and dished out three assists in 25 minutes. With his 11 points against the Clippers, Miller is now the only Blazer to score in double figures in each of the three games so far this preseason.
Once again, the Trail Blazers front court showed the versatility and ability to control the glass against very talented competition. LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden got the start, and both provided valuable contributions. Aldridge led the team with 13 points, while Oden was aggressive on the glass and had eight rebounds to go along with his seven points. Joel Przybilla also was able to control the paint, and although he only had one point, Przybilla made his presence known by grabbing 10 boards.
Under Alvin Gentry, the Phoenix Suns have returned to the “7 seconds or less” philosophy that the team operated with before Mike D’Antoni left for New York. With a starting lineup consisting of Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, and Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix remains one of the most explosive teams in the NBA. Nash continues to be the engine that makes this offense run, and despite the beating that his frame takes every season, he remains among the elite point guards in the league.
In order for the Suns to return to the form that saw them emerge as one of the elite teams in the Western Conference, Amare Stoudemire must stay healthy for the full season. Stoudemire had a slow and tough return from micro fracture surgery, and just as it seemed he was close to 100%, he suffered an injury to his eye that required two surgeries and ended his season early. According to Alvin Gentry, Stoudemire is still not fully recovered from the injuries, but is playing with a high level of intensity.
"He's just not physically where he's going to be. I like the effort he's playing with. I think he's playing harder than he's played the last five years that I've been here. ... He just can't quite complete certain plays."
Blazers fans will likely see a familiar face in the starting lineup for the Suns, as former Trail Blazer Channing Frye has emerged as the starting center. Frye was expected to compete for the spot with Robin Lopez, but Lopez will miss the start of the regular season with an ankle injury. Brandon Roy will welcome the chance to play against the Suns, as it was against Phoenix that Roy scored a career-high 52 points in the 124-119 win. For the season series, Roy averaged an impressive 31 points per game, which was the most he averaged against any opponent last season.
Wednesday night’s game can be heard locally on 95.5 The Game with Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey. As a special treat, legendary Portland play-by-play man Bill Schonely will help call the action alongside Wheeler and Harvey.