This is in response to today's Oregonian article regarding the possibility of signing either Juwan Howard or Stromile Swift.

Hopefully if we sign either of these guys it'll be Juwan. I was never really impressed with him in his prime but he was a good NBA player. He's seen a lot and his limited role will not negativley impact our boxscore, rather his leadership and ability to not make mistakes while he's in the game would be very valuable in tight playoff situations.

If we pick him up I could see us making a blockbuster move for a starting, all-star caliber small forward. I love Batum but think he could be a great defensive stopper off the bench while he gains experience. After a few teams stumble out of the gates (particularly Detroit in this hypothetical case) I could see it going down like this:

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The media is a poison. It has been for along time. Over the last few years, news stations like Fox and CNN have been pushing the propaganda of their largest sponsors, while the truth has taken a back seat to perception. Now, unfortunatley, it seems they are trying to take over the world of sports too. League biases or not, the teams and players that sell the most ads and garner the largest ratings are the ones that are featured, regardless of how good they are (think Miami Heat). It's even starting to effect this site.

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Agents. Dang agents. It seems that they are trying to take over the process in which teams go through to evaluate potential draft picks in their favor. While I understand they are looking out for the best interests of their clients, I'm not sure it's in the best interest of the game itself.

I think it seems like a terrible idea to refuse to work out for certain teams, in certain situations, or against certain peers. It seems like everybody is hiding something and no one is willing to just go out there and show everybody what's up or let their game do the talking. Now, I realize if it was up to a lot of these players they would do this, that the fact they aren't doing it is more because of the advice they are getting from their agents.

I think the most overlooked aspect of all of this is who suffers the most? It's not the agents. You could make a case for the players. You could even make a case for the team owners, who are making big-time decisions about the direction of their teams and their finances whithout getting all of the information they should. The people who really suffer the most are the fans. We are the ones who are actually paying for everything. We are also the ones who live and die by the decisions our teams make. I would sure like to think the league is making sure my team is able to do their jobs correctly if they expect me to shell out a few thousand dollars every year for season tickets.

It seems like getting into the NBA should be an honor, and going through the workouts and interviews by the NBA teams (all of them) should be part of that honor. The whole things smacks of disrespect. So in response to this I have come up with an idea that I know would sure make me happy (assuming it would be televised) while also giving teams the information they need to make the best possible decisions, thusly providing us with the best possible product. Pre-draft Summer League.

Here is how it would work:

It is mandatory to attend to be considered for the draft. I don't care what your national team is doing on the summer you are trying to gain access to the best basketball league in the world.

It would take place throughout the month of July, so the draft would have to be moved back to August.

All of the players who want to be in the draft would show up at the same time, probably in Las Vegas (it could coincide with all of the other events going on there). Representatives of each team (scouts, coaches, whomever) would also be present.

Each day there would be four games. That's right, actual scrimmages. Five on five. Each NBA team would take turns (two at a time) selecting five players to play against each other just like on the playground. For example, the Bulls scouts and the Clippers scouts would flip a coin. Chicago wins so they pick first. Then the Clippers pick. And again until they each have a team of five players. It would be mandatory that each player gets an opportunity to be picked, the games could even be made specific to first round hopefuls vs. first round hopefuls and second round hopefuls vs. second round hopefuls. This way, a guy could actually play his way into his draft position.

Imagine how this system would've changed the faces of so many drafts. Players like Rudy Fernandez and Tony Parker would've been top five picks easy, while guys like Darco Milicic and Kwame Brown would have gone 36th and 55th, respectively. I'm sure there are a whole lot of logistical issues I haven't thought of, but that's what you guys are for. I think it would be sweet to watch to squads of ten top prospects go out there and literally earn their draft spot.

Hey guys, welcome to the offseason. While I am thoroughly enjoying watching K*be and LeBron get beat on national TV despite the best efforts of the officiating crew i am finding it increasingly difficult to find any new or exciting news on my Trailblazers. Thank goodness there is a site like Blazers Edge here at SBN. A place where enthusiasts from around the globe can gather and discuss all things Blazers. Last night's game, this players recent stats, that trade idea I just came up with. Sometimes, people get sick of hearing other people's ideas and try to act like the website belongs to them by telling people what to do. Often their comments are more annoying to read than the post itself and causes even more mind-numbing, sensless what-not. Well, now those people have their own drawer. Somewhere they can go to let their feelings be known, each and every single time someone, anyone, posts a trade idea. Doesn't that feel good? I love you guys.

So let's hear it. Out with your gripes. What about this site most gets up your craw?

That's right, it's back. The BEdge Challenge. Pondered by some, hated by others. To clarify, this is a post that is meant to challenge all of you future NBA execs out there to come up with a tested, realistic plan to acquire the player mentioned. There are many different websites that can assist you doing this.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine, http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Salary_Cap

Now, Ramon will be a free agent at the end of this season. That doesn't necessarily mean we can just sign him. There is chatter that he expects too much in return for his services. There are multiple sign-and-trade options we could consider. And then, of course, we will have to discuss whether or not your ideas are worthwhile and/or are moving us in the direction of our ultimate goal (and Brandon's burn) winning a championship starting next year.

Personally I am not sold on Ramon. Actually, the only two point guards I am sold on are named Chris Paul and Deron Williams. I believe the point guard position is the hardest to plan out, and that the answers will most often come from the last place you'd expect. Look at guys like Tony Parker, Rajon Rondo, even John Stockton and Terry Porter. All late draft picks that weren't expected to hold a roster spot much less become leaders of legitimate championship contenders. And then there are guys like Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury, and Sebastian Telfair. These guys were considered to be sure things and not one of them came anywhere close to living up to their potential. That being said, maybe Ramon is one of those "outta nowhere" types who will lead us to the promised land without costing us too much. For those of you who want to participate, I look forward to seeing what you can come up with and discussing your ideas. Good luck!

Does this team have room for another Brandon? Or this one in particular? You heard Roy call for a banger. This guy is definitely that. Would he be a better fit than Channing? Would he be happy with the minutes we'd have for him? Could we get him for a reasonable price via trade or free agency? All I ask is you try to contribute before you bash. Thanks for playing.

So far we've done Monta Ellis, Kirk Hinrich, LeBron James (thanks again tikiliki), Chris Andersen and Jason Terry (thanks jlarose78). Nice to see people getting into this. Try to keep it positive towards your fellow posters. Hate the game, if you must.

You commented on Monta (barely), came up with some pretty good ideas regarding Kirk, a few of you got down right nasty with the LeBron James post (thanks for playing tikiliki) and now MiledAnimal has basically come up with his own version regarding CP3.

Remember, Bedge-holes, this is meant to be a game of sorts. Who can come up with a strategy to bring this player in? My original intent was to make these posts regarding names that keep getting brought up for next year as possible acquisitions (even though, admittedly, I threw out a curve ball with Monta Ellis). Is it fluff? Maybe. Do you have to participate? No. Just thought it would be a good way to pass the time before the draft and July 1st trade moratorium is lifted and let some of the CBA junkies in here strut their stuff.

So this time I'm going with the Birdman. What would it take? I look forward to hearing your ideas and a little healthy discussion.

For those of you who read the first challenge re: Monta Ellis, here we go again.

Remeber, the goal here is to provide a viable strategy for bringing this player to Portland: A trade that would actually work under current cap requirements, or a FA offer that we can afford. 

Once this is done, let the discussion as to whether or not the teams involved would go for it, or if you like/dislike the idea of the particular player being brought in, begin. No prizes here, just bragging rights and knowing you can back up your talk.

Here is a link to the first BEdge Challenge for clarification: http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/13/874945/bedge-challenge

It seems like there are some posters in here who are very well versed at the NBA salary cap and collective bargaining agreement. And I can tell by some of the posts lately that you're all bored as heck. That being said I thought we could start a new series of posts that challenge the up-and-coming NBA execs in here to pull off certain trades and/or FA aquisitions - if you're into it.

Here's how it would work. Pick a player you think the Blazers should add for their push for a championship, or any player really. Even if you don't think they'd be a good addition -- what would have to happen (according to the rules) to get that player in a Blazer uniform? Then, in the comments section, all of you BEdgesters can try to come up with the solution. Then the discussion would be at hand. Would it be a good move? Would it work under the current CBA and cap rules? We keep this up long enough, and it'll be November in no time!

I'd like to go ahead and call out the first name: Monta Ellis.

What would have to happen for him to be a Blazer? I'll look forward to reading what you come up with.

I've been reading posts here for awhile and I mostly like this site. Seems like it's run by good guys (Dave and Ben) but it also seems like it holds it's fair share of loud-mouth know it alls. Which can be good and bad.

I've been a basketball fan, player, and coach. I love the sport and consider it a passion. No other team holds my heart quite like the Blazers do although I plan on being a member of every NBA team on SB Nation (except for that yellow team from the southland, never liked them much).

I look forward to wasting some time here during the offseason and seeing what everybody comes up with. If the mood strikes me, you'll probably see a fanpost or two from me as well.

What I won't do is tell you to follow the rules (unless you paid me too) or break those same rules myself. I may question other people's ideas but I won't tell them they're wrong -- or that I'm right. Keep in mind, everything I may type into this machine is meant to be comprehended, questioned and discussed.

It's an exciting time to be a Blazer fan (again). Ain't the first time and won't be the last though. I look forward to seeing what this team can do but also hope nobody screws it up.

That being said, hello. Glad to be here. Now, anyone know what this team should do to win a championship around here or are you all so in love with this team that you figure they already got it all?