Ok, so I'm a communications construction contractor (telephone, fiber optics, cable). On a Saturday night in March 2007, I am involved in a house move on Sunnyside Rd. and SE 92nd. A house move is where they put a house on wheels and move it from one location to another. Our job is to raise the comm. lines, so the house can pass under. It's about 1am and I'm standing all alone in a barricaded section of road, talking to my guys on the radio, when a big white stretch limo pulls into the blocked off area. So as I start to walk towards it (to tell him to get out of here) it pulls right up to me, even to the rear door. I figure someone is going to roll the window down and ask for directions? Well, the door opens and a guy jumps out. It's Terry Emmert of Emmert International, whom I had met before. It was his company peforming the house move. He comes up, puts his arm around me and with alcohol laden, asks how it's going. I say, well you're in a limo and a suit and I'm in a hard hat on a Saturday night, how do ya think it's goin? He mumbles something a takes off down the road for the house. So I'm standing there, and out of the limo climbs Clyde. One of my all time favorite players. Just him and me, no one within a quarter mile of us.

We stood and talked for at least ten minutes, while Emmert was wondering around. This was just after Steve Patterson had resigned, and the Blazers were in need of both a president and a gm. I asked if he were here to interview and he said he wasn't able to say, so I took that as a yes. I did ask that he seriously consider a position, to bring some class back to the organization, but he said they hadn't offered anything yet. In hindsight, I guess he isn't really the front office type.

I got to tell him about a couple of my favorite memories involving him. One was when I got to take my father (before he passed) to see him and the original Dream Team and stand behind the basket for warm-ups and layup drills. The other was the 1992 All-Star game, when with about a minute and a half to go, Clyde was clearly the MVP and yet he gave that up to let Magic have his last hurrah. On the final possession, Clyde made sure that Magic got the ball for the final shot. What a class act.

As Emmert came back, I got to thank Clyde for all the memories, shook his hand again and wished him well. As I watched them drive away, I was immediately back on the radio telling all the guys my story.

Bynum suspended for 5 games and fined 25K for the flagrant on Barea. Not nearly enough for me. Not after what he did to GW, Michael Beasley and Barea, I feel the League should have made a bigger statement. He made no play on the ball in any of these and could end someone's career. If he can't play defense without driving elbows into defenseless opponents going to the basket, sit him for half a season and give him time to think about it. 

And yes, I would feel the same way if it was Oden, although I may be the biggest l@aker hater anywhere.

Turns out that the fine was for taking off his jersey and not for the for the foul, what a joke. I wouldn't have been satisfied with $100k.

Wallace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqMKjrr2Fyc

Beasley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed3umTuRTqo&feature=related

Barea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsMprVOQToM

I am a half season ticket holder with one extra ticket for home games 3 (thurs.4/21) and 6 (thurs. 4/28). My seat partner is out of town for work and won't be back for the playoffs. They are in sec. 121, row L, near the aisle, behind the Blazers bench in the friends and family section. Very good seats. I am looking for someone to share the seats at face value, so that I can justify buying a ticket for game 4 (sat. 4/23). I thought about putting them on Craigslist, but I don't want them in the hands of scalpers. I think face value is $140.00. I know that it's steep in this economy, but it is what it is. On the upside, there are a lot of familiar faces around us and you can talk to people like Rich Cho, Larry Miller, Hersey Hawkins, Terry Porter (if he's not broadcasting) and players family if you want to.

Let me know if interested.

http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/cbsports-bulls-rose-joins-nba-effort-to-provide-japan-relief-20110323,0,4473286.story

Blazers fan here. Saw this about Rose, Gasol,  Aldridge and Horford pledging $1000 for every point the score in Friday's games. I am pledging $1 a point that Aldridge scores and am hoping other fans will join in. I'm going to post this on the Hawks and Bulls site as well. Below is a link to the site. I've check them out, highly rated and all money goes to Japan. C'mon Laker fans, get behind Pau and help the people of Japan.

http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/cbsports-bulls-rose-joins-nba-effort-to-provide-japan-relief-20110323,0,4473286.story

Blazers fan here. Saw this about Rose, Gasol,  Aldridge and Horford pledging $1000 for every point the score in Friday's games. I am pledging $1 a point that Aldridge scores and am hoping other fans will join in. I'm going to post this on the Hawks and l@kers site as well. Below is a link to the site. I've check them out, highly rated and all money goes to Japan. C'mon Bulls fans, get behind Derrick and help the people of Japan.

https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?idb=1746703596&df_id=1700&1700.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=hcq16hxzl2.app244b

Bynum ejected for a flagrant 2 on a Beasley drive. No play on the ball, just a HARD hockey check that sent Beasley to the floor from about eight feet in the air. Then "tough guy" lamar odumb stands over Beasly like it was a legitimate basketball play. Beasley leaves game hobbling. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate that team? A 17 win team goes into lala land and competes and that's the kind of crap they pull. If there is any justice in the NBA (I know, ha ha) the cheap shot artist will be suspended for Sunday's game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlehp9JWbTc

Here's one with a better angle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed3umTuRTqo&feature=related

$25K for comments detrimental to the league. Good! Maybe he will realize how his is being perceived and what he has done to his trade value. Maybe his agent will split the fine with him. Too bad it has come to this. I had high hopes for Rudy and all he had to do was step up when his number was called. When playing well, he was an added spark that this team needs, along with some flair.

Ok, I'm stuck (broke down) between Houston and San Antonio for the 3rd day now (waiting for parts)and I can't watch on tv. Can someone please tell me where I can watch it streaming over internet. I know this topic may have been covered before, but wasn't paying attention because I can usually watch on tv when I'm not at the game. Any help would be truely appreciated.
Thanks.

Portland, Oregon (AP) - A seven year old boy was at the center of a  Portland courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court  ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded  custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible. < o:p>

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of  allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Portland Trailblazers, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

Don't think we want him in our locker room and on the payroll with questionable health.

"Update: Magic Head Coach Brian Hill expressed serious concern Monday over the health of small forward Hedo Turkoglu, who has been mired in a season-long shooting slump. Turkoglu, along with point guard Jameer Nelson, missed practice Monday with flu-like symptoms. Turkoglu has been battling the problem since before the season began, often complaining of weariness. The Magic have had Turkoglu undergo numerous tests in hopes of finding the root of his problem, but to no avail. "I'm more concerned with his health [than his shooting woes],'' Hill said Monday. "It just looks like something is missing now. It looks like he's been playing with a lack of energy. It's not a lack of effort, it's energy. And it's tough to play in this league if you don't have energy.''

Analysis: This same condition bothered him last season too, and it very well may not go away this season . . . or ever [doctors have been unable to pinpoint what is wrong with him]. See if you can package Hedo in a multi-player deal so someone else can worry about his health and production.  

I know the Rose Garden will be packed (was there today for season ticket open  house) but it's on the old jumbo tron and picture isn't that good. Also wondering about sound. I know there are quite a few sports bars that are carrying it, but my question is which has the best over all experience? Has anyone been to the Rose Garden in previouse years? and  if so, how was it?