Evolution of an Outlaw: A Look at Travis Outlaw's Past, Present and Future

If you don't watch many Trailblazer broadcasts, you may not have heard of Travis Outlaw.  In fact, just last season television networks used a photo of retired NBA journeyman Bo Outlaw when referencing Travis during games. 

Though few are aware of his tremendous athletic ability, smooth jumper and ever-growing confidence Outlaw is poised to have the breakout season that will make fans take notice.

When Travis Outlaw was drafted he was the definition of project.  I remember the watching the draft and not really feeling good or bad about the pick.  The Blazers were two years removed from drafting a solid big man in Zach Randolph with a late first rounder, so I figured they did their homework and saw something they liked. 

I can remember the analysts hating the pick, and saying that the 18-year old would not be a good fit because his last name is "Outlaw", and the Blazers didn't need anyone named Outlaw on their team due to some players' criminal behavior.

During his first season, Outlaw played in only eight games, with all his minutes coming during garbage time.  But fans caught a glimpse of his superior athleticism, and began to have hope for their young NBA project.  It became something to look forward to, as many knew the Blazers were headed for a rebuilding era.

Other NBA executives began to take notice of Outlaw's ability as well, and inquired about potential trade scenarios to obtain him.

Outlaw's second season brought new expectations with increased playing time.  Though Outlaw looked lost at times—particularly on defense—and had trouble playing at the fast pace of an NBA game, he continued to show progress. Many felt that he, along with Randolph and fellow first-round pick Sebastian Telfair, would be the future of the Blazers.

But Outlaw's third and forth seasons were viewed by many fans as steps backward.  Travis was still struggling to find playing time, due to his lack of defense, jump shot, and offensive handle.  The selfish play of of NBA veterans like Damon Stoudamire and Blazers young guns Zach Randolph and Darius Miles also hurt Outlaw's production. 

As Outlaw entered his fifth season, Portland' was worried about Travis's conditioning.  Their concerns were valid, as Outlaw struggled during his first month of the season.  But as Travis got his legs and wind back, he somewhere (in the gym) found a silky-smooth, pull-up jump shot—along with the confidence to shoot it at the most crucial of times. 

He had two game winning shots last year: December 3 at Memphis—a beautiful running, hanging, fall-away bank shot—and January 21 at Atlanta—a pull up "J" right in the eye of Josh Smith. 

In another ice-water-in-the-veins moment, January 13 at Toronto, Outlaw hit a three and was fouled by Jamario Moon with the Blazers down four points and only 16.6 seconds left.  He completed the four-point play, sending the game into the first of two overtimes in what would end up being a Blazers loss—their first in fourteen games. 

He averaged 13.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 26.7 minutes last season, and showed a much more mature NBA game.

As Outlaw enters his third season, he and the Blazers have much to look forward to.  General manager Kevin Pritchard and head coach Nate McMillan have done wonders acquiring the best young NBA talent in Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, and Jerryd Bayless.  They have also successfully jettisoned the selfish troublemakers Zach Randolph, Darius Miles, Sebastian Telfair, and Qyntel Woods. 

I personally expect Travis to come into the season in shape and ready to continue what he built on last season.  If that happens, the majority of NBA fans will finally take notice of this still young (24 in September) NBA talent.