For those who said early in the summer we should go after Jarrett Jack, I don't think so. http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1194155783255790.xml&coll=7 Third defeat leaves Blazers' bandwagon 0 for the road Sunday, November 04, 2007 JASON QUICK The Oregonian HOUSTON -- LaMarcus Aldridge openly wondered Saturday night what the people of Portland think about the Trail Blazers today as they return to town with an 0-3 record, which includes two lopsided losses after Saturday's 89-80 defeatby the Houston Rockets. "Think people are falling off the bandwagon?" Aldridge asked. "Shoot, I bet they are probably falling off face-first right now." And surely to some, it might appear that the preseason optimism and hype surrounding this young and promising team was overblown. There certainly is enough fodder to support that notion, as the Blazers were exposed during the opening week as being shaky at point guard, small inside and tentative and lacking confidence on offense. But even as coach Nate McMillan conceded late Saturday that the Blazers have been exposed as a young team wading through a rebuilding process, the players in the Blazers locker room still think there is enough talent and chemistry to live up to their own expectations of emerging as a respected team this season. The only problem, they admitted, is they haven't been able to prove it. "The thing I recognize is we have some things to work on -- and this road trip showed that," forward Martell Webster said. "The chemistry on this team is fine -- we just have to figure out a way to put together four quarters. I mean, you can see that it takes us being down 15 to 20 points for us to dig down in a stance and start playing people. "We have to find a way to do that in the beginning of a game. We dig ourselves a hole so deep, that by the time we come back, it's too late." On this opening trip, the Blazers ran into three good teams -- San Antonio, New Orleans and Houston -- that have completed the first week ith a combined 8-0 record. And in each of those games, the Blazers quickly fell behind, trailing San Antonio by 16 in the second quarter, New Orleans by 14 in the first quarter and Houston by 22 in the second quarter. On Friday, their latest early meltdown against the Rockets (3-0) was magnified by horrendous shooting, as the Blazers made just six of their first 26 shots. "We had open shots, we just didn't make them," McMillan said. Aldridge missed his first six shots. Brandon Roy missed his first five. Travis Outlaw clanked his first five. It wasn't until McMillan started the second half with a new lineup -- inserting Steve Blake at point guard for a struggling Jarrett Jack and putting Channing Frye at center in place of Joel Przybilla to generate more offense -- that the Blazers finally came to life, cutting the 22-point deficit to 54-46 with 5:53 left in the third. The Rockets, however, were never really in trouble, as every time it seemed they needed a basket, they turned to gigantic center Yao Ming or dynamic guard Tracy McGrady, both of whom delivered. Soon the lead was back in double digits, until a late flurry led by Roy and Aldridge once again got Houston's lead down to eight, 80-72, with 1:43 left. But McGrady hit a three-pointer in the face of Roy with 1:25 left to put the finishing dagger in the Blazers' first 0-3 start since the 1986-87 season. So what did the Blazers learn? For McMillan, he found that he is far from settled on his starting lineup, saying he will seriously look at keeping Blake and Frye in the starting lineup when the Blazers play their home opener Wednesday against the Hornets. The move, he thinks, will beef up the second unit's size, while also creating a more potent offense for the starting unit. And for the team's two stars, Roy and Aldridge, they learned that they can't wait until the team is buried to start accelerating their emphasis on scoring. "I'm kind of mad at myself," said Roy, who scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the second half. "Zach (Randolph) is not around anymore to help us through the first half of games. I need to be more productive early. I take a lot of the blame for how we started tonight. I didn't get going until we were getting embarrassed." Aldridge, who scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, said he too, learned a lesson. He has been so intent in this early season on proving he can bang and score inside that he hasn't used his head in realizing that when he is going against a big man like Yao he should utilize his accomplished outside game. "I haven't been playing my game," Aldridge said. "I've been trying to be a back-to-the-basket post player, but I can do both, I shouldn't just rely on one. In the second half, I started playing more free." Notes: Jack was replaced in the second half after he finished his third consecutive first half of the season going scoreless. He finished with two points on 1 of 5 shooting and is now shooting 3 of 15 for the season, with eight assists and nine turnovers. "I thought I played well today," Jack said. "A couple shots went in and out. I thought I was aggressive, I thought I made plays when the ball was in my hands, I did what I was capable of. I thought I played well.". . . Webster has been the most consistent player in the first three games, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals Saturday. He scored in double-figures in all three games while also displaying some of the best on-ball defense on the team. . . . Point guard Sergio Rodriguez did not play for the first time this season, as McMillan played rookie Taurean Green for 2:57 at the start of the second quarter. ... Jason Quick: 503-221-4372; jasonquick@news.oregonian.com To read his Behind the Beat blog, go to http://blog.oregonlive.com/ behindblazersbeat ©2007 The Oregonian
Thanks A_3PO, These threads are always a great idea after games. Its usually alot more interesting to see the opposing point of view after a win. Even though this article was kinda of bland, I'm still glad to read what "the other side" thinks about us.
Chronicle's article about Portland game http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5271592.html A 3-0-so-good start for Rockets Yao, McGrady cool in second half but team to score 41 By JONATHAN FEIGEN Rockets 89, Trail Blazers 80, Merely winning, even routing the Portland Trail Blazers, no longer seemed to be enough. The home-opener script had been followed so well, so perfectly, the Rockets wanted it all. For a good long stretch, the Rockets easily whipped the Blazers on Saturday night. Yao Ming scored with impressive ease. Tracy McGrady continued to roll. Fans that made up the Rockets' second-largest opening-night crowd hungered for more than a win, calling for Steve Francis to come off the bench and bring additional entertainment value. Yet, while the Rockets looked for a suitably memorable triumph, they did not seem to notice the Blazers gaining on them until they had to hold on to beat the Blazers 89-80 before 18,232 at Toyota Center. "Yeah, it's a win, but we know we didn't play our best," Rockets forward Chuck Hayes said. "We didn't come out at all and play our best in the second half. It was sloppy at times. It was stagnant. You could tell they were outworking us, beating us to the ball. They wanted it a little bit more. But we put up a good enough fight to sustain the cushion." After leading by 22 barely 15 minutes into the game, it did not seem likely to become a night on which the Rockets would feel the need to repeatedly point out "it's a win." It gave the Rockets their first 3-0 start to a season since 1996-97. Portland, reeling from the season-long injury of first pick Greg Oden, fell to 0-3 for the first time since 1986-87. 'Not satisfied' "I'm not satisfied with the way we executed toward the end of the game, turning the ball over, not making adjustments on the defensive end because they were just coming off shooting wide-open jumpers," McGrady said. "That's what I'm somewhat not happy with. You play the good teams in this league (that way), that will burn you. If we were to execute offensively, defensively, we could have put this game away in the third quarter." Instead, as things got rocky and fans grew restless, the crowd began a chant of "We want Steve." The Rockets led by 15 at the time. "I can't control that," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said, sounding as if he would like to. "It's part of the game, I guess. Right now, our rotation is what it is. That's not going to change my mind about anything." Besides, on a night the Rockets never trailed and never really seemed threatened, he left with plenty of other things to work on. According to plan Part of that was intentional. In the second half, when the Trail Blazers repeatedly sent guard Brandon Roy around screens to wide-open jumpers, Adelman purposely did not change the defense to let Yao Ming, who is positioned in the lane on pick-and-rolls this season, work on making the adjustment himself. "He was too far away from the guy," Adelman said. "If he is that far away, they are just getting 10- to 12-foot jump shots. We want to play soft with him, but not that soft." Roy scored all 23 of his points after the Rockets had taken their 22-point lead. He had 19 in the second half. On the other end, the Rockets became stagnant, as they had when building similar leads in the preseason. After falling behind by 12 points in the first quarter against the Lakers and Jazz, the Rockets pounced Saturday, leading 18-4 in less than seven minutes. After that, they settled for long, early jumpers. McGrady finished with 20 points, but missed his first seven shots of the second half. Yao had 21 points and 12 rebounds. But after making six of his first eight, he made two of his final nine attempts. As the game went into its final three minutes with Portland trailing 77-65, fans began pouring out of the Toyota Center lower bowl. But when Roy completed a drive through a Yao foul for a three-point play with 1:43 left, Portland was within 80-72. McGrady then sank a 3-pointer with 1:25 remaining. McGrady added two free throws and Mike James added four more free throws to finish with 17 points and give the Rockets enough of a cushion to keep them out of Portland's reach
jarret jack is a nice player. remember, he's only been in the league for 2 years. not everyone can be deron williams
Slightly better apostolic3 thread than the LA Times thread he started after the Lakers game. That one, which featured 3 LAT articles, was nothing but Kobe fetish. This one actually talked a bit about the last night game, not entirely homerish. 2 stars
Jarret Jack is struggling, but I think he will turn it around. He hasn't always been that bad. Other PGs seem to have be bad for years with fans hoping for them to turn it around.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1194153932172520.xml&coll=7 Brooks' countdown -- on hold The former Ducks star is the No. 4 point guard for Houston, another rookie waiting to get off the bench Sunday, November 04, 2007 JOE FREEMAN The Oregonian Staff HOUSTON -- After the smoke cleared from the simulated "Rocket" launch at center court, after the inspiring video montage finished playing on the big screen, and after each player on the Houston Rockets was introduced, Aaron Brooks did what he will do for the foreseeable future: He took a seat at the end of the Rockets' bench, wearing jeans and a sweater, and made the transition from basketball player to cheerleader. Saturday night was supposed to be Brooks' home debut for the Rockets, who chose him in the first round of the NBA draft in June. Instead, the former University of Oregon point guard started his NBA career on the inactive list, meaning he is not among the 12 Rockets eligible to play. For the first time in his basketball career, Brooks finds himself watching from the sideline, something that does not appear on the verge of changing any time soon. "He's just in a real tough spot (because) we have a lot of point guards," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "But he's been working really hard, his attitude is good, he's very positive, and we're very high on him. Right now, I hate to say it, but it might take an injury (for him to be activated)." Brooks is stuck behind a veteran group of point guards that includes starter Rafer Alston, Mike James and Houston fan favorite Steve Francis. So as Brooks eases into his professional career, he is learning the nuances of playing point guard in the NBA with practice play, extended workouts and lots of extra work during pregame shootarounds. "It's tough, but I know Coach knows what he's doing," Brooks said. "I don't question his decision whatsoever. I just come in here, put my work in and get better every day. I'm fine with that, and I know I'll get my time." For the speedy playmaking point guard, who led the Pacific-10 Conference in scoring as a senior and played so well in the NBA summer league that he was chosen its top rookie, there has been an adjustment in mind-set and approach. Instead of focusing game-to-game, he studies the manner in which veterans such as Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady prepare each day, and Brooks patiently waits for his chance -- which Adelman says is sure to come. "Once you get an opportunity, you better be ready to go," Adelman said. "That's how it is in this league. I think Aaron understands that. We've been very pleased with how hard he's working. He's got so much speed and quickness and he shoots it really well. He finds ways to get better just by practicing against our guys." As he waits, Brooks is adjusting to life in Houston where he has bought a home, and to life as a rookie, which has included its fair share of pranks. McGrady once had him stop by a Denny's and pick up his favorite breakfast (Moons Over My Hammy), and Francis routinely has Brooks run errands for him. Brooks says his first training camp was challenging and he did not shoot well. He says there have been "bumps in the road," noting that he has taken the brunt of more than one elbow from Dikembe Mutombo and endured several blocked shots from Yao in practice. But he has remained focused and determined -- while keeping his sense of humor. "Right now I'm just battling, and whenever Coach tells me I'm in, I just have to be ready to go," Brooks said. "I feel fine. I feel cool. I feel like I'm learning a lot. I just feel like I just need time. Time and practice. "I think they're saving me for the playoffs."
how can you not like this Aaron Brooks kid? Francis should learn something from this kid...like attitude
francis has been good so far w/ his attitude. but remember, francis is a veteran who is proven. brooks is a rookie.
I like the part where they talk about Brooks doing "errands" for Tmac and Steve Francis. Maybe Stevie should get off the couch and do it himself....then maybe go WORK OUT and get in game shape
Here's a little tip fellas, you don't need to quote a whole article to respond, especially if you are the first person to post a reply and/or your response has no bearing on what is actually in the article.
I can't wait to see Aaron Brooks in action! That guy is freaking fast and he can shoot the ball really well! Go AB!
Yes and I would guess more teams are going to use that strategy - put two bigs that can hit from 15ft and further out so one of them can shoot wide open jumpers all game long. Notice that when Joel P. was in the game, Portland wasn't getting anything from the low post cause Chuck guarded Aldridge and Joel hasn't got an outside shot. When they moved Outlaw to the 4 or subbed in Frye, Yao switched to Aldridge and got exposed for his poor defense outside of 10ft. The good thing was to hear from Adelman that he didn't change anything on purpose to see what kind of adjustments can Yao make on his own. But if Yao continues to struggle on offense, look for more teams to play with jumpshooting bigs or go small to diminish his impact.
We need to tell some of the rooks here that it is NOT necessary to quote a whole article or set of pictures just to say "hey, awesome! Thanks!" Your comment is enough. Most of us know where to find the article without it having to be quoted. Back on subject, nice find A3PO. I feel a little bad for the Blazers, they had such high hopes and they're back to where they are last year and previous years, except without Randolph's scoring abilities. I wish those guys good luck, especially in the future if they meet us in the playoffs cus we're gonna straight trash them.
