Spring Break
Handing out grades
Ben Bradea
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Sports
The All-Star Break in the NBA marks about the halfway point in the season, where the Portland Trail Blazers enter the second half with an overachieving record of 32-20. This year's goal to make the playoffs gets closer every game.
Portland currently sits at No. 4 in the Western Conference with a half-game lead on the Houston Rockets; however they are only three and one half games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who are in ninth place. The margin of error is small for the youngest team in the NBA.
Recently, there have been signs that the team has fallen off their great early-season run with losses against the bottom-feeders of the Western Conference: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors. Without a game-winning shot by Brandon Roy last Sunday, the Blazers also would have lost to the New York Knicks at home. This young team will struggle to get into the playoffs without making a trade for a veteran before the deadline this Thursday.
Last year, the Blazers had a record of 28-24 at the All-Star Break but finished the year at 41-41. Hopefully the leadership of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will prevent that late season skid from happening again.
Midseason Blazer Grades:
Nate McMillan: B. Great leadership for this young team, but his prowess for being a defensive coach has not showed up on the court.
Brandon Roy: A. He is a two-time all-star who has elevated his game to another level this year with his improvement on the 3-ball and his knack for late-game heroics.
LaMarcus Aldridge: B+. He continues to improve his offense and defense every year. He needs to become stronger and start banging inside to alleviate the tag of "soft" many have characterized him with.
Greg Oden: C+. He has shown flashes that he can be a great player in the NBA, but inconsistency has been his downfall. Injuries have also plagued him.
Travis Outlaw: B-. He's a clutch scorer who has really taken the offensive burden off of Roy, but his defensive deficiencies are becoming increasingly apparent.
Portland currently sits at No. 4 in the Western Conference with a half-game lead on the Houston Rockets; however they are only three and one half games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who are in ninth place. The margin of error is small for the youngest team in the NBA.
Recently, there have been signs that the team has fallen off their great early-season run with losses against the bottom-feeders of the Western Conference: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors. Without a game-winning shot by Brandon Roy last Sunday, the Blazers also would have lost to the New York Knicks at home. This young team will struggle to get into the playoffs without making a trade for a veteran before the deadline this Thursday.
Last year, the Blazers had a record of 28-24 at the All-Star Break but finished the year at 41-41. Hopefully the leadership of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will prevent that late season skid from happening again.
Midseason Blazer Grades:
Nate McMillan: B. Great leadership for this young team, but his prowess for being a defensive coach has not showed up on the court.
Brandon Roy: A. He is a two-time all-star who has elevated his game to another level this year with his improvement on the 3-ball and his knack for late-game heroics.
LaMarcus Aldridge: B+. He continues to improve his offense and defense every year. He needs to become stronger and start banging inside to alleviate the tag of "soft" many have characterized him with.
Greg Oden: C+. He has shown flashes that he can be a great player in the NBA, but inconsistency has been his downfall. Injuries have also plagued him.
Travis Outlaw: B-. He's a clutch scorer who has really taken the offensive burden off of Roy, but his defensive deficiencies are becoming increasingly apparent.
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