10/28 - Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Portland Trail Blazers - Page 2 - Gametime Archives

Scouting Report

And away we go….

As we get ready to embark on the 2008-09 season it is important to remember that tonight’s game is as important as any game played in April. We learned last year the importance of every game when it comes to getting home court in the playoffs. The Blazers are a young team on the rise with many “experts” pointing to them as a playoff team this season. They are a balanced, unselfish team who looks to run off turnovers and missed shots. The main players are Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge and they are pumped up with the debut of Greg Oden.

It is vital that we know their personnel. They have a number of new faces who play significant minutes so our preparation in regard to individual player tendencies is crucial. Their starting lineup consists of Steve Blake and Roy in the backcourt, Nicolas Batum and Aldridge at forwards, and Greg Oden at center. Blake has had a number of good games against us in his young career. He’s crafty and can hit the 3 and runs the team well. Roy is a star in this league. He is athletic and active. They will post him up, have him handle in screen and roll situations, and he can shoot to three point range. Throw in the ability to defend and you have a complete player who will be an all-star for years to come. Batum is a young active player who can shoot the three. He does a little bit of everything and likes to play the passing lanes defensively. Aldridge is a long, athletic big man who will come to block shots. He can hit the face up jumper to 20 feet so he is especially dangerous in screen and roll situations. Oden is a big, powerful rookie who looks to attack the rim. He has an effective right hand hook shot and will crash the offensive boards.

As most coaches do, Nate McMillen played deep into his bench in the preseason. Backing up Blake at the point are Sergio Rodriguez and rookie Jarryd Bayless. Rodriguez is a flashy playmaker who will try to make the ‘home-run’ play. Portland is high on Bayless. He has a great mid-range pullup game especially coming off a pick and roll. He is a solid defender. Travis Outlaw is the wild card coming off the bench. They will run some postups and isolations for him. He plays with a lot of energy and while he can hit the open 3 he is more of a cutter/slasher. He is a lob candidate. Channing Frye had a big game against us at their place last April. He is a pick and pop guy who can shoot to 20 feet. Joel Przybilla is a big body shot blocker who rolls hard to the basket in pick and rolls. Finally, Rudy Fernandez is a rookie with European Pro experience. He comes in the game looking to score. He can shoot the three and is athletic enough to try and dunk on people. He will gamble and go for steals on defense.

The month of beating up on each other in practice and going through exhibition games is over. Tonight is the real deal and it is against an upstart team who will be looking to make a statement. Mentally we must realize the significance of the night and play with the energy necessary to start the year with a home win.

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10/28 - Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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10/28 - Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Portland Trail Blazers

#21 lyk13

#22 LALDynasty

#23 Lakersfan1211

#24 !PAUER!

#25 lyk13

#26 Jaime Quintanilla

#27 FranklinPeanuts

#28 DTX3

#29 hype

#30 BeeZee

#31 West Coast

#32 clarisseypoo

#33 MDI

#34 MDI

#35 Zen

#36 phifedogg76

#37 Louizzle

#38 DTX3

#39 popo

#40 We Believe

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