Please stop booing Rudy, or please stop going to games at the Rose Garden.

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Pretty disappointing for a site editor if you ask me. He started this with that "Hate" thread, did nothing to put out the fire it ignited on both fronts, has been banning people with reckless abandon, and now just asks an entire fanbase not to come to their site. Not very mature at all. He obviously is not willing to accept that Suns fans have had anything to do with the nastiness between the two sites, which is a big mistake. I have been pretty shocked at some of the attacks I have received just for even posting.

I have been respectful over there, and other than some of the more nasty posters have enjoyed my time conversing with some of them, but am not welcome there now, as the site editor specifically asked me and all other Blazer fans not to go there anymore. I understand a few Blazer fans have not been acting very nice over there, but to ask an entire fanbase not to visit? Don't worry Seth. You are well rid of me.

Congratulations, Seth, on being an ambassador of SB Nation, where talk between fans is encouraged and embraced. You are an inspiration to us all.

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Amidst all the hoopla about the trade deadline, playoff aspirations, our new center, former players and sad goodbyes I thought it might be a good time to tell a cool story about my mom and just how lucky we are to have such good guys we can be proud of.

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I'm a little disappointed in the lack of love on here for my hero and favorite Blazer ever Joel, "The Thrilla", "The Vanilla Gorilla", "Ghostface" Przybilla. After the hug party when Greg fractured his patella, I was sure Joel would get his Blazer Sedge honorable discharge. Alas, he did not. Well, after our amazing road victory over the Spurs, I thought I would write one about our enforcer, our junkyard dog, our already missed and beloved insurance policy, #10.

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Vampires are hot right now. Zombies? Not so much. The Twilight movies have catapulted vampirism ( is that a word? ) into the hearts, minds, of wallets of teenage girls everywhere. I still say Zombies are a far superior monster to vampires. They are just scarier. The prospect of being ripped to shreds by dead versions of people you know is quite awful. At least if a vampire feeds on you you might get laid first, seeing as how they use their attractiveness to catch their prey. Also, with a vampire attack you might not get killed, but join the ranks, making you a bad-@$$. Also, not very scary.

Zombies are just superior in scariness, and awesomeness factor over vampires.

After a loss everyone wants to cut loose and talk about everything that's wrong with the team ( and coaching staff ), including me for that matter. Let's put all this cleansing ranting into one place. After a loss there are always 5-10 fanposts talking about ideas to right the ship. Maybe we should do this after every loss so we can clean up the fan posts.

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AK1984 inspired me to do this post, so I kept ( mostly ) the same format as him.

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Here is a link to the contact NBA page. I wrote an email telling them how I will NOT be purchasing NBA league pass if the games are going to be this long and boring with scab officials. I'm sure it will fall on deaf ears, with David Stern dipping kittens in chocolate before eating them like popcorn, laughing an evil laugh in the back of the room while whipping the poor saps who actually have to read this crap, but it made me feel better.

Hedo who?

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With draft day ( KP's favorite trade day ) fast approaching, the Finals coming to a close, and the NBA offseason looming it's obvious that several people on here are getting trade fever. I feel it. My blazer fan friends feel it. And quite possibly the players feel it a lot too. Definitely a good junk of BEdgers feel it, judging by the recent slew of trade suggestions posted on here. I read ( and loved ) Norsktroll's post about the most unattainable players, and was inspired to do something similar. The Worst Trade Possible ( for the Blazers ) edition. Let's see who can come up with the worst idea. Here is my whopper of a trade below. Muah ah ah ah!!!!!!

The Worst Trade Ever

This is the single worst trade ever by any professional sports team in history for several reasons. Not only does it completely gut a promising up and coming team, trading a rising superstar in Brandon Roy, a ( still ) potentially dominant center, a probable future all-star PF/C, and a whole slew of young talent that would make any GM drool, but it also gives Lebron James an unstoppable army of young scorers, defenders, and beasts that are hungry to win. Other teams would shudder in their presence. This trade might make Cleveland the single greatest pro sports team ever conceived. A team capable of going undefeated even. A dynasty among dynasties. Worst...trade...ever. Let's see em people. Top this....if you can.

Yes, it's true. Greg Oden is going back to Ohio State to take classes. Why the H@#$ would anyone be pissed / concerned about this? There have been a flurry of posts about this, almost as if he got injured again. Seriously people, is this really such a big deal? Greg probably was upset with his season and I bet would like to get away for a while and get his mind right. Why can't he work on his game in Ohio? Assistant coaches are going to work with him, and Nate has said he is going to make at least 2 trips to see him. Greg wants to further his education and I for one think it is great. College gives you great life experience, and will only make Greg a more rounded person. Isn't that what we want out of our players? Do we really want him in the gym every single day for 10 hours? Look how well that worked for Marty. I think Greg is more likely to have a successful offseason going back and taking classes, and think this will help him mentally more than anything else. Calm down people.

On 95.5 the game the other day on Wheels at Work ( Monday I think ) KP was interviewed, and had a few verrrrrry interesting things to say. He was asked about possible off-season moves by Wheels, went on a little diatribe about possible moves, and almost seemed like he was making a statement to everyone about what may be coming. He said The Blazers are now a successful 54 win team, that players would have to "earn" the right to call themselves a Trailblazer, that the rebuilding process was over, that the locker room was very healthy, and that the culture they have tried so hard to make was set in stone. He also said that he was no longer looking at only "good-guy" types of players, that he would place more emphasis on players that can contribute to the team, as opposed to just "good" guys, and that the locker room was strong enough to make a player have to adapt to our culture. Is KP planning on signing a "controversial" player? Is he just blowing smoke? Am I reading too much into this? Is the Koumbaya atmosphere done?

Sorry if everyone is sick of this subject, but I think the refereeing may be the single most important indicator of how we do in the next few games. The calls in game 1 made me sick. I was shocked. I maybe have never seen a game called so one-sided before. I was at the RG, just as pumped as everyone else, and the referees pissed in my cheerios right along with Yao and Brooks. I got mad, disgusted, depressed, and even jaded with the NBA while watching the game....but after I came home, had time to reflect on how the game was called, and had multiple discussions with everyone at my work about it today, I realized that the game was probably called a lot more fairly than most of us would care to admit. I know, blasphemy, but hear me out.

The Rockets came into the RG ready to play like men. They have been here before. They know how the calls are going to go in the playoffs. They were bruising, banging, cutting, screening, communicating, rotating, boxing out, swishing, rolling, and dominating. They looked so much tighter and more polished than us it was shocking. And it wasn't just the shots going in. It was the defensive rotation, the solid screens, the complete control they had of the paint. They were the aggressors in a big way, and the aggressors usually get the calls to go their way.

The Blazers however, looked like the London sillynannies ( Family Guy reference to all you Peter Griffin fans ). They were reacting most of the game. They were a step slow, an inch short, and a hairs breath away from looking like a joke. They weren't rotating well, resorting to one-on-one plays, not moving the ball, providing incomplete screens, and letting the Rockets dictate everything they do on both ends.

The calls went the way of the aggressors in the first quarter. The refs were calling in favor of the Rockets because they were playing REAL playoff basketball. To the Blazers credit, they tried a few times to match the physical intensity of Houston, but the tone was already set. Also, when the Blazers tried to man up, they did it the wrong way, with LMA lowering his shoulder on more than one occasion right into the defender and getting the O foul, or Roy driving right into the middle of a pack of Houston defenders. The Refs never gave Portland a chance to get back into the game with the lopsided calls, and Portland probably didn't deserve to get back into it. They made their runs, sure, and at times looked like they just might pull out of it, but then Houston answered with authority, as is easy to do when you're up 20 points, and the Blazers reverted back to their JV ways ( for that game at least ).

I bring this up because I think the fouls will determine who wins the next game, not because of the obvious points earned, and minutes it may affect for each teams key players, but because this Houston team is so much about their physical play, that the number of free throws attempted will tell us if we are able to keep pace or not. I would bet money that the team that attempts more free throws in game 2 will be the victor. Sorry for such a long post. We can still win this series. If any team can step up to the challenge, it's us. GO BLAZERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I missed Blazers Edge night. It really hurt, but I had to. Family obligations come first. I was quite jealous of everyone who went especially after seeing the pictures. It made me think that we should try to meet up more often. I can't think of a better time than our first road playoff game in several years. I am so excited to watch our guys play playoff basketball I can taste it. I can't think of a better group of people to truly appreciate the gravity of the situation than B-edgers.

So what does everyone think? Would people  want to meet at a place with enough space to accomadate a large group? What sports bars are best suited for a group of our stature? I still haven't been to the agency, but hear it's pretty big and nice. Is anyone else interested in  this?

I was going off on a pretty funny ( IMHO ) rant in someone's "it's time to move on from hating the l@kers" thread, and thought this point was too good not to highlight... What the h@#$ is a l@ker? Seriously. The L@kers. What does that mean? What a stupid name. Is it one who makes lakes? Is it one who appreciates lakes? A lake enthusiast if you will? I realize the franchise started in Minneapolis, the land of 10,000 lakes blah blah blah, but what the H@#$ does that make a L@ker? I never realized how stupid this name is until now. So, what do you all think? Just what is a L@ker?

This was a great win. GREAT WIN. But I won't be able to fully apreciate it until I hear that Rudy will play basketball again. I'm not even talking about this season, I just want him to come back period. That fall was scary. Rudy will be in my thoughts tonight. Religious people say a prayer ( in whatever religion you practice ) for Rudy tonight. I hate to see ANY player get scary injuries like that.

So here it is, a blast from my ( ska ) past. A message to you Rudy. We love you and hope you come back soon. Please enjoy!

A message to you Rudy

Kenny and Reggie's disrespectful remarks about Rudy wearing the Martin jersey as a tribute really ticked me off. I'm no NBA historian, but even I knew Martin was the first Spanish player ever to play in the NBA, and one of the first international players to play as well. It wasn't just that they didn't know who he was, that would have been fine, as you can't fault someone for ignorance. It was the way in which they mocked the tribute, and falied to recognize Rudy's profound and touching statement. I decided to write an e-mail to the nba to voice my complaint, to probably no avail...but if all B Edgers decided to write an email, all several thousand of us, maybe, just maybe TNT would run a story about Martin's impact to Spanish and international players everywhere. If anyone would like to email the NBA about this here is the link. On TNT's website it says if you would like to say something to the NBA broadcast team there is a just a link to the NBA.com website, so I think this is probably the best avenue of communication.

Here it is.

http://www.nba.com/email_us/contact_us.html

Also, here is Reggie's email address as well thanks to pxilpooshr. reggiesmailbag@turner.com

Here is the email I wrote if anyone is lazy and just wants to copy it.

I would like to voice my serious disturbance with the broadcast team of Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller during Rudy Fernandez's portion of the dunk contest. Rudy wore a tribute jersey to Fernando Martin, the first Spanish ( and one of the first international ) player ever to play in the NBA. When he donned the jersey, Reggie and Kenny not only didn't know who he was, they mispronounced his name, made fun of the tribute, and were very disrespectful to the Spanish nationality as a whole. Fernando Martin paved the way for not just Spanish basketball players, but all international players, before tragically dying in a car accident in 89. His story is a very inspiring one, one that was mocked, and completely disrespected by the broadcast team. I previously thought Reggie and Kenny were class acts, but clearly they are not, if they fail to recognize the great accomplishment Martin made at the expense of racist, insensitive jokes. If the NBA is truly trying to branch out to international audiences, perhaps they should insist their announcers be more respectful to the legacy of pioneers like Fernando Martin. Rudy Fernandez tried to make a profound statement, and I think it was lost to a lot of viewers thanks to Kenny and Reggie. I personally think they should address this issue on air somehow, perhaps not by means of a public apology, but maybe tell the story of Martin and the inspiration he gave to international players everywhere.

So with all of the Quick talk I thought it might be different to share ideas about OTHER fun, trade possibilities. I was thinking of ways to get the player I want the most for the blazers ( Tayshaun ) and came up with this idea. At least that's the gist of it. It would probably have to include a few more players ( Martell maybe and another NY player ), as Lee would probably have to be a sign and trade , and I don't know how to do that with the trade machine ( If even possible. Help anyone? ). It's assuming several key factors in this trade having any chance. I think these are the biggest assumptions.

1. Detroit is going into full rebuilding mode. Really not that out there considering all of their problems as of late.

2. Detroit is willing to part with one of their centerpieces ( far fetched assumption but I guess possible ) to get a coveted front court player that I think would fit into their system quite well, and cap space for next year in Curry's EC. Even though Lee is not a great defender, Detroit's system is more about team defense, so I think Lee could learn how to not be a liability.

3. Detroit sees Lee as a future centerpiece as a 6th man, rotation player, or starter. Lee would somehow have to get a contract extension with a sign - and - trade or under the table verbal agreement to re-sign ( unlikely after the Boozer fiasco a few years back ).

4. Detroit is willing to deal with the problem that is Eddy Curry ( probably unlikely ).

5. New york is willing to deal away their most coveted player for Rodriguez and cap space ( very plausible, but still not a safe assumption ).

6. Portland thinks this is the best scenario for how to use RLEC ( probably a safe assumption ).

New York does this trade to get a SSOL player that would work very well for D'antoni, and to get cap space for the 2010 bonanza. Portand does this trade to get a lock down defender on the wing, tighten up the PG rotation, and solidify the roster. They would have a serious logjam at the 3 when Marty comes back, but that could be addressed by another trade or somehow including Marty ( painful I know ) in the deal if a sign -and- trade was possible. Detroit does this trade to build for the future, and get a coveted front court player that can help now and down the line ( assuming everyting mentioned above ). What do you guys think? Pipe dream or plausible?

For the last month or two, ( after the very satisfying 14-6 start ) we have been essentially playing .500 ball, flirting with playoff basketball but not able to truly separate ourselves from lesser competition. Well friends, we are now 10 games over .500 for the first time in several years. We are starting 2 rookies, playing injured, and still struggling to find an identity. We have had some great wins, some heart-braking losses, some frustrating injuries, a bona-fide controversy that was a bigger story than our #1 picks rookie campaign and still here we are at 27-17. Last year this time we knew we were playing better than we were truly capable of, but I still think this season the REAL Blazers have yet to stand up.

Brandon is playing like his bad-@#$ all-star self again, LMA has been much more consistent as of late, Greg is becoming a force, Jarryd is finding his groove, Trout is slaying again, Sergio is holding it down in Blake's absence, Joel is still my #1 man crush on the team, Nic is still hustling and grinding ( and occasionally scoring ), and Rudy is stretching the D again with his assassin-like 3 ball. Do we have problems? Um, yes. Our perimeter defense is almost hilarious at times, we still play to our level of competition a bit, we have trouble out of the gate, and our FT % is too inconsistent. But here we are at 10 games over and you have to like where we sit. I said to myself before the season started if we were at the .500 mark at mid-season I'll be happy with that ( with the brutal start ). So I for one will be happy with 10 games over.

With our opposing #6-9 playoff spot competitors upcoming difficult schedule and our more favorable stretch, we have a chance to do some real damage. Will we fade back into playoff race mediocrity? Or will we separate ourselves from the race? I for one think this record right now is as bad as we will see for the rest of the season.

So I was expecting to watch the Kings game tonight from my warm living room couch, as I have a half season of tickets and tonight wasn't one of my games. But my friend called and invited me to join him to his uncles excellent seats in the lower bowl! ( A treat for me to sit with the bourgeois as I usually am relegated to the proletariat in the 300 level ) The game was excellent, exactly the kind of win we needed after a 3 game losing streak, but what I will remember was the halftime retiring of our beloved Terry Porter's number.

For sure I was stoked to see him honored at halftime, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotion i felt during the ceremony. Listening to him reminisce about past seasons, triumphs, losses, and journeys made me think about my dad. My dad passed away September 11, 2004, and not a day goes by I don't think about him. My dad turned me into a blazer fan June 14, 1990. I was 10, we were at my brother's little league game sitting in the bleachers, watching his baseball game but listening to game 5 of the NBA Finals Blazers vs Pistons series. Everyone was being good family members by being there, but I could tell the real game was not on the field in front of us, but on the radio. Everyone was huddled around a radio my dad brought, listening to every play as if it were the most important thing that ever happened. I was instantly hooked. I can still see my dad pumping his fist at the sound of Schonely's voice shouting RIP CITY!!! I can still hear the groans of everyone there after every made Pistons shot.

Vinnie Johnson hit a 2 pointer in final seconds of the game to give the pistons a 92-90 lead, which would be the final score, thus sealing the championship for Detroit. Everyone listening was crushed, letting out swear words and groans. But my dad was silent. I was wondering why he was so quiet, and then I realized why. A few tears had run down his cheek, with his face very sullen. I began to cry with him. I didn't understand at the time what I was crying about, but did it anyway. My dad started taking me to games after that. I started putting up Clyde posters on my wall. I started reading the sports page at 12 years old. I would get into arguments at school as to why Clyde was cooler that MJ.  I have bled red and black ever since that day. Ever since I was 10, sports and the blazers have been more than just entertainment.

So that was how I came to be a blazer ( and sports in general ) fan. I thought it might be fun to hear from everyone how they came to be a blazer fan.

So I am a paramedic. I work for the local ambulance company that provides 911 service for most of the portland metro area ( excluding Beaverton ). I work with some pretty volatile people. Paramedics as a whole are a pretty fickle, sarcastic, and intense bunch, and are difficult to please. We talk a lot of sports talk at work, mostly about football. And for the last few years, when I've tried to talk blazers and basketball, I got a lot of the same responses; " The blazers suck man, the blazers will always be losers, Greg Oden is never gonna play an nba game, he'll always be hurt, I used to like the blazers until they signed all those gangsters", and so on. People would mock me for my love of this team, and brush off my reasons as to why the franchise has turned it around. After a loss I would hear, " so how about those blazers, huh? Anyone get busted for drugs yet?" But I always had the same smug response to all the haters. " Don't worry, you'll be a fan soon enough. You'll see."

Alas, the time of the fair weather fan has returned! My work is alive with talk of last great win ( so many this year already ). " We have so much talent!" " We're gonna get to the playoffs this year!" " Greg Oden is a beast!" At work, I am the official go-to Blazer guy. I get asked about all the developments, contracts, upcoming games, and so on. This just happened in the last 3 weeks or so. I have been asked by several people if they could go to a game with me soon, and have a new found admiration from new blazer fans that wish they had been following the team as long as me.

Some die-hard fans turn up their nose at fair weather fans, but not me. Franchises need them to stay healthy ( especially in a small market like Portland ). I see fair weather fans as a litmus test as to how well a franchise is doing ( usually ), so the new found interest from my co-workers has put a smile on face.

I was wondering, if any of you have noticed the same sharp increase in blazer love at your respective work-sites, friend circles, and families that I have as of the last month. Have we turned a corner finally in popularity? I know the Rose Garden has been rocking again for quite some time, but I'm talking about people that are more likely to watch games on TV, more casual fans. Anyone else have the same trend, or has my fickle workplace just finally caught up?

I think he will be a candidate for 6th man obviously. He's already one of the more effective players off the bench in the league. Is it possible to start a "Rudy for 6th man" campaign? Who decides? We're already starting our Roy / Lamarcus for all-star campaign so why not Rudy? People were hoping for Trout to get it last year but I think Rudy has a much better chance this year.  Thoughts?