I am so fuming angry...  Right or wrong, I felt cheated by the refs.  The final call on LMA; Oden hammered while dunking; the correct call on Outlaw that you never see made; the call on Rudy; the technical on Rudy... I try telling myself it's just a basketball game, the Blazers played one of their worst games of the season, but it just doesn't seem to help.

In an effort to recover, I need to give credit where credit is due... and above all else remind myself: it is just one game...

-Anthony Morrow: While I am not convinced he is the real deal given that all players go through hot streaks, but whew... even as a Blazer fan you had to be secretly cheering for the undrafted rookie who was putting on a show.

-Greg Oden: Played very well, albeit against a weak front line.  Some highlight dunks, and he will have a couple more if he can be stronger with the ball off the catch.

- 33/35 from the free throw line.  Something like 19-19 in the 4th quarter.  Anybody who is a fan of basketball fundamentals has to appreciate that.

-We lost the turnover battle (one area we ALWAYS need to win given our propensity to shoot outside), the free throw battle, and tied the rebounding battle.  I am surprised this team stayed so close.  This team continues to rely on their ability to recover from deficits... I hope this changes soon.

-I have felt that a lot of opponents haven't played all that well against the Blazers this year (wins and losses).  I really thought the Warriors played tremendous basketball tonight.  I don't think I will call the Warriors a better team because, at least without Monta, I don't think they are, but they played a fantastic game tonight.

Congrats to the Warriors!  A victory well-earned.  Portland just didn't have it tonight... and after all it is only basketball, and one game at that.

I feel a little better already.

This fanpost is meant to piggyback off of interesting comments made under TwoDeep's most recent diary on Derrick Rose trade scenarios.  The comments regarded the Rudy vs. Rose debate- feel free to keep this debate in mind.

The questions I pose are these:

1. Which league (Euro vs. NCAA) better prepares players for NBA basketball?

2. Assuming a similar level of success in comparison to his league, is a Euro prospect or an NCAA basketball player more "proven" in NBA terms?

3. This comparison is obviously oversimplified.  Therefore, what factors do you see that complicate this discussion (specific to Rose vs. Rudy, and also in general)?

Caveats:

1. I am not asking which is the better league?  KP and others have claimed that the Spanish league (or greater Euroleague) is a step above NCAA basketball.  You may disagree.  Regardless, this post does not immediately concern this debate.

2. I am also not asking for the league that produces the best long term NBA prospects.  Clearly, the majority of the most talented NBA players were former NCAA athletes as opposed to foreigners.  As best as you can, put aside natural athletic ability and natural talent.  Think about development!

Basically, being the overbearing, basketball-loving parent that you are, you know your son (or daughter) is destined for the NBA.  From a purely basketball standpoint, would you put your child in a Euro league or the NCAA to develop?

Poll

The better developmental league for the NBA:

40%

Euro leagues

17 votes

59%

NCAA

25 votes

42 votes | Poll has closed

It appears that Mayo may have taken gifts and cash before coming to USC despite being earlier cleared by the NCAA.  What is your guys' (and gals') take on the situation?  For those of you who would encourage the Blazers to trade up and draft Mayo, what affect does this have on your thinking?  Does this cause Mayo to slide?  If so, how much?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3390695

For the video (rather interesting):

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3390571&categoryId=2378529

Poll

OJ Mayo for the Blazers?

8%

I would still draft him; he is a great fit...

9 votes

42%

If KP clears him, I won't argue...

44 votes

32%

Don't touch him with a ten-foot pole

34 votes

16%

Forget character, I wouldn't draft him solely based on talent/fit

17 votes

0%

Other (explain)

0 votes

104 votes | Poll has closed

I commend Idog for the great idea to post a diary on the Memphis-UCLA game.  With all accolades going to him, this is a diary for the second semifinal game between UNC-Kansas, sans poll.

Of course, there is plenty to watch for the Blazers here as well.  Tyler Hansbrough is the most immediate name that will jump out to edgers here- this really could be his showcase in proving he deserves lottery consideration.  But, there are also players like the athletic Darrell Arthur and the do-everything Mario Chalmers from Kansas that might be available in the late first and early second rounds.  And of course, the occasional BEer has thrown out lightning-quick Tywon Lawson as a mid-to-late first round possibility.  Supreme shooter Wayne Ellington also has been making some mock drafts in the late round, so he is a possibility (although seems rather redundant to me).

Have fun, debate nicely, and enjoy what promises to be one of the best (talent-wise) played Final Fours in recent memory.

In the upcoming draft, the Blazers will give up their own second round pick (result of the Telfair trade) but receive three second round picks from Memphis, New York, and Indiana.  Right now, those picks are slotted at #33 (Memphis), #35 (New York), #53 (Indiana).

If you are wondering why Indiana's pick is so late, it is because they have a choice as to which pick they want to send us.  They can either send us their own pick (#38 right now) or the pick they are owed from Phoenix (ironically, they picked up this pick when they sent James Jones to the desert).  Well, obviously they would send us the later pick.

Yet, if Phoenix missed the playoffs (Denver is four games behind them), that pick would drop nine spots from #53 to #44, a rather significant difference.  And before anyone says that these picks in the 40s are of little value, remember that the Blazers traded the #42 pick and cash to move back into the late first round last year (Petteri Koponen).

Anyway, as we root for the Blazers to pull off a miracle and make the playoffs, let us also root for the Suns to fall out of playoff contention- starting tomorrow night.

This diary remains purely speculative.  First of all, it assumes that the Blazers do not make the playoffs (a high likely, but not 100% guaranteed scenario).  Secondly, it also assumes that the Blazers pull off a lottery miracle that has never been witnessed: the Blazers against all odds win the draft lottery for the second consecutive year.

What would you have the Blazers do?  Derrick Rose perhaps makes the most sense considering most posters desire to upgrade the point position.  But would he take too long to develop?  Does he adequately fit our culture/style/etc.?

Then there is Michael Beasley, the consensus Best Available Player- long thought to be KP's draft theory.  Imagine a frontline of Beasley, LMA, and Oden- scary...  but, do you buy the recent reports of his reformed attitude?  Would drafting another combo forward (small and power) be the most beneficial in the long run?

Or would we trade the pick?  Trade down a couple of spots and select a Bayless, Mayo, etc.  Or do you trade the pick outright and pick up a bigger name veteran, and if so who?  And what trade would be fair to the Blazers and the opposing teams?

Anyway, have fun with it.  We are looking for creativity and realism (as much as it is possible with the Blazers winning the #1 pick).  Have a great Friday and weekend!

Poll

What would you do with the first pick in the draft

11%

Trade pick for big-name veteran help (who? how?)

8 votes

44%

Draft Rose

32 votes

1%

Trade pick for a lesser known veteran help and future picks

1 votes

2%

Draft someone else (who?)

2 votes

2%

Other (explain)

2 votes

16%

Trade down to #2 and select Rose (assuming the team ahead picks Beasley)

12 votes

2%

Trade down in the draft and pick up extra veteran and/or additional picks

2 votes

18%

Draft Beasley

13 votes

72 votes | Poll has closed

Is it just me, or do some of LMA's defensive rebounding issues result from the fact that he is too concerned with boxing out?  While boxing out is important, and the first step, the most successful rebounders on any level are those who after making contact with their opposing man, go get the rebound- something that Joel does quite well.  In watching recent games, I have been thoroughly impressed with LMA boxing out, but he doesn't seem to take the next step.  Furthermore, this is partly why LMA excels at offensive rebounding.  He is less concerned with his opposing man and more concerned with getting the ball in any way possible.

Anyway, for as much as we harp on LMA (other Blazers as well: Frye, Trout, Webster) for not  boxing out and rebounding, I actually don't think that's really the issue.  It seems that the Blazers, like all young teams, are still too caught up in the fundamentals.  

Do you agree, disagree?  What other parts of the Blazers on-court performance do you see as being the result of this team overstressing fundamentals?

P.S. Best win of the season last night!  Let's keep them coming!

While struggling through last night's game at a bar, I occasionally reverted my attention to the Hornets/Bucks game appearing on another television.  I was struck by how similar this year's version of the Blazers is to the 2005-2006 New Orleans team.

To refresh your memory, that team featured an upcoming superstar guard (Chris Paul, the rookie) and developing big man (David West) surrounded by a collection of cast-off journeymen and young players.  During the previous season, in effort to purge the salary cap and relieve chemistry issues, the New Orleans management traded their two malcontent stars, Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn, for pennies on the dollar (unless you consider Speedy Claxton and an over-the-hill Dale Davis worth more than I do).  Spurred by an upbeat fan base (Oklahoma City, immediately post Hurricane Katrina), the inexperienced Hornets exceeded expectations for the first 2/3 of the season.  They struggled on the road, but defended their home floor admirably.    Unfortunately, nagging injuries to key role players (Marc Jackson and Desmond Mason) and their inexperience ultimately derailed their playoff push.  After beating the Blazers to go 31-25 (good for the sixth playoff position), they lost twelve of their next thirteen games and finished 38-44 and in the tenth position in the West.

I draw this comparison for several reasons:

1. Look at where the Hornets are now.  They are one of the elite teams in the West and have the opportunity to make a lot of noise in the playoffs in just three years.
2. The 2007-2008 Blazers are a much younger team, and my Blazer bias aside, seem to have the more promising roster than the 2005-2006 Hornets.
3. Some may point to the significant cap space that allowed the Hornets to bring in Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler.  It appears we will have a reasonable amount of cap space in the summer of 2009 to at least bring in a free agent of moderate value.  (Also, remember that Darius Miles will have an expiring contract then.  Although very unlikely, it is possible that he could be shipped in a sign-and-trade format to a team looking to get rid of salary.)
4. We have a more stable and supportive fan base for the long term.  Have you seen the crowds at New Orleans games?
5. Whether or not Brandon Roy's on-court talents ever match or surpass Chris Paul's (and trust me, from a purely talent standpoint, Paul is a more effective basketball player right now), one has the feeling that he will always provide the invaluable unifying leadership required for championship teams- a rare quality.
6. Paul Allen has proven that unlike many owners in this league, he is willing take on extra financial burdens for a quality product.
7. Greg Oden.  Will he solve all of our problems? No, and it is an unreasonable expectation.  Will he make a significant difference?  He certainly seems capable of making valuable contributions and that may be all we need.

I do not make this comparison to suggest that I am resigned to the fact that the Blazers will collapse.   On the contrary, I think that they are very capable of making a post-break push.  I draw this comparison merely to suggest that even if the worst-case scenario is realized, we seem to have quite a future.  Just wanted to throw that out there and see if you guys have any thoughts on my comparison, or any comparisons of your own.