SB Nation User Blog: chrischa

Trade Idea

chrischa — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:00:33 -0000

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ydgy4kr

Toronto gets: LA, Rudy, Batum, Blake and Outlaw

Portland gets: Bosh, DeRozan

Alright, so as much as it sucks to think about, I don't think its too early to begin to question the pillars of the franchise: Roy, Oden, LA.

As in, are these the right guys to build around? Without a doubt, moving stars is a difficult and sensative thing. Luckily, we only have 1 star right now and I'm not suggesting moving him. KP always said you have to identify 3 stars and surround them with guys willing to run through a brick wall to win.* Well, at this point, I don't think LA will ever has as much motivation (all star game in his hometown, Dallas, TX) or as much opportunity (decimated roster, all the shots he can take as long as they're not taken from Roy) as he has this year and so far, he hasn't exactly seized the moment. I realize this comes off of an outstanding performance in a double OT loss to Milwaukie (ugh) but his averages just don't scream all star and I really don't think opposing coaches like his game as much as they like Roy's so I would be surprised to see them vote him into the game. I realize I'm defining the term "star" by being selected to the all star game which can be a bit ridiculous when you consider that some chinese guy in the d league currently has more votes than Brandon Roy. But the more I see LA play and read NBA writers and experts talk about his leveling off at a sub-all star level, the more I lose faith in his position as a franchise pillar. Unfortuntately, Oden is simply an injury issue. His game is what every championship contender needs, we just don't know if he'll be available. As for our 1 legitimate star, Roy, I love his game, just shocked by his attitude and the leadership issues we're facing this year. Theres not doubt he's a star, in every sense of the word.

*Guys who would run through a brick wall"are players like Reggie Evans, Jeff Foster, Raja Bell, Joel Przybilla, Anderson Varejao...basically the guys you hate on other teams because whenever we play them they are getting that extra offensive rebound, taking that charge, playing solid defense. Why do you think everyone else in the country hates Joel?

So Brandon is our guy, for better or worse, Oden just needs to stay healthy (easier said than done); in this post I've identified LA as the guy who is the most "tradeable." So who do we bring in? Chris Bosh.

Toronto is 10-15 as I write this. Chris Bosh has only 1 year remaining on his contract and has been rumored to want out of Toronto. Looking at their record the past few years indicates why this might be the case, he got his money. Now he wants to win. I don't know how realistic my trade proposal is, espcially since he only has 1 more year under contract. Bosh would love to get on a team with Wade or James (wouldn't everyone?) and who knows, maybe he wants the glamour of the big city (NY, NJ) but its not like he's in a small market now. Portland would need to know that he would extend or sign a long contract with us if he were to come, I certainly don't think you take the risk of getting him for a 1 year loan, but man this guy can be amazing. I've been a big fan of his for sometime think he could bring a lot to the team. Toronto would welcome the expiring contracts of Blake and Outlaw (addition by subtraction for us), They get a decent return in LA despite his flaws, they get to add Rudy to their already multinational team (he needs more minutes than we can give him), and, well I would hate to give up Batum...honestly, he's only in there so the trade would work financially (same thing with Toronto's DeRozan).

So would Toronto go for something like that? Am I crazy to question LA's place on this team considering he just inked a huge deal? Does any of this matter if Bosh doesn't want to come here (you honestly couldn't blame him right now)? And also keep in mind I'm not even going into injuries and available players.

Thats what I'm talkin bout!

chrischa — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:49:37 -0000

Finally! Brandon got his. All I can say is, its about time. I mean, we were losing before and our super star, our chosen one, the man who holds the keys wasn't getting his. So to me it doesn't matter that we dropped a 3rd straight game as long as Brandon is satisfied. And don't call anyone selfish here for being honest. Please. Brandon has earned the right to say whatever he wants. Its not his fault we lost tonight. Its certainly not Nate's fault. And Steve Blake? Really? You think that guy does enough to make an impact on a game either way? C'mon. None of these guys are ever gonna actually take responsibility for a loss so stop waiting for it.

The biggest problem I see in the future is what happens when LA comes back? Broy took 25 shots tonight but that may not be possible if LA wants to be a part of this "offense." So here's the solution: We get another blazer to sacrifice for the sake of Brandon. Or the team. Whatever. I don't really care, as long as our super duper star is happy.

Since everyone is saying how successful we were last year (never mind the first round exit, we won 54 games guys!), I'm just gonna go ahead and point the finger and Greg Oden and Andre Miller since they are both bringing something different to the team this year. First off, how dare Greg Oden actually get plays called for him?! Does he not realize that when the play calls for him to get the ball in the low post that Brandon is FORCED to sit outside the 3 point line and is taken completely out of the game? What was that? Most of his shots are coming off of his own offensive rebounds? Well, I just think there should be a pecking order. That's all I'm saying.

Don't get me started on Andre Miller. Obviously he's not a starter at this level, I mean, he's a career backup isn't he? And if he can't get with the program (and by program, I mean give Broy the ball and get thee hell out of the way) then KP needs to ship him out.

In conclusion, apparently Brandon is comparable to Dwyane Wade now so I say treat him as such. Nate, or whoever is coaching this team, needs to maximize Brandon's opportunity to reach the all star game. 80 million dollars is not enough guys. Brandon NEEDS shots! I say give them to him. And if tonight is any indication of where we're headed, I think we're on the right track!

Tossing Andre Miller Under the Bus

chrischa — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:43:20 -0000

Tossing Andre Miller Under the Bus

I don't know how Steve Blake has managed to keep his starting job...oh wait. I was gonna start an official "countdown to Andre Miller demanding a trade" post but wasn't sure how much discussion that would create. At this point, its not really a matter of if, but when.

Can we sign Wayne Winston? Please.

chrischa — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:51:56 -0000

If you don't know who Wayne Winston is, don't bother looking for his player profile page on ESPN.

via www.kelley.iu.edu

If you read Truehoop at all, you're already familiar with what this guy does. If not, heres an introduction. I believe theres at least 4 separate posts on Truehoop on him if you're interested. Anyway, basically what WW (can I call him that?) does is analyze lineups for NBA teams to maximize production by advising the head coach what lineups are most effective, statistically speaking. Or, at least he DID this for one team, the Dallas Mavericks. Then came this (again, courtesy of Truehoop):

"Shocking bit of news: Wayne Winston, the Indiana University professor I have quoted extensively in the last couple of weeks, and has been Mark Cuban's statistical consultant for the last nine years, just told me that his contract with the Mavericks has not been renewed. He assures me it's not related to his spilling the beans to TrueHoop. Winston has a professor job, and a book that just came out, and says he has not yet put much thought into whether or not he'll pursue work with other teams."

This is my perspective: I don't think Nate is stupid. If he's guilty of anything, its trying too hard or "over coaching." His lineups aren't responding or sputtering at different times in the games so he's throwing out different combinations to spark production. Unfortunately, its akin to throwing a bunch of eggs against a wall to see which ones don't break.

Now I know KP supposedly has his own system for collecting and interpreting statistics but it feels like he's been getting his arse kicked in that department by Houston's GM Daryl Morey as of late. At least in the "money ball" regard. WW deals specifically with lineups. He would theoretically work closely with the our coach to answer the lineup questions that are plaguing our team right now. I'm writing this from a fan's perspective of course, its possible this guy is no longer available, its possible KP already has a staff member who fills this role...but it sure doesn't look like it based on the lineups that have been thrown around lately. I know its still early and theres not a whole lot of data yet considering this roster is new, but I'm just trying to think constructively.

At the very least, if you're not familiar with the Truehoop posts I've referenced, I encourage you to go back and read them. Its not only fascinating information, the guy gives a great interview and doesn't hold back.

Cruising ESPN in the dead of (basketball) winter

chrischa — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:37:32 -0000

I was reading Truehoop this morning and saw a nice little article on San Antonio. The Spurs will be one of the more interesting teams to me this coming season because they represent what the Blazers could have been this year. A solid core (although the Blazers’ will have slightly improved with experience and the Spurs’ will have slightly regressed with age) that stayed intact but added enough quality pieces to be immediate title contenders.

"In a sense, Popovich is like a kid at Christmas brunch. His new toys have been unwrapped. He is eager to start playing with them. Training camp doesn't begin for another month, but the wheels have already begun to turn in Popovich's head -- the neat tricks he can try with his new athletic swingman, Richard Jefferson; the new offensive elements veteran forward Antonio McDyess can bring; the raw rebounding potential inside rookie forward DeJuan Blair, waiting to be unleashed."

There was no shortage of information a year ago that Richard Jefferson was very available for RLEC but the deal was not done (was any of the information concrete? No, but Milwaukee just let him go for “the-not-so-fabulous Oberto,” Kurt Thomas and the corpse of Bruce Bowen. You tell me if we couldn’t have made that deal). And even accounting for the increase in wins RJ would have produced which would have set our draft position back, we still would have had an opportunity to draft my favorite prospect, DeJuan Blair who did a free fall into the late second round. Now I have to admit Dante Cunningham looked solid in summer league and I am more than happy to have Andre Miller as a 2 year rental (Picking up RJ would have taken all our cap space) but San Antonio will be like bizarro Portland to me this season. It will be very interesting to see where that path could have taken us...

ESPN also has this up...Summer forecast: worst newcomer. 3 Blazer related names popped up, big surprise.

Randolph (12 votes)
Normally, when a 20-and-10 guy joins one of the worst teams in the league, it's a good thing. Not in this case, according to a dozen of our voters. Despite his talent, Z-Bo's questionable character would appear to be detrimental to a young Grizzlies squad. Not to mention that he is one of the biggest black holes in basketball and doesn't play defense.

To make matters worse, the Grizzlies took on the remaining two years and $33 million of his contract. Sure, he could earn the Griz a few more wins with his post play, but so could, uh, Pau Gasol (minus the headaches). Just sayin'.

Wallace (6 votes)
The C's need big things from Sheed to contend for a title; many of our voters don't expect him to deliver. His production has plateaued during the past three seasons, and he continues to make a negative impact with his technicals. Playing alongside KG might help Sheed stay interested, but will Wallace embrace his role off the bench for 82 games?

Turkoglu (3 votes)
Turkoglu had some big playoff moments in 2009 -- the Kobe block, double-doubles against Cleveland and Boston and daggers in Philly. But the Raptors gave $53 million to a guy who has never made an All-Star team and probably never will. He's a good piece, but remember, elite teams such as San Antonio and Orlando let him walk. There must be a reason, no?

I’ll never understand why Zach Randolph got that albatross of a contract just like I’ll never understand why my fellow Blazer fans still have love in their heart for Sheed just like I’ll never understand why KP would offer 50 million freaking dollars to Turkoglu. Meh, they’re someone else’s problem now.

Marc Stein also talks about a potential lockout from the NBA referees this year. “The proposed cuts to the referee budget are believed to include reductions in travel costs, pension payouts and health benefits in addition to salary cuts.”

If I was an NBA referee I wouldn’t be happy about that either. Of course, if I was an NBA referee I would also suck at my job (zing!). Seriously though, I know the “scabs” that would replace the current referees would suck for a while (at least thats what Dwight Jaynes implies they did in 1995, the last time this happened) but couldn’t the NBA use this as an opportunity/springboard to just clean house and start with a fresh set of (assumingly) young and unbiased officials? I mean, drop a nuclear bomb on the current referee regime, start fresh with a little transparency and really start holding these guys accountable. We all know refs are human and make mistakes, so lets talk about it. Make them accessible in post game conferences. The NBA disciplined a ref? Ok, what was the action? I’m not saying the NBA should just let everyone go and not change the way they do business; the league should probably change more than the refs should. But I wouldn’t be sad to see Joe Crawford, Dick Bavetta, or Steve Javie go. Hell, keep em around as consultants or trainers if you really want.

Zach Randolph allegedly beats someone down in a pizza shop

chrischa — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:52:52 -0000

Zach Randolph allegedly beats someone down in a pizza shop

too early to tell what actually happened. don't really care, not all that surprised...I guess bad things just tend to follow mr. randolph around wherever he goes huh

Contest Entry - May 22, 2007

chrischa — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:28:16 -0000

2007 was a transitional year for me. I had just graduated from Portland State the previous summer and was trying to turn 3 part time gigs into 1 full time job. Looking back on that year, I can remember a lot of good times shared with a lot of good friends, but one day in particular will always stand out because of what it meant to me as a Trail Blazers fan. At the time, I was living in a house in southwest Portland shared by 5 friends of mine. Most of us had already graduated from college and although each of us certainly could have lived on our own, I guess no one was in a hurry to move out because we enjoyed each other’s company so much.

There was Rob, who was probably the smartest guy in the house. We went to high school together but I really didn’t get to know him until after I came back from my 4 years in the Army and he had already graduated from the University of Oregon. See, we were different kinds of nerds back in high school. Rob was more the book worm type and I was more of the socially inept sort. In school our paths never crossed, but when they finally did we became good friends. At this particular time, Rob had just dropped out of grad school at PSU and was working for Frito Lay, stocking grocery store shelves with hundreds of bags of potato chips every day…like I said, the smartest guy in the house.

Stefan worked as a banker and was best known for his chain smoking and German ancestry (although for some reason he would hide his smoking habit from every girl he brought back to the house. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but he pulled it off every time). When the house would go out to play a game of pick up basketball I would always want to have Stefan on my team because despite his pack-a-day addiction to American Spirit cigarettes, he earned the name “crazy legs” for notoriously running around the court for what seemed like the entire game, eventually wearing down whomever was guarding him and making it easier for the team he played for. Stefan also went by the names “Kraut” and “the Myspace pimp.”

Mike was another guy I went to high school with but didn’t know that well before we moved in together. I believe it was around this time that he changed his name to Reed (which was his middle name). His rationale was that the name “Mike” was too generic and he preferred to go by a more distinctive name. This irritated me to no end, and I honestly don’t know why. Needless to say, whenever there was a dispute I would “accidently” refer to him as Mike. Reed (Mike) went from president of his U of O fraternity, to managing an Abercrombie and Fitch, to becoming a real estate agent. He eventually bought the house we were living in and planned on “flipping it.” I still blame him for the economic crisis we’re in today.

I’m not really sure what Bill did exactly, but I know he wore a hard hat and a reflective vest and he left for work at an ungodly hour in the morning each day. Bill was a man’s man who always seemed to have everything under control. He spoke slowly but deliberately, and acted as if nothing could ever rattle him—and to my knowledge nothing ever did. In a house full of guys who would get into fights over whether Jennifer Garner is hot (she’s not), Bill was sort of the “cooler.”

Justin was and still is my best friend. He and I were without a doubt the biggest blazer fans in the house which was very important, especially when control of the television was in dispute. We’ve known each other since the 6th grade and although we always followed the home team, our Blazer fandom didn’t truly blossom until we went our separate ways between high school and college. Once we hooked back up, I guess we kind of fed off of each other’s infatuation with the team and it wasn’t long before we became fully fledged blazermaniacs together. Needless to say, as the 2007 NBA season ended and the Draft Lottery approached, we waited with cautious optimism.

The Blazers only won 32 games the previous season but for the first time since I’ve followed the team, I not only felt connected to each and every player; I truly felt we were on the cusp of greatness. I was too young to fully appreciate the championship runs of the early 90's and although I was excited during the run in 2000, I wasn’t emotionally invested in the players like I am now. Back then I cared more about the bottom line which was beating the Lakers, and winning a championship. In that order. All the other years seemed marred by first round exits, failed experiments and wasted energy.

But now Brandon Roy was looking like the steal of last year’s draft, Aldridge looked promising; Martell Webster was going to turn into Ray Allen and Jarrett Jack into Chauncy Billups. I thought Travis Outlaw was one killer instinct away from being an all star and when you add in a lottery pick from what was supposed to be one of the deepest drafts of all time, you get a to start whispering the word “championship,” which hadn’t been used in the same sentence as the words “Trail Blazers” in a long time. Unless you count the headline: “Trail Blazer Rasheed Wallace wins the douchebag championship again!”

Now obviously I knew the team wasn’t going to be an immediate contender as constructed at the time. Juan Dixon probably wouldn’t be long for the team and I was openly anti-Zach Randolph. I also knew that after being royally screwed over in the previous year’s draft lottery (we ended up with the 4th pick instead of the number 1) I shouldn’t get my hopes up about anything special happening on this day. We finished tied for the 6th worst record in the league with Minnesota and had something like a 5% chance of winning the number 1 pick, which in this year’s draft happened to be a once-a-decade center named Greg Oden. Even Adam Silver who presided over the event as the deputy commissioner opened the presentation by saying “good luck to all, the stakes are pretty high tonight.”

Something to keep in mind as you read this; this is before there were any questions about Greg’s health let alone the slightest murmur of the term “micro-fracture.” This was before the so called dispute over whether Kevin Durant deserved to be the number 1 pick (although to be sure, getting a shot at drafting Kevin Durant seemed nearly as exciting from our vantage point). At the time, Greg Oden was the baddest man on the planet and had just finished a superhuman performance during the championship game against Florida where he outplayed 3 front court lottery picks…at the same time…with one hand. There was no question who the number 1 pick was going to be in the 2007 NBA Draft: Greg Oden.

When you live in a big house full of guys, a big screen TV, a fridge that is perpetually filled with beer, and a never ending supply of Frito Lay potato chips (thanks to Rob), you don’t really need to go to a sports bar to enjoy an event like this and May 22, 2007 was no different. I believe everyone was there except for Bill, who was probably out forging steel, and Mike errrr Reed who usually got in later in the day. Justin had his laptop out and was reading aloud the latest trade rumors and scouting reports. Stefan had his laptop out as well but I just assumed he was on Myspace.com. I can remember being really interested in Corey Brewer, intrigued by Yi Jianlian, irritated by Joakim Noah (it was, and still is, his hair as much as his game) and amazed that Mike Conley jr. was even in the lottery to begin with. Keep in mind, these are the players I felt we would have a shot at drafting given our projected lottery position.

The NBA does a great job of making their entire draft lottery presentation an entertaining event, but to us, the first 7 selections seemed like a blur. We all knew we would find out if we had a shot at a top 3 pick once the team who chooses 6th was revealed. So it all came down to this moment:

The 7th pick will be made by...The Minnesota Timberwolves (the TV analyst quickly adds “The Minnesota Timberwolves saying that Kevin Garnett will NOT be traded; where will help come from?”

*Rustling of the envelope*

The 6th pick belongs to...The Milwaukie Bu...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

Justin and I spontaneously took off our shirts and began to twirl them around over our heads like we were Pittsburgh Steeler Fans waving terrible towels. Rob almost choked on a mouthful of Cheetos as expletives and cheese powder simoultaneously spewed out of his mouth. I then began to rock back and forth repeating the words “oh my god, oh my god” over and over again, almost in disbelief about what had just transpired. Now I’d like to say I did that all the way to commercial break but when the next selection revealed that the Boston Celtics who had tanked their season for 3/4 of the year just to jockey for position to draft Greg Oden got stuck with the 5th pick, I threw in a Tiger Woods fist pump for good measure and started a cycle of high fives that went around the room at least 4 times. Even Stefan had finally logged off of Myspace and joined in on the wild celebration.

ESPN cut to commercial after Memphis and a very angry looking Jerry West received the 4th pick.

At some point during the countdown, Reed got home and was quickly brought up to speed. Okay dude, there are 3 picks left. It’s down to us, Seattle, and Atlanta. The number 3 pick gets you jack squat (Al Horford had suddenly been relegated to “jack squat status”) but if we can pull off a miracle here and somehow land in the top 2 we are guaranteed a future all star. Maybe even...dare I say it...a Hall of Famer (It’s kind of scary looking back at how high expectations were. It wasn’t t that long ago). ESPN returns with a scene from a draft lottery party in Boston, MA. It immediately cuts to a guy with a green Celtics hat on backward and his hands atop his head with his mouth agape. It wasn’t a freeze frame, he literally held that position for 5 solid seconds of air time. I threw in another Tiger fist pump.

The 3rd pick in the 2007 NBA draft will be made by...The Atlant...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

Then, without much of a dramatic pause, Adam Silver immediately reaches for the next envelope before our shouts have a chance to die down...The 2nd pick in this year’s draft will go to...The Seattle Super Sonics…and that means…

[entry missing]

Heres the thing. I could cut and paste the whole AAGGHH line again but I feel like that wouldn’t do the moment justice. I could type out 3 pages of A’s, G’s, and H’s and it wouldn’t begin to describe the sound that bellowed out from depths of my soul. When that now defunct Super Sonics emblem came out of that 2nd place envelope, I unleashed a guttural cry akin to Wesley’s screams from the movie The Princess Bride while he was being tortured in the pit of despair. Reed was bouncing up and down once he figured out what had happened, and after giving Justin an extremely awkward bare chested hug, I bummed a cigarette from Stefan, went outside and immediately starting calling people. Someone, anyone, I had to get the news out. I called my mom, like my mother knew who Greg Oden was? I called my girlfriend who tried to act like she cared, I called Bill who sounded like he had work to do; I went back inside and tried to make sense of what had just occurred. We were going to draft Greg Oden, and we were going to win.

There are undoubtedly greater moments in blazer history than May 22, 2007. And even I would admit that in a way, celebrating a draft lottery could be viewed as pathetic, especially when you figure that your team had to finish at the bottom of the standings in order to be in it. If I was alive in 1977, I have no doubt what my fondest memory would be (notice I didn’t say fondest Blazer memory). But I wasn’t, and although the victories between then and now have been entertaining and a hell of a ride, it certainly leaves one wanting more. Winning the lottery that year felt like a sign of good things to come. I just hope one day I can look back at this moment and remember everything just like it was, but with the knowledge that this was the event that changed everything for us, even if it took a while to realize it.

Go Blazers.

summer league game 2 review

chrischa — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:45:56 -0000

Another summer league game, another summer league loss. But don't fret my dears, the wins or losses as a team don't mean as much as the progress of the individual players. So lets break down some of these guys.

First off, let me just take my hat off to the Houston Rockets. Its almost scary how this summer league match mirrored the regular season teams performances last season. The Rockets were more aggressive (evidenced by the free throw disparity 40-19) and tougher on the boards (rebounding edge 34-29). We were able to stay in it for most of the game with jump shooting but that ran hot and cold--as it usually does--and Houston edged out a win. Seem familiar to anyone? I know finesse players are nice and all, but having some big nasties up front would be a refreshing change.

I'd also like to acknowledge that Chase Budinger was without a doubt the best player on that court. Not saying he will be the best in 1 month, 1 year, 1 whatever, but tonight he looked fluid. He hit shots from everywhere on the floor, moved the ball well, ran the floor and finished with authority. Basically he made it look easy and even though he only scored 17 points, he did it in less than 20 minutes and was extremely efficient. Trust me, he didn't break a sweat out there.

Ok, enough Rocket love.

I don't think anyone really planned on discussing any of our guys outside the mini-3. Cunningham, Bayless, and Pendergraph. Funny thing happened though, Pooh Jeter went OFF in the second half. All 15 points in the second half? 6 beautiful assits? The guy can shoot and pass, unfortunately he has a lot of trouble finishing at the rim (to be fair, all our guys had trouble tonight when Joey Dorsey was in the game) and missed 2 point blank layups. Not something an NBA player usually does. Still, the effect he had on the team when he was running the point (after Bayless was mercifully moved to the off guard position) was clear in the way he pushed the tempo and got guys easy looks in transition. When you look at Bayless' 2 assists and 6 turnovers, trust me, it wasn't because guys were just missing their shots. He was not getting them the ball in good space or setting them up with easy looks. Jeter, in contrast, found guys like Cunningham over and over and over again off the pick and pop and those two just made it look easy out there. If Jeter doesn't play the point in this game the Blazers lose by double figures.

Speaking of Bayless, I suppose its way to early to decide if he can play the point. However, it does not speak well for him when he turns in a performance like this against inferior competition. He rushed a few posessions, got caught in the air more than once, and his critically acclaimed defense looked less than stellar. He scored comfortably when he controlled the ball and shot off the dribble. Unfortunately, he had trouble knocking down spot up jumpers and clearly needs the ball to be effective. Good at drawing fouls, an excellent foul shooter, he also seems to be a very vocal leader to the guys out there. Again, I just don't know what he's going to be able to do in the regular season. Especially when you look at what he and Batum did last summer and then how they developed afterward.

I owe an apology to Dante Cunningham. I said on draft day that he wouldn't even make the training camp roster. It turns out, he may be my favorite player on this summer league team. Always quick to help a guy up off the floor, he really throws his body around and sells out for his team. Sets SOLID screens and is just a real heady player. He is basically the anti-travis outlaw. Not the most gifted athlete, he compensates with good body control and a solid mid range jumper. Nate has told him that he can be a player in this league is he can show he can consistently hit that mid range jump shot and I think he has shown he can. Plays good help defense, and isn't bad one on one either. Its tough to judge Dante and Pendergraph because they're playing out of position somewhat (although Dante can definitely play the 4 on certain occasions). He's also a very good foul shooter and is adept at drawing contact and getting calls. I just like everything about this guy's game. Led all scores with 22 points although some of that was from sheer volume (8-20).

Jeff Pendergaph looked ok to good playing against the much stronger and more physical Joey Dorsey. For those of you who didn't watch any Memphis games a few years ago, you should know that that guy is an animal. I can't really blame Jeff too much but when I saw him give up 2 straight offense rebounds off of missed FREE THROWS, I got a little upset. Pendy (can I call him Pendy?) compensated by showing soft touch around the rim, range on his jump shot, and smart defense by drawing offensive fouls against the agressive play of Dorsey. I could care less about his 11 points though. My concern is his 5 rebounds. In contrast, Bayless had 6 and some guy named Padgett had 7 in less than 10 minutes. Pendy played just short of 30 minutes. Look, we just let a sweet shooting backup PF who had trouble playing D against physical players and didn't rebound well for his size walk to Phoenix for FREE. Pendy needs to show a bit more toughness without fouling (8 PFs) at a Greg Oden like rate. If he can do that he may carve out some minutes for himself this season.

Poll

who had the best game?

Jerryd Bayless

6 votes

Pooh Jeter

39 votes

Dante Cunningham

83 votes

Jeff Pendergraph

2 votes

130 votes | Poll has closed

A letter to Paul Allen regarding cost cutting measures

chrischa — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:01:42 -0000

Dwight Jaynes has a good reaction to John Canzano's most recent article on the subject of Paul Allen wanting to "break even" and it got me thinking enough to at least draft a fictional letter to our fearless owner...

Dear Mr. Allen,

I understand that you have recently requested that you “break even” financially in regards to my beloved Portland Trail Blazers. As a satisfied customer of your product for over almost 20 years I have no problem with you looking for financial relief, especially given the present condition of the economy. Your willingness to take on massive losses for the sake of providing a winning ball club has been well documented and for the most part, you have been a fantastic owner: not selling to a business man (when it seemed like you were very close to selling) who could have hijacked our team and sent them to Oklahoma City for instance; not holding tax payers hostage and demanding they pay for a new building or renovations, paying guys like Steve Francis to just go away, I could go on and on. But now I’ve heard some of your vulcans may be whispering in your ear that the actual product on the floor should be effected by some of the cost cutting required for you to break even. Although this may be nothing but bad rumors, I would nonetheless like to address it and at the same time bring up a few other points about the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers, and the “fan experience.”

If you are indeed serious about cutting costs related to the Blazers, here are a few suggestions:

1) Fire that DJ/MC guy who walks around in sweats and a microphone and orchestrates shenanigans like tricycle races for adults. He’s unnecessary and unless he works for free (if you insist on keeping this position I’m sure you could find a blazermaniac who probably WOULD do this crap for free) you shouldn’t be employing this guy to dance around the rose garden trying to hype us up about a 50 year old guy in dress slacks trying to shoot free throws for a gift certificate to Mcdonalds.

2) While we’re on this subject, lets just do away with ALL the side show stuff. Have you done any polling or focus groups on this subject? You’d have a hard time convincing me that people look forward to it, I wouldn’t believe you if you told me people are entertained by it and there’s no way in hell fans come to the game for it. You’re familiar with the term “addition by subtraction,” right? Sure you have, its like when you traded Zbo for Channing and then Channing for, well...nothing. This is like that. This cut would actually add to the fan experience because not only would our senses get a break from all the techno music, we’d be allowed a few moments to talk to the fans around us or even start our own chants/noise organically. Aren’t those the best kind anyway? And I get that sometimes the “cash grab” is sponsored by Wells Fargo and hey, sometimes it IS amusing to watch a couple fatties throw themselves at a pile of 1 dollar bills, but lets consider for a second the idea of having an actual break in the action. A few moments where not much is going on except people socializing/moving around or focusing on the players and coaches in the huddle. Still need to appease the sponsors? “This moment of silence has been brought to you by Standard TV and Appliance!” No? Well I’m sure you could come up with a better way to pimp sponsor X without the blindfolded lady bumping around the court looking for the washing machine. The point is, give the fans a break and save a buck or two in the process.

3) Fire Blaze the freaking Trail Cat so fast his foam head will spin. He/She scares young children and old people, he serves no purpose I can think of (seriously ask a fan next time you’re in the garden if they think he even ADDS to the experience in any way shape or form) and I’ve heard that mascots make something like $70,000/yr. Mr. Allen, I will jump off trampolines and miss dunks for FREE.

4) Kill the non stop migraine inducing “music.” I know I sound like an old man here (I’m 28) but you could save a little more money by doing what virtually all the radio stations have done, by firing your actual DJ and just letting a computer run everything for you. Hell, you could even hire an old lady from the local church to play the organ if you didn’t like that idea. DEFENSE! (Old lady on the organ: Duh Duh) DEFENSE! (Duh Duh). I’m sure she could handle that responsibility and I bet her services would come on the cheap.

5) I know you recycle the confetti when it falls after every victory, but REALLY? We need confetti to fall from the rafters after we just pelted the Memphis Grizzlies at home? I mean, a win is a win and I love celebrating but is that really necessary?

6) We don’t need cheer leaders and/or dancers. I’m not saying this because I care that some women are offended by other attractive women gyrating all over the place in skimpy outfits. I just don’t think its necessary. How much are you paying to cover insurance on those 90lb girls that get thrown into the air on the 300 level by another 75lb girl anyway? And if I wanted to watch a bunch of bald headed guys in sleeveless shirts with bad tattoos throw a couple of girls around I woulda stayed at the bar I was at to watch the game.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things but this post has gotten WAY too long as it is. Basically, a decrease in frivolous spending can be made without taking away from the product on the court. Or at least what SUPPOSED to be on the court. I trust you will do whats right for this organization.

Chicago wants Bayless if they are going to lose Kirk

chrischa — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:13:10 -0000

Chicago wants Bayless if they are going to lose Kirk

One source close to the process on Friday identified two main obstacles to the aforementioned three-way deal. Concerned about the quality of its backcourt rotation if it has to surrender Hinrich with Thomas after losing Ben Gordon in free agency, Chicago would insist that the Blazers surrender young guard Jerryd Bayless, which Portland is reluctant to do. If it can't get Bayless, Chicago might still be willing to substitute Tim Thomas for Tyrus Thomas in the deal, but sources say Utah would likely balk if Tyrus Thomas is not included.

Really? Chicago wants Boozer (who will solve all the problems they've had for the past 5 years) AND Bayless? Thats getting just a little bit greedy...