And here is why:

* Portland's offense succeeded on the basis of two central pillars: LaMarcus Aldridge is almost unstoppable without a lockdown post defender, and Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Rudy Fernandez shot lights out from deep. You can take LMA beating you if you're the Kings right now. The interior defense has improved with the addition of Jason Thompson and the maturation of Spencer Hawes. But Aldridge is a future All-Star. He scored 18 points on 17 shots. There's nothing you can do to make that worse. The Kings played him well. They also got out on shooters most of the time -- maybe 75% of the time. But Blake and Rudy and Trout Law hit shots. Can't do much against that, right? (The most egregiously bad closers on rotations, and it's not close: Brad Miller and Beno Udrih. You can almost see Brad say to himself, "I can't get out there, I'm just going to get in position for a rebound," and then think, "Crap I'd better at least try or Reggie is going to be mad," and then finally take a step toward the shooter, lean in and wave a hand. Blech.)

* Jason Thompson had his way on the offensive glass. Now, you'd like to see the team not allow Portland 13 offensive rebounds in 32 opportunities. That's pitiful. And many of those Portland offensive rebounds came with Thompson on the floor. But whatever. Miller had two defensive rebounds in 29 minutes. Spencer Hawes had  one in 34 minutes. Thompson had five in 35 minutes. But that dude can pound the offensive boards like few others in the league. In fact, he is 7th in total offensive rebounds and 4th in offensive rebounding percentage. He is really good at that skill, even against a mammoth line-up with Joel Pryzbilla and Greg Oden in there.

* The Kings offense was not so bad, despite poor shooting from Donté Greene, Beno Udrih, John Salmons and Bobby Jackson. I mean, with the team's two best shooters out, you need to not have all your guards other than Bobby Brown and Garbage Time Globetrotter Quincy Douby shoot terribly. Turnovers were not a problem, scoring the ball in the paint was not a problem. The Kings offense from Friday night would win plenty of games ... if the defense were any good.

* Bobby Jackson is still getting the biggest ovation at ARCO. Hawes and Thompson aren't far behind.

* The decision to play a snippet of "My Prerogative" after hot B. Brown plays is inspired and worthy of Nobel consideration.

* Jason Thompson is an absolute beast. Just wanted to be sure I got that point across.

* There appears to be a lack of photographic or video evidence, but Hawes blocked Oden's shot once. I can prove this! The Kings got three blocks -- two by Hawes, one by Douby. The Blazers who had one "block against": Oden, Fernandez, Rodriguez. I assure you that Douby did not block an Oden attempt. It was Hawes! And it was Hawesome. (The other Hawes block was on Rodriguez. Visceral and vicious.)

[Two can play at this game, Ben.]

Aside from allowing that girl that wasn't wearing pants to grind on him, is there a more indelible image (here's video) of Greg Oden than when he is walking with the aid of a pair of crutches?  

Great players, Jordan caliber, form their own paths in the NBA.  Other players, even good players (Bowie, Petrie, Darius Miles, etc.), get their destinies imposed upon them. That can either really suck or be fun to watch, depending upon which side you're on.

I have an inkling that that might be happening here with Oden.  Greg just fits (embraces) so many of the stereotypes of an ideal walking injury report.

Let's talk out the fate of Greg Oden in the comments.

-- Tom (tom@sactownroyalty.com)

[I have tried for (almost) three years to have a consistent motif for game previews and the like. It never lasts. Neither will this.]

* Obviously, I'd love to see a bit of Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes on the floor together. We have a reasonable expectation that this could at some point in the near future constitute the team's starting frontline. I want a glimpse.

* For the first five minutes, I want to see Beno Udrih drive the lane. I won't be mad if he doesn't -- it's preseason. But some assurance he's in good shape and willing to take his lumps in the paint would be cool.

* When something resembling a regular season rotation line-up is in the game, it'd be cool to see the fast pace and spacing Reggie Theus has discussed. Brad Miller and Kevin Martin are vital to that scheme, so tonight obviously won't give us the complete picture. But tonight's starting line-up ... that's a unit I imagine will get some minutes together this season. Can they run it hard?

* Donté Greene. I just want to see a lot of Donté Greene.

* Bobby Brown. I just want to see a lot of Bobby Brown.

* I'll be paying attention to Thompson a lot on offense, just to see where he initiates his offense, how well he passes, what type of shot he's willing to settle for against a long Portland frontline.

* If I had a supercomputer, I'd tally John Salmons' standing-still dribbles. Theus has really pushed the idea he wants less than we're accustomed to.

* I won't lie: I'm going to be paying a helluva lot of attention to Greg Oden. I have no doubt you'll do the same.

What would you like to see tonight? What will you be looking for?