How’d the New Kids Do?

Las Vegas Summer league 2006 was the debut of Portland’s new acquisitions Lamarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy and Joel Freeland. Portland’s website has plenty of recap along with Eric Marentett’s blog. Here’s how the stats came out and how they compared with the draft day’s “nemesis” for Aldridge and Roy.
(complete stats for LVSL)

6th pick vs. 7th pick (traded for each other)

MPG: Roy 26.4 Foy 32.8 --3rd stat = Roy @ 32.8mpg( per min match)
PPG: Roy 19 Foy 24.8 --23.6
Av FG%: Roy 64.7% Foy 53%-- n\a
av3PFG%: Roy 66.7 (4-6) Foy 37.5 (3-8) --n\a
FT% Roy 69.4 (25-36) Foy 86.8 (33-38) --n\a(31-45)
REBPG: Roy 3.4 Foy 4.2 --4.2
ASTPG: Roy 3.6 Foy 2.2 --4.5
BLKPG: Roy .4 Foy .4 --.5
STLPG: Roy .6 Foy 2.2 --.74
TOPG: Roy 3.2 Foy 3.8 --4

Conclusion : There will certainly be a lot of further comparisons between these two evenly matched players! Comments from those in attendance seem to give Roy the advantage because of Game Poise and Presence as the stats are incredibly even. Some favorites are: "has a vibe, a poise, and an aura that screams star." "Both were excellent, but Brandon Roy may be just a step ahead."

2nd pick vs. 1st pick

MPG: Aldridge 33 Bargnani 26.2 -- 3rd stat= Bargnani @ 33mpg
PPG: Aldridge 11.6 Bargnani 13.2 --16.6
Av FG%: Aldridge 47.9% Bargnani 46.7% --n\a
av3PFG%: Aldridge 0% (0-1) Bargnani 35.3 (6-17) --n\a(8-21)
FT% Aldridge 86.7% (13-15) Bargnani 85.7% (18-21)-- n\a(22-26)
REBPG: Aldridge 6.6 Bargnani 3.8 --5.3
ASTPG: Aldridge 2.2 Bargnani .6 --.8
BLKPG: Aldridge 1.8 Bargnani 1.8 --2.3
STLPG: Aldridge 1 Bargnani 1 --1.3
TOPG: Aldridge .8 Bargnani 3.6 --4.5

Conclusion: Fairly evenly matched number wise with the scoring edge to Bargnani. Considering that Aldridge had to share the ball with Roy, Webster, and Outlaw (all of whom expected to carry their share of the scoring) I’m not surprised. Comments for both of these players seem to be along the line of needing more physical strength. Aldridge’s strengths seem to be on the defensive end and Bargnani on the offensive.

Joel Freelands game didn’t post a lot of stats, but he seemed to surprise a lot of spectators with his feel for where he was supposed to be, decent looking touch, and overall effort.

Also of note is Coach Nate wanted to get a look at Brandon playing the point guard position. Brandon’s natural position is at the scoring guard (which is where Nate says he will be playing next year) as he likes having both guards having point guard ball handling and decision making skills. The only game Roy actually played his normal position he walked away with a league leading 35pts shooting 59% from the field! I can’t wait till October!

The most entertaining and record breaking NBA draft this summer got alot of it's fuel from moves by the Portland Trailblazers. "We have a trade" became the key phrase to wonder what the blazers did next. Coming in to the draft with an early pick at 4 (showing normal draftday woes when they had the best odds to get the number 1 pick but ending up at 4), a late first round pick, and the first second round pick they were going to have a chance to get a couple of players. Evidently a chance to get a couple of new projects wasn't what portland had in mind. The first trade anouncement had many blazermaniacs thinking "Oh no, here we go again!" when they shipped defensive veteran center Theo Ratliff along with young sebastian telfair to boston to get the number 7 pick, Dan Dickau, and Raef LaFrentz. All I could think at the time with the number 4 and 7 and loosing 2 key players was that this is going to be interesting. "We have a trade" the number 4 pick was tradedwith a fan favorite Victor Kryapa to move up to the second pick when there was no clear favorite in the top 7. Alot of fans pushing for Adam Morrison in a "draft the stash" movement had dashed hopes next when the blazers used the second pick for Lamarcus Aldridge. I liked this pick from what was available. Reviews said he still needed some work to get strong enough for the NBA frontcourt, but I liked what he already had and asumed because I liked him Portland wouldn't get him. Morison was no chance to slip to 7 and he didn't. Everyone that looked at Brandon Roy loved his game and many had him going in the top 3. Considered to be the best "NBA ready" player in the draft Roy had a polished and well rounded game. Roy also went before 7 (not that portland has shown intrest in 4 yr coleage maturity in the past) but that left Portland with Foy who was drawing D-Wade comparisons. "We have another trade" Turns out the Wolves wanted Foy all along and Portland wanted Roy as they swapped pickes with Allen forking over some cash to boot. I was seeing Minny taking advantage of someones thick wallet, but who knows all that goes on behind the scene. Wait a minute, I don't know if i'm suposed to be happy or just plain confused. Portland just essentially got their hands on two players that fit exactly what they needed. Both young, talented, and good characters. One of the best big men available (many saying within 4 years will be the best out of this draft) in Aldridge, and a versitile 6ft 6in, mature, NBA ready player who can run in positions 1-3 and who's game will help the blazers out right away! This is good right? But why did they give up so much to get them?? Maybee we'll never know.

Before the night was over, Allen also dropped a pile of dough on the 27th pick from Phoenix. A surprise to still be available this late, a Spanish point gaurd carrying local nicknames like "The Magician" and "Spanish Chocolate" was the prize. Portland's late first round pick went to another bigman named Joel (this one from Europe and a project). Somehow their second round draft pick morphed into 3 future second round draft picks. Even many of the draft announcers were left speachless trying to figure out what Portland was doing and why but at the end of the day it was accepted that even though there seemed to be some waste, Portland walked away from the draft coming out ahead. From later interviews with Blazer management they had two players they wanted and got out of that draft. Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. Solid rumors of a team trying to trade up to the 3rd pick to get Aldridge forced the trade with chicago and the loss of Victor whom chicago had shown past interest. Minny wasn't picking Roy for Portland, but from what I gather Portland taking Foy gave them the advantage to get Roy back from them. With Blake's contract running out after this year and his solid play at point we will problably be a point short trying to match offers so the Rodriguez (chocolate) pick makes a lot of sense. Within one day of the draft Portland was getting an "A+" for their draft day performance.