Minnesota like Portland, has struggled over the past month. Love has been dealing with injuries for most of the season, Rubio missed the first portion, and they haven't had the improvements on the wing that were needed. Pekovic has had a good season, Dante Cunningham has been a valuable role player, and they have 3 great backup point guards in Barea, Ridnour and Shved (Kahn and his PGs...). Without their two best players in Rubio and Love (who has shown he is the best PF in the game when healthy) Minnesota was doomed from the start. They had one chance, a long-shot as every Blazer fan around the world knew: Brandon Roy.
Again, Roy has been derailed by knee injuries. He has played in only 5 games this season, averaging 5.8 points and 4.6 assists, though hasn't shot the ball well. He hasn't played since November 9. Roy's story has become sad, potentially bringing tears to the most die hard fans. A star at the University of Washington, Roy was traded to Portland on draft day in 2006 one what was the most active day for the Blazers front office in the franchise's history. There were concerns about his knees pre-draft, but the Blazers took the risk. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2007, followed by 3 consecutive All-Star appearances from 2008-2010 (including 2 All-NBA teams). The core drafted of Aldridge and Oden, but led by Roy, was supposed to bring Portland numerous NBA Finals appearances and potentially championships. Remember the "Rise With Us" posters? (*For the record, I still have one on display). Knee injuries became common for Greg Oden and Brandon Roy. Roy, our franchise player/savior, never regained form (though game 4 against Dallas in 2011 was magical). Amnestied, he signed with Minnesota to regain his career's form, though, again, the state of his bone on bone knees has prevented his valiant comeback.
The Oregonian's Jason Quick published an article earlier this week about how Roy should retire tomorrow at the Rose Garden. I agree. (Link: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2013/02/blazers_insider_brandon_roy_should_share_one_more.html) Roy brought this franchise out of the Jail Blazer Era. Within the next few years, his #7 jersey should be hanging from the rafters alongside Drexler, Walton, and all of the other members of the 1977 championship team. For a player who was next to Bryant and Wade as a truly elite shooting guard, his career has ended too soon, and it should end tomorrow night in Portland where it began. He will forever be an icon in Blazer history. Win or lose, most of the commotion surrounding this game will be about Roy's return.
Projected Starters:
Blazers: Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge, Hickson
T-Wolves: Rubio, Ridnour, Williams, Cunningham, Pekovic (Love is out and Kirilenko is presumed to be out)
Keys to the game:
1. Force 15 turnovers. Without Love, the Wolves strength lies in their guards. By pressuring Rubio, Ridnour, Barea and Shved, the Blazers can force turnovers and get out in transition.
2. Win the Rebounding Battle- The rebound numbers for Aldridge have been pedestrian over his last 5 games. Pekovic is strong in the middle, though Hickson and Aldridge should each pick up 10 reb. this game without a ton of difficulty.
3. Hold them under 95- Portland hasn't had an issue scoring since Feb. 1, though the defense has worsened to the point that they only held their opponent under 100 5 times in February. Defense will win this game.
Go Blazers!
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