(or Bee, I suppose.)  I've posted before my feelings that "B" should be Brandon Roy's  nickname 'cuz that's what his teammates call him.   We hear suggestions like The Natural, which  has been promoted by Wheels.  But listen to the Wheels interview with BRoy on O-live today and you'll hear Wheels call Brandon "B" at least 3 times (never once The Natural).  Brandon also recounted a situation(s)  where a teammate(s) called/calling  on the phone would say something like "B", would do you think?

To me, it's a great alternate name.  Just a simple  "B" is so understated that it is unique and ultra cool.  I can't think of another NBA player that has ever been represented by a single letter.     And there certainly can be take offs from it such as  Killer Bee, Worker Bee, Busy Bee, Roy's Bee Hive et cetera. 

Personally, l  think it would be superb for him to be known around the NBA  simply as "The  B", or just  "B".   

I know that a fitting nickname for Broy has been discussed on this site a few times previously, but I'm just wondering now if anyone else thinks that  "B" could be the right one ....or if they have some other killer names to suggest that might catch. 

Are we seeing here an example of the tail wagging the dog?

Pritchard: Let the cake bake.  We'll grow organically.

McMillan: I need veterans.  Let's get us some veterans.

Who's in control here, the dog or the tail?  We are about to make, it appears, a big move(s), expensive and difficult to retract to acquire one or more of  Nate's  preciously viewed veterans. 

Coaches of course - to hold their jobs -  see the need to win immediately.  GM's are more often  in a position to think longer term.  From his vantage point,  Nate's requests/demands are totally understandable.  But should Pritchard be sacrificing or undermining a good degree of the very skillful maneuvering he has heretofore done to build our extremely promising and talented group of young Blazers players?  

Also  lurking though in the back of my mind,  is this statement (as reported by Quick) that KP made following a discussion with Paul Allen: "Overall our time line has moved up" (to me that was an ominous statement  for a couple of reasons and one I  felt would have repercussions).

So could it be it isn't the tail doing the wagging after all and instead it's the 'big dog" who is controlling the movements? 

What are your thoughts?  Why are we seemingly making these aggressive moves to acquire a 30 year old veteran such as Turkoglu for a position that already seems quite occupied with young talent?

I like that team, how they play and how they're coached.  They've got some exciting guys in Durant, Green and Westbrook.  I've always like Collison.  They also have a top notch General Manager who has set them up nicely with what he has already accumulated, his future draft picks,  and the huge gift that was handed him by KP in the 2007 draft.   They are a team to be reckoned with and will provide very stiff competition for the Blazers over the coming years.  They are easily my second favorite NBA team.  I'm happy they moved because  I would never let myself root for a Seattle team .....  I just couldn't be responsible for doing that.  But now I can allow my enthusiasm to run rampant while following these ex-Sonics.  Too bad their owner is a dildo though.    

On a side note of sorts, I love how Brooks lets his team play free, loose and easy.  They are fun to watch and are having fun themselves.   Carlisimo was a Nate type coach ... heavy handed and controlling.  That is the right style for some teams, but not for ones loaded with young, athletic, fast racehorses like the Thunder and especially the current Blazers. Nate has our young team thinking too much, not allowing them to use their basketball skills and instincts.  Time for him to finally show some flexibility .... or hand the reins to another coach who is willing to free-wheel.  Hmmm, I still can't get out of my mind how/why Nate didn't sign an extension last year.    

I'm wondering  how all we  Edgers are affected by the Comcast fiasco.  I tried to consider all possible situations but it taxed my limited brain power (smoke was rolling out my ears).   An assumption I made was that even if/when CSNW becomes available to the satellite companies, it will not be available to distant locations such as Dave's house. That seems logical to me but it may be wrong.   Still I hope I've covered most situations.

Nate has a tremendous challenge ahead of him this year. He has 3 rookies on the team now who will be expected to receive significant playing time: Oden (with only 1 year of college),  Rudy (a little more experienced) and Bayless (with only 1 year of college).  How difficult will it be to make the playoffs in the Western Conference while trying to break in  3 green rookies?  In my opinion .... highly improbable. 

So Blazer fans, we just might have to put those playoff aspirations on hold for yet one more year.   But in the end, it will be so worth the wait  if  you just let yourself imagine what will follow!    When it finally happens, I think we'll see that it will be more than just "making the playoffs".  We're going to be  winning some series'.

I'll not be at all disappointed if we fall short of the playoffs this upcoming season and will not be holding Nate accountable for it;  unless he is not giving these guys a chance to progress.    The joy and satisfaction will come from watching the development of these 3 high potential,  exciting players,  all the while observing the progress of  our key guys,  Brandon, LaMarcus, Travis and Martell. 

This is going to be an exciting season .... almost thrilling!   I am so pumped.

 ..... to get Rose that is.

First, I'd like to offer this opinion:  Rose will end up being a better point guard than either Paul or Williams.  He simply has so many outstanding skills.  Also - and I don't know how significant this is - Paul or Williams were never considered or discussed (that I recall) as top 2 selections in their draft.

For the sake of this FanPost, I'll make two assumptions: 1). KP would like to make a stab at acquiring Rose, and 2). he is not willing to part with Roy or Oden to do so.  Keep in mind this quote from Pritchard: "To get into the first two picks, you'll have to give up an all star and a pretty good starter".  

So, the question is:  how much would we be willing to give up to get Rose?  Here are some possibilities: 

a -  Rudy, Outlaw and #13

b - Aldridge, Outaw and #13

c - Aldridge, Rudy and #13

d - Aldridge, Rudy, Outlaw and #13

e - Aldridge, Rudy and Outlaw minus #13

Of course there are many other combinations we could offer, but excluding Roy and Oden I think Aldridge, Rudy and Outlaw represent our most valuable trading commodities.

Personally, I'd do 'a' in a heartbeat, although it would hurt to give up Travis.   But I'm not so sure about those other proposals involving Aldridge.  Give up LaMarcus?!  How could we, although I'm of the opinion that Rose will end up being more outstanding at his position than Aldridge will at his.  And, although considerable emphasis is placed on high quality bigs, I know quality PG's are highly valued as well.

I strongly suspect we'd have to throw in one of our big 3 to have any chance at Rose.  I think 'e' may have some merit as we'd still have the 13th pick to draft another power forward.

I'd do 'a' for sure.  "d" is too much.  I'd  seriously consider the others.

Am I nuts?

Am I the only one who is weary of all the Koby bashing on this site?  

Does this quote change anyone's mind?  It doesn't sound like whining to me.

       ************
"Orange County Register, Portland's Rose Garden is a thorn in Lakers' side:

    The Lakers have won 12 of 14 against the Trail Blazers at Staples Center but last won in the Rose Garden on Feb. 23, 2005.

    So what gives?

    "The athleticism," the Lakers' Kobe Bryant said. "That's always the big thing. They're just so athletic and quick. That's always been a problem for us."

This quote from Mike Barrett's blog:

"Afterwards(referencing last night's game), Nate McMillan said that having Joel on the floor more is what this team needs, and said he plans on moving in that direction."

Did I read that correctly?!! For the life of me, I can't understand why it's taken Nate so long to come to this realization?!  This concept has  seemed so obvious and many Blazer Edgers have been screaming for it all season long.  It's about time.

Still, seeing is believing (although Joel did get 31 minutes last night.)

This from the Oregonian:

-- he (Roy) said Monday his heel issues are "a thing of the past" that he doesn't "even think about any more" --

Whoa ... this is beautiful music to my ears.  I've been worried about that damn heel all year! Sports wise, I couldn't possibly have received better news.        

I've seen it opinionated in a few different places now how Phoneix, LA and Dallas are making their recent trade moves to place themselves in a  position to compete at high levels in 2 or 3 years .... inferring they're being done so those teams can hold their own against Oden and company.  

But I don't see it that way.  I'm sure the Phoneix move was to try to get to the finals THIS year.  2 or 3 years from now Shaq may not even be standing and Nash is iffy too.  Same with
Dallas regarding their attempts to aquire Kidd.  Do you really think they want Kidd so they can compete with the Blazers in 2 or 3 years?  He'll probably be retired in 3 years.  Kidd they hope, will help them get to the top this year.

With Koby being younger and still at the top of his game, the Laker's move is a little different in that it should benefit them not only in the immediate future but down the road a few years as well.  

I guess what I'm saying is that to me it's pretty arrogant of us to be thinking these trades are directly attributed to the fear that this up-and-coming steam roller of a team from Portland is striking into the hearts of the NBA nation.

I think most teams are aware that we could be pretty good, but there is a LOT to prove yet ... not the least of which revolves around Oden getting and staying healthy.