SB Nation User Blog: Krang

Odd but this is why...

Krang — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:02:42 -0000

Odd but this is why...

What I like about sports, is that every season unfolds in it's own unpredictable way. Some of it good, some of it bad. But it's always unpredictable... Odd but this is exactly why I don't pay too much attention to pre-season. So much expectation and strategy get's floated before the season unfolds and ALWAYS you never know what is going to happen. The only sure thing is that things are probably going to happen inwhich you would never think to prepare.

A Bitter, Bitter Pill

Krang — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:03:01 -0000

I never wanted to write this fanpost. I never wanted to have to say the things I'm about to say. But Blazer fans have a bitter pill to swallow, and like any medicine the quicker we swallow it, the better. This is about Greg Oden.

When Greg underwent his microfracture surgery many of the ghosts and shadows of troubled Blazer big men of the past were revived. But I personally was able to banish these ghosts in the light of Gregs youth and with the hope of modern surgical procedure and optimism as a Blazer fan. But that was yesterday...

Today what makes this so much more difficult is how well Oden was doing. Oden was emerging. His confidence, his personality, his physical skills and gifts seemed to grow on almost a nightly basis. But that all was lost in a single moment with Greg Oden crumpled on The Rose Garden floor.

As a Blazer fan, I just want to offer unconditional support. I just want like Kevin Pritchard to say it's a setback but Oden will be back. And I think it's appropriate and fine to hold that hope...the hope that Greg Oden can return and play again at the level he was showing us he was capable

But also as a Blazer fan, with a some age and a memory, I'm afraid we have some bitter pills to swallow. Because I can remember Sam Bowie, and seeing Oden being carried off the court on a stretcher brought back so many memories. Newer Blazer fans might not want to hear it, but there are so many similarities. Bowie like Oden, was a controversial high pick in a talented draft. Not the #1,#1 but taken #2 and surrounded by other talent and unfortunately legend in Michael Jordan. Bowie like Oden also emerged, and many people have forgotten but before Bowie was ultimately betrayed by his own physical frailities Bowie was a very, very good player. But I remember the reality of what seemed a never ending cycle of injury and rehab.

In anycase, the bitter pill I think we need to swallow is coming to the realization that Greg Oden simply should not be factored into any serious ideas about this teams evolution into an upper echelon championship contender. That sounds mean, that sounds cold and like I said before the jump, I never wanted to write it. But I believe especially in the case of big men, that sometimes you just have an individual who's body simply cannot withstand the rigors of N.B.A. basketball. Who knows? I'm not a medical professional. But I've seen a lot of basketball players come and go, and I have seen some that for whatever reason seem to have brittle bones, weak tendons, or simply the genetic predisposition to injury when stressed at an N.B.A. level of physical exertion. I'm now very, very afraid Greg Oden falls into that category.

So another bitter pill is this team cannot wait for Greg Oden. It has to move on. Not only this season, but the next and the next. Trust me, when I say I hope I am wrong. I'd like nothing more than to be wrong. I'd like Greg Oden to once again return and play an Iron Man like career and become everything we hoped and dreamed he would be when we drafted him. But I'm afraid it isn't going to happen. Can he, will he return from this injury? Probably yes. With another lost season and time he will return. But once returned how long before the next injury?

The bitter pill is Greg Oden is injury prone. Which means to me that The Blazers can't think of Greg Oden as the 3rd prong of a 3 prong attack. Our nuculeus is not going to be Brandon, LMA and Oden because Oden will never be healthy long enough for it to be viable. We support Gregs rehab, we await his return again and if he can prove me wrong F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C....honestly. But the franchise needs to change gears. With Brandon, LMA and Oden you could look at everything and everyone else as mostly the "icing" to KP' cake. With Oden out of the picture, or what Oden means to the franchise severely adjusted, then KP and management need to go back and be more agressive. I don't think Brandon and LMA alone are enough to be the core of a championship level team. There are no easy answers here but the worst thing we could do at this point is count on Greg Oden.

Oh, please, please believe me when I say it pains me to type those words. But I have lived through similar before. There was a point when I realized that as much as I wanted it, as much as Bowie wanted it, as much as The Blazers wanted it, Bowie was never going to be able to consistently compete on a Jabbar, Hakeem and Ewing level. His legs just would not let him. I am so afraid that is the case with Oden. He's IS a great talent, he showed it this season. But unfortunately his body also showed it's weakness.

I would keep this opinion to myself, but having lived through the Bowie era, I also think that the quickest road to franchise recovery is to embrace the reality as realistically as possible. We still have fantastic talent in Brandon and LMA, and good depth and talent. But if Championships were our goal? Even at their very, very best are Brandon and LMA enough? What seemed as sure as an emphatic rim rocking dunk is now a crumpled question mark on the Rose Garden floor. That's a bitter bitter pill to swallow.

The Downside of reaching your Upside?

Krang — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:59:24 -0000

Is it too early for me to start obssesing about "problems" that might develop from The Blazers success? Is this just an interaction between Prilosec and daytime cold medicine? Yes probably but humor me a little if you would...

Batum, Webster, Outlaw, Fernandez-Miller, Blake, Bayless and Patty Mills...not to mention Pendergraph and Cuningham. On another continent, Claver, Freeland and Kopponen. It has been discussed and debated the concept that The Blazers need to make the fabled Consolidating Trade.

That's such a difficult thing. Do you give away multiple starting quality players for singular bench/role players? Do you trade great talent for equal great talent thus not solving the roster depth problem you assumingly are trying to address? Then it becomes an exercise in simply changing the names and the people in the uniforms.

Once upon a time this franchise was burned by trading a young Jermaine O'Neal away right before he blossomed into an All-Star. Since then, we've held onto young potential like everyone putting on a Blazers jersey was automatically headed towards greatness. For example, I think the best time to of traded Sergio Rodriguez would of been after his rookie year. Rumor had it many, many teams were highly interested. We kept him and all it caused was chemistry problems and a slow decline of Sergios value. But that's fine. That's okay. It happens. When you are dealing with young players and potential you have the Jermaine O' Neals, and the Sergio Rodriguez's and everything inbetween, and I don't think The Blazers have been any better or worse in handling these decisions than most teams. Create any revisionist history you would like where The Blazers keep a Jermaine O' Neal and he blossoms here in Portland, but who can really say our present would be any better or worse, or even the time period inwhich it happened would of been much better or worse? Go back through the mists of time and imagine a Blazer team that keeps a Walton and a Moses Malone? Waltons foot goes south? Hmm Lucas and Moses sounds like a viably championship core to me.

But sorry, I've gotten off track. My point being to those thinking we NEED a consolidating trade I ask you what if we are succesful from now through most of this season? Are we going to be petrified with the idea that we might make a move and destroy the chemistry? Is it going to be the conservative, if it isn't broke don't fix it approach? I'm really afraid that might be the case. If McMillan and Brandon can get this team to buy into the concept of T.E.A.M. , together everyone achieves more....then if we are succesful, it's going to be hard for KP to pull the trigger on any consolidating trade, or any trade.

So you are stuck. What are you in it for? Success is success. Could the real problem become the team buying into the team concept better than some of the fans buy into the team concept? Could we become so nervous or conservative about our team that we never ice the cake?

The Blazers seem to have excellent scouting and talent evaluators. But conversely I think The Blazers also have great confidence in the players we obtain, and that's good and bad. The Blazers sign players based on unseen or unreached potential, in the case of Batum, great. In the cases of Pendergraph and Patty Mills? Who knows? But it becomes difficult for a franchise to make a trade when every asset it obtains get's filed under "Potential Future All-Star or at least Starter". Maybe it's not suprising that fans do this, but what is a little suprising is it seems the franchise itself does this as well.

I'm forgiving, I'd rather error on the conservative side, but IMO we held onto Sergio for about a season too long. I have grown to hate the analogy, but it works so often. KP has shown that he was bold and skilled and maybe a little lucky in putting together the ingredients for The Blazer Cake. As this team evolves and progresses, the icing becomes more and more important. Do we need a certain cutthroat boldness eventually? Is KP willing to trade good maybe even potentially great players at some point? Or are we too afraid of losing a Fernandez and seeing him on another teams highlight reels? Or trading a Webster and seeing him blossom as a starter for someone else? Or a Batum becoming a future All-Star but not for The Blazers.

Or are those that demand a consolidating trade just totally wrong? Can we keep all the talent we have, and can we take that talent to the Championship level? Can The Blazers talent continue to be like a "Whack a Mole" game? Where you never know who's going to pop up on any given night and give The Blazers a lift to a win?

I kind of think eventually things settle down. I think eventually The Blazers need to make some decisions about our depth. PLEASE NOTE: I'm not even saying this needs to happen this season. But someday I fully expect to hear about the departure of a Blazer I like, a Blazer I think might have a great career but now for another team. That could be the downside of reaching your upside.

Inglorius Repost

Krang — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:04:20 -0000

I hate to do it, this is a repost from a reply I made to Bens Media Day commentary but I had to repost it as I think The Colonel might of been on to something....

Col. Hans Landa: ….and so Mr. Batum, you will not be offended if we switch our conversation from French to English?

Nic Batum: No, that would be fine.

Col. Hans Landa: Good, we all want to be comfortable. So just for my personal records, could you tell me how your shoulder feels? Plus explain to me again how you got this injury? You were flown from Europe to the USA for a MRI were you not?

Nic Batum: (small sweat beads forming on forehead) Uh….do you mind if I smoke?

Col. Hans Landa: No, not at all, this is of course your own practice facility, please make yourself comfortable.

Nic Batum: My shoulder was bothering me last season, it’s feeling much better now.

Col Hans Landa: ( Takes out own pen and paper, hit’s play on small voice recorder)

Nic Batum: (Larger beads of sweat now clearly visible) I can’t really remember any one event that lead to this injury, it was a….long season last year…..(coughs)

Col Hans Landa: Certainly…of course. I was just wondering how much of a factor it was last season? I mean we didn’t hear much about it until your play for your national team. A young man in the midst of his rookie year in the N.B.A. can’t be expected to remember everything….it must of been an exciting time for you? Could I trouble you for a glass of milk?

Nic Batum: (Now clearly rattled) Uh, what milk? Screaming across facility "Hey Bayno! Col Hans Landa would like a glass of milk! ….uh, (coughs again) Yes, The Blazers flew me into Portland and I had an MRI, I was cleared… I was cleared to return and play for my national team…..

Col Hans Landa: (Closes Notebook, Turns Off Recorder, Speaks in French) So Mr, Batum, I have come to enjoy a level of success in my job by learning to think like a player. While my colleagues are stuck thinking like Journalists and Reporters, I have separated myself from them by knowing how a player thinks. That is why I am known as "The Quote Hunter". So I must ask you to reply in calmly and in french? Alright?

Nic Batum: (Tears running down face)

Col Hans Landa: Andre Miller? You know of him? Yes, certainly you do. The Blazers summer free agent aquirement? Well what you did not know, was that I advised Hedo Turkoglu in his dealing with The Blazers….ah Mr. Bayno with the milk…I am looking forward to talking with Oden later….he has so many nice things to say about you Mr. Bayno….(sips milk)

Nic Batum: ( Seem to be internally looking for inner strength while fighting back silent tears ).

Col Hans Landa: (In French) So Mr. Andre Miller? Conspicious in his absence at todays "Media Day"?

Nic Batum: I haven’t seen him….(gulps visibly)

Col Hans Landa: You see, many of my colleagues would be happy to move on. To go speak with Juwan Howard, or Joel Przybilla….but I WANT Andre Miller. And so, unless you want me to write an article saying that your shoulder injury is chronic and has been a hidden issue I would suggest you answer my following questions as earnestly as possible Mr. Batum. Do we have an understanding?

Nic Batum: (Mimics Bobblehead…Nods Silently)

Col Hans Landa: So….Andre Miller is hiding underneath the floorboards of this basketball court is he not?

Nic Batum: (Blood trickles from corner of mouth as he subconciously bites tongue, while tears gush from face) Nods.

Col Hans Landa: Good, now if you would be kind enough to point out roughly where he is located underneath the floorboards, I think we can end our interview and I can go ask him how he feels about the prospect of being Steve Blakes back-up.

Nic Batum: (Points to spot on the court where Blaze has been sitting over a concealed trap door)

Col Hans Landa: (Close notebook, clicks pen, drops voice recorder into jacket pocket) Switching to English-Thank You Mr. Batum…you have made this an interesting Media Day. I’m sure that shoulder is nothing. Like I told Jerryd Bayless earlier….there are things you must take very, very seriously and things you must let slide…and often the secret to sucess is knowing the difference. Have you ever been to Toronto Mr. Batum? Very cosmopolitan city…great pizza I hear…..

Nic Batum: (Totally crumpled in seat, sobbing silently)

Agent 00-Trouble?

Krang — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:08:07 -0000

Ara Vartanian Millsaps' agent. Working for his clients best interest, or hinting at trouble. I leave it to you.

I read these quotes a few days apart, and in combination they are bothering me. Here they are. The first from Jason Quicks article "Millsap is "missing piece" for Trail Blazers:

"Vartanian insists that Millsap will be whatever Blazers coach Nate McMillan wants him to be. He said Millsap and McMillan have already engaged in lengthy conversations about his role. The two have exchanged cell phone numbers and will become more closely acquainted next week when Millsap takes part in Team USA practices in Las Vegas.

"They discussed at length at how to use Paul,'' Vartanian said. "I think they already have a good relationship.''

Millsap plays the same position as a rising star on the Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, and has assured the team that he is on board with coming off the bench. Last season, he averaged 30.1 minutes a game- July-11th"

So on July 11th according to Vartanian Millsap will be whatever Blazers coach Nate McMillan wants him to be, and he is on board with coming off the bench.

Sounds Great huh? Team Guy, do whatever it takes. Willing to be a bench player...Hakuna Matata!

But wait....2 days later in Oregon Lives Millsap Roundup:

But Millsap's agent, Ara Vartanian, says Millsap will be much more than a backup if ends up in Portland:

"From what they tell us, Paul is potentially a starter on this team," Vartanian said. "They're looking to go small-ball, because they have such a young, athletic team."

July 13th

Uh oh! What happened to he's on board with being a back up? And The Blazers are looking to go small ball? Huh? Tell that to LMA and Oden. Seems to me if major "small ball" was the Blazers plan we wouldn't of pursued Hedo Turkoglu, part of his appeal was his size, we would of had a very lengthy frontline.

I know it's early, I know by tomorrow this post might be a moot point. But anyone nervous about the duality of this message and the change in just two days? Plus should this agent be talking for anyone within The Blazers organization? I don't think so. Vaguely proclaiming that Millsap might be a starter. Sorry agent man, but let's leave that to McMillan. Don't go throwing statements like that out. A statement like that could upset a Aldridge or an Outlaw, especially Aldridge who I'm sure has 100% lock on starting PF.

Alright I'll relax. We may never get to the point where Millsap and all this even matters. But I just thought the change and the quotes by Millsaps agent very interesting and something that has mostly gone unnoticed.

Death of a Pritch Man?

Krang — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:17:50 -0000

These have become unsettling times for Blazer fans. Unfortunately it seems we have a plurality of messages surrounding The Blazers. Right now at the eye of this summer storm we have Kevin Pritchard.

My last fanpost was entitled "Dazed and Confused" and I'll admit that perhaps this is just more of an extension of the same feeling. It seems so extreme and unpredictable what is happening around the franchise recently. For the first time in a long time, I have to say I have no idea what is really going on within the franchise. Most disturbing is the disconnect or conflicting messages that seem to be surfacing between Pritchard and individual players.

We, The fans, were told of Jerryd Bayless working out with Oden. Now Bayless denies it. We are told by Pritchard to relax about negotiations with Brandon and LMA that they are preceding amicably, and that their retention is a priority. We then hear quotes from Brandon himself that sound far less confident about a deal being done and far more negative about the handling. I'll admit that in the case of contract negotiations it might be a case of posturing on both sides, but it still is disturbing to basicly be told like a crowd around some yellow tape, move along, no problem here, nothing to see...by Pritchard, only to hear from Brandon that there might indeed be a problem and things aren't progressing as smoothly or adeptly as we are being told by Pritchard. Also, Kevin Pritchard when asked about the developments or lack of developments of this summer and the recent Turkoglu situation and seeming failure to obtain any free agent, Kevin professes that he's "enjoyed" this summer? Professes that we are not in a panic, that a plan is still in place. Then we see articles that define say other GM's and Executives as thinking Pritchard was aggitated and paniced in the wake of Turkoglu's betrayal.

One vital thing that has been re-built the past few years and I give Kudos to Pritchard for this, is a trust between the fanbase and the franchise. However I think we are in great danger of that eroding again. You'd have to go back to the Patterson/Nash era to find a time when I thought the messages being told by The Blazers were so conflicted in light of other sources. I realize that it is Pritchards job to reflect the franchise in the best possible light, but when we are told one thing, only to hear from people or players directly involved that it isn't happening or never happened that leaves fans only to wonder what is really going on. In the case of Bayless working out with Oden, if Bayless denies it, you have to wonder why we were being told something that never happened? Plus did anyone in The Blazers organization think it wouldn't be discovered as untrue? It bothers me that Bayless say's he hasn't worked out with Oden, it bothers me just as much that The Franchise would think it wise or that we have a need to advance this message if not true. How can I now trust anything I hear about Oden and his off-season?

This summer has unexpectedly become the clear end of the golden age for Kevin Pritchard. His mortality as a GM has become evident. Normally I'd say this is okay and probably good for Fans and ultimately Pritchard himself as he was riding an unrealistic high since becoming GM. Almost like a needed market adjustment. But we have a duality of message about Pritchard himself.

We've all read and heard the articles and comments that Pritchard is perceived by many GM's around the league as arrogant and over confident. The inflated ego accusation. As a fan living in Portland, I've never really seen it. I have defended Pritchard on these points. In local interviews in my opinion Pritchard has always come off as actually striving for humility. Pritchard never fails to share credit, often praising scouting and his staff. Never have I heard Pritchard take credit for himself alone, or use the word "I" extensively in regards to perceived success. Still rumors that he is generally disliked across the league by other basketball GM's and Executives persist. I never wanted to believe this, nor have I in the past accepted it as a problem. But in light of the difficulties Kevin has seemed to suffer this summer in executing a trade or making a deal you have to at least start to wonder if to an extent it isn't backlash. You'd hope grown men weren't so petty. But these GM's do have egos and it's not beyond the realm of belief that some childish attitudes, hurt feelings and the like, aren't hampering Pritchards ability as a GM.

I would describe this summer so far as shocking. We've gone through "bad times" as Blazer fans before. But the recent turmoil is different just because I never saw it coming. I can't even get a line on what direction I think we are heading in, because I can't trust the messages being sent from anyone. Seems to me, either this evaporates as the unfortunate mechanizations of a free agency period and an over active media, or this get's worse. Inwhich case we find the era of Kevin Pritchard in great danger of ending in a Hindenburg like flame out.

Am I being alarmist? Trust me, I hope so. I hope the season starts with an ownership, management and team all basicly on the same page. I hope that what we are told by The Blazers is happening once again becomes what we see IS happening. A lesson The Blazers should of learned by now, is be upfront with the fans, don't tell us what you think we want to hear, if it isn't happening. If you've got a problem, tell us you've got a problem. If Bayless isn't working out with Oden, don't tell us he is. If you are holding on contract negotiations with Brandon and LMA, tell us you are holding off, or have hit a snag. If this summer has been a nightmare of failed negotiations and lost free agency opportunities.....go ahead...tell me it's been a difficult summer...don't tell me you think we've had a great summer because I don't see it.

Basketball is entertainement, sport and business and I sympathize with those charged with trying to balance all the aspects of those fundamentals. It isn't easy. For the fan's it can be lifeblood vital entertainment to an extreme. For coaching and players it's the competitive sport, where winning and losing are tied to everything from contract size and length to quality of life. Business? Well that would be the direct affect on Paul Allen and his wishes as to how the franchise operates. How much control is left to Basketball people and how much to Vulcan business operators. For me, I can sympathize with the complexity. It's not a one person job, it's not an easy thing to do, but for the Blazers this has been a very, very disturbing summer, not so much coming from the tangible things that have happened such as the Hedo Turkoglu situation but more from the spiraling reaction to the event.

I'm nervous. I'm calling for honesty, so I'll start. I don't like what I'm seeing and hearing out of The Blazers. I think a lot is in jeopardy. I think it's all salvageable but The Blazers need to remember what they have done wrong in the past and what they have done right recently and unfortunately I don't see that happening right now.

Dazed and Confused

Krang — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:47:33 -0000

Just got done reading Jason Quicks assesment of current events in regards to Pritchard and The Blazers this summer. As a fan, I'm shocked and becoming concerned.

If Jason Quick is at all correct in his assesment then where are we at? What has happened between the end of a promising season and a playoff run that I think left most if not all Blazer fans feeling very optimistic. How could the failure to sign Hedo result in such an apparent evaporation of good things? Suddenly Pritchard has gone from young phenom GM to incompetent, perhaps damaging? Suddenly according to Quick, it's not just about struggling to sign a free agent or make a trade but also failure to extend Roy and LMA.

I guess what I'm asking is how could this happen, if it is happening. Maybe we are just seeing the mortality, the reality of The Blazers, The Economy and a well meaning but rather young and inexperienced GM. The past few years hasn't it seemed that so much more was going right than wrong. I guess I knew Pritchard was really just another executive, human and flesh and he really wasn't "magic" but watching The Blazers draft Brandon, LMA then somehow get a #1 pick and get Fernandez in a Blazer uniform maybe I expected the magic show to continue forever.

Whether you wanted Hedo or not, be honest, when you saw him at the airport with Pritchard at his side didn't you think it was more or less a done deal? After all, the mythology advanced by Pritchard and The Blazers is that they do everything they can to obtain players they target. I'll be honest, I thought Hedo was a done deal and please don't bother to tell me how it's not a done deal until the ink is on the contract, that's not what I mean, I mean I believed in the Blazer "magic" that now seems to have evaporated.

Hedo's decision to go with Toronto was to an extent shocking. It wasn't impossible. What seems impossible is the aftermath.

In the aftermath, suddenly the team that has recently been able to do no wrong, seems they can't do anything right. We seem to desperately be making offers to players of questionable value to the team. Worse, we are risking alienating players that have been part of our resurgence with the telegraphed and desperate offers we are making. Pursuing Hedo, has got to have Outlaw, Webster and Batum wondering. Now Millsap and Bass and we risk insulting Przybilla even perhaps LMA. The Blazers desperation to throw money in large quantities at players of questionable role and value sets a precedence that can't sit well with players like Brandon and LMA and Przybilla. If I read that The Blazers were going to offer Hedo 5 years and 50 million plus, then if I'm Brandon and LMA of course I'm going to ask for max, and I'm going to expect to get it.

So maybe I've been spoiled. Even with Odens rehab the previous summer, the past few summers have been times of easy optimism with The Blazers. Plenty to look forward to and clear addition of assets. When this season and playoff run ended weren't we all looking forward to this summer? So far I feel like a kid that was promised a trip to the Fair and instead was driven to the dump. This was suppose to be the summer of "Icing" and instead the Cake seems to be falling.

I'm really begining to think the best thing The Blazers could do, would be to make sure our nuculeus is happy. Keep Brandon our cornerstone, keep LMA on the same page. The temptation as you watch teams around you shuffle players and obtain player A or trade player B is to panic. But in my opinion, just because opposing teams have acquired player or players doesn't mean they necessarily have gotten better. You still have to prove it on the court. I'm not convinced any team in the west has improved themselves any more than continued development Oden and the re-addition of a healthy Webster would improve The Blazers. I'm worried that we could make a "addition" that could really end up being a subtraction. If you HAVE believed in this team, then now is the time to continue to believe in this team. We can panic and scramble to obtain some talent that we think shores up weaknesses we think we have, but what about just letting the players and assets we have prove themselves? Can Oden take a giant step forward? Can he provide much of the toughness and rebounding we are pursuing with Millsap? Can Webster, Batum or Outlaw or the trio become all the SF we need? Can Blake, Bayless and Mills become a perfectly acceptable PG core?

I'm suspecting we were closer to fine before this summer of frustration started. Now because our "A" plan to obtain Hedo failed, I'm becoming more and more scared that we are hurting ourselves in response. The specter of "Use it or Lose it " cap space and being shut out of the annual dance of player movement seems to have us forgetting the positives that we already have in place.

If this off-season ends with The Blazers obtaining no real free agent player, or no big trade, I can live with that. If this summer ends with The Blazers with a disappointed and angry Brandon Roy and a upset LMA. With Blake, Bayless and perhaps Fernandez and others questioning their roles, then much, much more will have been lost this summer than just Hedo Turkoglu.

The Blazers should concentrate on the reality of how healthy Webster might be, and work with Oden as much as possible. The biggest moves Pritchard could make might really just be assuring the Brandon and LMA are happy and Blazers for the foreseeable future.

Do I get it? Do I NOT get it?

Krang — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:07:49 -0000

I'd like to pose a few questions, and offer a few opinions. In light of Hedo Tukoglu's sudden "snubbing" of Portland for Toronto. One of the first specters to arise is the phrase " Portland can't attract top notch Free Agents". I've never believed that, and even with this unfolding with Hedo, I still don't. Here's why....

In the glory days of Bob Whittsit, Paul Allen threw money at The Blazers like a sugar crazed 10 year old throws marshmallows at a campfire. I think a lot of teams have caught up with The Blazers in terms of available amenities, but I also remember that The Blazers were one of the first teams to have their own private, specially modified team plane, courtesy of Paul Allen. Now that has become more common, but it wasn't so much 15-20 years ago. I also remember reading articles with quotes from players of the period that The Blazers franchise had the reputation of treating it's players right. In terms of quality of facilities, catering, air-travel and perks. Portland WAS a location that free agents wanted to come to. Through free agency or trades we attracted and/or obtained players that were very coveted by other teams. Scottie Pippen, Rod Strickland, Mario Elle, Danny Ainge and Detlef Shrempf...they all decided to wear the Red and Black...of course it didn't hurt that the team was a perennial playoff contender and had been seen in the finals more than once. Yes, some were trades, but we know players that are 1/2 way decent in the N.B.A. can Nix a trade by simply complaining publicly that they don't want to go to that team. Usually that ends it right there. Pippen, Strickland (first time around) and Ainge and Shrempf (first time) were all players that would of had that trump card, and they did NOT play it. They wanted to come to Portland. In a time of recession, I've got to believe playing for a owner such as Paul Allen should be a huge draw for players. Even right now, when many owners are instructing management to cut costs, Allens only public decree has been his desire to upgrade the roster. That's a HUGE benefit to being a Blazer. Paul Allen has got to be one of the best owners in which to play for, thus making The Blazers a desirable destination.

By the way, semi-related. Do you think it hurts The Blazers when rumors leak that we tried to obtain Shaq but he say's he Nixed the trade because he didn't want to come to Portland? The Blazers can deny it, but it becomes We Said, He Said and I've got to think a lot of players read statements like that and have to think....Hmm..why doesn't Shaq want to play for Portland...( I think it does hurt).

In the wake of Hedo this one hurts, and bother me the most. The Idea that Portland, as a city and location is undesirable. We might never know in the Hedo situation what real percentage of reality this might of had in his decision but the rumor that his wife wanted Toronto because she felt it was more "European Friendly" and/or Cosmopolitan is out in the public psyche. What bothers me is that Blazer fans themselves have a tendency to take this image to heart themselves...we can be an insecure fan base, and it doesn't take much for us to start beating our chests and crying woe our NW. Hicksville ways, we can't compete with LA, NY as destinations...woe is us... I call BS on those fans.

What a person might like in a city is individual and subjective. I think a higher degree than the norm of Blazer players have decided they like Portland and The NW so much after being here that they have decided to stay after their tenure as Blazers is finished. Channing Fryeevidently LOVES Portland. Not to sound like a travel brochure, but I've been to NY and I've been to London, and yes I'm prejudice because I live here but as much as I liked NY and liked London, I wouldn't trade the NW or Portland for either. In Oregon, you have the rivers, the mountains, the desert, the forests and a diversity of environments all within less than a days drive from almost any location. Find that anywhere else. Plus don't let it out, but it doesn't rain as much as people outside of Oregon like to think. In any case, of course it all depends on what a person personally wants from a environment, city and state but to think Portland and Oregon isn't desirable IMO is ridiculous. No we aren't the Hollywood Mecca, we aren't The Big Apple, but why should we assume that NOT being those things is a bad thing?

Along the same argument, I say with these players and players families even if Portland doesn't seem to fit the mold or environment you want, why should it matter much? Hedo and almost any free agent that we might desire that would make a difference, would make millions of dollars. These players are wealthy men. Just as an example, use Hedo. My feeling is during the playing season, these players are traveling and working and practicing a lot. A gym is a gym is a gym. Whether in NY, LA or Tualatin. Sure, during home stands and breaks it's desirable to have family around, but again these guys are very wealthy. Multiple residences are something they can easily afford. How hard would it be for Mrs. Turkoglu to live WHEREVER she wished, and then fly in to Portland from time to time to be with Mr. Turkoglu in a Portland residence? 1/2 the time of a season or more, these players are on the road, which means their environment is planes, buses and hotel rooms in cities ranging from Portland, Utah and Toronto to NY and LA. In the off season, they can live wherever they want. So I don't get it? Portland not "Cosmopolitan" enough for you? No Hollywood Agents lurking? Not enough Paparazzi? Go ahead, in the off-season go where ever you want to be. If during the season you are lamenting the absence of these things I'd suggest you aren't focusing on your job enough.

So that's it. I don't buy or accept the idea that Portland isn't a desirable location. I don't label The Blazers or myself as living in some "second class" environment that doesn't appeal to basketball players. I'm sure in the next few days, in light of Hedo I'll be forced to hear the moaning lament of how Portland can NEVER attract the big name free agent...I don't buy it, I don't believe it, and I do not get "fans" that want to put themselves down by attaching that label to themselves. Uber Wealthy and Generous Owner willing to spend for success, Beautiful City and State, a fan base that if it has a weakness, might be that it is OVER devoted. Good luck finding those elements in Toronto, or NY, LA or Cleveland (for Mr. Shaq O' Neal) .

Asking Blazer Fans

Krang — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:29:26 -0000

Asking Blazer Fans

How do we feel about Oden going to Ohio State this summer and evidently not being interested in playing in Vegas or attending a big mans camp? Is this OK with most of you or do most of you feel this is indicative of a potential problem? Without applying my opinion just wondered how many of you felt about Odens Summer Plans.

My Carefully Crafted Commentary on Oden

Krang — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:44:15 -0000

I wanted to wait until all was said and done before commenting on Oden. My evaluation of Oden at the conclusion of his rookie year would include this, I think Oden has the potential to become one of the top centers in the league, an All-Star. He has size, speed and strength that you simply cannot teach. I saw him do some amazing things this season, things only centers with the names Howard, Shaq and Yao can do. Unfortunately I also saw Oden do things guys with 10 day contracts who are struggling to just make it in the league do. It’s not that he draws fouls, it’s the way he continues to draw fouls that is a problem. He’s a monster 7ft’er that wants to guard guys in the paint like he’s Tony Parker. He tries to reach and finesse when all he has to do is "be". I think what is positive but also frustrating about Oden is his problems seem relatively easy to fix. I think this is a critical off-season for Oden. Of course he deserves some rest, maybe a lot of rest, and some fun....but I want to see what he chooses to do. He needs work and it will be telling to see if Oden commits to improvement OR simply shows up with the rest of the guys.

The reason I say my carefully crafted commentary on Oden is that I feel sorry for the guy. He’s had so much exposure. He’s struggled with it. It’s been suprising. The College Oden, The Pre-Draft Oden seemed like such an easy going, level headed young man . I looked forward to a career of "Shaq" like post game interviews. Instead what we discovered was an Oden "dark side". A seeming disconnect from the team, the loss of his sense of humor, the absence of his quick smile. He was trying to improve as the season went along, feeling the weight of being the #1 draft pick of a franchise with a rabid and microscopic fanbase. Locally, and nationally the media went from Oden being the golden boy, to whispers and outright statements of "bust". All which could be expected but I can’t imagine how hard it would be to deal with from the POV of a young man like Oden.

Here’s the unfortunate reality with Oden. He came out of College with limited playing experience and the most hype attached to him since Duncan or Shaq. I remember pre-2007 draft all the experts and pundits, most who have turned on Oden now, saying the 2007 draft was one of the deepest ever, chuck full of talent. But the consensus opinion was that there were two players that could come out of the draft and make an immediate impact, and that had surefire All-Star careers ahead of them, we all know these two players were Oden and Durant. Skip ahead because we all know the story. Oden misses his rookie season. This making the local fanbase and the media all the more hungry to see Oden on the court. Now this is where "Reality" and "Hype" collide. In my opinion what we discovered with Oden, is that he was not fundamentally as ready for the NBA as everyone thought. Oden needs work. A lot of work. I don’t think most people were expecting that, we expected rookie, but we expected a quicker learning curve. Better positioning, better spacing, better decision making....and when Oden struggled it was magnified 1000 fold.. The truth is, the experts and pundits almost everyone was wrong. You can factor in a percentage as "setback" due to his micro-fracture, but Oden shows fundamental flaws that would of existed had he never had micro.

The good news, is while a lot of the national media has now turned away from Oden, or discounted him horribly, I do believe what I said, Oden can become one of the best centers in the league. But he’s going to have to work at it, harder than I think a lot of people thought. I’m rooting for Oden not just because he’s a Blazer and his development ties directly into the pace of our team success but because I want the Oden to show what can be a cold and heartless media the problems with attaching instant stardom and the flaw of applying the rapid tear down. I’m hoping Oden gets a very good big man coach. I hope he works this summer. I hope next season he starts ahead of the curve not behind it. I think Odens at a fork in the road. He either turns down the more difficult path of striving to climb up to the expectations that were probably unfairly attached to him or he defaults to a mediocre or worse career inwhich he gets a paycheck for being 7ft tall, quick and strong . At the start of his career it was everyone else telling Oden what he was, at this stage it’s now up to Oden to become what he wants to be. Now it’s all up to Oden.