Three Down, More to Go?

By Jonathan Ryan Davis

Three Blazers: John Diebler (Greece), Patty Mills (Turkey), and Nicolas Batum (France).  Two foreign players and an American.  One collective decision to work on their games oversees during the NBA lockout. 

After failed talks a week ago between the NBPA and owners, most NBA fans and players are starting to realize the 2011-12 NBA season is in serious jeopardy. As a result, more NBA players are considering signing contracts with foreign teams to augment their income, feed their competitive needs, and work on their game.  This is true of the Blazers players as well.  So far, three players have decided to sign contracts with European teams, but odds are, the longer the lockout lasts, the more players will sign abroad.

Of the three Blazers who have signed in Europe, only Batum is a solidified rotation player.  Diebler was expected to spend the year in Europe irrespective of the lockout to work on becoming a more “NBA ready” player and Patty Mills was extended a qualifying offer, which is not a guaranteed contract. 

My guess is more Portland non-rotation players will start to sign abroad to refine their games in order to return to the NBA ready to compete for playing time.  Though, the more intriguing question is: will more rotation players sign oversees if the 2011-12 season is cancelled? 

Playing in a different style game might be exactly what the Blazers starters need.  LaMarcus can learn to be the most physical player on the court in Europe.  Wesley Matthews can learn how to play more under control.  Raymond Felton can learn how to run a non-pick and roll offense.  Gerald Wallace can learn how to hit a more consistent outside jumper.  Greg Oden can learn how to play competitive basketball again.

It could be very interesting…

Let us know what you think.

Proposed New Charity Game—Walking Boots vs. Crutches

By Jonathan Ryan Davis

When the lockout ends, and the Blazers are looking to find a way to earn some good will points with the community, the Blazers should institute a new charity game tradition: walking boots vs. crutches. 

This is an ideal way for Portland to poke fun at its injury curse while giving fans a chance to watch their beloved team, god-like athletes, compete with a handicap, lowering their abilities to the likes of all of us weekend warriors. 

Imagine watching Wesley Matthews trying to cut hard to the basket for one of his patented layups with a walking boot on his right foot.  Then, Greg Oden fussing with his crutches to corral Matthews’ miss.  On the other end of the court, after an awkward outlet from Oden, Nicolas Batum spots up from three, a crutch under his left arm, unable to leap off the ground, as he tosses the ball toward the hoop. 

If it’s possible, this charity game would be played at a slower pace than Nate McMillan’s offense.

As a community, let’s push for this game to happen.  All proceeds can be given to the Children’s Hospital.

Go Blazers!

Labor Negotiations Not Looking Good

By Jonathan Ryan Davis

Yesterday, the National Basketball Players Association, including player reps, Billy Hunter and President Derek Fisher met with David Stern and many of the owners.  The result of this meeting—nada.  Based on reactions from both sides, a resolution is nowhere in sight.  Many involved even inferred they would be shocked if any games are played in the 2011-12 season.

Let’s hope for the sake of all NBA fans around the world that the two sides can put their selfish agendas behind them and do what they are supposed to: compromise.  The finances of the league are in shambles and a new financial model is needed.  For this to occur, the players and the owners need to make serious concessions.  The NBA (owners and players) should learn from the NFL that a stable financial model can reap benefits for everyone. 

Hopefully the next meeting will result in at least partial movement in the right direction.

Nate McMillan Inner Monologue—This Off-Season Feels Different*

*In no way is this actually real news.

By Jonathan Ryan Davis

I miss basketball.  I want to coach.  Wish the owners and players felt more like me.  One year contract.  Earn your keep.  Play ball.  That’s all it should be.  The CBA should read: Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Ball.

There isn’t even USA ball this summer.  Why couldn’t the World Championships or Olympics have been this year?  Those guys can play.  And I can help them.  I don’t need a break.  I need players to mold.  Players to preach Defense to.  DE-FEEENSE!

At least kids still like to play ball in the summer.  I can teach them at camp.  “Play controlled.  Play methodical.  Play with your brain, not your cajones,” I tell them.  They listen, because I’m Coach Nate.  Coach Monty agrees.  Look at how he coached the Hornets.  Like me.

 I bet my wife will let me coach at home.  I am a master of the DVR, just ask her.  Or maybe Jamelle can use some help at Drake.  God I’m proud of him.  He really is better than Klay.  As I say, “Those who can play better than everyone else teach.”  That’s my boy.

They better figure this thing out soon.  Not for revenue.  Not for viewership.  For basketball.  The best DARN basketball in the world.  Where I coach.

Blazers Trifecta—Who Should it Be?

By Jonathan Ryan Davis

When the Blazers drafted Greg Oden with the first overall pick in 2007, he was supposed to be the third and final piece in a trio the Blazers would build a championship around, joining second year players LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy.  Unfortunately, much has changed since that glorious day in June ’07.  Oden has only played in 82 games in four seasons.  Roy has gone from a perennial All-Star to man without menisci or a clear future.  And Aldridge has emerged as one of the most dominant power forwards in the NBA.  These changes leave us with an important question: Are Oden, Aldridge, and Roy the Blazers’ Big Three of the future?

From an optimist’s perspective, the original Big Three are still the future of the Blazers, with a small shift in focus from Roy to Aldridge.  Oden will return this season fully recovered from his second microfracture surgery to become the dominant center we drafted.  Roy will learn how to play Robin to Aldridge’s Batman by being more of a distributor and sharpshooter to free up the inside.  Most importantly, Aldridge will become un-guardable by developing an ambidextrous post game to compliment his silky outside touch while becoming a force on the defensive end.  Yet the number of Blazers fans who harbor this believe is likely very low at this point.

If you are not one of these optimists, what combination of three players would you build the team around?  Two criteria factor into deciding a Big Three: players who play three different positions and players who complement each other’s skillset.

Below are a few options:

Option 1:  Aldridge, Wallace, and Matthews. 

This trio is exciting with their penchant for streaking down the court, powering to the basket, and their ability to knock down a consistent jumper. 

Option 2:  Aldridge, Batum, Felton.

This trio can help spread the floor, push the pace, and potentially be deadline through the air, throwing down oop after oop.

Option 3:  Aldridge, Roy, and Wallace.

This trio can play a mix of styles, slowing it down to play an inside out, slashing offense, and it can effectively use screens to create amazing half court ball movement that works through Aldridge down low and off of Roy isolation.

Option 4:  Aldridge, Roy, Batum.

This trio is similar to Option 4 with the potential for a more spread out half court set if Batum can become the deadly 3 point shooter the Blazers hope he will become.

Option 5:  Aldridge, Oden, and Wallace.

This trio can be the most dominant threesome on both sides of the floor, clogging the middle on defense and leading the league in points in the paint and offensive rebounds on offense.

Option 6: Aldridge, Oden, and Felton.

This trip can create a powerful pick and roll offense with Felton’s ability to work off the pick while also providing stout defense.

Who do you think the trio should be?  Do you agree with any of the above options or would you build the team around a different set of three players?  Share your thoughts.