Baron for hire...

Davis has opted out of his contract. I don't envision the Blazers as one of the teams that would want him (or, to be more precise) he would want to go to. At least for now.


I know the Blazers seem to be on the cusp of something magnificent... Is it just the leftover distrust from the last management regime that I still find that last essential sliver of my fandom failing to commit? Like... like a freshman at the senior prom?

I hope so. I have to admit, from time to time I have nightmares about the starting lineup

"Aaaand NOW!!! Your PORTland TRAL-BLAZERRRRRRRRS:
At point guard... STEVE FRANCIS!!!!
At shooting guard... ROBERT (w)HORRY!!!!
At small forward... RON ARTEST!!!
At power forward... ZACH RANDOLPH!!!
At center.... RASHEED WALLACE!!!"




Not gonna happen.

G.O. Blazers!!!

oh man

I'm gonna have to get off my ass and make my own draft grades like every other blog now?


um


NO.

Blazers: A+, the rest... WHO CARES?!?!

From the Bleachers

Recently read an article about the upcoming rookie class on the Bleacher Report. Interesting, but I do disagree with one thing, at least:

"8. Roy Hibbert will average more rebounds as a Pacer rookie than he did as a Georgetown senior.

Hibbert had just five games of 10+ rebounds as a senior for the Hoyas, and I expect him to get enough playing time as a rookie to surpass that. He averaged 6.4 boards as a college senior, so this prediction could be a stretch. But, it is possible."

This is the kind of "logic" I've never understood. If a guy who's 7' 2" is outrebounded by smaller, weaker college players... Why will he suddenly transform in the NBA when he's going up against guys with talent tenacity and desire.

Silly. Here's the whole thread. Nice bits about Oden and Rudy http://bleacherreport.com/articles/33566-nba-10-bold-predictions-for-the-2008-09-rookies

Hmmm

I just noticed that I forgot to mention something here that I posted in another thread. I think a likely explanation for Bayless' turnovers is that Lute Olson, his coach left JUST before the season, forcing Jerryd to learn an entirely new playbook.

I like this kid.

Lone Outlaw

I would like to see Outlaw take over the starting Small Forward spot. He obviously put in a lot of work toward the end of the season on his deep ball, and when he got a couple blocks and got into the game defensively, he took over, remember Memphis?

So late....

OK As for the point guard situation, I think it will be Blake (ranked #32 on the player efficiency chart... ahead of Rajon Rondo) then Bayless then Surge Rod (god it made me laugh when Mike Barrett called him that last season)
The idea is that Bayless, off the bench, can push the tempo, while being a VASTLY greater scoring threat than Rigo.

I should be asleep

Have the Trailblazers sold off the naming rights? I didn't hear a word after the initial idea was announced.



If I had a vote I say all of us Trailblazer fans chip in and re-name it "The Garden of Oden"


Just an thot...

Bayless Draft Diary

Nice couple of videos just posted.
Video 1 is before the draft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZwLmIr0jkk

Video 2 is day-of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXtNN67-3s

I like this kid. He's not reticent, he actually might be able to give the Blazer's a little more swagger.

Bayless to Jack to Shaq to... Kevin Bacon?

Here's a side-by-side comparison for Bayless and Jack's freshman seasons. Both were first-year full time starters.

Jack:
GS Min FG % 3s % RO-RD A - T Blk Stl Pts (Avg.)
31 31.7 97/213 .455 17/60 .283 16-94 185-106 3 51 294 (9.5)

Bayless:
GS Min FG % 3s % RO-RD A - T Blk Stl Pts (Avg.)
30 35.7 173/378 .458 59/145 .407 13-69 121-89 3 29 592 (19.7)

So, there's an obvious drop-off in steals, but that's not nescesarily a sign of a great defensive player (look at Iverson, he takes lots of risks) Jack is a spectacular student of the film room, and likely that can explain the difference. Another thing I notice is the rebounding. Bayless had better bigs to play with, but Jack has always seemed to have good rebounding skills. I would like to see how Bayless responds this year, since he's going to be asked to score less. I like him coming off the bench to start the season, provide some of the energy that Jack brought to that role last year (like Barbosa, or Stuckey, etc.)

As for the Assist/Turnover... I'm not sure yet. I can understand getting the ball stolen, even if he just put too much zip on some passes, that's ok. As long as he didn't step on the baseline. Right?

Hit the road, Jack

Sorry about the title. I actually have always liked Jack, but just kind of more as a kind of "awww, look... the little guy's trying SO HARD... Inn't that cu.... NO JACK!!! NO!!! DON'T STEP ON THE BASELINE!!!! BAD JACK!!!!" way.

He'll do well in the east. I love his explosiveness in getting (and finishing) at the rim, he's got a great work ethic, and by all accounts one of the best team guys on the roster.

Bayless! Bayless!

OK, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. But this still is a very nice pick that didn't cost any of the core Blazers.

As for those that worry about his turnovers, he was a freshman this year, and had to re-learn a new playbook after Lute Olson left. I mean, cut the kid some slack. He doesn't need to be a true point, all he needs to do is defend the likes of Chris Paul so Brandon Roy doesn't have to tire himeself out chasing them around the floor. Hell get a few assists (Probably 3-4 a game as a rook) hit the occasional 3. That's always nice too.

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

Damn

Ok. I know I said I was going to bed, but I just noticed that the Blazers traded Dorsey. Bad move. Mark my words, this one will haunt the Blazers. This Year.

Wow my head hurts

That was a lot of trading. I think Jarryd Bayless is a steal, even if it cost Jack and McRoberts. I'm going to have to sleep and write my reaction tomorrow. Right now, Brendan tired.

Plus

McRoberts is reportely gone too. That's too bad, I wish we could have seen him on the floor this year.

Trader Grader: B+

Bayless and Igou for Jack and Rush

Jerryd Bayless! OK, not my first choice, but still. This will be a nice compliment to Roy. Neither is a true point, but that's not a bad thing because they both know how to pass the ball. I think this will work well...

On the cusp

Draft has so far been surprisingly close to what's been projected. Blazers next!!!

David Lee?

I hate to admit it, but I had to look him up. I can really only name a couple of players on the knick's roster, and that's only two too many.

Lee: Forward/Center, decent rebounder. Looks solid, but redundant on the Blazers. McRoberts will put up similar numbers, maybe more scoring less rebounding.

This is I don't see happening, unless the blazers simply trade their picks plus cash for the 6th spot and take the player they really want.

Why why why Alexis?

The Blazers don't need a center, so I don't understand the latest mock drafts saying the Blazers will take this frenchman Alexis Ajinca. I mean, if Roy Hibbert is just sitting there... Why would you take an unknown European 7 footer (yeah, THOSE picks have all been smashing successes) over a known quantity? Hibbert has great shotblocking ability, a nose for finding the ball in a rebounding scrap.

I say that this is part of a larger plan to get the point guard McMillan likes, wether he's drafted or traded for.

Tick Tock

Until Pritchard arrived I don't think I ever looked forward to a draft like this. Multiple picks, a fearless GM, and an owner who is unafraid to open the wallet.

Good times.

Jones is Free Agent Man

Well, he had up until last night, but James Jones is going to test the free agent waters, hopefully find them too chilly for his liking, and get back on Paul Allen's yacht. Hopefully with a nice raise, since this seems like just getting leverage.

Does he really expect to find a better situation? Young team on the rise, looks to him to be a leader but not the hero. Promising core, possibly one of the best centers of the new era. This is the type of situation other players like Jones opt out of contracts to go to.

Thanks Mr. Jones! Stick around another year. It's about to get FUN.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W9VLloIPvg0

Prog

Baron Davis will be injured the first month of the season. He's gone two years without a serious one, he's due by my book.

Official

The 27th pick is OURS... for now...

End of civlilization

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-celtics-riversshirt&prov=ap&type=lgns
Really, this just goes too far. A basketball, sure. A program. Yes. A dirty shirt... well...

Yes,
but I don't have 55 bucks.

What?

Fifty-five...
THOUSAND?!?!?

F that.

Here we go...

Moving on... It was reported the Blazers are in talks with the mavs (not sure who'd theyd want off of the current staff... Kidd? but why?) No question the mavs look to move into the first round to get some help for Dirk with a shooter, but this does NOT make sense.

I thought so...

Interesting. I've been thinking this for a while, but didn't want to sound like an idiot (too late!) But I was thinking that Brandon Roy and Paul Pierce have a VERY similar game in how they manage to get into the paint without running at full tilt every time. Just read an article that pretty much confirmed it, guardedly, to quote from Roy himself:

"Brandon: I know Paul a little bit just from being in the league and playing against him, but I definitely have a ton of respect for him and his game of course. I would like to think that we have some similarities in our games’."

http://slamonline.com/online/2008/06/brandon-roy-goes-back-to-camp/

Now, was my thought on the Celts/Blazers having a similar offense wrong? Huh? Huh? Ok, maybe it is. But it LOOKS eerily similar.

And here's to you, Mr. Billionare

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3459658
Another first rounder? My my my. Now that could be the leverage the Blazer's need to get something GOOD...

Isn't life just worth living when we're SPAMing?

Draft

I don't know, there's a lot of talent, but none of it is what will put the Blazer's over the top THIS year. But is that important? Maybe if we kept the pick it'd take another year, but the Blazer's would be unstoppable once eveyone developed...

Shaq no longer the long arm of the law

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is a dipwad. Every year at the Maricopa County Fair they use the pole rammed up his ass for the main tent.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-shaq-kobe-rap&prov=ap&type=lgns

Speaking of fantasy...

I actually participated in my very first fantasy basketball league this past season. I basically drafted half of the Blazers plus LeBron James and led my league until Joel broke his hand. Tough blow, he was an absolute rebounding MONSTER before he went down. Oden is the starter, no question. But I like Joel. He's a humble enought guy that I think he'll go for the reserve role, maybe sixth-man award if the Blazers do make the playoffs. Or Jones. Or Outlaw. Or... good god this team is scary.

Odd thought (ummm.. again)

Don't you get the feeling that dynamite might have been invented a few times already that we don't know about?

Draft looms

I have to say though, for now the tapestry is woefully incomplete. I like the threads being woven so far, and they seem like they're fitting a very nice pattern of fitting together. Have you had enough of these metaphors? What, exactly does Nate mean by a "Veteran Presence" (hereafter to be referred to as the VP)? If I had to guess I would think he's talking PG. Considering that's his natural position. But WHY does he seem so infatuated with Jarrett "Step-on-Baseline" Jack?

One Day

There will be a time we are free of our misconceptions
But it is not now.
There will be a place where we can gather and live as one,
But it's not here.

Yet I know,
It's coming.

Not exactly charged up

Yes.. poor Mr. Mediate and all those poor, neglected Itallian-Americans. Never a chance to make it from the crib, any of 'em.
Yeah.
Right.
This society needs to chill the FUCK out. I don't get up in arms when someone tells me the Irish are Intoxicated. I Barely blink when a drunk says that the Jews Gyped him in the gymnasium. I couldn't care less when the black kids on the bus start rapping about whailing on wussie whitey wretches (Yes, it's happened). It's all so basely offensive that I have to ignore it to save myself. And it's all so useless.
Besides I've always thought of a poolboy as being a being like on "Desperate Housewives", not exactly a derogatory comparison.
On second thought maybe Mr. Miller was making a subtle derogatory GAY comment!!!
Quick, lets figure out how he insulted the Arabs and the frikin Antarctic penguins too (what you don't think a PENGUIN could be Tiger's poolboy? You SPECIEST!!!)





I'm done.

Trade away?

I hate the ESPN trade wizard thing. I hate it with a passion. Let it never be refered to again! You don't need a degree in advanced calculus to add 12 million and 12 million, it's twelventyillion, stupid.
That having been said, I did have a trade thought. TJ Ford was reportedly sought by the Blazers last season (which KP neither confirmed nor denied in a very governmentalish manner) The Raptors would probably love another first round pick, and throw in Jarret Jack (who would thrive in the east) you could get yourself the lighting-fast PG we need.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BIhDAjqHRwA

Draft looming like a seven footer

OK. I really don't believe the Zers (YES just to piss you off) need another center. My argument merely was that there is a lot to be said for depth at the 5 and only needing a decent 1 when the 2 is so productive on the distribution eind. As haiku:

The Zers a center
Need none, point taken but why,
should we get shorter?

Or:

Augustin is nice
So is Bryce why not have both?
Oh crap I am dreaming

Come to think of it

Watching Rondo play in this last finals made me think. I know that he's got Allen/Pierce/KG, but it still went against all conventional wisdom that he'd play THAT well (5 steals in Game 6). Made me start thinking. What's wrong with letting Blake run the ship another season? He defends exteremely well, shoots a high percentage from three and is a pass-first point. What, exactly is wrong with going with Steve Blake?

What about Maarty?

Is that how you spell his first name? I think so. Oh well, not like it matters as long as you pronounce it correctly. Anyway.
I like Luennen, he's got great shooting range and a good team-first mentality. The Blazer's don't really seem to need any more "proven scorers" (Roy, Aldridge, Jones, Outlaw, etc) and Maarty's had to deal with a lot of bigger players, and has had some of his best games against some players who are going higher this year. He looks like a really good roleplayer. He could probably take a step back and hit from the NBA line in a couple years, and you can't coach the toughness he's got. I know it's biased towards the Oregon guys right now, but I'm talking second round, and these players all have ties to the community. If they don't work out, no sweat a second round pick doesn't get a garaunteed contract.

Finals Reaction & Draft Thoughts

39 points. And the crowd singing Na na na na, hey hey hey, GOODBYE! Awesome.

I Have to say, watching the Celts play, especially half-court offense, they reminded me a lot of the Blazers. The PF (LA/KG) pops out for the 15-20 footer, good drives into the paint creating havoc (Roy/Pierce) a long range sniper (Martell/Ray). One thing they won't have next year: ODEN.

That reminds me, we need a Point who can push the tempo intelligently. I REALLY like DJ Augestine, but the size of the great points in the NBA keeps going up, and in the playoffs that is where a team wins or loses.

Another Great one from Yahoo...

The Black Mamba is as cold-blooded as ever?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=Aj252WUfkYDOEBkSK9j5I_c5nYcB?gid=2008061513&prov=ap
"Bryant said he spent much of the past two days reading a Harry Potter book to his daughters.
'It was awesome,' he said. 'He had more problems dealing with Voldemort than what we have dealing with the media and the Celtics.'"

Yeah. He's a killer.

Ok, not sports. But funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLbSnpT5tk
Enjoy.

Next year, well. we're good to G.O.

Wow have you SEEN Greg Oden lately? He's been off the Media reel lately, but he's looking good. http://youtube.com/watch?v=c-CP5WfLMi8. And a great video on Nate talking about his expectation of Fernandez. http://youtube.com/watch?v=cBErLOo9yuc It's very very guarded but I've got to admit, nate sounds hopeful. What would this mean to the blazers? I started a poll of what the blazers should do in this draft, but I'll change it to whats there now (sorry, both of you... it was a tie)

Need some time at he beach?

Holy Crap. I only just noticed this. Garnett totally has a farmer tan.

Garnett Gameface

No wonder the blazers lost to them this year. LOOK AT HIS FINGER! LOOK AT HIS EYES! Ok. so sorry about the 'all-caps' there, I know I've said that's one of my pet peeves but. HOLY CRAP LOOK AT HIS FING FINGER!!!!!!! ! ! ! !

Well I've played hurt but, I've never been playing with a dislocated (at least) bleeding mess of a right index finger... have you?

Celtics Comeback?

Holy crap, just watching the finals and the Celts just cut it to two before the fourth. Unbelieveable. I remember the Nets/Celts a few years ago, but this is monumental.

Yahoo Headline Writer Drunk?

This was posted on Yahoo! Earlier with the Headline:
"Kobe's Witty Comeback"
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbafinals-notebook061108&prov=ap&type=lgns
Really? Has wit fallen so far? Sad. I mean, if I eat alphabet soup I poo better comebacks than that. Honestly "Go Yankees?" WHEEEEEEEEE. Frikkin Kobe, I say next year we all hit the rose garden on the LA night: 95% of everyone bring a sign that says "NO" and the other 5% bring a sign that says "MEANS"

MAN that guy ticks me off.

Mbemba Workout Video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MG83Hb8OEwg
Released yesterday, this is a nice video of Rudy Mbemba's pre-draft workout with the Blazers. He looks quick off the dribble, a couple good finishes in close, but it's not enough to say he's worth a pickup. Some other good videos of him on Youtube as well.

Rudy a Done Deal?

According to marca.com, Rudy Fernandez is set to announce his deal to the Portland Trailblazers. Rudy has often been quoted saying how much he wants to play in the NBA. Blazer's fans can only hope he's as good as his Youtube following suggests: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UzaRAZ_yNTQ . If you read spanish, this link is VERY interesting, if not, then you've got the gist. http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/baloncesto/acb/es/desarrollo/1131631.html .