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

Kevin Farrell — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:05:12 -0400

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.

Rocket Sauce: Artest To Blend Perfect With Ingredients Yao and McGrady

Kevin Farrell — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:36:39 -0400

The way I see it, the addition of Artest seems like a perfect match. The Houston Rockets are soft. Yao Ming is possibly the most fragile player in the NBA. Tracy McGrady has never been clutch when it matters most (in the playoffs). Shane Battier is too passive on the offensive end of the floor to be a number three option.

Yeah sure, the Rockets have a young tough stud in Carl Landry, but the youngster still needs NBA seasoning before that toughness is consistently shown throughout an entire NBA season.

With critical weaknesses in each of their core players' games, the Rockets were in need of some major upgrades this season. Even with the 23 game win streak last season and decent role players in Rafer Alston and Luis Scola, the Western Conference is too tough for this team to stand pat and still think they are a lock for a playoff spot.

But the addition of Ron Artest drastically changes the outlook for the Rockets' upcoming season. Let's take a look at how he will improve the individual performances of the Rockets' core players.

Yao Ming's injuries may have been the biggest blow to each of the Rockets' last three seasons. As the Rockets only post threat, Yao takes quite a beating. This, along with the natural health issues that come with a 7'6" frame ensure that Yao will miss one third of an entire NBA season.

Ron Artest will lighten the workload and amount of touches Yao gets in the post. This will also free Yao up to take the 10 to 15 foot jumper as Artest is sure to draw double teams nightly in the post. Head coach Rick Adelman will be able to rest Yao more with Artest on the floor which will be of extreme importance in the second half of the season.

Tracy McGrady's game should also benefit from the addition of Artest. With Artest and Yao in the post, McGrady should see little if no double teams and should get plenty of open looks from the perimeter. McGrady will be able to move more without the ball in his hands and cut to the hoop for dunks and put backs galore with the nifty passing skills that both Yao and Artest posses.

Shane Battier should also benefit much in the same way McGrady will. Open shots will be there pretty much all game for Battier as Artest is sure to draw double teams in the post. In fact, I would not be surprised if Battier shot 45 to 50 percent this year from three.

Carl Landry will see his playing time reduced, which is kind of sad. But the upside to the situation is that Landry can learn to be that same nasty defender that Artest is. It would be great to see Ron take Carl under his wing and mentor the young player.

The real question is what kind of person is Ron Artest now? He is four years removed from "The Brawl at the Palace," and last season with the Sacramento Kings, he was issued only one technical foul. He seemed to handle the recent Yao comments about what he will do to the Rockets' team chemistry very well. Tune in this upcoming season to find out.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Kevin Farrell

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

Rocket Sauce: Artest To Blend Perfect With Ingredients Yao and McGrady