Last year, tight games meant Portland looked for two things—Brandon Roy showing his other-worldly ability to penetrate virtually any defense, and Travis Outlaw going unconscious and hitting everything in sight.
With just these two options, Portland often struggled to score.
They were successful because Roy is so good. He could be the entire pre-game highlight reel package himself, with his clutch shots, incredible drives, and sometimes-stifling on-the-ball defense.
They would have won another five or six games easily if they had had better fourth-quarter options. Against the truly great defensive teams, they simply could not score down the stretch. A team such as San Antonio would throw Bruce Bowen on Roy while they doubled up on Outlaw, forcing Portland to scramble for hurried, contested shots.
Same with Phoenix, where Raja Bell would shut down Roy, double-teaming would take away Outlaw, and Portland would simply not be ready to deal.
Enter Rudy Fernandez. Everyone already knows he is clutch based on his Olympic exploits and his entire body of work in the Spanish League. Now they know it in the NBA, too.
This is a man with ice in his veins. But it's not just his calmness—he also gives Portland a third guy who can create a shot in a must-score situation. He can score on drives, he can score on threes, he is money at the line, and he is most definitely not afraid to take a key shot.
Case in point: Miami trailed 96-88 after Roy hit a jumper over Dwayne Wade with 3:37 to go, but then Portland started acting as if the game was over. They took their time, getting bad shots when they got any shot at all. Wade hit a pair of free throws and a jumper. Now it was a four-point game, and it looked like Portland might give this one back.
Fernandez took the ball, curled into the foul line, spun, and with a hand in his face hit a tough jumper. Boom, suddenly Portland had their confidence back.
Had he missed that, the thunderous Wade dunk over the Matador defense of Outlaw on the ensuing possession might have broken Portland's spirit. Instead, they ran their offense. Roy found Steve Blake in the corner for a wide-open three, and the game was over, even with a few ticks left on the clock.
Scoring is one thing. Ten Blazers scored in the game, including four in double figures. But there are times when scoring is tough—when it takes a certain mindset to be able to create and make the shot.
Dwayne Wade has that mindset, and it showed when Miami won their title in 2006. LeBron James has it and that is why the Cavaliers made the Finals. Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce have it, and we all know the Celtics and Lakers are the favorites to be in the Finals again.
Now Portland has three guys who have that. Who do you defend in the fourth quarter of a close game? Want to stick your lock-down defender on Roy and your second best on Outlaw?
Okay, let me introduce you to Fernandez. And mix and match those names? Pure poison. I would hate to be the coach trying to stop them.
All of which brings me to the main point. Portland is rightfully mentioned as one of the deepest teams in the League. They have 11 guys who either have proved in the past they are contributors or have shown it this year. But unlike some teams, among that depth is a world of scoring.
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about 1 month ago
We all know what we have in Portland. For me there are two keys to Portland's success. First, Greg Oden. He doesn't need to score 20ppg to be successful. If he can contribute something close to 12ppg, 10rpg and 3-4bpg - that's what we need from him. We don't need his points because we need scoring. We need his low presence to keep defenses honest on all our offensive firepower. We need him to be a defensive presense - and I think he will be.
The other key is in finding a quality point guard. I've never been on the Rodriguez bandwagon too much, but after the last two games, I'm beginning to be swayed. Whether it's Rodriguez or trading for an established, proven PG, we need to find that answer. Whoever it ends up being is going to need to play great defense, score every now and then and have a great assist-to-turnover ratio. They're going to have to penetrate and kick out or dish off.
Portland already has the scorers. I think Oden's going to be fine, but time will tell. Our PG situation is really all that's left to determine how far we can go.
about 1 month ago
I think Oden is less a key than people might think. They will need him EVENTUALLY but at this point he is not ready to play big minutes. You are exactly correct...a few blocks, a few rebounds...as my buddy Kyle texted me, he already makes an impact defensively just by being there. Forget the offense. Get it from offensive rebounds and dunks, but take the time to work with Lucas, learn some moves...it worked for Aldridge.
As for point guard, I would respectfully disagree. Blake is the perfect offensive complement. He doesn't need the ball in his hands, he can stroke the three when left open...what they really need is a defensive stopper who can give some trouble to the Chris Paul/Deron Williams/Steve Nashes of the League. If Bayless ever gets on board the team concept, he might be the guy. Conversely, a couple times McMillan went with Batum who did a better than average job but is not ready to do it big minutes yet.
Rodriguez works so well with Fernandez that I am willing to wait for Bayless if it takes a year or so for him to come around.
But in the clutch, Roy acts as the point anyway, so just put guys around him who play off that; Blake, Fernandez, Outlaw...it is all good, baby.
about 1 month ago
Blake has had some big shots the last two games, but in general, he will not get Portland to the promised land. He's not quick enough to keep up with the elite PGs of the league. He was seriously torched in 4 of the first 6 games this year. I think he would do a pretty decent job at backup, but most of the minutes need to go to someone who can us with the Utah's and LAs of the world. Like I said, I'm seeing things from Rodriguez that are giving me pause.
On Oden, it sounds like we agree there, with one clarification. For us to get by LA one day, I believe Oden IS key.
Roy can come somewhat close to Kobe.
Aldridge can be on par with Gasol.
Our benches are just about equal.
Oden has to become a player close to Bynum within the next few years or we will never get past LA while Kobe is still relatively young.
Once again, LA is our nemesis. I say, have Allen just buy the town and sell it for parts.
about 1 month ago
Don,
Being an LA guy and everything, I still believe Portland is going to be our main nemesis as well for years to come unlike most people who think it will be Hornets. Portland has everything LA has, beside experience and with time that will come as well. The battle between these two teams will be decided by the play down low by their respective centers. Whoever can dominate each other will give their team a much better chance of winning. On the PG situation, I don't believe you need someone who is as fast as Parker, Paul or Deron's of the world. What I think will be a better fit would be someone like Fisher on your LA team. Someone who plays smart, doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective (as most of the lightening quick PGs do), hit the three and most importantly, play sound team defense. Fisher is a decent man to man defender, but he plays great in the team defense of the triangle. Especially when he has someone like Bynum (or Shaq back in the day) in the paint roaming to stop anyone who gets past him. Blake fills some of those needs but not all of them. Again, I do agree you have a little bit of a situation at the point guard spot but its not as bad for the moment.
On Fernandez, I am on this guy's bandwagon as well now. He plays with that Manu's style of creativity and is very fun to watch. I have been very surprised that he is not being mentioned much in the ROY columns.
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