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http://mikebarrettsblog.blogspot.com...gain_7297.html
"This is going to be my time. Time to taste the fruits and let the juices drip down my chin. I proclaim this the preseason of Greg!"
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Okay, the quote was lifted from George Costanza, as he was proclaiming the "summer of George," but work with me here (and, I'm sure this will turn out better than the "summer of George.").
And, yes, this is just the exhibition season, and both games have been against the Sacramento Kings, who aren't exactly big and talented in the middle. But, it's certainly okay to be a little excited with what we saw Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
After going for 18 points and 9 rebounds against the Kings on Tuesday at home, Oden scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Portland's 89-86 victory at Arco. It took him just 26 minutes to compile the numbers this time, and he did it in a starting role. He got 10 of his points from the foul line on Tuesday (going 10 for 12), and Wednesday he went 6 for 7 at the line.
Nate McMillan is clearly using this time, early in the exhibition schedule, to see exactly what he's got in this new-and-improved Oden. Perhaps no one player is more important to Portland's long-term plans. We know what we're going to get from Roy and Aldridge, and even newcomer Andre Miller will be his old steady self. It's Oden we've watched so closely since day one of camp.
I've tried to temper what exactly I've seen from Greg since camp opened, but now that you're seeing it as well, it's at least justifying the excitement I've been feeling for the last 9 days.
Blazer assistant Bill Bayno, who acted as Oden's shadow over the summer, has put it best on a number of occasions, saying simply "if you've put in the work, and you're ready, you come with a whole new level of confidence." We've seen the confidence, and we've seen a player who is comfortable, and decisive.
Time will tell just how dominant he'll be when the regular season rolls around, but this is clearly a big step in the right direction, and exactly what we needed to see in the first two games.
I spoke about Portland's depth following Tuesday night's game, and on Wednesday the Blazers played without Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum, and Joel Przybilla. This is not to take anything away from those guys, but you hardly missed them. That's the depth we're talking about.
Five Blazers scored in double figures in this game. Oden had his 20, and Juwan Howard had a very efficient 14 points, on 7 of 8 shooting. The 15-year vet came to camp in great shape, and knew he was signed for his leadership ability, and that he would basically be an insurance policy for the front line. Since day one, he's shown he can be more than that. Trouble is... how in the world will you find him minutes if everyone stays healthy?
Brandon Roy played 24 minutes on Wednesday, and ended with 13 points. Jerryd Bayless, who's looked good in these first two games, had 11 points, and Andre Miller had 10.
The one negative from Tuesday was that Portland was out rebounded by the Kings. In the second game, the Blazers bounced back from that, and out rebounded Sacramento 37-31. The only negative this time was 22 turnovers. But, that's what the preseason is for, and who is really worried about that?
It's on to Los Angeles now, as the exhibition schedule continues for the Blazers. They'll go through a light practice on Thursday, and Friday night take on the Clippers. This will be a much better test for Oden, who will go up against Chris Kaman, who's a better center than anyone the Kings have.
The 2 and 0 record is fairly meaningless at this point. It's clear though that there several reasons for Blazer fans to love what they've seen so far.
