SB Nation User Blog: The Cactus Leaguer

In defense of David Kahn

The Cactus Leaguer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:49:52 -0000

Warning - this is a completely biased and poorly researched opinion that probably has already been made, but I have to say it anyway because I'm tired of hearing the chucklehead viewpoints.

(note - by "biased" I mean that I used to work on the Oregon Stadium Campaign and I thought David did a terrific job at managing a thankless and ultimately impossible (once DC finally stepped up to the plate) task of trying to bring MLB to Portland.

All I hear in the press is how Rubio hates cold weather, and the T-Wolves were stupid getting two point guards, etc.... without realizing what they gave up to get the fifth pick in the first place. Randy Foye is a nice player but he was unnecessary with their mix of guards, and he was always going to be associated with the BRoy trade, and losing Mike Millers contract was addition by subtraction. In exchange, they soaked up a few spare parts and picked up a guy who is going to be a STAR ATTRACTION WITH A CHEAP ROOKIE CONTRACT, and they can stash the guy overseas until he gets so desperate to play for the NBA (and you know he will) that he'll accept a trade anywhere.

In my mind Rubio has become as valuable as a #1 pick in the draft and his value will only go up in the future. He won't sign with Minnesota? Big whoop.

Kahn scored a coup, and most of the MSM is too stupid to figure it out.

MLS and the Blazers - Has the Steve Patterson era returned?

The Cactus Leaguer — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:24:14 -0000

It would seem that way, especially to Merritt Paulson who is probably in the hospital right now recovering from the stab wounds in his back that were inflicted today from Blazer management

For those of you who don't know, there was a huge vote today over at city council today regarding approval of bonds to convert PGE Park into an MLS soccer (and football) only facility, and to build a new baseball stadium for the Portland Beavers at the site where Memorial Coliseum currently stands.

The vote ended up passing by a 3-2 margin, but not before some unbelievable testimony from JE Isaac of Blazer management. Merritt Paulson (Beavers/Timbers owner) had been negotiating in good faith with the Blazers and their developer on building at that site and helping to convert the Rose Quarter into a year round entertainment district (similar to the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio). Paulson thought he had an agreement in principle, but from out of the blue, Mr. Isaac came out and testified AGAINST the proposal, saying that this proposal would be bad for the Blazers and bad for their development plans at the Rose Quarter. Mr. Paulson along with several commissioners and dozens of Timbers fans at the hearing just sat there in complete shock.

Paulson is trying to say the right things publicly but inside he must be seething, and there a lot of extremely angry soccer fans in this city right now who are feeling like they were stabbed in the back. Someone at Blazer headquarters is going to have A LOT of explaining to do over the next few days.

The Bandwagon suddenly has more room...

The Cactus Leaguer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:04:56 -0000

When I looked at the Blazers' schedule this month, I saw four brutal road games - New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. I thought they would win one of those three games at best (which is what happened thanks to CP3 going down). Anyone who thought they would go 2-2 or better on those four games needs needs to get a grip. The only teams that go .500 or better against playoff caliber teams on the road are the elite teams who are serious threats to win the NBA title. Did anyone honestly believe the Blazers were in that category this year? Me neither.

So please, all of you media hypesters (no I'm not talking about you Dave or Ben)... just calm down. I'm not one of those "moral victory" guys, sure I wish they would have won, but overall they competed and were in contention to win both games down the stretch. I'm feeling a lot better about this team now than I was before the all star break when they looked fried as they lost to Golden State and Oklahoma City... and now I feel pretty good about their ability to stay above water (the 8th seed or better) as they play down the stretch of the season.

When you consider the overall youth of this team, the plethora of rookies who aren't used to this long of a season, and the incredible depth in the Western Conference... that will be a great accomplishment.

Or do you buy into the media hype of the moment?

EDIT - just for fun, I thought I'd see how the Western Conference contenders stack up on the road against each other. Here's what I found:

LAL - 6 wins, 2 losses
San Antonio - 5-5
Denver - 2-7
Houston - 2-5
Portland - 1-11
New Orleans - 5-7
Utah - 0-8
Dallas - 3-8
Phoenix - 1-6

All the Texas teams benefited from beating up on each other at their opposing arenas (short travel probably helps... remember the Blazers have much farther to travel than any other team).

RLEC Hangovers, the Blazer brand, and who could have fit the bill

The Cactus Leaguer — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:54:25 -0000

As we all recover from our post-RLEC hangovers, I think that one of the most important aspects of the team’s growth and development has been largely overlooked.

Jason Quick recently wrote an article about Blazers President Larry Miller and his efforts to turn the Blazers into "a global brand", just like he did at Nike (this is a must read article BTW). I believe that this team is being built with the global brand in mind. They want to keep an international flavor (Batum, Rudy, heck maybe even Sergio), and they want to stay away from players who might be headaches (either with their attitudes or with their bloated contracts). Yeah it stinks today when we’re Jonesing for Gerald Wallace (or Vince Carter or whomever), but we’re doing the right things in the long run, and that’s what matters.

I’m not saying that the focus is EXCLUSIVELY on marketing… in fact, building a consistent, championship-level contender is one of the best ways to build a brand. And we’re doing just that.

In this context, I believe that there were only two players worth pursuing that fit all of the Blazers needs (including the brand):

1. Shane Battier – Clean cut veteran winner from Duke, great outside shooter and defender, doesn’t need the ball to be effective, serviceable contract.

2. Tayshaun Prince – Perfect mentor (especially for Batum), a proven winner, similar qualities (but better) as a player compared to Battier.

That being said, I don’t think either player was available (at least not at a fair price), so KP was better off to stand pat.

What do you think (no gratuitous poll this time, sorry)?

Yet another Jason Quick Podcast follow up fanpost.

The Cactus Leaguer — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:21:11 -0000

It looks like we’re trying to set a record in here for the most fanposts on the same topic (Jason Quick podcast – Eastern Conference trade possibilities), so I thought I’d do my part... but this fanpost deals only within the realm of financial possibilities. And it's my first fanpost, so go easy on me.

JQ mentioned a SF and PG from an Eastern Conference team, in exchange for RLEC and two nonstarting rotation players.

Let’s assume the following:

1. The two rotation players are Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez; and

2. The other team is trying to dump salary (meaning an incoming player with a significant salary will be on a multiyear deal). Here are the trade possibilities that work, using the ESPN trade machine:

Atlanta – none (Mike Bibby is on the last year of his deal; no other salaries add up).

Boston – Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo (ha!); Pierce and Eddie House (ha!).

Charlotte – Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton (plus a scrub to make salaries match); Gerald Wallace and DJ Augustin (plus a scrub).

Chicago – Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich; Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich.

Cleveland – Lebron James and Daniel Gibson (ha!).

Detroit – none (Iverson is on the last year of his deal; no other salaries add up).

Indiana – Mike Dunleavy and TJ Ford; Mike Dunleavy and Jamaal Tinsley.

Miami – none (Shawn Marion is on the last year of his deal; no other salaries add up).

Milwaukee – Richard Jefferson and Luke Ridnour; Richard Jefferson and Tyronn Lue

New Jersey – Vince Carter and Devin Harris (and we would toss in a scrub to make salaries match); Bobby Simmons and Devin Harris; Vince Carter and Keyon Dooling.

New York – none (PG & SF salaries don’t add up).

Orlando – Rashard Lewis and JJ Redick/Anthony Johnson.

Philadelphia – Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller.

Toronto – none (PG & SF salaries don’t add up).

Washington – none (PG/SF salaries don’t add up because Mike James can’t be traded)

So, there you have it. The most likely scenarios to me would be Wallace/Felton, Deng/Hinrich, Jefferson/Ridnour, and possibly (but not as likely) Simmons/Harris. What do you think?

Poll

Which players was Jason Quick most likely referring to?

Wallace/Felton

29 votes

Deng/Hinrich

53 votes

Jefferson/Ridnour

31 votes

Simmons/Harris

13 votes

Other players

4 votes

None, he was making stuff up to mess with us

23 votes

153 votes | Poll has closed