It’s finally the big day. The day when postulating, pontificating, prognosticating and proselytizing about the Blazers’ hopes finally take a back seat to the action itself. It’s about dang time.
Before we get to the links of the day, I want to touch on the Batum injury. As Joe Freeman dutifully noted in his wrap-up yesterday, this is not a new injury for Batum. He toughed it out through much of last year despite shoulder pain. He labored through EuroBasket as well, even coming home for a checkup from Blazers personnel. They gave him the go ahead that day. He played fantastically by all accounts.
Batum’s table was virtually empty at media day this year. That could be because he’s not exactly an electric interview. International players are adept at playing up the language barrier when they want/need to, and reporters are even better an not trying to glean information from the foreigners unless they have to.
It’s a mutual “hey, let’s not talk unless absolutely necessary” relationship.
The Andre Miller-Steve Blake drama obviously ruled the day, and almost nothing else of note made pages of any site other than OSL and Blazersedge.
The point is, I asked Batum flat out, “How is your shoulder Nic?” This was before training camp, before preseason practice dust-ups, before “re-aggravating” the injury several times.
Batum winced at the question and said simply, “OK.” I asked again. He said, “Just OK. Eeees just OK.” The tone of Nic’s voice and his body reaction told a different story. I didn’t think the shoulder “was just OK.” He sounded nervous and worried about it.
Talking about the injury with OSLer Mike, he pointed out I did peg Martell as the eventual starter months ago. I sure didn’t think it would be at the expense of Batum. I’m sure Martell didn’t see that happening either. But this is why the Blazers are so fortunate to have their vaunted depth. This could translate to more playing time for Juwan Howard and Dante Cunningham at the four, and moving Outlaw back to his favorite spot (the three). McMillan will likely have a contingency plan in place, but it’ll be hard to replicate the defensive energy Batum brings to the table. I’m looking at you Martell. Now’s the time to show you can match-up and slap the hardwood when necessary. I feel bad for Batum, but Blazer trainers should take it slow this time around. Don’t push the timetable. Their track record for bringing a player back from injury too soon in recent years is worrisome. To the Links!
- Jason Quick has a great profile on Brandon Roy. Roy’s latest exploits: interrupting the head coach and ripping the team for a lack of effort and for just complaining too much. Roy pointed out that complaining about grabbing and being physical is pointless. That’s playoff basketball. You try and harass and physically dominate your opponent. Try and get away with whatever you can and you shall succeed (if the refs like you). The Rockets did that to perfection last year, and Roy knows the Blazers aren’t tough enough yet. This was a big step.
- Canzano says Oden is the key to the season. It’s hard to disagree with that. I DO disagree with his statement that “Oden’s sporadic rookie season was the biggest interruption to the dream.” Um, the man was coming off of microfracture surgery. That is a huge operation, and in retrospect Oden played pretty well at times. Nobody expected much from him last year, right? Seriously. Also, making the playoffs was the goal last year, and the team far outdid themselves by winning 54 games. I don’t think the dream was “deferred” or put on hold by Oden’s play last year. This year though? Yeah, if he struggles and they don’t win a playoff series – then we can have that conversation, JC.
- Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune says ignore the Vegas line – the Ducks are really the favorites against USC on Halloween. He says if Oregon can navigate the minefield of a schedule it has remaining, this could be the best Duck season ever. It’s hard to disagree with that statement. If Oregon runs the table, their resurrection story from the Boise state game provides a compelling story arc for the season.
- LA Times says thank goodness the Ducks came around. Duck fan inner monologue: thanks for the back-handed compliment, dad.
- Great stuff from the Oregon Daily Emerald on the coaches’ media call. Pete Carroll calling Oregon’s offense cool is like the Fonz saying, “Hey, nice jacket.” It makes you blush a bit. Thanks Pete! Also, Josh Kaddu is out for at least a month. Now the Ducks defensive injury woes are hitting the linebackers. This could get dicey.
- The Beavs played well at USC last week, but couldn’t put all the miscues aside to win. Now they face a reeling UCLA team. If OSU is truly a legit good team, they’ll pound the Bruins this weekend. I suspect they will. According to the Gazette Times, the Beavs are expecting a tough game. They kind of have to say that.
- From the department of You’ve Got To Be Sh*tting Me: number one overall pick Blake Griffin has a broken kneecap. He’ll be out for a while. It was written in stone, Blake. Written in stone.
Enjoy the game, and keep coming back for podcasts and other analysis in advance of the Ducks-Trojans game.