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You'll crap the bed per usual.
http://www.columbian.com/article/200...TS01/709089966
The true battles will begin in three weeks.
Starting spots at the point guard and small forward positions will be up for grabs when the Portland Trail Blazers open training camp Sept. 29 at their practice facility in Tualatin, Ore., in preparation for their highly anticipated 2009-10 season.
Compe ion for the starting small forward spot will come down to Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum and Martell Webster, who was recently cleared for 5-on-5 action after missing nearly the entire 2008-09 season due to a left foot injury.
In terms of a clear favorite, there is none.
Batum started 76 games last year during his rookie season, averaging 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds a game. He spent the offseason playing for the French national team, showing off new offensive assets while shrugging off a shoulder injury.
Outlaw played in 81 games last season, starting just six. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds during an up-and-down campaign in which he shined at times but struggled for long stretches, particularly during the playoffs.
Outlaw, who recently declared through his Twitter account he was "workin out hard so I’ll be gettin’ paid like out of this world," is entering the final year of his contract with the Blazers.
Meanwhile, Webster held the starting spot during training camp last season before his injury. He stated in August he was more concerned with finishing games rather than starting them.
He is seeking to return to his 2007-08 form, which saw him post career highs in points (10.7), rebounds (3.9) and 3-point percentage (38.8).
"You’ve just got to go out and do what you know you can do and be confident in yourself and the rest will take care of itself," Webster said. "Ultimately, the coach makes that decision. I don’t make that decision. All I can do is make it a little bit easier."
But while the picture surrounding who will start for the Blazers at small forward is still murky, the intensity of the battle for the primary point guard spot came into clearer focus last week.
Newly acquired veteran Andre Miller declared that he plans to enter training camp as the starter.
Miller’s statement stemmed from confidence. And it was born from the resolution that comes with being a proven 10-year NBA veteran.
"I don’t look at it as any different as when I went to Philadelphia," said Miller, who averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds for the 76ers in 2008-09. "I had goals there when I got traded there and I accomplished a couple of them. I did what I was supposed to do as a point guard. I was the leader; I did my job. So, I think I earned my respect."
Meanwhile, Blake (11.0 points, 5.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds in 2008-09) spent the summer working out with Webster at the team’s practice facility. The former Maryland star is recovering from shoulder surgery.
Blake had a career year last season. His performance drew praise from former Portland point guard Dan au, who joined several Blazers in informal training sessions in Tualatin.
"Steve is a very smart player," said au, 30, a Vancouver resident.
According to au, Portland does not need a point guard who wants to dominate the ball.
"That’s why they didn’t go after (New Orleans Hornets point guard) Chris Paul or one of those guys," au said.
au stated that Miller and Blake are unselfish players who "play the game a little bit differently."
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Miller is known for his ability to create mismatches due to his size and strength. He is also a finisher in the paint, and was recently praised by Blazers guard Brandon Roy for his leadership capabilities.
"If you don’t double him, he’s going to score on most point guards down there," au said.
Where as the 6-3, 172-pound Blake is more of a pass-first guard who carefully chooses his spots and relishes his role as a set-up player.
Both have unique assets.
And both are gunning for the same starting spot.
"I think that’s definitely going to be a big battle throughout training camp," au said."
Notes
n au said it appears Webster’s "explosiveness is back." au referenced a dunk attempt by Webster on Blazers center Greg Oden during a recent pick-up game at the team’s training facility. "It was a pretty darn athletic move," au said.
n A report surfaced Monday that rookie forward Jeff Pendergraph, who the Blazers chose in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft with the 31st overall pick, is scheduled to have hip surgery and is expected to miss most of the 2009-10 season. A team representative confirmed Pendergraph is having left hip surgery Wednesday. A timetable for his return will be set post-surgery.
n Portland will evaluate two NBA veterans, forward Juwan Howard and guard Stromile Swift, prior to training camp.
You'll crap the bed per usual.
Brandon Roy: I'm gonna make Stromile Swift an All Star.
what time is the parade scheduled that day?
Cool, I hope Cunningham or Pendergraph pan out this year
tlong needs his own forum
tlong needs his own world.
Pendergraph just had surgery on his hip so he's not likely to play until late in the season.
We'll have a parade sometime in mid-June.
No................................one............. ...................cares
for your playoff appearance?
Enjoy the 1st round exit tlongII
Maybe if you drafted Kevin Durant.
sucks they will finish behind the Nuggets in the NW again
Oh, they ing wish they went after Paul.
Don't worry about tlong, he's conditioned that way.Enjoy the 1st round exit tlongII
A better luck next year parade?
over/under on oden breaking his leg by january?
over/under on oden breaking his leg by january = over/under on bynum breaking his leg by january
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