Every year the Blazers seem to surprise us on draft day.  So I've been trying to think outside the box... 

We all know the Blazers need a PG and some help at PF/C.  And there are definitely some options in this draft.  Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson, Nolan Smith or big men Kenneth Faried and Nikola Vucevic.  I think each of these guys is intriguing.

But what if the Blazers had the chance to draft a new Brandon Roy?

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About 15 years ago my dad used to take me downtown to the Fox Theater to watch Blazer games.  It was awesome. 

Something similar would definitively come in handy this year because not only do I not have Comcast, but I don't have TV at all!!!

I thought I remembered seeing some theaters in Portland playing Blazers vs Suns last year in the playoffs and was hoping to see the same thing this year.   

Can't find any real info online.  Granted I didn't look very hard, but wondering if anyone has info on theaters showing the game in southeast or downtown. 

If not, what are some of best bars to go to?  Does the trailblazers organization ever schedule an event to watch the road games?

Thanks!

Maybe someone smarter than me can answer this...Most of us agree that Andre Miller is a key part of this Blazers team and I would hate to see him go as much as anyone.  But considering that he's possibly one of our biggest trade assets as an expiring contract, would it be possible to deal him to a team that won't resign him and then we offer him something like the MLE next year?

I don't know enough about the cap and rules (I guess no one really knows what the rules will be after the new agreement) but would this be a way to have our cake and eat it too?  Sure we'd have to be without Dre for the rest of this season, which would suck, but if we can bring something back for him this year AND re-sign him next year it might be worth it.

I know the news is a couple days old, but I was just watching Courtside and listening to Rich Cho's interview.  I am curious about who the Core Specialist is that they sent Greg up to Vancouver B.C. to see. 

I'm interesting in finding more about this specialist and what kind of training methods he uses.  Does anyone have any further info on this? Ben? Dave?

Did a Google search and couldn't come up with anything.  Thanks for your input guys!

According to Hoops Hype the Nuggets are shopping Ty Lawson for a top 10 pick.  What are your thoughts on going after him?  Is it possible that Portland could package #22 with Rudy and/or something else to get a top 10 pick and go after Lawson?

Would it be worth it?  How do you see Lawson as the long term solution at PG?  Would he do well next to Brandon? 

He seemed to be pretty solid this year, but I didn't get a chance to see him a ton.  I would probably be comfortable packaging Rudy and the #22 straight up for him, but doubt that would be enough.  

Thoughts....

Hey Guys,

Didn't see this posted anywhere else.  But yesterday Hoopshype was linking to a rumor that Portland and New York have been involved in trade talks regarding a sign and trade for David Lee.  (sorry don't have the link)

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The fact that Portland ended up with the 4 seed is pretty deceiving because of the 3-way tie in the West. 

If you look at the entire league, the Blazers are tied for the 5th best record.  Only Boston, Cleveland, LA and Orlando had better records than the Blazers.

How amazing is that? The crazy thing is how much every player on this roster is stepping up.  Even the guys we have been critical of throughout the season - Outlaw, Sergio, Channing...

These guys are all playing great.  We beat Houston in 6?

Hey guys, thought the pod cast was happening yesterday but I havent seen it posted anywhere.  Did I just not see it or was it canceled.

I look forward to these every week and was just sitting around bored doing some chores around the house and wanted to listen to it. 

Let me know if you got any info. 

Since this thing has to be 75 words, I will just keep talking.  Jrue Holiday declared for the draft! Hope he falls to us or we trade up.

Was looking at the standing this morning and I honestly feel bad for Phoenix. 

It looks like they will finish the season with a better record than: Miami, Philly, Chicago and Detroit, all four team who will make the playoffs in the east.  On the other hand, Phoenix has to go home for the summer and the franchise misses out on the financial benefit of playing in the post season - just because they are in the west.  

The also messes with draft picks.  Phoenix will most likely get a higher draft pick than the four teams mentioned above, and again Phoenix has a better record than all of them.

Seems like too much is being determined based on conference.  I love the playoffs the way they are, but Im starting to come around to the idea that the best 16 should make it, regardless of conference. 

I think this would make a more interesting bracket.  Where you have 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15.  Not only would this be more interesting, it would give the teams that finish the season with the best record even more of an advantage in the 1st found (which is how it should be). 

For example, in 2007 Dallas had the best record in the NBA and we all know they got upset by Golden State.  But with 16 team seeding, even though Dallas had far and away the best record in the league, they had to play the team with the 13th best record instead of the 16th.  Golden State would have been the #6 seed in the East. 

Maybe this is pointless to bring up because we know the NBA won't change, but I still think the playoffs would be much more interesting if the top 16 make it, regardless of conference.

2 of the most up to date draft websites have PG Jrue Holiday falling to the Blazers in the first round or even lower.  One of the sites lists him as a Rodney Stuckey, best case scenario or a Mario Chalmers, worst case scenario.  Others have compared him to Russell Westbrook. 

He's 6'3" 185 lbs.

I would have a major "uprise" if we landed him.  Watched him play a couple of times and was impressed with his potential considering he's only a freshman.  Looked to have good ball handling but can also score like a SG.  Has an NBA body, but is young and obviously needs more experience.  

To get him with the 25th or so pick, would be incredible!

Worse case scenario, he becomes our 2nd/3rd string point guard (depending on who we keep this summer).  Best case, he becomes a legit starting PG in a couple of years.

The question was asked on Courtside this week. 

Considering the following, how much different will our roster look next year?

1. Shavlik, Channing and Ruffin are free agents. 

2. We can bring in Peteri and Freeland. 

3. We have 4 or 5 draft picks. 

4. We don't really have enough minutes at the forward spots for Outlaw, Martell, LA and Batum. 

5. We have our trade exception $$$ to sign another player or buy another pick

6. This years team is playing great together

I think we all love this team right now, but there just isn't enough room for everyone.  Will there be some consolidating?

A lot of people think this is a weak draft year.  Despite that, I have a feeling this year's draft will have a few sleepers that will slip into the 2nd round. 

With Portland having something like four 2nd round picks, I think we are in a position to take some risks and I'm really confident that we will come up with at least 1 very good draft pick. 

Someone like a Batum who will end up contributing way more than we thought. 

One guy I am really interested in, although havent seen enough of, is Sergio Llull, Real Madrid's PG.  Almost all mocks have him going late 2nd round.

Could be another Sergio Rodriguez, but could also be another Jose Calderon.  I would certainly risk one of our 2nd picks on a prospect like that. 

Do you guys feel that we will get anyone worthwhile this year?  Who might be some second round sleepers available to Portland?

Yes, it's tourney time so we can go ahead and talk about draft prospects, even though the season isn't over yet. 

I don't get to see a ton of college ball so I wanted to know what you guys think about some of the PGs available.  I only want to talk about guys that are likely to be available when we pick.  So let's not include guys like Rubio.

I have trolled all the mock drafts available and here is a list of guys who have been listed low enough to fall to the Blazers, who of these guys would be an upgrade at least over our backups:

Darren Collison

AJ Price

Ty Lawson

Tyrese Rice

Jonny Flynn

Eric Maynor

Do we want to see any of these guys in a Blazer uniform next season? Would any of them start for us next season?  What do you like and dislike about each guy?

Not getting down on Nate, just wanted to discuss some stuff.

By losing instead of winning tonight the Blazers go from being tied for 3rd in the West to being tied for 6th.

Of course, we all know how important these games are in the "drum tight" West .

To me the team played tonight without any sense of urgency or desperation.  It looked like they were playing a game in December.  They didn't come out like this was a must win game. 

And I wonder about this every time I hear Nate McMillan doing interviews.  He will never concede that a game is bigger than any other game.  He simply says Of course we want to win, every game is important."

But I'd argue that these games are becoming HUGELY important.  Look how fired up this team was for LA because of all the hype and history surrounding it.  But that stuff isn't there against Dallas.  And unfortunately, this game was probably more important that the Laker game because we aren't fighting LA for playoff position, but we are in a dog fight with Dallas. 

But I wonder if Nate's cool and calm attitude rubs off on the team the wrong way.  When he's interviewed he doesn't show any sense of urgency to win or anything. But maybe thats just the face he puts on for the media.

So Im just wondering, who do you think is to blame about the lack of intensity we see is so many games? Does Nate do enough to fire the team up?  Or is it not even his job.  Some would argue that its Roy's job. 

Would any other coach have gotten Portland fired up tonight? Jerry Sloan? Greg Pop?

Would a coach that jumps around and screams like Stan Van Gundy be able to get the team more ready to play? 

Just some things for us to talk about. 

P.S. I do think Nate got outcoached tonight.  Our zone execution was horrific.

Hey guys,

I think its safe to say that Portland will have to face this type of bullying BS for many years to come.  Whether its from a team like LA or Boston or Detroit back in the late 80's / early 90s. And to be honest, I think Portland is handling it very well, especially for how young and nice our players are.

But I still think it would help to bring even more toughness to this roster.  Especially when you get deep in the playoffs, the physical play will get even worse. 

I think Greg will help bring some toughness as he matures.  We saw a glimpse of that against Boston when he tossed Ray Allen.  But I can't help but think that a Buck Williams type player would look so good in a Blazers uniform side by side with the likes of Greg, Roy, LA, Batum, etc. 

I guess it makes me happy we didnt bring in R Jefferson or Vince Carter.  But someone like Gerald Wallce sounds even better for next season than it did at the trade deadline. 

What do you guys think about bringing in a tough as nails SF? Or would a super tough PG be better?  Who around the league do you think fits the ideal description? C. Butler perhaps? Odom? A Brian Grant type?

Nathan Vredevelt is a teenager with Down's Syndrome who was hit on I-5 near the rose garden.  The Trailblazers and fans were raising money to help his family with the medical expenses. 

I received the very sad news via email from the Blazers earlier tonight.

"The unfortunate accident on I-5 on Sunday has taken the life of Gresham’s Nathan Vredevelt. The Trail Blazers offer their condolences to the Vredevelt family. The team, in an effort to assist the family with medical bills, hosted a collection at Wednesday’s game that generated more than $21,000 in cash donations, including amounts collected on-line.  $10,000 donations from the Trail Blazers and Southlake Church have generated an additional $20,000 for a total of over $41,000."

What a sad story.  My prayers to his familiy and friends.  RIP Nathan...

Hey guys,

I don't see very much college ball so I don't know much about this years draft prospects but I've heard its a really great year for point guards. 

This team is pretty deep and it already seems like we need to consolidate some of our positions, so what direction so you see us going?  What is the main position we target? 

Do you see Portland trying to upgrade the PG position? Will there be someone available who's an upgrade over Sergio or Bayless or even Blake?  Any chance of us landing a PG that would be instant starters for us? If so who?

We have so much young talent at all positions that watching KP at this year's draft will be very interesting.

Discuss...

First of all, let me say that none of this is a criticism of the team so dont take it that way.  Its simply a discussion of how we differ from some really strong teams.

I was listening to Kenny the Jet and Charles on TNT talking about Boston picking up Marbury and it brought up an interesting thought about team chemistry. 

Neither Barkley or Kenny had even an ounce of concern about the Celtic picking up Marbury and they both said the Celtics team, Doc Rivers and Garnett will absolutely not tolerate any poor behavior from him.  I think Barkley even said they will put their foots on his throat and make him conform to the team or else he wont be there. 

Contrast this to Marbury coming to Portland and Im guessing everyone would flip out saying he would come in and destroy our culture.  Or consider the same thing with other guys like V. Carter.  There is a huge concern by the fans and team that one player could come in and make a huge disruption. 

I would just like to discuss this.  Is it simply because of our youth?  Is it because our leader, Roy, is not as intimidating as Garnett?  Is it the coach?  Doc Rivers is a relatively young and inexperienced coach, very similar to Nate.  But does Doc have more control and influence over his teams actions than Nate would?

Lets talk about how the blazers are different and how they can strengthen their culture to a point like the Celtics where one guy cant come in and make a huge disruption.  Is it simply a matter of letting the young guys grow up?

Do we simply just lack the toughness necessary to get in a guy's face?

First it was reported that Oden's knee would be checked out on Tuesday.  Then they said Wednesday.  Now they are saying he is going to miss Friday and Sunday's games but he isn't going to see the doctor until Monday.  And they say he wont get an MRI.

Am I missing something or does none of this make sense? We are talking about a multi-million dollar athlete and his knee has been swollen for exactly a week now and he hasn't seen a doctor? And won't for another 4 days?  What? And why would you hesitate on getting an MRI?

Are they lying, hiding something, stupid?  Or am I way off?

I think its agreed that if Portland doesn't make the playoffs this year it will be a monumental failure.  Even more so because of their strong record this far into the season.  Expectations have been raised for sure. 

Im not saying we should have made a trade and Im definitely not saying that we wont make the playoffs.  Im just saying that I think there is even more pressure now to make the playoffs or not trading will be looked at as a very poor decision. 

I still dont see us beating any of the other top eight teams in a seven game series.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Portland is one of the leading candidates to trade for John Salmons.  I know this is nothing new, but here's the kicker...the article talks nothing about using RLEC in the trade, instead Portland would use Channing's $3.2 million expiring contract.   Another piece like Ike would have to be added to make the $$$ work. 

I know people around here aren't big on trading RLEC for Salmons and I agree completely.  But if you can give up Channing Frye + filler for Salmons, I think you jump on that immediately.  The only way you don't is if you have a better trade on the table to bring in a better SF.

Here's the article:

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1627985.html

Not sure if this has already been posted or if most of you have seen it, but David Aldridge has a nice article on NBA.com today that talks about the economy and mentions a lot about Portland and how they are in a great position coming into this trade deadline with a combination of Raef's contract, young cheap players, and a lot of owners really hurting in this economy. 

It was a nice little read and really shows how much leverage Portland has in the next 10 days.  This could get sooooo exciting for Blazers fans!

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/02/09/aldridge/index.html

P.S. Sounds like Richard Jefferson and Ramon Sessions are available.  Would be interesting...

Trade talks are heating up as we get closer and closer to the deadline.  I love it! Phoenix's situation just adds fuel to the fire and I expect in the next week and a half we might see another team or two get desperate. 

Portland has 3 options.  Trade Raef.  Let Raef expire and sign a free agent this summer.  Do nothing. 

I think KP and his staff already know whether or not there is a FA they want this summer and how likely it is that they will actually get him. If they have their eye on someone and think they can get him, then we may not make a move.

Looking at what's available in our price range, I think its highly possible that we get more for Raef through a trade right now.   While we all try to narrow the options to PGs and SFs like Butler, Gerald Wallace, Hinrich, etc, KP is smart enough to know that the other option no one is talking about is to just use Raef to land a good asset. 

The asset may not even fit into the team's future plans, but in business, assets are assets.  And a really good player can be used in a trade this summer or down the road, even if its not a player we really want. 

If you find a team desperate to give away a good asset, we can go after it.  Even if its a SG or someone in a position that we don't need.  Its still gives us more trade power later than just letting Raef float off the books.

Thoughts?

One of the other posts brought up that we are paying Steve Francis 15 million this year.  His salary comes off the books at the end of the year.  Doesn't this give us 15 mil more to play with this summer than most people are calculating?

Is this right or is there something Im missing because this seems to put us way under the luxury tax and would actually make us a huge player in this summer's free agency. 

According to the numbers I found, if we keep everybody we have now except for Shav and Ike we are only around $48 million next year (that includes Darius's money) with the cap probably around $70 million. 

Am I understanding this right?  This means we could sign practically any free agent this summer (Hedo, Marion, Boozer, Bibby, etc).

Of course Im only looking at next year, I know our payroll is going to increase in the future because Roy, LA, Oden, Rudy will command more $$$.

Turk is an UNrestricted free agent this summer and is only making 1/2 of what Raef is making this year.  I think he would be an incredible pickup in the free agency and may really strengthen us at the SF position. 

He'll bring much needed veteran leadership and hes got a decent amount of playoff experience and will get even more this year with Orlando.  

What do you think?  Should we go after him?