I'm requesting the emails for the people who picked me to be their hoss so I can send them my predictions before the game.  Then you'll know when I make foolish decisions, and what to hope happens for all our success!  Here are the list of people I jotted down from Dave's post:

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As we vacillate between current, future and potential point guards, I'm caught between wanting to add veteran perspective (after all, we only have two players who have even played on another team), and someone who will be around for more than a couple years.  You sign a Jason Kidd, but that only solves your problem for a couple years.  You target a Ricky Rubio, but he's much less ready to contribute, doesn't have NBA experience and lacks maturity (plus, will we be able to convince him to come over?).  You work out a lopsided deal for Hinrich, but there are legitimate arguments that he isn't a clear upgrade over Blake.  

I'm in the camp that believes we shouldn't target a SF this summer unless it is an All-Star.  We have too much confusion and not enough minutes at that position already.  Therefore, I want to explore options at point guard.  If I knew the details and fine print would work out, I think my best case scenario would be Ricky Rubio.  He seems to be available, and you have to believe that with Rudy here, KP could charm him into coming.  And so, here is my potential trade:

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We know Oden, Aldridge, Roy will be starters as long as they're Blazers. 

That leaves 2 spots to fill.  I know what you're thinking, fill those spots with the best 2 players left on the squad.  However, I don't think Joel and Raef will fit well in those spots...they get paid the most, hence they must be the best players on the team (a wink here will help you understand the joke). 

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I have a recommendation that this community abides by when it comes to trolls or people who don't promote helpful, and edifying conversation.  Ignore them.

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Maybe most of you have seen my comment under the Ryan White article. 

Here is a link to that comment where you can find contact information for CSN. 

Below is the message I sent to them.

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There's a lot of talk about the team the US fields in the 2012 Olympics.  How about the potential Spain has that year?  By my estimation, they should have most of the same players, but many of their core players should just be better. 

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Here's an article from NBA.com about our boy.  They even got a couple pictures of him smiling!

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As with the rest of you, I'm disgusted by the Sonics moving to Oklahoma City, but muliply that by ten for who repulsive it is to see Clay Bennett proclaim "We made it" basically confirming that he had deceitful intentions the entire time. 

How could you feel good about this if you live in Oklahoma City though?  You have the guilt of every Save our Sonics poster and teary eyed fan flashing in your head every time you close your eyes.  You have the nation's most hated man delivering tainted goods to your doorstep with a huge grin.  You don't trust him, but you do want to see NBA games.  You don't want to support these methods, but you also don't want to ruin the one chance your city has for a professional basketball team.

Has anyone heard from OKC?

It looks like one Spanish player will return despite moderate success in the NBA in his rookie year.  The article doesn't describe Navarro's reasoning, but let's hope it doesn't become a trend.  Maybe he's thinking now he can dominate over there now that Rudy is leaving. 

Any Spanish speakers out there that can provide some more insight in why this guys wants to go back home?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3452735 

Does we already know what jersey number R-nandez will wear next year?

I believe he should be a starter next season...at least by Christmas.  I would start him at SF or move Brandon to either the 1 or the 3. 

My reason is that he already is a better scorer than Travis or Martell.  His defense will likely be bad, but we should have a good interior presence next season. 

(I apologize if this conversation has been previously discussed, just call me a noob and move on to another fanpost).

There's an interesting article I came across through Bill Simmons links today.  Its a eulogy (according to my second grade teacher that should be an eulogy) to Isiah Thomas' New York Knickerbockers.  In light of the 180 our beloved Blazers have gone through, the unbelievable character our players have, and the unexpected honesty and aptitude of our front office; this is a gut-wrenching article where I expected a weeks worth of laughs:

http://nymag.com/news/sports/45787/

It makes me feel sorry for Knicks fans because this nightmare is far from over.  The culture there is sickening (bugging the walls of MSG, distrust, selfishness, and failure).  It also makes me feel sorry for guys like David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Ronaldo Balkman who all of us saw work their butts off when we played them.  The article describes Leandro Barbosa feeling sick when "a prankster said they had traded for him. 'My heart was hurting,'"  No one wants to be traded there, and no one can leave.  I even feel a little bad for Zach, because even though he's a selfish anus, he had no idea what was waiting for him in NYC.  Don't get me wrong, a little sympathy doesn't make me want this back:

Randolph’s most telling play of the year came in a December bludgeoning by Indiana, when he got upset over a missed foul call. Back on defense, he took up his harangue with the baseline official, flapping his arms in frustration. Which might not have been so bad, save that Randolph was supposed to be guarding Troy Murphy, who’d stopped twenty-odd feet away to do what he did best: bomb a three-pointer. When Randolph saw Murphy get the ball, he turned and stepped toward him—duty called, after all—but ultimately couldn’t be bothered and wandered back to the ref, still jabbering. Murphy could have set up a surveyor’s tool and downed a macchiato. As the ball splashed through the net, Randolph bared a flash of annoyance, though not an iota of chagrin.

There's something weird that happens for most guys when they move into the starting position after coming off the bench:  They lose their energy.  I think of Ruben Patterson and Jarett Jack.  Those energy guys always seemed like they were content to just be starting and didn't have the same energy that they would've had they come off the bench.  

Channing Frye broke that mold last night.  As was mentioned in the recaps by our fearless leaders, his energy from the get go set the tone for the game for the home team.  That is something that we desperately need.  If we can't start Channing in the long-term, how do we get that energy?  

How about pulling a high-school move and starting our one guy, and then switch at the first dead ball?

What has happened to the Brandon Roy we knew who could take over games?  

Since we beat NY in OT, Roy has struggled to be a factor in games, sometimes making a little difference, while other times having a negative effect on the court.  

In those games since NY, Roy is averaging just over 40% from the field and under 70% from the line.  He has made some really bad turnovers, taken some poor shots, and resorted to complaining to the refs when things haven't been going his way.  Not the Roy I know.  

His only really good game was against Minnesota, where he shined against Foye.  Its not like we have been playing bad teams, but have the scouts figured out how to play Brandon out of games?

Most importantly, how do these nights affect the rest of the team?  These guys look to Brandon for leadership and guts.  Will we be able to win any games without Brandon being Mr consistent, or do we need another guy to fill that role while he's Mr Hyde?

The greatest thing that has happened this season is the many Portlanders who have allowed their hearts to share the same fate as 15 guys, who place themselves on the chopping block every time they step out onto the floor.

So after last night, Blazers, that's two broken hearts.  Twice that we've been right there with you, emotions pulsing, pulses racing.  When you win, we share with you in the joy.  The city is energized, smiles abound.  When you are recognized by other teams, by the league, and by the nation; we stand, clap and shout.

And when guys named The King, The Big Ticket, and The Answer smash your hopes and slice your dreams, our hearts are torn as well.  A grieving silence overcomes the Rose Garden as we file out.  With clenched teeth, and heavy eyelids we push power on the remote.  We mourn lost games like lost pets, able to move on best when another one arrives.

We bleed when you bleed Brandon, and we ache when you ache Jarrett.  But we celebrate with you too...and there will be much more to celebrate in the years to come.