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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2009)
4 the clackamas print Wednesday, Nov- 11, 2009 Blazers find their spark pin By Steven Weldon The Clackamas Print The Blazers currently sit at 4- 3, coming out of an early slump in their first games which had fans and critics confused about what had happened to the high expectations that came with the season. After the Blazers were out run and outplayed the first five games, coach Nate McMillan decided to tinker withjhe starting lineup. He took small forward Martell Webster out and ran a three guard lineup of free agent pickups Andre Miller, Steve Blake and of course, Brandon Roy. In the two weeks before, the team seemed lost in their new digs. The offense was stagnant and it wasn’t a team effort in scoring or defense. Roy had 42 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points, but it was all for naught in a 111-107 loss to the same Houston Rockets team that they had handled well on open ing night at the Rose Garden. Even so, they were going into Oklahoma City the very next night to play a young, up and coming team that was ready to play. However, luckily for the Blazers, Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant had an incredibly off night, shooting 3-21, and the Blazers ran out of the city with an 83-74 victory over a team that had very high confidence. Just when you thought it woufd turn around, the Atlanta Hawks came to Portland and exposed holes all over our defense and offense. Hot shooting by the Hawks and more fastbreak point? than you can shake a stick at led to the demise of the Blazers! Brad Heineke Clackamas Print Blazers guard Brandon Roy drives to the basket for a layup over the Nuggets Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen, Aaron Affalo and Kenyon Martin on Oct. 18. Roy averages 21.9 points per game. who suffered their second loss at home, a feat not accomplished last season until the middle of December. The team had three days to think about what had transpired in the first five games. It was a shocking start to a promising Transferring qualifying credits earned from your community college towards a bachelor’s degree from DeVry University is a great investment in your future. In fact, for more than 30 years, 90% of all DeVry graduates in the active job market had careers in their fields within 6 months.* Portland Campus 9755 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 150 | Portland DeVryPortland.com | 877.518.6486 ♦Active job market includes those employed prior to graduation. Program availability varies by location. © 2009 DeVry University. All rights reserved. DeVry K5 \ University season. It was then that McMillan decided to jump-start the offense with the three guard lineup. Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs was the Blazers’ first run at a team with this new starting crew. They responded by dazzling fans with a 29- 14 first quarter in which the team finally got out, spaced the floor and ran the fastbreak the way they should have all along. The quarter was capped by a buzzer-beating slam dunk by Martell Webster off of a Rudy Fernandez miss. The way the quarter went had us in raves about what was finally going on. It was then we figured out- what was wrong in the begin ning. All last year, the team ran through Roy at point. While he is not a point guard by position, he plays the role that LeBron James once played in Cleveland and Hedo Turkoglu in Orlando. A calming pres ence to start the offense. Roy’s been with the team since 2006, he knows what coach McMillan wants. When Blake is on the floor, it also provides a sense of knowledge. Blake and Roy on the court together last year was wonderful har mony. However, this season it didn’t start out as well as it was supposed to. The problem with Blake is his athleticism and size. He has been frequently beaten by the other 29 guards in the league since the time he came -onto the court. Yes, he’s got ten considerably better, but his ceiling was being reached. That’s when Andre Miller was signed. Like the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. The Blazers had con stantly been beaten by teams led by Miller. "While Miller was going to be a long term leader for the team, he didn’t have the keys to the Blazers offense j of his lack of knowledi Therefore, Blake was i running the point, wifi playing with the secol told to play uptempo bai Miller was played with fl ers sparingly, but the ta seemed lost. Then, Friday night, M the offense. He didn’t neg tions from coach, bee] turned on his thinking stopped thinking. Thing! flowing for the cagey | he played outstanding! on Spurs guards Tony pj George Hill, and while 1 could not be seen ini score, it was clear throl fact of fastbreak point! was a 12-2 advantage! Blazers, exactly what hi was looking for. Late in the game, thl of the Blazers bus fell I Spurs started shooting b| Portland did not play« as in the first half. TH got within three. Howel the Blazers frceflowingl clicking, Blake found hi! with a clutch three poiil the ball was put back ini hands late to seal a 96-84 It was a huge win for atj seemed confused and I three days before. | The basic plan for the! is first to throw the balll post early in the game,! Greg Oden and Aldridgl from there. The plan lai game however, seemel ent than last season. Nol completely clear on win with the basketball, besl ting it into the hoop. Last and in the three reasons! Roy was the focal poiil last six minutes of the I worked, as Roy was foul league for points in thl quarter. I The key fori Blazers send Execution, fl fense. Free-fi ing offense. 1 the new ihn guard lineuA Miller, Blake | Roy, it can /il pen. Miller’s presencel Sunday against the Mil Timberwolves was exact! the team needed. In the fil the Blazers took advantage inexperienced Wolves 9 and began a shootout tffl long been needed for the# In a 116-93 win, the Bias basically whatever they 9 and Miller had 21 points I the offense in a way whffl once again, exactly whaB McMillan wanted. The key for the Blazj son? Execution. Deiens® Flowing offense. With ■ three guard lineup of Blake and Roy, it can ha®
