The Portland Trail Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge matches up well with Pau Gasol of the Lakers. Throw in the Greg Oden and Andrew Bynum comparison on top of this and the debate will last for the next 10 years. I predict that LaMarcus will have a much bigger 2008/09 than Pau will due to his youth and instant help from Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless. I'm not even going to cross the Kobe line in comparison to Brandon Roy (you all know where I stand). you don't? Ok... Kobe is the best player on the planet. Brandon is an all-star. Match em' up. Give your opinion. I believe that LaMarcus will become a premier F this season. PREMIER!
The best way for the Portland Trail Blazers to live up to the hype is for Greg Oden to start strong. This doesn't mean 38 minutes a game strong. Heck- that might not mean 25 minutes a game during the 1st half of the season. Oden needs to be the aggressive, agile, energetic, charismatic guy the moment he enters every game. The Big Guy needs to strike fear in opposing teams. Imagine a slightly toned down, non-swearing version of Kevin Garnett with an actual physique. Imagine a "not in my house" look after each block. Picture him looking mad as heck one second and then laughing like a kid after a ferocious put-back the next. Every member of the NBA must fear being Odenized.
If you watched the summer league games, you saw our newest pick (Jerryd Bayless) play with an arrogance that just screamed, "I'm the best guy out here!" The fans know it is summer league and not to read too much into that... BUT... Jerryd's ability to get to the hole and demeanor is what got Portland excited about him. Greg is carrying the weight of being selected #1. He is carrying the weight of a city that has embraced him- despite not playing a game yet. He needs to step out and play like a guy in his second year. We all know he has the talent. We want that demeanor to come out that this is his job, his city and his statement that Portland is a force. We want the big guy to match Jerryd's intensity or surpass it.
We have Brandon (thank the Lord!). LaMarcus is going to be huge (more thanks). We are stacked from top to bottom. Greg- we want you to be YOU! Come hard- even if it's for 10 minutes a game. We know the knee isn't 100%. But when you enter- make it known. Make the Laker Girls scared! Let em' know that Lil Boy Bynum just doesn't match up (LaMarcus will take care of Pau). Tear the rim down- laugh like a kid. Be respectful and humble. Grimace and snarl... BE YOU!
The talent level of the Portland Trailblazers is exciting to Portland. But Rip City is equally excited about the culture being built by Kevin Pritchard that represents our city. We not only have talent- but good, humble, respectful young men who take pride in their responsibilities to the community. Our role models are blossoming while doing it with their personalities. Here are a few reasons why Portland loves it's team.
1. Brandon Roy: 4 years in college. Rookie of the Year. Humble. All-Star in year two. Stood up to the last remaining thugs of Jailblazer land. Undisputed Team Captain. Clean cut.
2. Steve Blake: 4 years in college. Won National Championship. Proclaims both he and wife LOVE Portland and never wanted to leave for short stints in Buck-Land and Denver. Role Player. Clean cut.
3. Joel Pryzbilla: turned down larger money to stay in Portland. Likes team chemistry. Hard worker. Also states he/wife love Portland. Rebounds. Clean cut.
4. Martel Webster: homeboy from Seattle. Improves every year. Humble. Waves at kids across the street at Club Sport from practice facility. Competitive. Explosive. Clean cut.
5. Travis Outlaw: Improves every year. Freakish athleticism. Defender. Quiet and humble but killer instinct. Takes criticism well. Has a do what's right for team attitude (moving from PF to SF). Likes to fish. Clean cut.
6. LaMarcus Aldridge: Humble and hard worker. Comedian- expresses personality. Dedicated. Consummate teammate. Competitive. Improves every year. HUGE in body and presence as a cornerstone of team for years to come. Representing USA select team. Clean cut.
7. Greg Oden: Open to public. Comedian. Went back to school. Worked hard despite set back. Proclaims love of Portland. Cares what fans think. Makes statements and stands by them. Talked politics gracefully. #1 Draft Pick. Will be cornerstone for years to come. Part II of twin towers Jr. Clean cut.
8. Rudy Fernandez: Spaniard with shooting touch. Takes less money to join Blazers. Eager to prove he belongs. Representing country in Olympics. Wants to compete. Clean cut.
9. Jerryd Bayless: Plays with chip on his shoulder. Has young Kobe/CP3 killer competitive attitude. Is willing to fill role of point guard/combo (in that order). Already defers to proven players on team. Interviews well. Excited about being in Portland. MVP of summer league. Fearless. Game face. Hates losing. Member of USA Select Team. Clean cut.
10. Channing Frye: understands & supports culture and team chemistry. Never bad mouthed Knicks even though he could have. Plays role well. competitive. Happy to be in Portland. Clean cut.
11. Nicholas Batum: lanky young potential. Humble. Fundamentally sound and coachable. Great long term project. Clean cut.
12. Ike Diogu: role player ready to prove himself. Good locker room guy. Wants to make most of opportunity. Clean cut.
13. Sergio Rodriguez: Perseveres through tough transition. Plays behind starters. Listens and learns. Talked positively about Blazers to Rudy Fernandez- said, "You'll be treated fairly and given a chance to play..." Clean cut.
14. Coach Nate: Long time fixture in Pacific Northwest. Understands people and basketball. Considered a teacher, mentor, coach who cares about the outcome. Focused on rebuilding quickly. Turned down extension saying, "We haven't done anything yet." Good with media. Personable. Family man. Clean cut.
15. Kevin Pritchard: creator of the Pritch-Slap. Wheeler and Dealer. Culture and talent a must. Doesn't sacrifice by taking good players with character issues. Great B-Ball mind. Not afraid to make tough decisions. Clean cut.
16. Paul Allen: richest owner in the NBA.
Clean cut team with good chemistry and a passion for their jobs and communities. Always improving without sacrificing integrity. Good decision makers. David Stern must just love this team and what our management is doing. The people of Portland do. The rest of the NBA knows that the Blazers are building "Special". We will continue to be patient and love our team as long as they continue down the path of ownership and responsibility. Love the game- let it show. Enjoy the ride and each other. Respect your community. Stay humble. Maintain that killer instinct of Roy and Bayless on the court- while smiling off of it. Hate losing. Don't ever accept a locker room killer. Do this... and remember you will reap the riches of a long, happy, profitable career- no matter how big the market. We want you to be successful the right way. We live this way in Portland and will not settle for anything less.
I am a graduate of Northern Arizona University and Florida Institute of Technology. I am a veteran (3/3 SFGA). I prayed once to be surrounded by beautiful women and was blessed with a wife and three daughters (13 and 7 year old twins). My wife is a Oregon State Beaver Alum and we are Blazer-Maniac s.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Portland Trail Blazers
Position: F-C
Height: 6-11 Weight: 245
College: Texas
Pau Gasol
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: F-C
Height: 7-0 Weight: 250
From: Spain
