So there seems to have been the undercurrent of a fire-sale building around the Blazers recently.  "Roy's knees are done", "Oden's done", " We need to trade Miller, Batum and Mathews to get someone good"  "Blazers can't get out of the first round", "We need to trade up in the draft",  Ect...  Basically This team is a proverbial bust and we need to move on. 

My question is this...  If Dallas wins the championship, does that change the way Portland approaches the draft?  If we came closer to beating the World champs than any other WC team -- playing without a starting center and a forward who is still finding his spot on the team -- do we just stand pat and relatively quiet during the draft?  

If Dallas wins, can we hold on to Greg a little tighter, knowing we have a really good team without him, a potentially great one with him.  Do we do the same if Dallas loses a close game seven?  

Or

Does Dallas winning change nothing about this team?

So, I am a die hard Blazer fan, but I am still fuming mad about Sonicsgate.  This is not a post about how the wrongs of the Sonics relocation.  This is a dream for a better tomorrow.  As I watched Chris Paul and the Hornets beat us the other night, the thought occurred to me, "This could be a fun rivalry".  Two teams who have very close records, two brilliant coaches one teacher and one student.  Come on the story line writes itself.  The only thing that would make this better-- If the teams were closer.  Could that ever happen?

   Wait, The Hornets are owned by the NBA, Seattle still owns the rights to the Supersonics name and Colors.  Lets make it happen.  So those of you up north, start hitting the streets and make it happen.  Imagine the possibilities.  

As I write this our losing streak is at six.  Hopefully it will stay that way.  However, five out of the six losses have come from teams that are power ranked at 23,24,26,27,28.  We are currently ranked 14 and set to play the Clippers a team ranked at 29.   Right now what to your NBA power rankings look like and where should the Blazers go?    I'm also curious what you think the end of the season will look like.  Will we be looking at a lottery pick (possibly two)?  Will we be a one and done playoff team?  Or do you believe in miracles and we'll be Western Conference champs?  

Lebron leaving Cleveland sure shook up the NBA.  Now it looks like Every NBA star wants to leave their team and join a super-team.  What are the poor small market teams to do?  Are we doomed for a life mediocre players who play second fiddle to New York, LA, and South Beach? (At least when the Blazers relocate to Washington, we can call them the Generals).   You don't have to look far to see the impact this has on other small market teams.  CP3 wants out of NO, and Melo wants out of Denver.  What hurts these teams even more is that they can't/won't trade their superstar because they can't get an honest value for them.  CP3 is great, but he only has one year left on his contract so teams are weary about sending to much over to NO only to have Paul leave when his contract is up.  The same goes for Carmelo.  So both Denver and New Orleans are stuck knowing they can trade and get a lower value in return, or play their one year out and beg and plead to have their player stay.  But who wants to look like these guys?  So here's my proposal...

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Listen everybody to my Blazer rhyme

‘bout one night when I shot to the big time

The Rose Garden Friday night

Sittin’ up front where the lights are bright

Two hot seats oh yeah fantastic

Me and Jscot sittin right by the basket

Blazer dancers bumpin’ thumpin’

Big shot block Batum was pumpin’

Slap so hard that ball was flyin’

Right at my face man I ain’t lyin’

Tried to duck but the ball the decked me

Knocked me cold – disconnect me

Next thing I know I’m in a Blazer Jersey

Coach says “Hey, you’re goin’ in for Rudy”

I said “Yeah right  man, check you out”

And then he got in my face and began to shout

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Oh, this is gonna be harder than I thought

How ya spelling that?

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Anyway back to my story

Bust a bucket toss a pass

You’re talking to a fan who flunked gym class

But there I was just the same

Playing pro and finding fame

“Dip to the well!”  “Scoop to the trough!”

Miller said, “Shoot man, don’t pass off”

Halftime bout time for the show

Have a little chat with Rebekah Harlow

“I feel pretty good and that’s the truth

Tell you more later when I stop by the booth”

It was rip city show time fully fantastic

Positively Portland slam the basket

Crowd was stompin’ then they screamed

“Make him Captain of the team!”

But that one thing Coach said kept me guessin’

What’s that word man? Now I’m stressin’

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Hmmm… I got the good part Kick it a couple of times and let me think about it

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Life was cool in the NBA

Surfer’s hours, bankers pay

Half court hook shot in it soared

But the ref said “Sorry son, didn’t call backboard”

Pick up the phone Bob Costas ringing

Next thing I know man Camby’s singing

“Ohh baby you got the touch

Take it easy man you’re working too much

Futures big the coach has said

Just as big as that bump on your head”

I was gonna join in and sing some bass

When a Bayless pass hit me right in the face

Slapped me right up off my feet

Right back to my front row seat

Woke up dizzy head just screamin’

What’s that word? I must’ve been dreamin’

Bust a bucket who’d a dunk it blazer duty super sunk it

Slam’n geez it killa threes it go up get it got it good

Bust a Bucket

Bust Bust a Bucket

Original Lyrics taken from "Bust a Bucket"  By Dan Reed

So we all know Sir Charles hates Portland, and it stems from him not being traded to the Blazers when he was in Philly.  Apparently, by his own admission, Portland owes him $1,200 for a round trip ticket when he spent his own money and flew out here thinking the deal was done, only to find the Blazers changed their mind.    Here is my proposal: if everyone on Blazersedge pitched in about $2 we could make a  $1,200 donation to a charity in his name (ala George Costanza).  Once the charity has been named and the money raised, I think it would be great to send the letter to TNT asking Charles to drop his grudge against Portland.  It would be even greater if we could include some video clips of Barkley comments.  So what do you guys think.  If nothing else it's a way to give money to a good charity and do some good in the community while having some fun in the process. 

Let me be clear - I am not bashing Roy or the blazers I'm just curious what the pulse is on our Franchise player.  

So after watching last nights game and comparing Roy's performance with Melo's, it became clear to me that Roy has some growing to do.  There was a point in that game, despite a rough start, Melo said, "Enough, I'm going to start hitting shots and put these pesky Blazers behind us."  Roy did not respond.  I may be way off base, and feel free to put me in my place (politely please).  I'm just wondering what other Blazer fans are thinking of Roy:  Off night? Slipping backwards? Trying to get the team involved?  Let me know.

After reading several discussion threads, I can't help but think there are a ton of fans that need to find new hobbies.  Not that I'm wanting them to stop follow the Blazers or to leave BE, but It sounds like people are ready to give up on the whole team because the organization isn't doing things the way they see fit.  I love how Mr. Fan sitting behind his computer knows how to: A. Run a business, B. Manage a top caliber team, and C. Coach that team better than the paid professionals, who, by the way, are in the closed practices seeing every player every day, and talking to the players themselves in genuine conversations (not just press conferences and interviews).  I'm also flabbergasted at the fans who know how our players feel, better than the players themselves.  Go Find a Hobby!

It is tough to survive the offseason when you team is at the cusp of the next level.  It makes it very hard when the fan base is used to seeing Pritchard work magic with several highly intense moves each offseason, and now the team can now stand relatively still.  We as fans start frothing at the mouth looking for any new news while simulating seasons NBA 2K10, (or modified rosters of 2K9). 

My Point is this – What do/can fans do in the offseason to cope with the lack of NBA busyness?  Fishing?  Working?  Origami?  Help fellow BEdgers out, what works for you?

Now that Troy Polamalu is injured, what are your thoughts on the Madden curse?  Should Larry Fitzgerald be worried.  What about you as football fans.  How would you feel--or have you felt-- if/when your teams star appears on the cover?   What if you were a player, would you give them rights to put you on the cover?  I'm just wondering.  What if there was an NBA equivalent to the curse and Roy showed up on the cover?  Would you march down to EA and Pickett the game?

Vote and share your thoughts below

Now that Troy Polamalu is out for six weeks, how long does Larry Fitzgerald have?  Is this all just a bunch of hoey?  If Edwards has a breakout year and is selected to be on next years cover, how would you react? Would you march down to EA Games and pickett?  What if you were an NFL player?  Would you allow them to put you on the cover?  Just wondering what you guys think about the infamous (in-famous?  IN-Famous?)  Madden Curse. 

So I was trying to find a good Blazer wallpaper for my computer and was dissapointed at the selection avaliable. So I thought to myself, self I bet BEdgers have created some pretty swell ones.  So here it is; post your work to be displayed proudly on monitors worldwide (hopefully).  I'd love to see what everyone has come up with.  Ireally think we here at Bedge can do better than the official team website.   

Ben, or Dave,

                With all your blogging prestige and superb reputation, I would love to see an official’s point of view on the Greg Oden foul situation.  I have often been humbled when an official states his/her point of view on a play and what the “official” ruling on a certain play is.  Perhaps Greg is truly out of position, or doing something that the average person does not see.  If that is the case I would love to hear what they have to say. 

                If I am just adding unnecessary fuel to a fire that is already blazing to bright, I understand.  However, if you could get an official to be interviewed, that would be great (Perhaps not Jake O’Donnell or Tim Donaghy).  I know I am probably asking too much, but I am very interested to hear the explanation. 

Let me start out by saying I am a Bills fan and have been for over15 years now.  They are my NFL team and will be.  However, I have been a Portland Trailblazer fan my whole life.  (Born and raised in Salem, Oregon).  What scares me right now is the trend the Bills are following.  Signing players who's personal quality off the field/court do not reflect what they can do on the court.  Throughout the late 90's Portland signed several players desperatly seeking a Championship.  Between the egos, drugs, and plethora of off court issues the team eventuallyburied itself with one of the most talented underachieving rosters in the NBA.  It wasn't untill the GM was fired and a new one was brought in that things began to change.  Now we sit with a great roster of guys my Grandma can cheer for that are - because of their chemestry and attitude - over achieving expectations.  It wasn't always like this, we traded big names for almost nothing and had to sit for a few years with losing records. 

Let me tell you, after seeing both sides, I would rather cheer for a losing team filled with quality guys than a team the experiences above moderate success only to have it overshadowed by off field press and a tarnished national reputation. 

You have every right to dissagree with me, after all that's what the internets are for.  I hope I'm wrong and TO and Lynch turnn over a new leaves, but I'm getting the strange feeling I've been down this path before. 

So I read this last night at Indycornrows:

Bayless = Iverson.

He can get his shot & he can get to the line, but can he win?

Lets look at high school.

A four-year letterman at St. Mary’s High School for coach Dave Lopez, where he averaged 33.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game in leading his club to a 19-13 record and state tournament RUNNER UP in the State Finals.

College

Arizona had a great team the 1 year he was forced to play (thanks NCAA) and they went out in the 1st round.

NBA

He will not become a winner becasue he will not be able to incorperate his teammates beacuse the game is about him and his skills not winning. He is stuck behind Sergio, Rudy, and Blake for a reason.

I’m just saying look at Brandon Rush and his record of winning and winning teams.

I would dare to say the info above and Jarrett Jack are the reason that trade happened.

by Man of Pace on Mar 4, 2009 4:37 PM PST reply 

Personally I hate AI and have long said he will never get a ring because he is all about himself.  However, I love Bayless for his intesity and Jarret Jackesk willingness to step up or throw down when the situation arises - something this team desprately needs. 

What do you think of this comparison?  Are we looking at him with rose garden colored glasses, or is this bunk?