SB Nation User Blog: DrivetheLane

Junk Drawer-10/23-Less Than a Week Edition

DrivetheLane — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:23:34 -0000

A short 5 days until the season opener versus the L*kers! I don't think I need to say anymore about that.

Great Game 1 of the World Series last night with the Phillies winning 3-2. But I didn't get the impression they can dominate the Rays. This series could be a classic. I'm thinking 7 games with no game decided by more than 2 runs.

I didn't get to see highlights cause I couldn't find them (post em if you got em please) but it looks like Oden showed everyone who was only whelmed by his performance thus far with a nice double double. How as the game for those who attended on those cheap tickets discussed yesterday? There's already one nice game report from PoliSam. Any other thoughts?

And finally, to insert the randomness that sometimes ensure discussion I'll pose this question:

You're starting a band. For the sake of brevity, you get 5 members. All the members have to be Blazers. Who do you pick and what instruments do they play? Personally, I'd go with LMA on bass, Oden on drums, Roy on lead guitar, Rudy as lead singer, and Blake on harmonica, because I like random instruments in bands.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

cheap laughs

DrivetheLane — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:54:41 -0000

cheap laughs

i found the link on True Hoop. Brace yourselves.

Martell has surgery

DrivetheLane — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:17:14 -0000

Martell has surgery

the relevant thing is that he's out 8-10 weeks.

OT--Brett Favre and what if this was a Blazer

DrivetheLane — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:06:37 -0000

This whole Brett Favre situation is interesting, annoying, and a bit sickening to me. The guy retires while crying big big tears, leaves Green Bay under what seemed like good terms and all was well. And now, a few months later, he wants back after Green Bay has already commited to moving on.

I've never been a big Favre fan. I thought he was reckless, made stupid throws, too many interceptions. But he did play with some of the highest levels of passion I've seen any athlete play with. But at this point, he seems to be obviously past his prime. And now that he wants back, he's put Green Bay in a no-win situation: either they take him back and start him (because how couldn't you) and maybe make the team a little weaker (this is very debatable, I realize), or you cut him and he plays somewhere else which would just be strange and wrong, or you trade him and alienate your fan base (which is one of the most loyal in all of sports).

So let's pretend this is happening with the Blazers. Imagine that 15 years from now, after having a Hall of Fame career, winning some championships, biggest PTB icon in their franchise history (cause he won a ring(ok, 10 rings) and played here his whole career) and all that, Brandon Roy decides to retire. He's obviously on the downside of his career, not as effective, has good young kids ready to start playing behind him, etc. After retiring, and then the draft, and then free agency, he decides he wants to come back. How would we feel about taking him back? We definatly wouldn't want to see him with another team, we don't want to make our team weaker, he's a beloved local icon who we'll miss after he's gone, etc etc.

Personaly, I wouldn't want to take him back and I would maybe be a little upset he decided to unretire because he puts the team in a bad position. What do you guys think?

ps. i hope this wouldn't qualify as a junk drawer post, so don't kill me if it does.

The case for inactivity

DrivetheLane — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:55:24 -0000

Is there one? Talking about trade possibilities is fun and all, but if we step back and take a closer look, might it be that standing pat is the way to go? Now, obviously we've got one more roster spot to trim to fit in Rudy and, fairly obviously in my opinion, Baron Von Wafer won't be returning. So that's that. Now, everyone is bandying about names like Devin Harris, Jose Calderon, Kirk Hinrich, and others and it's fun thinking about it, but think about this: the biggest problem we have with the PG is turnovers right? Jack just finished his (I believe) 3rd year in the league. 3rd year. Think about that. It's not a long time. Might it be conceivable that he will develop further? All he really has to do is learn to make better decisions and we'd all love him. He drives to the basket consistantly and his little floaters are getting better all the time--he can score. His defense will improve (along with Webster's and Outlaw's). Might he end up being the PG we need? It's at least conceivable right? And isn't the SF situation the same? Webster and Outlaw can both improve to be the guys we need them to be: great defenders who can spot up (Webster) or create (Outlaw). I'm not advocating standing pat neccessarily, but with the freakishly good chemistry this team has (most people don't get along with their own families as well as these guys get along) is it worth the risk of upsetting a situation where each guy is accountable to another for making each other better, where each guy is competative and driven to win for the sake of what we think is an upgrade? Can the team as it sits now (taking in to consideration adding Oden and Rudy) win a championship? I have a feeling they could if given one or two more years to work together (which is the same time frame as if we got an "upgrade.")

Let's talk about the draft

DrivetheLane — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:47:25 -0000

With all the talk in here about what PG to get and by what means, it might be interesting to address what should be the top priority: who to draft and why?
In my opinion, the guy to draft (provided he declares) is Tyler Hansbrough. All I needed to know about him I learned last year in the game when he got his nose broke (or maybe just bloodied) and looked like he wanted to fight someone. That's the kind of heart and toughness this Blazers team needs now and for the future. Plus, his pure hustle makes him a rebound machine. He'd be a great second unit player at the 3 or the 4, despite size (he's listed at 6'9 but is likely 6'7 or 6'8.
The guy we should avoid at all cost: Kevin Love. I really hope he doesn't end up in Portland. He could end up the size of Oliver Miller. yikes.

Poll

Who Should the Blazers draft (assuming they all declare and are available in the 10-15 spots)

C. Kevin Love

7 votes

D. Chase Budinger

4 votes

E. Someone else

30 votes

A. Darren Collison

9 votes

B. Tyler Hansbrough

13 votes

63 votes | Poll has closed

The Commish is in town

DrivetheLane — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:49:58 -0000

David Stern will be in Portland on the 4th of March.

Chances are, if he's in town, he will be attending the game against Phoenix that night at 7 pm. I will be attending this game. What I would like to see is the Portland fans take the opportunity to stand up for a rival franchise, the Seattle Supersonics.

What is happening to that team and that fanbase is horrific. I am a Blazer fan from childhood, and when we and the Sonics recieved the top two picks in the last draft, and it became apparent both teams would be cultivating young, up and coming talent, the opportunity for a renewed rivalry grabbed hold of me. It excited me to imagine sold out Rose Gardens chanting for Oden and Roy against Durant and Green. The rebirth of the I-5 Rivalry. And now the Sonics will be leaving, and it is a loss not just to Seattle, but Portland as well.

My idea: provided Commisioner Stern is in attendance at the game (look to the seats by Kevin Pritchard and Paul Allen--that's likely where Stern will be) the Portland faithful should take up the cause of our sister city. Bring signs that read Save the Sonics. Wouldn't it be great to let Stern know that not only the Seattle fans are upset, but fans of other franchises support them as well? Let's start a Save the Sonics chant. If the Rose Garden can take up that mantra for just a few minutes during the game, at least Stern will hear it. It might not change anything, but he will know there is dissatisfaction with his compliance to Clay Bennet's pillaging of a 41 year old Seattle mainstay and Portland rival.

Portland has classy fans and Blazersedge is a place were many of those classy fans congregate. So help get the word out: at the 10 minute mark of each quarter of the game tomorrow night, take up the chant....SAVE THE SONICS, SAVE THE SONICS, SAVE THE SONICS. Let's give a voice to the Sonics fans who won't be there.