http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/01/blazers_insider_1.html Ugh this reminds me how young we really are--Webster asking for autographed shoes haha.
I remember a game last year where Sergio had just fouled Baron Davis. Afterward, Sergio went up to Davis to say something and put his hand on his hip in a rather apologetic sort of way. Davis just slapped his hand away and didn't even look at him, and Sergio just sheepishly wandered away.
I must've been watching a different game... Batum played great D on LeBron, just LBJ made unreal step-back jumpers over him repeatedly. No one can stop that... Every time LeBron wanted to drive, he backed off if Batum was glued to him. Very few defenders can accomplish that.
I'd agree with that. For a 19-year-old rookie to guard the best player on the planet, he got LeBron shooting exactly what we'd want with those ridiculous fadeaway 20-footers or threes. Other than that alley-oop, LeBron rarely got any free passes toward the hoop for dunks. And Roy played admirable D on him, and bodied him up. LeBron is just that damn good.
Nobody played great defense of James last night, least of all Batum. He didn't even try ball denial at all. He looked like he was out of his league, which he should be at this stage of his career against James. James had 34 points and 14 assists.
Name one player that could have bodied up on him enough to deny penetration (which Batum did incredibly well) and still recover to challenge those step-back J's that cover a good 5'...
I'd say Roy did a acceptable job on LBJ in the third quarter. Kept James in front of him and made him take tough shots.
