The NBA Left Seattle, But Seattle is Still All Over the NBA

You may have missed it, but last night was the first of NBA season. And though Seattle doesn't have a team, the 206 was represented. Three Seattle high-school grads--of the 12 on NBA rosters--showed their stuff on opening night.

Nate Robinson (Rainier Beach, Boston Celtics) played just 10 minutes in the Celtics' win over the Threet, but he did have a suh-weet play where he pumped-faked a three, drove left around his defender to the baseline, elevated, switched hands in mid-air, twisted, and scooped a shot behind his head off the glass and in. Nate Robinson is an absolute marvel.

Brandon Roy (Garfield, Portland Trail Blazers) led the Blazers with 24 points in their win over Phoenix. The Suns didn't ever find a player who could guard Roy, who made Josh Childress look especially silly. Roy's layup with 5:05 left began a 16-1 Blazers' run to close the game. The Blazers have gotten younger and faster with the additions of guards Wes Matthews and Armon Johnson. Look out.

Aaron Brooks (Franklin, Houston Rockets) had an 18-point first-half from his starting point guard spot, but it's the shot he didn't make in the second-half that's haunting him this morning. Rockets down two, Brooks drove baseline and got to the basket, but Lamar Odom blocked his last-second shot. Rockets lost.

So what's up with the nine other Seattle-area guys? Here's a quick rundown.

Jon Brockman (Snohomish, Milwaukee Bucks) came over in a trade from Sacramento. He'll probably get 5-10 minutes a night backing up Bucks' center Andrew Bogut.

Jamal Crawford (Rainier Beach, Atlanta Hawks) returns to the bench role that won him the NBA's 6th Man of the Year award last season. Will he be as productive under new coach Larry Drew's motion offense?

Spencer Hawes (Seattle Prep, Philadelphia 76ers) will start at center for the 76ers and should play 25-29 minutes a night. He'll need to rebound and defend better if he's going to hold his spot, the 76ers have the more ball-control-minded Tony Battie waiting in the wings.

Brian Scalabrine (Enumclaw, Chicago Bulls) is another 206er on the move. After becoming a "fan favorite" and winning a ring in Boston, Scalabrine moves to the Bulls, where he'll play under former Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, probably getting the same sporadic playing time he got in Boston.

Rodney Stuckey (Kentwood, Detroit Pistons) is the Pistons' starting point guard, after some talk that he might come off the bench. Stuckey lost 15 lbs. in the offseason, trying to gain the quickness he'll need to play point full-time.

Jason Terry (Franklin, Dallas Mavericks) will enter his twelfth season in the NBA as the Mavericks' starting two-guard, alongside 17-year vet Jason Kidd. That's what you call an experienced back court. Terry's thinking title, he had the NBA championship trophy tattooed on his right bicep during the offseason.

Martell Webster (Seattle Prep, Minnesota Timberwolves) will miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season after having back surgery to remove part of a herniated disk. When he returns, Webster will play off the Timberwolves bench, and, according to this article, "give them a veteran presence in the locker room." Huh. You know he's only 23, right?

Marvin Williams (Bremerton, Atlanta Hawks) goes into his sixth (!) NBA season as a starter for the long, lean, quick Hawks. Williams thrived in the preseason in the aforementioned new offense of coach Larry Drew. Seems a little more tailored to his talents.

Terrence Williams (Rainier Beach, New Jersey Nets) endured a dismal team season for the Nets last year, and now has a new coach (and former Sonic) Avery Johnson. He'll play off the bench, as he learns how to martial his many talents in Johnson's style. Johnson's said that Williams could be the NBA's 6th Man of the Year.