SB Nation User Blog: JelaniGNatural

National Anthem Auditions... Open? Really??

JelaniGNatural — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:44:20 -0000

Let me just say right up front, two things:

1.) In the grand scheme of things, what I'm about to post isn't really that important. I know this. Of course, in the GRAND scheme of life and happiness and eternal significance, I'm not sure that NBA basketball is really all that significant, so I guess either way it's a wash. But spare me the "why waste time talking about this" response. If this is a place where devoted fans can break down the cases for and against Steven Hill's beard, I can discuss this.

2.) If enough people can say honestly and clearly that I'm wrong and point to several examples of publicity -- particularly internet publicity -- that they noticed prior to September 15th, then I will eat my humble pie, get off my soapbox, go home and vow to be relentless next September.

Now... having said that... what the heck happened???

Among many talents, I am a singer. I've been singing for most of my thirty-plus years on this earth. I've sung jazz, gospel, and even some opera in college.

I got the privilege to be able to sing the national anthem at the Rose Garden twice... once last season and once the season prior, both during games against the Chicago Bulls. (Even though I'm from Portland, I have tons of friends in Chicago since I lived there for eight years.)

I was hoping to do a third year straight, and I had been searching blogs and doing Google searches and I even called the switchboard asking to find out when the auditions were... and I heard nothing. Nobody could tell me anything. Yet now suddenly the auditions have already taken place.

What's up with that?

The reason why I heard about it in years past was because it was posted on blogs like this one, like the OLive Blog (when Eric Marientette was running it, even before Casey Holdahl) and on Blazers.com. I was planning to make another round of calls this week when I saw the story last night about the auditions.

Did anyone hear about this beforehand? I mean obviously the word got out somehow because people were there, but... was it on the news or something? Was it on the BFT or the MSP on 95.5? Was it on 1080 The Fan? Was there some secret text message society I was supposed to be a part of?

I'm just a little annoyed that I missed out on the opportunity. I had Todd Bosma's email address, but not wanting to look like some desperate fanboy, I refrained from emailing him in the beginning of September. Now I wish I had.

Instead I just sent Todd an email apologizing for missing the audition and asking for consideration since he's seen me before. So far he has yet to respond, and I don't really expect him to.

I'm wondering if they intentionally dialed down the publicity because they didn't want so many auditions?

If so, that kinda sucks. I mean I'm glad others have gotten a chance, but hey... I would have rather auditioned again and done badly then not gotten a chance to audition.

As it was, I was out of town on business Monday, but if I had known ahead of time maybe I could have worked something out with someone in the production staff.

Or maybe not. I don't know, maybe I should just be grateful that I got to do it twice and leave it at that.

But still... I know I can sing. I can sing well. I dig the national anthem, I love being an American, and I love the Trail Blazers. And I'm broke, so getting in doing the anthem is the only way I can ensure seeing at least one game in person without being in the extreme upper deck.

Here's the video, if you don't believe me...

(turn up your volume, the audio feed is only from the mic itself, there is no arena audio.)

Calling My Shot Now: A Blazer Trade That Works

JelaniGNatural — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:56:38 -0000

I don't normally do this, but I've been watching some of the comments on the OLive Blazers Blog and this blog, and I have yet to see anyone propose this trade.

Unlike most of the trade ideas out there, this trade is not a big splash... because I don't think the Blazers need a big splash.

Wishing we're going to lucky with ping-pong balls two years in a row is just that -- wishful thinking. Plus, our potential championship window is somewhere in the next 4-7 years, IMO, so we don't need to spend more time developing another young player. So that rules out Rose/Beasley/Mayo. I never liked Mayo anyway, and now I especially don't after these USC eligibility stories have hit the light of day. (Not that they should come as a surprise to anyone after the flap with Reggie Bush.) Not that Mayo or Beasley or Rose aren't talented, but I don't see them meeting our needs or fitting our ... wait for it.... culture.

So you know that whoever KP goes after is going to be a Culture Guy, someone who "gets it" (I love when people say that... gets what exactly?) and who can be a stabilizing influence on our young core. Someone who doesn't need the ball at all times, but can still dictate the flow of the game on offense and defense. They need to be able to penetrate and kick, and play competent defense. But they also need to have that competitive fire, that hunger to win.

And while you don't want a washed-up veteran desperate for one last hurrah, it wouldn't hurt to have one that is in the latter stages of his career, who still has 3 years or so of high level of play left in order to compete for a championship, but who won't have to play max minutes in order for your team to have a chance to win, a la Allen Iverson. Someone who would be a good mentor to our other promising young PG, Sergio Rodriguez, and who could then theoretically scale back his minutes if/when Sergio becomes the starter. Someone good enough to step in and start right away, and mature enough to relinquish that role if it becomes in the team's best interests. Someone whose game speaks louder than his mouth or his posse.

Someone like Andre Miller.

Think about it... when was the last time you heard about an incident (on or off the court) with Andre Miller?

Now think about this year's Philadelphia team, that took the mighty Detroit Pistons to six games on nothing but grit and hustle. Everyone involved in that team will tell you it couldn't have happened without Andre Miller.

Knowing that you always have to give up something of value to get something of value, this trade will hurt in the offseason, but 10-15 games in, we'll feel a big enough difference.

Here's my proposed trade (Trade Machine certified):

Portland gives up:

Jarrett Jack,

Steve Blake,

the rights to Petteri Koponen,

a combination of cash/picks

(this is the part that really hurts for me)

and Channing Frye.

Portland receives: Andre Miller.

Sacramento gives up:

Shareef Abdur Rahim,

Sacramento receives:
Jarrett Jack
Channing Frye

Philadelpia gives up:

Andre Miller

Philadelphia receives:
Steve Blake
Petteri Koponen
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
cash/picks

Lets start with the obvious...

Why does Portland do this trade?

First, they get the competent, veteran point guard that they need. He's not a big name, but he plays with big game, and he's had a fair number of pressure moments in his career. And they get him for two years, which should give both sides enough time to feel things out for the future. If Sergio is ready to start, or if the team wants to hand the starting PG role to B-Roy, then Miller can come off the bench. I don't see this becoming a problem for him, because he's been in so many bad situations, he'll be hungry to play for a winner. Andre Miller also represents the best characteristics of both Jack and Blake without as many of their negatives: Steady and quiet like Blake, but more willing to assert himself in the offense when needed like Jack (without the deadly turnovers and dives of confidence). The part that would hurt would be giving up the backup production/insurance of Channing Frye, but I think you won't need to rely on his and/or Aldridge's scoring production quite as much once you factor in the scoring of Rudy Fernandez and whatever garbage points you get from G. Oden (which will be more than you think).

Why does Sacramento do this trade?

In Channing Frye, they get a combo low-block scorer and jump-shooter, and a calming locker room influence, either to help temper Ron Artest, or if he bolts as a FA, as an insurance piece to build around along with Kevin Martin. True they would have a glut of combo guards and swingmen by adding Jack to the mix, but John Salmons isn't going to be with them forever and Anthony Carter clearly isn't the answer. This way they get a promising young PG in Jack. And they get to dump salary by letting Abdur-Rahim go. Plus young flexible guards and passing forwards (like Frye and G/Fs Martin and Artest) are integral to the type of creative offense that Theus is probably trying to implement. And with a young coach trying to establish credibility, a little competition at the G and F spots oughta get the best out of his roster, rather than just a few guys in set roles.

now the harder one...

Why does Philadelphia do this trade?

Because as good as Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert and Andre Iguodala are, you're not going to be contending with them anytime soon. Miller is, at best, a stopgap solution, and even though he played valiantly against Detroit, Philly fans will turn on him in a minute if they don't continue to make progress. I could definitely see Miller instructing his agent to get him a contender, and Portland would definitely fit the bill. Plus, whether the Sixers even want to keep their core together might be a moot question if they can't resign Iguodala, their top FA right now. If Iguodala bolts, they'll be forced the blow the thing up anyway. Doing this trade ensures that they don't let BOTH Andres walk for nothing. And in return they get two younger, cheaper PGs in Blake and Koponen (one veteran, one project), and a low-block scorer in Abdur-Rahim.

So this is the trade that I think Kevin Pritchard will make. Or at least will attempt to make, contigent upon whether or not Philadelphia is willing to part with Andre Miller.

Am I the next Nostradamus? Or Nostradummy?

your thoughts...