SBNation.com User Blog: Jomo D. M. Greenidge

TrueHoop TV: Trade deadline ideas

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:38:49 -0000

TrueHoop TV: Trade deadline ideas

Henry Abbott says here's an idea from left field: Sell high on LaMarcus Aldridge and start the rebuild process now.

I have mixed feelings because how much I love & respect LA's game...but one of the knocks often thrown by his haters is his lack of leadership...and I'm beginning to wonder if they are right. If anyone is able to sway the team into a potential mutiny on his watch, on his team...what does that say?

2011-2012 NBA Schedules (csv or iCal)

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:33:04 -0000

2011-2012 NBA Schedules (csv or iCal)

Download 2011-2012 NBA Schedules into Outlook, iCal, or Google Calendar. Right click on csv or iCal icon, Save to computer, Import into calendar.

Note: Didn't check them for accuracy.

Make our (their) voice heard.

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:01:08 -0000

We all know that the lockout is affecting workers...bars...the everyman. Much has been said on the topic about how this goes beyond just fans wanting to see the games. I really want to highlight our youth. We were all there once. And as a fan...a young fan...almost nothing beats interacting with the players on your team, taking pride in your city/town, and most importantly rooting your team on to a win! That would be enough...but trust me...it goes way deeper than that.

Dave asked us to contribute to his collective post...I just wanted to remind them (us) that few things matter more than making a difference in the life of a child. The NBA has a tremendous history of doing so. Why stop that...even temporarily...over money?

Take this story as evidence: Previously, I was the director of an after school program focused on technology. We were three blocks from a high school with a dismal academic record. Our most successful approach in building relationships and getting kids to commit to the discipline of learning new things was centered around video games...primarily NBA Live (and yes...I know 2K is better...now).

Often on friday nights we would have a mock draft. Tons of kids would come, looking for the opportunity to draft their favorite players...and build a dynasty. Kids came to the table with varied knowledge about the game...but the one thing they all had was passion. You couldn't tell these kids nothing. Their arguments were priceless (All true stories):

They call Kobe Bryant Black Mamba because black mamba is a killer snake that when it bites you your ankles break.

Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time...not because he was cold on the court...but because he had the best shoes.

Allen Iverson wasn't going to be any good this year because my cousin who lives in Philly said he heard that AI cut his braids...and my momma said his hair was the source of his powers.

We would do these draft nights, play games, celebrate successes...and talk trash about our opponents defeat. We (myself included) had a ball. Then conversations would turn towards the mathematics behind the rating system...and which role players would best compliment which stars. We showed the kids how to build a website for their fantasy team...and why some images look horrible if you copy them off the web. We designed new names and new logos for our favorite teams...and laughed when one participant suggested the new name for the Lakers should be the Los Angeles Pretty Boys. (When I asked him why...he said they are always strutting in front of the camera at the movie release parties.)

One young man learned he really loved to draw. Another discovered a passion for music. Another found out he really didn't suck at math as he thought he did. All these interactions are priceless...but they often began with the question to a young person..."Who's your favorite NBA player?"

I built a very successful afterschool program built around passion for the NBA. Of our core group of kids, they are all in college today. Can we take all the credit...no. But we helped...and that's the point. Our budget didn't allow for video games...snacks...trips to the Blazers game. These kinds of things myself and other staff members would pay for out of our own pocket...WHY? Because while making money is necessary in this world...some times sacrificing is important too.

I would ask the owners & the players to think about making sacrifices so that our youth can experience the greatest sports league in the world (as far as I'm concerned). They might not consider it a great loss to sacrifice a season because, for most of them, they may never see the impact the NBA has down in the trenches across this country.

But I do.

Need more evidence:

A Cool Moment by Ben Golliver

Stories from Blazersedge Night by Dave

Blazers have one of the top 10 five-man units in the NBA

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:31:19 -0000

Blazers have one of the top 10 five-man units in the NBA

Blazers have one of the top 10 five-man units in the NBA (minimum of 200 minutes played; 68 lineups total). Other teams represented in the top 10: Dallas, Boston, Indiana, Lakers, Spurs, Miami

Sports fans aren't the best spellers...much less linguists. Here is the proof.

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 06:44:35 -0000

Sports fans aren't the best spellers...much less linguists. Here is the proof.

JRW & Dave's Fraternizing with the Enemy posts were a great read. After reading them I spent some time over at Pounding the Rock and found that they have their own lexicon.

Classic.

Made me wonder if Bedge has its own lexicon posted somewhere...and who would belong in the offical Blazersedge Lexicon Hall of Fame.

Nominations below:

The most telling stats from last nights win over Miami...

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:10:59 -0000

...other than the "W" itself, is in minutes played per player (Trail Blazers vs Heat boxscore).When I noticed this, it really got me excited about our future:

Other than LaMonster, Gerald Wallace had the most minutes played. That speaks a lot to me about how Nate McMillan trusts Gerald's game, and how Nate will use him in a playoff context. I would love to see Gerald starting sooner rather than later, his play warrants it. I see a lot how people are chomping at the bit for Nate to start Gerald...and I agree.

Having said that, Gerald's play shouldn't be the only consideration. I think the coaches job is part general, part psychologist, and part mentor. Knowing the right moment to start Gerald requires looking at it from a number of angles...but all for the same goal: Keeping EVERYONE playing as well as possible going into the playoffs.

Let's ease up on Nate. I think old Nate would have had a harder time integrating Wallace. It seems to me that Nate is continuing to grow as a coach, and I for one am glad.

Congrats Nate...It's good to know you'll be around for a while.

Bill Simmons got this part right...for once.

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:40:12 -0000

Bill Simmons got this part right...for once.

Used to be a big fan of Bill Simmons...but lately he tends to rub me the wrong way. But he's right here about the NFL ownership. Dunno how much of a risk he's taking with this piece...but someone needed to say this.

What's the best current frontcourt configuration for the new post-trade-deadline Blazers?

Jomo D. M. Greenidge — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:35:08 -0000

First-time posting a FanPost...long time reader...big Blazer fan. So I'm following the the trades and find out the news and I'm getting excited watching Gerald Wallace finish plays on Youtube. I should be working...but no...youtube is taking over my life since the trade. But then my wife asks me what's the big deal...so I try to explain.

So I'm telling her about Gerald Wallace's current stats, and then she hits me with this question..."So...will he play the 4 or the 5" Well I immediately respond. "The four...he's too small to play the five. He can sometimes spell Nic Batum at the three if needed I guess....."

And that's when it hits me.

LaMarcus Aldridge has been playing more like a center than ever before...would they play the two of them together? I don't see him wanting to come off the bench, (given the amount of minutes he's used to playing) so how would a front court of Aldridge/Wallace/Batum do, and would they fare better than Canby/Aldridge/Batum? Only the best Blazer resource known to man can answer this question.

Take the poll and post your thoughts below...and remember it's current Blazer lineup...

GO BLAZERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poll

What's the best current frontcourt configuration for the new post-trade-deadline Blazers?

Canby/Aldridge/Batum

39 votes

Aldridge/Wallace/Batum

76 votes

Something else...

72 votes

187 votes | Poll has closed