I'm really impressed by the way Lillard analyzes his play with specificity. It's clear he is really learning from his play each night. In this interview he talks about thinking he is in the right place on defense while playing, but then realizing while watching the tapes that he wasn't. (Something that was very evident as I watched the games.) I think you have to have to be smart and have a high BBIQ to play PG, which he has, and that's going to enable and greatly accelerate his learning curve. It's also clear to me that Dame is already the best interview on the team and will be taking over the spokesman role as the season goes on.
LA had a lot to say to Chris Haynes. "I am the number one guy ... They [Trail Blazers organization] believed in me and I believe in myself and I think I'm going to lead this team to the promise land." "They drafted him [Lillard] as the franchise point guard ... I definitely see us creating chemistry over the years and becoming a very dynamic one-two punch." "It's always going to be articles about me trying to leave, that's what sells papers. I'm not worried about that. This is a good challenge for me to try to get better and try to lead this team. I've always wanted my own team and I have it." It sounds as if he likes being the big fish in a small pond, so we may not need to worry about him doing a Howard after a sour year or two.
Well I guess that settles that.
Joe Freeman at Oregonlive.com discusses the upcoming option deadline for Nolan Smith, Luke Babbitt and Elliot Williams. As he notes: "Combined, the team options on Smith, Williams and Babbitt approach roughly $7 million. That's a big chunk of free agent change, and if the Blazers refuse to exercise the options, they could have as much as $13.3 million in cap space next summer. That's less than $500,000 from bidding for a maximum-level free agent. " What do you think? Do you decline all their options on the chance the Blazers could sign a near-max free agent next Summer? (Does anyone feel up to checking the math?)
Chris Haynes from CSN has a short interview with Steve Nash following last night's game. Nash gives Lillard some nice compliments and a piece of advice.
有些世界末日的感觉(动机)文章comparing the current state of the squad to the '04 trio of ZBO Dmiles and Telfair
Geez, I thought ESPN was way off base, but calling LaMonster the 7th best PF and 23rd overall? I know I'm a homer, but I'll take LaMallstar "All-star" Allstardridge over any PF in the league.
The first 15 mins. or so is video of a 5-on-5 scrimmage. Damian picks up four or five nice assists, Batum knocks in a couple threes, LMA is LMA, and everybody else looks pretty discombobulated.
