Martell Webster: Martell appeared in all 82 games in '07 averaging 7pts on a .398 shooting percentage in 21 minutes of action. He's a local boy, a Seattle Prep pro and you gotta love it. He has shown flashes of an outside stroke you cannot deny. Even so, Officer Beer Goggles pictured below tells Martell he needs to improve his ball-handling, defense and court awareness to prove he deserved to be a #6 draft pick. If Martell's game time mug is as half as mean as in the pic he'll be alright. God I hope that was Halloween party, for Martell's sake.
Travis Outlaw: Travis posted a career-high 36 points (16-16 FT) in the '07 season ending loss to the Playoff hungry Warriors, could it be a preview for '08? This past season he scored 9 pts a night and got 1 block a game, good for 36th in the NBA. Whenever Coach McMillan is seen staring off into the distance he's actually dreaming of this kid's potential. How many points do you think Outlaw would have averaged on Nashs or 'Bron's squads? Luckily enough for Pdx, Outlaw coming into his 4th season has always shown steady improvement from the year prior. Now, if only Portland had a big man that stretched out the floor and played D, oh wait, god bless that pin pong ball! Be prepared to see a slashing Travis make even more SportCenters this year and provide stellar weak side help on the defensive end instead of having to help Z Ho and his non-exsitent defense. Don't you wish Darius Miles and Travis Outlaw could swap contracts? Hey, I wonder what Darius has been up to this summer?? Come back Sunday to find out.
Below watch the 4 most interesting Oden clips I was able to find. If you only have time to watch one check out #3 Oden's car ride with the Bills, Russel and Walton. I'm really enjoying Oden's personality; he was truly fun at the rally and always seems to be genuine in what he is saying, especially in this interview. Now I'm waiting on word from Nike so I can go buy Oden's first shoe. FYI: here is an Article on Channing Frye, he's already putting in the extra effort for the Rose City.
Josh McRoberts: You either love it or hate it, McRoberts is a Dukie. If you hate Coach K and Duke as much as my friend Joy or the rest of the ACC don't worry, all you have to do is love the Blazers and you'll have plenty of reasons to root for this versatile 6' 11'' and 230 pound post. Versatile you say? On December 19, 2006 McRoberts became the only Blue Devil EVER to have at least 4 of the following in a single game; 19 pts, 6 blks, 6 rebs, 4 asts and 4 stls. This year McRoberts was the ONLY player in the country to average at least 1o pts, 7 rebs, 3 blks and 3 asts per game. Josh didn't do that bad during HS in Carmel, Indiana winning the '05 McDonald's All-American player of the year and the McDonald's All-Star game MVP. Many good sites compare him to a less athletic C-Webb. Less Athletic?! Go watch Josh at 35 secs, 1 min 39 secs and 2 min 10 secs then try saying, 'less athletic then C-Webb.'
2nd Round??
Taurean Green: This kid has basketball is his blood, father Sidney Green was an All-American at UNLV and scored 5080 points in the pros. Taurean learned how to win at University of Florida, you may have heard of their back to back titles. That makes him the most experienced guard in the '07 draft class, never a poor 2nd round decision. The outside stroke: at the Orlando draft camp he hit the 2nd most 3s at a clean 57%. Sounds good too because I heard we may have an inside game this year and seeing this Blazer burying teams would feel good.
