So I am going to probably my final game of the year on the 22nd vs Washington, and REALLY REALLY want at least Gwallace Autograph, any suggestions or tips on where to go, who to talk etc to try and snag some?

When I used to work there back in highschool, I recall Sheed driving out the parking garage and some ladies stopping his vehicle and he obliged them with his crooked smile and autographed their tshirts....smooth cat. :}

Being bless/cursed with ADD, I had a random thought the other day about why don't we see ANY basketball players over 8 feet tall?  Sure 7'6-7'' is pretty dang close with Mursean, Bradley, Yao etc, but why not anyone over 8 feet? Do you think in the next 10 years we will see someone play in the NBA that is over 8 feet?

There must be some type of biological cieling to this, and from just my brief off the head ramblings, it appears that 8 feet and over starts getting into the realm of gland disorders/gigantism.

Obviously for the NBA and basketball in general, managers/coaches/scouts just swoon when they hear of or see a teenager who is already aproaching 7 feet, and try and get that man developed as much as possible, but it's no small feat for sure.

We all know the myriad of health problems associated with tallness, even Mr. Oden falls in this category and he's right at 7 feet. Foot, ankle, knee issues, bearing that weight for years and living in a world not designed for such huge people takes it's toll.

Do you think these giants are more a gimmick than anything? I think history has shown not many super tall men do well in the pros, with Yao being the lone exception currently. And as the game seems to shifter further away from dominating big men, and more to speedy wing players, do they become a liability with their plodding styles? Until a 7'8'' Lebron type comes around(yeah..) I don't see it really paying off to invest in such extremes.

http://www.articlesbase.com/basketball-articles/top-10-tallest-players-in-nba-history-645997.html

http://nbahoopsonline.com/History/Leagues/NBA/tallest.html

Some more Interesting sites talking about this:

http://www.thetallestman.com/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_people

Look at this insane growth chart for the world's tallest man Robert Wadlow:

Height chart

[edit] See also

Via Ben's original post from a few days ago.

Rose City Exchange Is Back This Weekend

The 8th annual Rose City Exchange, a local AAU tournament that brings together some of the best high school talent in the country, kicks off tomorrow night at 5pm at Lewis and Clark College. Tournament games run in blocks of four on Friday, Saturday starting at 3:15PM and Sunday starting at 3:15PM.

This year's field includes Meanstreets (IL.), Baltimore Elite (MD.), California Supreme (CA.), ICP Portland (OR.), Northwest Panthers (WA.) Friends of Hoop (WA.), ECBA 2011 (WA.), and Richmond Bad Boyz (CA.).

The list of past participants in the event is ridiculous: Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, OJ Mayo, Martell Webster, Kevin Love and, more recently, local stars Mike Moser and Terrence Jones.

OregonLive has a look at this year's top talents.

Tickets are always affordable and can be purchased at the door. I'll see you out there this weekend.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

---------------------------------------------

So being Sat night now as I write this, anyone go and see any good hoops so far?

 I tried to find forums to discuss this but the Rose City Showcase site is pretty bare bones(not even ticket prices listed, no rosters) so no chance there, I'm sure on some AAU forums somewhere it might go into a bit, or maybe OregonLive?

Anyways, I most likely will end up there tomorrow Sunday for the final games, and I figure if the tickets are under $10 each or so(last year they were $10) that's a good deal to see future NBA/college prospects up close.

I saw Tyson Chandler when they had something like this at the Memorial Colliseum...I think Freddie Jones was there too, but that might be HS playoffs...that was over a decade ago...jeezus.

Ben did mention to look for the Nike Global Challenge in August http://www.primetimepdx.com/ngc/,  which should be better he said.

First off, I really want to like the WNBA. Back in college at OSU I worked a few women's BBall games and they were pretty cool and all, rah rah, lot more passion at times, good TEAM focus etc etc. I just had no idea who was who aside from our own players, and without any real WOW factors like extreme height/dunks/oops/girls dropping 40/night, I had trouble sticking with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_National_Basketball_Association

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Fire (Completly forgotten about FIRE!!!)

Now the WNBA has some interesting players and some of that ever important star power, something that the NBA/NFL has really keyed in on to market itself. It's not the TEAM, it's the matchups or individual players that attract an audience more often than not. You don't see people wearing Blazers jersies with BLANK on the back or TEAM and no numbers- you rock your favorite player if you can afford it. Still, the same issues that are inherent to women's basketball are present, just not quite as prevalant. More athletes, more HUGE games/tripe double types, more taller players etc. The All-Star weekend tie ins also are kinda neat as they try and strengthen the bond between the two sides of the coin.

I think a lot can change if a certain lady by the name of Britttney Griner eventually plays for the WNBA. She can dunk. She can dominate on the boards/block shots like none other in recent memory, and is adding to her offensive game. She is TALL for a lady at 6'8''(and possibly growing I don't know) so that's always interesting to see as that's about the equavlant of a Yao Ming/Shawn Bradly type in the NBA. When she was playing in college playoffs recently it was the ONLY women's game i saw all year, and rightly so as ESPN hyped the beejeezus out of it and got me sucked in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittney_Griner

I also think that having a WNBA video game-that is GOOD mind you-would do wonders for the sport. Get EA/2K to whip something up for the Summer Time inbetween LIve/College games. That should create a bit more buzz around it, and with increased media coverage it just might

Another tidbit for this season is Marion Jones playing for a team. Back in teh day for North Carolina she was damn good and led them to a title, then went to the racetrack route for fame, so that's kidna interesting since she's been removed from the sport for more than a decade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Jones

Interestingly enough, the WNBA almost tries to be like FIBA in a lot of ways(3pt line line, length of game etc) where maybe they should focus on making it more like the NBA. It's now WFIBA or something after all.. Obviously you probably can't move the 3pt line back farther than FIBA/NCAA, but perhaps make the quarters the same length as NBA(WNBA are 10min/ x 4) to help increase those numbers. People more often than not will respond to larger numbers, and it can be more comparable then to NBA. THe WNBA for 10 years had a 30sec shot clock, but finally smartened up and shifted to the NBA 24second in 2007...but maybe too little too late? So far career PPG leaders are hovering around 20ppg, rebounders arounders around 10 etc. Maybe it's a slightly more team focused game than the NBA, but those aren't really eye popping stats from supposedly the best players in the world.

So what do you think? WNBA going to make it another 5 seasons? Do you ENJOY the WNBA? Do you detest it?

Few more selected articles about the WNBA:

http://www.swishappeal.com/2010/5/13/1470147/2010-wnba-players-to-watch (SB Nation!)

http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/womens/2009/11/why-i-love-the-wnba-2/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-13/why-i-love-the-wnba/ (Condi Rice loves her some WNBA)

So yeah....I'm not a fan of othier team(O RLY!?!?) and I'm not a fan of rematches much either, I like new blood and new faces, and would have loved to see Orland-Suns, or Thunder-Cleveland or something zany.

But really these playoffs combined with some tough losses and first round exit by Blazers, were just horrible. 3-4 series sweeps? That 2nd round was done in a flash. I bet Stern was just cringing at the loss of money there. The semi-finals looked like another round of blowouts/sweeps(and were for Orlando for the most part) but these teams managed to put up a little fight towards the end, especially the Suns. Were these possibly the worst play-offs in recent memory?

Personally, I can't wait for the Free Agent Madness, the Draft(Blzrs moving up?), Summer/Training Camp, and my other great passion in sports, Football, namely Oregon State(Rodgers brothers!!!).

I would see if this works in the ESPN trade machine but my work blocks it. If Twolves wanted Rudy+pick I would do that as well, and they can throw in Brewer or something as future trade fodder/match salaries, or some kind of  3 team deal...I dunno particulars.

I figure T-wolves would love a unleashed Rudy(sell some tickets) as a starting SG and another 1st/2nd round pick to keep rebuilding. Not only that, but Love/Jefferson were too similar really to mesh well, LMA might be what they need to open things up more, along with Rudy striking from distance. LMA also can filll in as 2nd option like he's used to and perhaps even get more looks.

I know LMA has a pretty decent upside, but he should have had better PPG/RB/Blk with another year under his belt and Oden/Pryz/Roy/Rudy out so much, yet his stats are eerily similar to 2008-9. We have all heard the soft stuff, the 20ft jump shots etc etc, and it's true for the most part, especially when so many folks from broadcasters, coaches, experts and fans all say the same thing over and over for months.

LMA ESPN Stats

So what about Kevin Love?

Love ESPN Stats

Hollinger Per 20.72

PRO:

• Guy is from Oregon, LO, Dad went to Oregon, we all know about Klove.
•  Slower and plodding better fit Nate's style(assuming he's still here, which is most likely),
•   Groomed to be great from father and study of the game/veteran players, higher BB IQ than LMA(higher upside?)
•  MUCH better rebounder/inside presense. Offensive rebounding off the charts. Coupled with Oden we would have two of the best rebounders around...not to mention Camby spelling both.
•  Still has outside range including a solid 3point shot(33/100 roughly) which will spread floor/space for Oden. Either get better shot or maybe drop down/stop altogether the threes a bit ala Josh Smith.
• Underated athlete-can dunk over people/put backs/STRONG.
•  Better passer,especially his famous EPIC outlets 
• Younger
• Dare I say SUPER WHITE P-town identify better with Klove? One of the few American born GOOD white players in the league. Better get him locked down before THIS guy gets him...
• Packaging Rudy also allows for more time for Batum/Bayless/Webster. Possibly even more development for Pendy/Cunningham as Love might not play 38ish minutes like LA did, but more like 32-33min.

Con:

• Not a defensive force by any means. Lower blks thatn Aldridge. But is her soft? Or just not a shot blocker? How is his 1:1 post D/positioning etc? Rotation quickness on pick/roll?
• LMA could explode on us and be another Jermaine O'Neal type?
• Love injury prone? Missed first part of season with a foot injury if I recall? Anything prior
• Break up team moral/nucleus?

 I'm actually using the ultra-scientific/accurate preview method of said trade via NBA 2k10, and with a steady diet of looks, Love had 39/12/6(assists) in the first game. :}

------------

Overall, if we do stick with LMA into next year, I truly hope he does improve and step up because I do like the guy, and he's been here since day 1 and tapped as the triumvirate..and just feels a bit premature to perhaps trade him...but it's worth a look as we enter the OFFSEASON(aka SPECULATE LIKE CRAZY TIME)

 Also, if anyone has any other viable trades involving LMA I'm all ears.

Cheers!

Mom's couch in Indiana slurping down Spagheti watching on TNT?(thank goodness too because League Pass is apparently too much moola for Mr. Oden.)

Or was he actually back in Portland for this CRUCIAL game?

I mean Roy coming back early makes Oden look like a punk to be quite honest.

I know it sucks Greg you can't jump in and help, but it's called MORAL Support for a team that made you it's number 1 pick, has stayed with you through all your TERRIBLE injuries, and yet you apparently aren't even sitting courtside? I know sitting on some of those chairs can get painfull for your bum leg, but at least come out here and there, go get a stretch, grab some food in the locker room...PLEASE.

I'm seriously considering trading you in my 2k10 Gregory(*gasp), please man...I honestly love your GLOWING personality(on the GO with G.O. is great) and potential, but where is your HEART right now?

Please someone tell me he was at the game...was he hiding behind Sagger's suit?

I'm looking for some free sites(aka NOT ESPN INSIDER) that have current/draftable NBA players.

I know there are several Draft sites that do a good job with previews and strengths/weaknesses, but what about CURRENT player sites a la Hollinger in the ESPN Insider?

There has to be something out there doesn't doesn't nickle and dime you just to check out evaluations and the like, so please help a fellow Blazer Maniac out.

THANKS!

Just had to say I love the MDA system, and I wish our Coach Nate Mcmillian would run more(hell AT ALL) as we are dead last in just about every "fast" offensive stat.

And the Blazers have the guys that can run too.

Anyways, I love David Lee and Wilson Chandler looks like he can be a stat stuffer a la Gerald Wallace type. Sergio also should do well out here, and I'm glad he gets a chance to play run and gun like he is used to.

Here's hoping to a great offseason where you guys can pick up a huge name or two.

Cheers!

I'll admit I don' t follow Bobcats extremly well(due to geographical reasons partly) but what do you guys think about Stephen Jackson and his role on this team for the future?

I know in the past he had some issues with bouncing around from teams, the infamous running into stands and whatnot, and his shooting percentage is rather attrocious historically, he's probably too much of a gunner from what I can see and too streaky, a la J.R. Smith type, but more well arounded(steals, assists etc).

Who do you think Charlotte needs or wants in any trade type deals? Seems like a winger scorer replacement that can shoot the 3 better and maybe let Gforce get more shots(he needs more, guy can score 25/game).

Anyone in the draft could come in and make immediate impact? You guys keep winning like this you probably will be too high to find someone.

Pretty simple question posted here and there before, as I recall off the cuff he had similar duties back in Washington, and now  in the NBA ball dominates and has most of the offense run through him it just makes logical sense.

I keep trying to play Miller/Roy etc in my NBA 2K9 game for instance, but it just works so much better in that virtual world with Roy at PG, Rudy/Webster at 2, Batum 3 etc. Andre or another random PG type off bench to spell Roy. This way provides Rudy the playing time he deserves and wants, and can spot up for 3s and other running around like he does well. And Andre gets to be the main ball handler when he comes in off bench playing without Brandon, which would be nearly seamless as Miller is just like Roy without the athletism and outside shot, namley the lack of three pointer.

Is Roy too slow to keep pace with opposing PGs? Who do you slide around to guard them then? Does Batum guard quick starting PGs and Brandon shifts to slower SG/SF types?

Conversly with his size. strength and overall quickness, couldn't he dominate matchups with some PGs assuming the coache's don't switch around? What would that do to the switching though with an overall tall starting line-up with no one under 6'6''?

Bringing the ball up the court have to be relegated to JUST the PG position? Can't our SF/SG bring it up to spell Roy the extra miles running up and down?

Is there a particular game or stretch of the season where we ever actually tried this line-up?

I'm thinking of moving into Downtown Ptown(live near Sandy now, commute to Oregon City for work is laaame) and was wondering what some good places/venues were for sports bars and the like for Blazers Fans. I assume that place that held Talkin Ball is decent?

Also, any recomendations for highrise apts downtown? The Commodore looks pretty good overall, and I plan on selling my car to save money so biking/walking/Trimet for me, and most likely shift my job to Gresham area within my company(Albertina Kerr).

First, NBA 2k_(9 for me currently) is THE best overall NBA game. Let's just get that out of the way first.

Hand in hand with loving my Blazers, I enjoy testing out the various roster combinations and tweaking and editing them to help forecast down the road(which in 2K series you can edit EVERYTHING anytime, not so sure in Live...).

For example I "fast-progressed"(edited) pretty much everyone save Roy because he is pretty much close to complete as they come, sans improving the D a bit. Results were crazy awesome fun:

Oden faster, more athletic, more offense, LMA now played like Nowitzki with better D/inside game, Batum turned into Pippen with better outside shot, Webster continued to be a gunslinger but now quite a beast on D/handle with rock etc etc etc...visions of the future?

Currently using NBA 2K9 still(get current rosters/prospects online via ingame menu, don't have to pay $40 for 2k10) and have a roster of:

C: Oden/Pryz/LMA(*sniff sniff) are obviously AWESOME when healthy so no brainer there. Quite fond of both!

PF: LMA/Pendy/Juwan/Cunningham

SF: Gerald Wallace(*prays*)/Batum/Webster

Traded Blake/Outlaw/Jbay/1st Rd draft pick to Charlotte for G Wallace. (in reality this would be nice, plus cash+picks to Charlotte and they throw in picks/role player). It actually worked ingame for just Blake/Outlaw/Pick which is a bit silly so feeling sorry for the stupid CPU I just dumped Bayless altogether lol.

Crash Wallace is a BEAST. Great on D, always comes up with off ball steals/blocks, lots of hustle plays, full court breakway dunks after thefts-just awesome. He only averages about 10ppg(10min quarters), 5rb, 1.5 assists, 2steals, 1.5 blocks but he's really on the Blazers for two things: Explosive D and Boarding.

Batum should get more minutes and does everything pretty well, and I usually play him off of Webster so there is a good D/Offense trade off there, though Batum is getting quite good at O lately(*note to self adjust offense ingame)

But overall, much more D focused, with more minutes to go around sans Jbay at the 2 and Outlaw at 3.

SG: Rudy/Webster/Batum

Explosivo extravaganzo! Good, TALL, rangy 2's, all getting better with time.

PG: Roy/Miller/Rudy/MIlls

Roy is a ball controling point scoring PG in a SG/SF body. Just put him here and be done with it! True ingame really quick point guards dont cuase him as much headache as say maybe in reality, so I can afford to live this fantasy scenario, but I have heard debates about him staying with the Brooks/Pauls of the league decently enough..

Miller comes off the bench, veteran, scoring punch, runs the uptempo more etc. Possible trade in furture as he really isn't "perfect" but I try and keep the team as close to reality as possible.

---------

Going foward, I forsee possibly fast proggesing LMA, either that or trading him because he's a wee bit too soft for me right now in reality to really get into him. Not really sure on who to get...suggestions for an All-Star PF? I could use to free up some more playing time for Batum/Rudy/Webster

I'l try and keep this updated for the folks who care (*cricket cricket*) to indulge in the world of sports gaming.

Direct TV peeps like myself able to order the CSN channel yet? I see Cali, Midwest and other regional CSN, but not Northwest/Blazers channel. I have to see my blazers doing well despite all these crazy injuries, this is a memorable season for sure!

I really am pissed if this is the case, I guess I will have to resort to streaming online Justin.tv deal or somethingg....uhg.

Any word on next season and DTV/Sattelite getting some love?

Ok...the first person who can CONFIRM where/if these will be broadcasted out somehow, wins a COOKIE!

I can't wait to hear about Oden and his new toned down physique. Too bad BRoy and LA didn't go, but I can understand with no contracts that is a big risk.

Continue reading this post »

INFO/VIDEO/PICS etc-SHARE YOUR OWN!

I scrounged the interweb for the best I could find. Here's hoping this post doesn't go to waste unlike the TurkyGlue one...but I got a good feeling we will AT LEAST have Paul until Dec 15 if not the whole year and beyond. (this time I hyperlinked to new windows! So no annoying having to go back constantly.)

 Random Factoids worth mentioning about ManSap( I didn't choose that nickname...PLEASE suggest another!)

- Played at LA-Tech, the same school as Karl Malone. (double burn on Utah.)

-Accolades:  Louisiana Mr. Basketball (high school) (03), Fourth Team Parade All-American (high school) (03), WAC Freshman of the Year (04), Second Team All-WAC (04), WAC All-Newcomer (04), First Team All-WAC (05), First Team All-WAC (06), WAC All-Defensive Team (06).

 -only player in NCAA history to win three straight national rebounding titles.

General INFO/STATS:

His Homepage

ESPN Player Page(with Gamelog loaded, look at between Dec and Feb, he was a BEAST. Surprising amount of steals for a 4/5 and also his O-rebounds were off the charts, almost averaged more of those than Defensive)

Wikipedia

Yahoo Sports Player Page

NBA.COM Player Page(ESPN is better IMO, more detailed)

College Stats

College Highlights: (can you find this range his agent was talking about?)

Still looking....damn hard to find. I would ask around from Utah fans or Lousiana Tech people if they have any stowed away on a HD or random site.

Add them in a reply and I'll edit them in.

Interesting tidbit, Bing video search allows mouse-over play on their vids, pretty cool.

NBA Highlights:

Mixes:

First 12 Games as Jazzersizer (worst song choice in history....)

2007-2008 Get out of my WAY!

2008-2009 Mix

BEAST MODE ACTIVATE!

Rejecting Shaq Daddy

Single Plays:

AMAZING POST MOVE! ( visions of SF eh? He is pretty damn smooth and quick for 250)

Circus Shot (OLAY!)

Here is a present for my new Pal in Da Post!

Strong Finish over Gasol!

NBA 2K9 highlights (Cool feature! At the end of every game you can watch highlights from every player that played.)

Interviews(Face time for PM. Lady killer? Meh, no Rudy that's for sure,  but he's the Brad Pitt of the NBA so that's hard to compete with)

Interview with Jim Rome 2009

Pre-Game

Post-Game

Post Game 2008 Playoff Win

Special Vids:

MMA Traiing in offseason (New sparring partner for Joel!)

Fry Sauce Hot Dog

I would say from all indicators they are a rather chummy lot...but what say you Blazer Edgers?  I just hardly hear stories about players in the NBA or elsewhere really doing a TON together, they just seem to go off to their own little worlds most of time, back to their home cities to practice/train, then more or less show up, back slap each other a few times and collect their money. Such is life in proffesional sports...

Any stories about pro/con relationships with any players? Or Coaches/assistants and players? Or even Mike Rice and players, do they REALLY love the man as much as I do?

Was Steve Blake and Bayless seen chowing down at the Agency exchaning high fives over ribs!!?!

Was Broy stood up for a round of Ice Skating at Loyd Center by Mr. Oden?!?!

GO!

First, that Lewis and Clark with the B-Ball was epic.

Secondly, the new one..eh..not so much. It looks like a OSU Basketball coming in from the Milky Way( perhaps bringing some talent to OSU's roster one can hope...or it could be their magical gameball...) done in early 90s special effects style.

So what say you BEdgers? Shall they answer our cries of bringing back a classic logo?

Or is this new logo an awesome new addition, not unlike fans who use the word 'Zers to refer to our Rip City crew?

VOTE!

via www.operationsports.com

Continue reading this post »

EDIT:

Oh you silly man you...enjoy the frostbite and hockey!

Where will magic happen this year? (T-TOWN apparently pfft)

 He is such a silly billy.

 Game Winners:

Game Winner vs Boston

Game Winner vs Blazers

Game Winner vs Sixers 09 Playoffs

Game Winner vs Bulls

Game Winner vs Toronto

Game Winner vs Seattle

Mixes:

Top 10 plays 2007-08

Hedo IS Magic

Turkish Delight

Interviews:

Rise of Hedo

Lengthy Interview

NBA Access(Rashad! Good story)

Hedo say what??? (funny).

Posterizations:

Eat it Turkish Style

And again.

And one more for good measure.

Defense...say WHAT?

Steal running the break

Kobe Stopper!!! (just forget he broke Turk's ankles first...)

Just replace Dwight with ANY RAPTOR! BOOOO!

Bada

Bing

Bada

BOOM!

More to come....? No, for obvious reasons. *sniff sniff