PICK & SCROLL: TUESDAY, JAN .31, 2012. NICOLAS BATUM: The Next Chapter in the Blazers Injury Saga
Erik Anderson | Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 9:09AM Your daily (Mon-Fri) roundup of links from around the blogosphere, typically Trail Blazers related.
The Blazers fell to the Utah Jazz 93-89 last night.
But the real story may be what happened to Nicolas Batum’s knee. He’s scheduled for an MRI today.
After watching the Frenchman writhe in pain after an awkward plant on his left knee, it’s become easy for me to be cynical and superstitious. Thoughts such as “the Blazers front office must have seen this was coming,” help me justify why Batum wasn’t signed to an extension. Of course, that’s a ridiculous notion. Almost as ridiculous as the coincidence that every player PRS chooses for banner/logo goes down to injury (Roy on last year’s banner, and Greg Oden on our button logo). Ugh.
The 6’8” forward has said he is optimistic the injury won’t be too severe, but the (above) video is a cause for concern.
Before I ruin too much of your Tuesday, Links:
- The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman recaps last night’s action between the Blazers and the Jazz, and gauges Batum’s knee-pain, “I don’t think it will be too bad. But we’ll see tomorrow,” Batum said.
- Down in Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune’s Brian T. Smith attributes the Jazz’s success to point guard Earl Watson. Watson was unbiased with the stat distribution, doing a bit of everything. But it’s his attitude off the court that’s helped the Jazz most because:
“He tweets words of inspiration. He constantly says an unproven Utah team can be anything it wants to be. He preaches 100 percent effort and respect for the game, demanding the Jazz not give in to lesser temptations.”
- Back at The O, Joe Freeman gives us a view of Wesley Matthews’ mindset with his recent shooting struggles. Matthews is regarded as one of the hardest workers on the team, if not the hardest working. Despite his work ethic, Matthews doesn’t know why he’s struggling.
“The worst part is I feel great. My body feels good. I feel excited. I’m genuinely happy to be here. I understand the blessing I have to play this game. I’m excited every time I go to the arena. I feel good at the tip. My shot feels good and then it’s just like, miss, miss, miss, miss. Keep shooting. Miss, miss, miss. It’s just like …”
- Oregonians! You have a chance to sing the state’s national anthem live at the Rose Garden on Feb. 14. Anne Saker of The Oregonian reports that on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Historical Society on Southwest Park Avenue there will be a contest for “Oregon History Idol.”
- Last night Blake Griffin blessed the world with the greatest dunk of the year, and possibly all time. If you haven’t seen it, check here. Kendrick Perkins’ entire family tree felt the animosity of this one.
- Unsurprisingly, that dunk is currently trending on Twitter — and could be for all time.
- Finally, it’s the last day to vote for NBA All-Stars. Cast your ballot!
Thoughts, ideas and challenges to 1-on-1 games, are happily accepted in the comments section.
Reader Comments (2)
How much pain a man feels when injured is not, often, a good predictor of the amount of injury suffered.
Some patients' responses to pain is quite sensitive, while many others experience less pain and more injury.
Only a medical evaluation will settle the matter. But, do not draw any conclusions based on a video. You may be right, but may well be wrong.
Doctor, Agreed!