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[Yahoo]Przybilla-Oden combination has earned nickname “Twin Towers” from Blazer fans.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Mathloom, Apr 22, 2009.

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Mathloom Shameless Optimist

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Blazers try Oden, Przybilla together to slow Yao
By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer
1 hour, 12 minutes ago

AP - Apr 21, 10:58 pm EDT 1 of 20 NBA Gallery PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—The Portland Trail Blazers pulled out a rarely used strategy to help slow Houston’s Yao Ming, playing 7-footers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden in tandem at times.

Portland had trouble against Yao in the first game of the playoff series against the Rockets. The 7-foot-6 center from China had 24 points, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, in a 108-81 victory.

But they handled him better in Game 2, and the Blazers went on to win 107-103 on Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. The series now moves to Houston on Friday night.

The Blazers’ adjustments included fronting Yao rather than playing behind him, double-teaming him and going for a couple of stretches with both 7-foot-1 Przybilla and 7-foot Oden on the court.

Portland coach Nate McMillan had only employed the idea once before, during a game against the Boston Celtics in December.

“Coach thought it would be a good matchup with what they were doing, and guys really stepped up during that time,” Oden said.

McMillan took the approach one further, trying a lineup on the floor at one point that he had never used before, with Przybilla, Oden, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw.

Yao, who got into foul trouble, had 11 points and eight rebounds in just more than 31 minutes. He was 3-for-6 from the field.

“What can I say?” Yao said. “Those guys are quick learners.”

Keeping Yao out of it also spurred the Blazers’ offense. Brandon Roy exploded with 42 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Przybilla finished with two points, a block and seven rebounds in more than 38 minutes. Oden had four points and four rebounds in 11:38 before fouling out.

But Oden, a rookie this season after sitting out last year because of microfracture surgery, had one of the game’s most authoritative moments with a put-back dunk that pulled the Blazers into an 89-all tie with 4:45 left.

Houston coach Rick Adelman said now the Rockets will have to adjust to the Blazers’ adjustment for Yao.

“If they’re going to sacrifice and do that, then other people have to step up,” he said. “It’s a fine line—we took a couple jumpers from the free throw line. If those are going down, we are in great shape. If they’re not going down, he’s not going to get the ball.”

The Blazers’ defense of Yao tragically became a bigger issue for the Rockets on Tuesday night when reserve center Dikembe Mutombo injured his left knee in the first quarter and was taken from the court on a stretcher.

Mutombo was expected to visit with doctors in Houston on Wednesday, but the 7-foot-2 veteran says the injury ends his 18-year career.

“I thank God a lot for all of his blessings, for putting such great people around me, all of my life and throughout my career in the NBA,” he said. “I just have to go out with my head up and go out without regrets. I have so many things that I can be thankful for over my 18 years.”

Although he played only sparingly after he was re-signed by Houston as a free agent in December, Mutombo was effective in the series opener against Portland, with nine rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes.

The Przybilla-Oden combination has earned the nickname “Twin Towers” from Blazer fans, a nod to the Rockets’ duo of 7-foot Hakeem Olajuwon and 7-foot-4 Ralph Sampson, who helped take Houston to the 1986 NBA finals.
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That's a pretty insulting comparison to say the least. Yao is going to be pissed and also will want to take revenge for Deke. I'm excited to see our reaction in game 3.

#1 Mathloom, Apr 22, 2009

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Oh, hell no. More like the Flopping Bastards.

#2 Rockets34Legend, Apr 22, 2009
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twin floppers!!!

#3 vlaurelio, Apr 22, 2009
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That's just downright insulting. That's like Blazers fans calling Joel Pryzbilla "DR. J" and saying it's a nod to Julius Erving. Get the **** outta here.

#4 Fyreball, Apr 22, 2009
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I heard their announcers saying this last night.

Get real Portland. The jury's still out on Oden and Pryzbilla is an incredibly average player.

#5 MisterPink, Apr 22, 2009
dachuda86 Member

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too bad we don't have jason terry...

#6 dachuda86, Apr 22, 2009
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these thievin' floppin' flapjacks!! twin towers belong to us!!

#7 Precision340, Apr 22, 2009

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those towers must be made of pudding judging by the way they flop around

#8 HombreDeHierro, Apr 22, 2009
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Worse Combination of Twin Towers.. By FAR.

#9 HTown_TMac, Apr 22, 2009
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Twin my ASS...

One on one, Yao can eat them alive

#10 absent2007, Apr 22, 2009
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Oden is not on the floor long enough to be part of a Twin Tower. He is usually always in foul trouble.

Joel Pryzbilla , yeah okay.

#11 Shaud, Apr 22, 2009
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The numbers from the mighty Portland "twin towers" last night:

Pryzbilla: 38:05 minutes, 0-1 FGs, 7 rebounds, 2 points
Oden: 11:38 minutes, 1-4 FGs, 4 rebounds, 4 points

DO-MI-NA-TION

#12 ccada, Apr 22, 2009
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maybe flopping cousins?

#13 RV6, Apr 22, 2009

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ccada said:

The numbers from the mighty Portland "twin towers" last night:

Pryzbilla: 38:05 minutes, 0-1 FGs, 7 rebounds, 2 points
Oden: 11:38 minutes, 1-4 FGs, 4 rebounds, 4 points

DO-MI-NA-TION
Click to expand...

What about their defence on Yao last night?

#14 ClutchCity3, Apr 22, 2009
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How did they EARN it? I don't get it.

They got the nickname because they're both tall.

#15 nolimitnp, Apr 22, 2009
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ClutchCity3 said:

What about their defence on Yao last night?
Click to expand...

They combined for 11 fouls. As many fouls as rebounds. Impressive.

#16 ccada, Apr 22, 2009
Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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ROFL. That's an insult to the term "Twin Towers". One tower only plays defense and the other tower barely plays due to injury... more like "twin flowers".

#17 Dr of Dunk, Apr 22, 2009
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When Duncan and Robinson was proclaimed that nickname, it wasn't so bad since they were at least dominant...but WTF!? Olden and the vanilla chimp?! Jeez...as these playoffs progress, the more my dislike towards the blazeless is growing...

#18 Jaingfang, Apr 22, 2009

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I made a reference opun this situation in the game thread.

Its completely ridiculous. These two players will never be anywhere remotely close of what the twin towers were.

Its an insult and this the kind of **** that should get clutchfans angry, not some prediction.

Even when the lakers announcers called pau and bynum the twin towers I got upset. Both those players are way better than foul machine and flopper 3000.

What a joke. Get real POR stop dreaming.

#19 Obito, Apr 22, 2009
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one of the 500 million reasons that broadcast team is by far the worst i've heard this entire season. they were using that term again and again..horrible

#20 kaleidosky, Apr 22, 2009

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