|
Soon after I got news Portland would face Houston in the first round of the playoffs, I started sending out some quick emails to guys across the league to get their take: who do they like in the series and why. To my surprise on Friday, the votes didn't go in the Blazers favor.
Couldn't help but think of something Brandon Roy said a few games back.
"I watch TNT," Roy said. "They're not talking about Portland."
So true, but they're not the only ones.
Here's the skinny....thanks to those that chimed in. Peace:
Howard Beck, New York Times:
I love what the Blazers have built, and they have a very bright future. But experience rules in the NBA playoffs, and the Rockets have an abundance of it, with savvy veterans Yao, (Luis) Scola, (Shane) Battier, (Ron) Artest, and (Dikembe) Mutombo. Defense also rules, and the perimeter combo of Battier and Artest might be the best in the league. Yao is the ultimate safety net behind them. Prediction: Rockets in 6
Alan Hahn, Newsday:
Meet Brandon Roy, he’s the best NBA player you never hear about. And while his first playoff appearance should be like a coming out party, B-Roy will more than likely be wearing a coat named Ron Artest throughout this series.
This will be all about how Nate McMillan’s team responds to playoff intensity, from Artest vs. Roy to the Blazers’ other impressive scorer, LaMarcus Aldridge, and how he handles the physical battle of Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes et al. With no Tracy McGrady for most of the season, the Rockets don’t have much offense, but they do have Yao Ming and a collection of workhorses. Can the Blazers rise to the challenge? Prediction: Rockets in 6
Chris Tomasson, InDenverTimes.com:
They (Portland) finished the season quit well, but whether you like it or not there may be a little “we’re just happy to be here” in the playoffs and this is a very determined Rockets squad. They haven’t won a playoff series since 1997. I think there is something to the inexperience factor.
The Rockets are pretty hungry, and they finished the season well. They stumbled the last game but had they won they would have a number two seed, but now they fall all the way to five. That’s a long fall. One game is the difference between two and five. They are finally determined to win.
I don’t know if shrink is the right word, but I think they (Portland) is going to find out that the playoffs are a different world and a different season. It takes a while and playoff seasoning. Yao is going to be a load to handle, kind of like (Greg) Oden when he is in there. I think he (Oden) is going to get in foul trouble real quick. Prediction: Rockets in 6 or 7
Dwight Jaynes, DwightJaynes.com:
This could be the most physical first-round matchup of all the series. Portland has the big people to bang with the Rockets, who like the slow the game down and make every possession count. Yao Ming is a major problem for all NBA teams, but Portland's two centers are capable of putting a lot of weight on him through a seven-game series.
Houston has much more experience than the Blazers, but does nothing but first-round playoff losses count as an advantage? I'm not so sure. Portland's homecourt dominance will continue through at least one round of the playoffs -- plus the Blazers will get a win at Houston, too. Prediction: Portland in 5
Ken Berger, CBS Sports:
I love the Blazers' versatility. They can play inside-out, spread it around the perimeter, ride Brandon Roy's dribble-penetration, or stun you with their transition game. They're so much fun, and so under the radar, that it's hard not to root for them to advance so the nation gets to see and appreciate them. Roy is ready to play the lead role in a playoff drama and is capable of taking over multiple games in this series.
He'll have to drag Ron Artest to the basket with him in the process, but if Ron-Ron & Co. shut down his lanes, he's savvy and unselfish enough to make the right play. To me, there are two overwhelming keys to this series. 1) The Blazers have to make Yao work on the defensive end, and that means Greg Oden is going to have to do more than set screens and rebound.
Portland doesn't need 20-10 from him, but they need him to be more active and demanding of the ball in the low post when he's on the floor. 2) The point guard matchup. Steve Blake has been so steady, and would appear to have a significant advantage over Aaron Brooks. But (Rockets GM) Daryl Morey wouldn't have traded Rafer Alston if he didn't think Brooks was capable of orchestrating a deep playoff run. What a story it would be if the Rockets could get out of the first round without T-Mac after stalling there so many times with him. Prediction: Rockets in 7
Tommy Beer, HOOPSWORLD and USA Today:
Ask causal NBA fans who they think are the best up-and-coming superstars in the NBA and you’ll likely get the same handful of names repeated early and often: LeBron, D Wade, Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul.
One name you won’t hear a lot - especially if you’re polling populace resides outside of the Pacific Northwest - is Brandon Roy. That’s a result of Roy’s humble, unassuming nature - which matches his seemingly effortless and understated game. He doesn’t have a cool nickname like “Superman”, nor does he throw chalk in the air before every game. Roy’s lack of national exposure and recognition might also be partly due to the fact he plays his home games in Portland, not L.A. or the East Coast. Whatever the reason, it isn’t due to his lack of a superstar skill-set. Quite frankly, B Roy is the complete package. And the entire basketball universe is about to find out.
The NBA playoffs are about superstars: great players who make great plays in the fourth quarters of great games. And Roy is a closer – the kid’s got stones the size of Dwight Howard’s shoulders. Yes, I understand he’ll have to wrestle the tag-team combo of (Ron) Artest and (Shane) Battier - who will be draped all over him like a bad suit - for the full 48 minutes. And yes, I understand this is his first foray into the crucible that is the NBA Playoffs. But after watching Roy this season, you can tell he is ready, ready to take that next step.
Later this Spring, if you ask causal NBA fans to single out the elite young stars in the NBA, there will be a new name added to the familiar lexicon of rising studs. That name shall be Brandon Roy. Prediction: Blazers in 7
pic via: zimbio
|
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 