SB Nation User Blog: Krang

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.

Support The Blazers

Krang — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:49:05 -0000

I've posted before that often within Blazer's Edge I feel a little out of place. Like maybe I've accidently sat down at the "cool kids" table. Suddenly everyone get's quiet and get's up and moves. I fully admit that often going through posts of others, I realize that while I am a fan, I'm not as big a fan as many within Blazers Edge. I love The Blazers and have followed them most of my life, but somehow even that devotion seems to pale to the support I see many Blazer Edge regulars demonstrate. But I'll tell you something, today, right now, I'm happy to be here.

I'm happy to be here because of the support. I'm so disgusted and disappointed right now at a lot of the media and a lot of the local "fans". Other sites that shall remain unnamed seem filled with people that have given up. It doesn't suprise me that a lot of the national media have jumped ship. The Blazers have gone from Dark Horse Darlings to The Team Houston is going to beat before they go on to "scare" LA. This after only 48 minutes of play. But that's the nature of the beast. But what really disappoints me is the number of local fans that seem to have totally given up.

I knew Blazers Edge would be different. I expect the support to flow from this site until the final buzzer of the final game and beyond. That's mostly what I see and hear. So even though I don't own stuffed characters of Clyde and Buck and I don't fondly dust my 1976 commerative Blazers Playoff 7-UP bottle maybe I could eat my lunch at this table?

Do I know how this playoff series is going to play out? Nope. But I know I'm going to support The Blazers and believe they can win each game, whether the ball get's thrown up in the air to start 3 more games or 7 more games. I may NOT be the biggest fan The Blazer have, but I am a fan that believes you support your team unconditionally and completely throughout the playoffs.

Beat LA! Now and 4ever!

Krang — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:27:54 -0000

Alright, basking in the glow of our glorious victory over IMO our most hated rivals, I've decided to vent on a little thing I've noticed that has begun to bother me more and more.

The thing that is bothering me is the idea advanced by La*er fans and some others, that we should not "Hate" LA. That this rivalry only exists in the Northwest and is one-sided, coming only from "backwards" or unsophisticated Blazer fans. You've heard it, I've heard it and it is total BS!

Perhaps it's just good psychological manipulation on the behalf of La*er fans. To react to our rabid support of our team and our ravenous desire to Beat LA! with indifference. Obviously the star studded crowd at the forum can't match our "backwards and unsophisticated" level of support, so feign indifference. But come on La*er supporters who do you think you are kidding? This rivalry has existed for decades, very near to the inception of The Blazer franchise itself. I grew up when the Pacific Division was the battle ground of The La*ers and The Blazers with each team taking turn as the alpha dog. I'm not going to rehash the history between these two teams, we all know it and we all know it exists.

So my point is, in Portland, in the NW. It's Beat LA! Sure in the typical arrogant La*er fashion, The La*ers and their fans can belittle us by pretending there is no rivalry or mocking our simple groundroot support but IMO that's just jealousy. Kobe and The La*ers just might be the team to beat this season, but they've gotten a good look at the future and The future is Black and Red with a Blazer Swirl. So as La*er fans do the math and realize our core is young and their core is old, I'd invite them to embrace the rivalry. Ultimately crowds that arrive late, leave early and look like it's game night for the Hollywood Old Folks homes, aren't going to win a championship.

So fair warning to The La*ers and their fans. The rivalry exists. If you don't want to aknowledge it or embrace it it will be to your ultimate and inevitable detriment.

Blame Rebecca Haarlow or Blame Ourselves?

Krang — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:27:12 -0000

I know most of us were approaching Rebecca's wardrobe "malfunction" in a mostly humorous manner, however it got me to thinking about media personalities hired by the franchise and what degree of loyalty or sincerity I expect from them or should expect from them.

We Blazer fans are a pretty rabid bunch. I know once I started to think about it I realized that perhaps the fault was my own? I mean I grew up with two major media entities covering The Blazers. Bill Schonely on the radio and Steve "Snapper" Jones on television, with various revolving sidekicks through the years. Growing up with these two doing the majority of the coverage I don't think I was kidding myself when I felt they both really were Blazer fans. I mean, Schonely was paid, it was his job but you also just knew he really was a fan of the team. I also felt the same with Steve Jones despite what unfortunately seemed to become a souring relationship wit the franchise, when he was commenting on the game as a Blazer announcer I always felt his loyalty was really with The Blazers. So I grew up with Schonely as the voice of The Blazers and the connection that the announcer "really was" a legitimate and sincere fan. I know today that all announcers hired by a franchise want to foster that connection between themselves, the team and the fans. Do I feel the same sincerity with Wheeler, yes, he's good enough at his job that I really feel that he is sincerely excited when great Blazer moments unfold. But could I imagine someday in the future with a different alignment of stars Wheeler announcing for some other team? Yes, for the same reason, because he is so good at his job. And I think ultimately that's okay. That's life in a competitive and rarified career niche. Wheeler probably can't afford to believe that he must, can and always must be only a Blazer fan.

But what about the second and third tier? Those hired by the franchise not to be the voice but to occasionally give voice? The sideline reporters, the Blazer Dancers? What would I really think or feel if Rebecca Haarlow announced that The Nuggets were her favorite team and that Portland was really in her personal if not professional second place? Hypothetically is that forgiveable? Can a hand that holds the black and red microphone be beating with baby blue blood? Can I handle it? Should I? Should I be able to realize that not everyone is Bill Schonely? Not everyone started on the groundfloor of the franchise. That some of these people are just hired guns, hoping and looking for career expansion. I remember reading the profile of one of The Blazer Dancers (purely informational reasons) and noticing that she had listed one of her dogs as being named "Kobe", and it just felt wrong to me. For some reason it bothered me that a Blazer Dancer would be so impressed with Kobe Bryant as to name her pet after him. I got over it by convincing myself it might of just been coincidence that maybe she just thought Kobe was a good name for a dog, because for a dog I guess it IS a good name.

So after all this long winded talk I guess what I'm asking is how serious should we be? Do we now live in an age of replaceability and interchangeability to the extent that perhaps we should just realize that for the majority it is just a job? After all Maurice Cheeks got his coaching start here, but his latest end was in his Philadelphia and you know that it was his dream to coach in Philly despite the unfortunate end. We ourselves (The Blazers) have the former Mr.Sonic as our head coach. So should we be shocked when Rebecca dons Baby Blue? Would we be shocked if Brian Wheeler admitted to Lapband Surgery AND a poster of Kareem Abdul Jabbar in his back closet?

Hired Gun or Local Sheriff? Does it matter as long as the job is done right? Like a chicken that imprints on the first thing it see's after it is hatched perhaps I was spoiled by growing up with Schonely because I never had to question whether he was a sincere fan. Perhaps that's just rare. Maybe the fault is our own?

30<52

Krang — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:35:48 -0000

30<52

I was going to title this a dark lining to a beautiful silver cloud. Everyone is basking in the glow of one of the great Blazer games of the season, perhaps of all time. But I noticed the coverage in the paper and I have to wonder if it isn't a little bit of a bummer for Bobby Gross. It was suppose to be his night and today of course all anyone remembers is 52 pts and Brandon Roy. Oh well, Gross was a selfless player and at least his jersey retirement will always be remembered, just unfortunately it will be first remembered as the Night Brandon Roy scored 52pts.

Did Shaq Get Into Odens Head?

Krang — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:54:22 -0000

Did Shaq Get Into Odens Head?

I'm posting this as a fan shot because it's just a short random thought I stumbled on this morning. I was looking for a quote I remember from Bill Russell urging Oden to "have fun". In going from article to article I found one from before the draft. It was an NBA.COM article and within it they asked Oden who some of his favorite players were, players he liked and emulated. He absolutely gushed about Shaq. Shaq was the guy he most wanted to emulate and who's game he followed. He sounded very much like any 20 year old basketball fan, but it was clear he was a huge fan of Shaq. My thought was that it seems Oden has been especially down ever since the Phoenix game. Oden didn't play a particularly good game, and Shaq was cold and insultingly dismissive in his post game comments about Oden. Oden is still a young guy, it's got to be hard if you've admired someone and then get the treatment he got from Shaq. I'm sure Oden has multiple pressures on him, but I'm wondering how much Shaq was able to get into Odens head. Purposely calling Oden-Odom was either stupid or a brilliant psychological attack, take your pick. Am I reading too much into everything or is it possible Shaq has added a new arsenal to his game, The Psychological Shaq attack?

Do Nothing or Nothing Doing?

Krang — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:24:43 -0000

I have to admit my thoughts concerning this issue were inspired by a local columnists column. But given our success thus far this season I've been thinking about this for a while. The idea many seem to be embracing in light of our success is that we make no major move or trade

Is this wise? It certainly is easy. It's easy to look at our success and look at our young roster and simply say, "Stay The Course!". Batum, Bayless, Outlaw, Sergio we certainly have a lot of young talent. We are playing well and exceeding the expectations of many. Keep in mind I present the following as something I might just totally disagree with myself, but I think it is worth evaluation. The idea that conservative approach might not be the best thing despite our immediate success.

It seems to me there are a few aspects that could make a trade now or in the near future appealing and potentially more beneficial then waiting or not doing anything. One of them being that we are a young team doing very well. Which without naming names, because if I use someone as an example I will invite a tsunami of we can't trade MY favorite young player commentary, means that it is likely right now that one or more of our young players are being overvalued by opponents. As much as we like to believe every person to wear a Blazer Uni is going to become an all-star, that is not likely to be the long term reality.

Another aspect, is I believe eventually The Blazers must make some roster choices. Clearly we do have talent ahead of talent and some of that talent needs opportunity to develop, contribute and grow that simply will not exist with our current talent configuration. I don't believe this aspect is immediately pressing because this season it seems this roster has boughten into the 15=16 idea. But in the not so distant future I think some tough decisions will have to be made. It's very likely some favorites of many, some hopefuls and will have to be traded for their good as well as The Blazers. I was hoping to avoid direct comparison but the simplest way to example is as a rookie Bayless seems willing if not thrilled to be mostly a DNPCD bench player. Which works for this season. But how about the next? Clearly to me 3pgs Blake, Sergio, Bayless with Roy taking some minutes as well, is far too many for a real opportunity for Bayless. I for one don't want more badly translated statements from Sergios agent in Spain. Someday a decision will have to be made.

Final aspect, there seems to be a window. We have players right now other teams covet. We have RLEC. A slump, an injury, or the slow realization that a young player actually might not be as good as we all hoped or thought and value is lost. Like I said earlier, I think I disagree with everything I just said, BUT I do think there is danger in simply being conservative. I guess for me it boils down to the following: We don't have to make a trade, we probably shouldn't make a trade, but we better not act like an organization that is unwilling to make a trade, or not looking to make a trade because I think that could be the most dangerous attitude we could embrace. It's a very fine line that makes it sound like I'm squarely on the fence, but I'm really not. I'm for conservative aggression and quiet but active exploration of all options.

Why GO First?

Krang — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:38:41 -0000

Seems to be a some growing debate between the camps believing Oden should be brought off the bench and those believing he should start. I just wanted to chime in with my 2 cents worth. First of all Greg Odens talent and potential in my opinion is greater than Joel Pryzbillas. No knock at all on Pryzbilla whom I think is a great defensive center who brings energy and toughness. Pryzbilla also of course has experience that Oden does not have. Brandon, Blake, LMA all have played with Pryzbilla a lot more than Oden. All that being said I say you must start Oden.

You must start Oden because we drafted him not just as a project, not as just another 1st round pick but because he was the 7ft center of our future. Since this latest foot sprain there seems to be a movement to back off Oden, to give him less to worry about, to move him from starter to back-up. I think this is maybe subconciously a desire to protect him. Injury prone or Iron Man, this is not the correct path to player development in Odens case. If you still believe and I do, that Oden is our All-Star center of the future then you must give him the starting spot. The quicker our starters get used to Oden and Oden to playing with our starters the better.

Yes, it's been a rocky start, to say the least, for Greg Odens N.B.A. career. However I think the worst thing we could do would be lower our sites as to what Oden could mean to this team. Unless you've given up on Oden already, then in my opinion you must believe he is a starting center. Sure he's going to show you growing pains that you wouldn't see with Pryzbilla. An occasional missed assignment, some painful schoolings from the Yao's and Shaqs of the league. But that's the quickest, best way for Oden to learn. Keep in mind you will also see the occasional monster dunk from Oden. Hopefully the occasional fast forward flash to the complete package that hasn't yet arrived.

As far as the stanima and conditioning arguement, I agree that obviously Oden isn't in N.B.A. game shape yet. Coming off micro-fracture it might be a whole season or two until we see the complete 100% recovery of Oden. But if he is fatigued, or his stanima isn't what it should be then starting and playing is still the best way to improve that area. If fatigue and stanima are a problem then the responsibility is on Nate and coaching to monitor the starters minutes he is getting. If he's dangerously tired or fatigued sub him out. The old truth cliche is that you can get injured in 1 minute as a back-up, or 20 minutes as a starter. No way of predicting what might happen in any given moment on a basketball court.

The biggest danger I see in not starting Oden is the lowering of expectations. Whether people admit it or not I see it as putting the bubble wrap back around Oden. Bring him along slowly, let's let him catch up, lets take some pressure off him, let him develop his game against #2 centers instead of starters...Pop, pop, pop it's bubble wrap. Sure- talk to Oden during the game, limit his minutes to avoid dangerous fatigue, but with a talent like Odens you MUST let him play and to be the best and get better you must play against the best, that means being a starter. It was always the role projected for Oden and in my opinion still is.