Around The World: July 31

07/31/12

Written by: DHawes22

July 31

Trailblazers.tv: Video: July 30 Trail Blazers Courtside

Trailblazers.tv: Video: Who Will Coach The Blazers?

Trail Blazers: Why The Value Plan Makes 'Cents' For You
"The Value Pack starts at just $5 a game. That’s 12 games for as low as $60! Talk about some serious bang for your buck. But that’s not even the best part about this ticket plan. Four of the 12 games take place in the month of January. And there is absolutely no better place to be during an Oregon winter’s night than inside the raucous Rose Garden. Not to mention this pack gets you into the arena to see some of the league’s biggest names and brightest young stars such as Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, and Rudy Gay."

Hoopsworld: NBA@2: Blazers’ Core Coming Together
“I think he’s excited about playing with Damian,” said Olshey of Aldridge. “We have probably one of the best pick-and-pop/pick-and-roll guys in the league at the four in LaMarcus and now he’s got a partner with Damian.”

NBADraft.Net: 2012 NBA Summer League: Top Rookies
"Lillard was our MVP of the week, and he shared the official award with Josh Selby. He was sensational in Vegas and it became apparent early in the week that the Blazer fans were quite pleased with their selection. Lillard showed poise beyond his years, running the pick and roll nicely in his 4 games. While his shooting numbers were good, there is still room for improvement and he has the capacity to become one of the better scoring point guards in the league. His third quarter against New Orleans was hands down the most impressive performance of this summer league. Down 17 at halftime, Lillard spearheaded a Portland comeback to take a 1 point lead after three and continued making plays in the 4th quarter to close out the game. He also had the best dunk of the SL posterizing Keith Benson. If they aren't already, the teams drafting 2-5 may all come to regret passing on Lillard."

Trail Blazers: Trail Blazers Announce 2012 NBA Preseason Schedule
"The Portland Trail Blazers announced their seven-game NBA preseason schedule today, highlighted by three home games versus Western Conference foes Denver, Golden State and Utah at the Rose Garden."

Trail Blazers: Big Games Plan: 12 Of The Biggest Games
"This game has it all. Season opener, at home, against the loathe-inducing Lakers, in Steve Nash's first game in purple and gold and it's on Halloween night! Any game against the Lakers at the Rose Garden is going to be a lively one, but the confluence of circumstances in this particular game sets the stage for one of the all-time season openers in Trail Blazers history."

Trail Blazers: Fan Blog: Can Trail Blazers Make The Playoffs This Season?
"Portland has an all-star power forward, Lamarcus Aldridge. Nicolas Batum is a quality starter at SF position. Damian Lillard comes in with great expectations to play point guard, while experienced European rookies Victor Claver and Joel Freeland are expected to help the front court. Our biggest hole is the center position. Either Meyers Leonard or Joel Freeland must quickly become a legitimate starting NBA center. Otherwise, opposing guards will have no problem putting them into foul troubles, and guys like Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard will have fun nights in Portland. Blazers do have an advantage in having a very deep, versatile bench that has athletes like JJ Hickson, Elliot Williams, Luke Babbit and Victor Claver. "

Trail Blazers: What Happens At Camp
“The confidence level that Connor has gotten this week is something that I could have never given him,” said his mother Danielle. “Connor is learning how to be a team player, and that for any kid with Autism and Asperger’s is something that they need.”

Oregon Live: Brandon Roy upon Minnesota Timberwolves debut: 'Never officially my decision to retire in Portland'
"Roy: "It was never officially my decision to retire in Portland." Said Blazers doctor said it was best decision because of his knees"

Oregon Live: NBA High-5: Don't read too much into Nicolas Batum's performance against U.S.
"Batum finished with seven points, two rebounds, a block (a great one, running down Kevin Durant on a fastbreak) and no assists in 18 minutes. Six French players got more playing more time as coach Vincent Collet opted to rest his main players most of the fourth quarter, a strategic move as France is trying to get out of pool play."

Hang Time Blog: Long-Awaited Picks Claver, Freeland Finally (Set To Be) Blazers
“I think defensively, he’s going to be able to do a really good job on threes with his length. He’s a good chase guy. He’s got quick feet, good instincts. He shrinks the court. He closes down passing lanes. We were hoping both were going to play in summer league, but clearly they’ve got a great opportunity now (with the Olympics) to compete at a really high level, which will accelerate their learning curve once they get back.”

NBA: Morning Tip
"Don't know which one of the finalists Neil Olshey is going to pick to coach the Trail Blazers when the second round of interviews starts today, but he's got excellent candidates -- interim coach Kaleb Canales, Orlando assistant Steve Clifford, Suns assistant Elston Turner and Dallas assistant Terry Stotts, the former Bucks and Hawks head coach. Thee isn't a bad choice among the four, though if you're asking me, and you're not, Turner deserved a shot about six or seven years ago."

Rip City Project: Olympics Basketball 2012: Nicolas Batum And The Olympics
"The French have the benefit of playing in a group that futures Tunisia and Nigeria, and of playing the Yanks first. They’ll get some wins, and they’ll get out of the group play. In those games, Nicolas Batum has to assert himself offensively. It may not be the difference between France winning or losing (my guess is France will beat both African teams, split Argentina and Lithuania, and then ultimately lose to either Brazil or Spain in the elimination round), but it should be a kick-start for Nic’s run as the number-two option for the Blazers."

Blazersedge: Minnesota Timberwolves Introduce Brandon Roy At Press Conference
"I'm excited to be back in the NBA and be a part of this organization," Roy said. "It was a tough season to sit out. But after thinking about it, I wanted to start to prepare myself to make a comeback... I knew this was a place that I really wanted to be a part of. Not just with David but coach Adelman, the pieces they have here. I wanted to be part of a team that I could assist and really take that next step. I'm really excited to be here, my wife is here with me, we're excited to being a part of this community and we're excited to getting out, connecting with the fans, and putting a great team out there on the floor to give them something to cheer about."

Blazersedge: Nicolas Batum: Worth It Or Not?
"In Batum's defense, I'm pretty sure the front office will say I'm underestimating him. He's 23. He has bankable skills. Also you have to remember that he's always been uncomfortable when getting used to any given situation. He stunk up the joint in Summer League his rookie year then stepped forward as the regular season commenced. His first go-around in the playoffs was completely forgettable. He got a little better his second time around. When he first shouldered more responsibility with the Blazers or with his national team he underwhelmed. Then he grew into his role and showed what he has. If you don't like his performance, just wait a while. It'll probably change. Maybe that'll lead to better performances overall as he matures."

Seattle Times: Webster thinks about what might have been at UW
"No, I don't lose sleep over what my future is. It's hard when you have a family, especially for my oldest, you have to get her enrolled in school and you don't know where you are, so that's probably the most stressful part. But no, basketball isn't my life — I still have business beyond the basketball court."

Ball Don't Lie: Matt Barnes arrested on outstanding traffic warrant, allegedly threatened cop
"According to City News Service, Barnes was arrested by an officer who was already aware that the 32-year-old forward had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor traffic offense; according to NBC Los Angeles, Barnes had not paid the $26,000 warrant. He paid that, plus the remaining $25,000 in bail, and was released from the Manhattan Beach Police Department's jail just before midnight Pacific time, according to ProBasketballTalk's Kurt Helin."

Ball Don't Lie: Mike D’Antoni is considering coaching college basketball
"However, that doesn't mean that this isn't a good idea. While D'Antoni likely wants to prove that his system can work in the NBA, the right opportunity may not present itself when he next looks for a job. College basketball is actually very well-suited to a system-minded coach, because staffs can recruit players specifically to fill predetermined roles without worrying about salary caps. While recruits don't always perform as expected, the NCAA world is a little more predictable. Coaches are allowed to build systems over time, creating destinations for particular kinds of players. D'Antoni's fortunes wouldn't be tied to having the right point guard — as a coach with a strong reputation, he'd identify good fits and recruit those players for years."

Ball Don't Lie: Chicago prepares to sign Nate Robinson, after his breakfast mates break the news of their agreement
"In analyzing the move on Monday, many were slightly surprised to re-discover the fact that Robinson actually came through with a Player Efficiency Rating of 18 last year with the Golden State Warriors. It's a very good mark that is actually in line with expectations regarding a player entering his prime who has contributed an above average 15.6 PER over his career. Considering his past, Robinson had a relatively quiet year in the Bay Area, save for being tackled by Travis Outlaw, and being That Guy as he annoyed the heck out of Dave Chappelle when the comic and actor inexplicably visited the Warriors locker room."

Ball Don't Lie: Rockets GM Daryl Morey is attempting to build his team ‘similar to what Boston did’ in 2007
"It's a sound plan, on paper, should all the hypothetical deals go through and the Rockets reel in star after star. It takes two and sometimes three and four to tango on NBA trades, though, and Ainge had a heck of a lot of good timing with his tango partners in 2007."

The Basketball Jones: Here are those backboards made from giant Dream Team faces that you wanted
"These are going to be great for your totally righteous Man Cave, hanging right next to the framed Brian Cardinal Warriors jersey you bought off eBay and that neon “No Chicks Allowed” sign you got from your girlfriend for your birthday. Hang them right over your leather sectional couch."

The Basketball Jones: NBA 2K13 is being ‘executive produced’ by Jay-Z
"After you win the NBA championship in career mode, the game turns off and swears it’ll never come back. It turns on a few hours later and you have to act surprised."

The Basketball Jones via Dallas Morning News: Elton Brand doesn’t want to hunt with Chris Kaman
“I have so many stories about him, but one is he was trying to get me to go hunting. He kind of chastised me because I didn’t want to get on the boat and hunt an alligator. That’s who he is. He’s quirky, but he’s fun loving. He likes to hunt and be in nature. That’s not my style, but he’ll make fun of me. I like my life. I like to live. He hunts everything. He has all types of guns. He likes to have fun.”

DIME via Salt Lake Tribune: Report: Raja Bell Won’t Sign His Buyout In Utah
“We typically play it pretty close to the vest. [Agent] Herb [Rudoy] and I are pretty private,” Bell said. “But, in essence, [I’m] pretty much a free agent. I don’t think the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. But we’ve been given the greenlight by Utah to go ahead and find something that works for us. We’ve agreed to the terms. So I think it’s safe to say now we are in the market again and we’re entertaining our options at this point.”

DIME: Top 10 Remaining NBA Free Agents
"Someone should take a chance on Blatche, and I think it’ll happen at some point before training camps open… even if he shot 38 percent from the floor last year (AWFUL) and averaged just under six boards a night. He’s BY FAR the most talented player still available, and last I checked, we’ve seen a few big men develop late (even if most of that had to do with growing into their bodies instead of growing actual on-court brains). A few seasons ago, I remember Blatche going head-to-head with Kevin Garnett, and giving as much as he was getting. He also became somewhat of a cult hero in fantasy basketball, regularly exploding at the end of forgotten seasons as every other team rested many of their starters. Who remembers the final 12 weeks of 2010 when he averaged in succession over those three months: 21.1 points and 8.5 rebounds, 20.5 pounds and 6.7 rebounds, and 21.5 points and 8.6 rebounds? Or how about the following April when he REALLY blew up, posting averages that looked like something out of a Tim Duncan Wikipedia page: 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and a combined 3.4 steals/blocks a game."

SLAM: Five teams likely to make a huge jump next season.
"The starting five can really go in a number of different directions, but here’s how I project it: Greivis Vasquez, Eric Gordon, Al Farouq-Aminu, Anthony Davis and Robin Lopez. That leaves Rivers, Anderson and Warrick as the first few guys off the bench. A lineup featuring Rivers or Anderson instead of AF-A is a little more fun, but it’s crucial to have some punch off the bench."

ESPN: Golden Tickets: 10 you don't want to miss
"Davis projects as one of the best defensive players of his generation. A home date against an offensive juggernaut like the Thunder will be Davis' first graduate-level exam in the defensive arts. We'll be waiting for that first switch when Davis -- as sound a perimeter defender as big men come -- finds himself face-to-face with Kevin Durant. "

ESPN: Tony Parker, France stun Argentina
"Obviously it a big win for us," Parker said. "We were little bit disappointed with the way we played against the U.S.A. We wanted to play a lot better." Nicolas Batum added 14 points and Mickael Gelabale 13 for France (1-1), which came in 0-4 in Olympic competition against Argentina."

Sports Illustrated: Second half helps U.S. rip Tunisia
"Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Andre Iguodala opened the third quarter with a 21-3 run, turning a surprisingly close 13-point lead into a 67-36 bulge before any of the more celebrated starters finally got to play in the second half."

Tags: Blazers, LaMarcusAldridge, victorclaver, joelfreeland, damianlillard, neilolshey, BrandonRoy, naterobinson, NicolasBatum, tonyparker

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Around The World: July 31

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