[video=youtube;nZqGc9MnHxE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZqGc9MnHxE&feature=c4-overview&list=UUXk66yyzXo7-2M1BMqLhltQ[/video] just from the Blazers youtube channel
Lopez is a more skilled offensive player than I thought. Robinson's tip dunk was awesome, but if you watch it you realize it's set up by Lopez muscling in for perfect rebounding position. Two Kings defenders had no choice but to try to crowd him out at the rim, not boxing out. That sets up a perfect clear runway for Robinson to sky up over all of them. Robinson gets the dunk, the highlight film, the rebound, but it's Lopez who makes it possible for that to happen. Lopez reminds me more and more of Przybilla. They have different games, but they both do little things throughout a game that help your team win without getting in the headlines, and both are big limited starting centers that were picked up off the scrap heap from other teams and really given a chance to shine. I think in a year or two people are going to be puzzled how we got a 19 PER center who plays good defense for so little.
First game I've watched, and yea Lopez is a big man. Something about the Blazer white's made him look huge. So far so good, he's really having the impact I hoped for.
Don't feel bad for him. He was pumped about it. He ran down the court and gave TRob a little bump and some shit as they were getting back on defense. It was hilarious.
Nice compilation of Lillard's 28 points last night. [video=youtube;RckMfrPuLbE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RckMfrPuLbE[/video] Check out the dish from TRob at the :49 second mark.
Wow how about the back door pass from Leonard to Wright. That was an impressive pass. The Blazers had two backdoor passes to SF's running the baseline in one highlight film. When was the last time that happened?
Leonard has a few nice passes yesterday. When he learns to be physical on D and rebounding, we'll have something solid.
I know I have been such an asshole about Leonard; but I just want to see some balls on the kid. He needs to throw some elbows and get under people's skin. He has the physique of a true intimidator. Act like one! In the end, all I want is for him to show he belongs. The passing, rebounding effort and draining the open shot is all I ask. The rest can grow organically.
This is where PER could be deceiving. Leonard had 6 rebounds and 3 assists last night in 17 minutes. I would take those numbers every night from him.
Dude I would be so happy if he could get 6 points, 4 rebounds and a block a game. If he's giving us 6 rebounds, I would be ecstatic!
I think the play of the night was either Dame's back to back 3s or Robinson's dime to Lopez in traffic for an easy dunk.
