Blazer fan here.  Congratulations on parting with a classless headcase.  Even as a die-hard fan of one of your division rivals, I think that the city of Denver deserved better than what they got from Carmelo.  I think Denver's true loss the departure of one of the most consistent, talented and classy PG's of this generation.  I've wanted Chauncey in a Blazer uniform since his days in Detroit.

Your Nuggets have a deep roster right now with a lot of assets that the organization could probably package for some interesting trades.  Simply out of curiousity, what would Denver fans like to see done with the currently overstocked roster. 

Personally I would love it if Denver's GM would hand the reigns to  Ty Lawson and trade us Nene, Felton, and Harrington for Dre, the CambyMan, Nic Batum, Rudy Fernandez, and the Vanilla Gorilla Joel Pryzbilla.  Probably just a pipe dream but Denver would get over 20 million in expiring contracts, the best center your franchise ever had, a savvy veteran PG to help teach Lawson, our best wing player, and an overrated Spaniard in exchange for a PG you could live without, a center you may or may not be able to resign, and an absolutely atrocious contract (i guess as a Blazer fan I can't say much about bad contracts - we just gave a max contract to a guy without a meniscus in either knee).

I want to start by saying I have been a huge proponent of Nate McMillan as the Blazer's head coach since we stole Mr. Sonic from Seattle.  However, I'm starting to wonder how much longer his tenure will last as the Trailblazers general.

Tonight after our third quarter collapse to the Wizards, leading to a "must win" loss and 6th straight loss", Nate began his conversation with the media by stating "Obviously they are not responding to me."  As aforementioned I have always supported Nate as the Trailblazers head coach.  I was excited to have a coach that was defense oriented (this was Nate's strongsuit as an NBA player) and I was impressed with what he did with a dying Sonics team.  Nate made a big impression in the early years of his coaching career and was a highly touted assistant for Team USA in a dominating run to the Olympic gold medal.  But the comment he made to the media tonight not only says that he has lost control of his team, but I cannot tollerate a coach that will blame his team for losing a game where he comanded that team to run a BRoy ISO based third quarter.  A third quarter that not only negated a 12 point first half lead, but innevitably cost the Blazers the game.

6 straight losses.  Three against non-playoff teams.  A statement that proves he is no longer in charge of this roster.  You tell me, will Nate be with the Portland Trailblazers organization at the end of this year.

Afternote:  I believe it is irrelevent but the fact Monty Williams is tearing it up down in New Orleans, after the Hornets, missed the playoffs last year (I know CP3 missed a good portion of the season), does not put Nate, or the "house clearing" of the assistant coaches in the offseason, in a good light at this critical juncture of the season.

Hadn't seen anyone put one up yet and it suprised me a little.  I for one hope Monty has a great run as the head coach in New Orleans.  Can't wait to see him have them back in the playoffs even if they are a conference rival.  I bet he does well, too.  Two young point guards, one of the best in the league and another promising up and commer.  Knowing Monty I'm sure the SG's, SF's and stretch 4's will be improving as well.  I think a lot of Nic's improvement can be attributed to Monty, and to a lesser extent, the same is true with Marty.

While Monty was here I always saw him as one of the best guys in the organization.  Good work ethic, good teacher, totally supportive and a true asset.  I really wouldn't have minded him stepping in the head coaching job here if things had gotten sour with Nate at the helm. 

I'm glad to see Monty getting the coaching job he deserves.  I'm glad he landed in a town with a decent team and filthy rich owner.  I wish him all the luck in the world and I'm sure most Blazer fans would.

Sir,

My hat is off to you.  You are a writer amongst bloggers.  You have made this site worth pa-rousing and browsing nearly every day.  You, Blazerfansince2001ish, douglast, norkstroll, Timbo and others have kept our hopes high and our expectations reasonable.  Without this all-star line up of knowledgeable, resonable and well written fans this site would be nearing the bottom of the barrel and approaching BrightSideOfTheSun status (couldn't help myself).  I for one would like to credit you with a minimum of 1% of the success this team has had this season. 

Now I know you will not take the credit, and you will rebuttal with a one-liner that has more logic and reasoning than my entire post, however before you go that route I need to present you with some cold hard facts and mathmatricianacy that you and Douglast have probably already arithmatized:  If 15% of the success of this team is credited to the best fans in the NBA, - which we are - and you have inspired, uplifted and motivated 40% of the fans on this site (which is probably less than the true figure - more on that later), and 15% of blazer fans read blazersedge.com, then that equates to a 1% (well 0.9%) possitive impact on the Blazers' success this season, thanks to you sir.

This season has been full of extreme ups and downs (if you've been sleeping for the past 7 months then refer to Jscot's May Day post).  Brandon, Greg, Joel, Nic, Camby, Tr@vis, Rudy, Patty and Pendegraph all suffered injuries and the team fought through it all.  But one of the most devastating injuries to our community at Bedge was yours (the injury I was never clear on but the effects were obvious).  Then we saw the second greatest comeback story of the season.  With a made-for-TV-drama-like-story that could only be eclipsed by the game 4 return of our franchise player, Jscot himself returned mere weeks from injury to pick up where he left off.  And during his brief absence, the titilizing, tantilizing and tenacious trio of Douglast, Blazerfansince2001ish, and the Hank Williams Jr of Bedge, Jscotjr, triple-tag-teamed the "most recommended" section day after day.  You can't write stories like this.  BEdge magic.  Plain and simple magic.

Continue reading this post »

We're heading into the last stretch of the season with the Portland Trail Blazersplaying some of their basketball in the past year.  Portland was 10-2 in the month of March, their best month of the season (7-8 in the month of January, their only losing month of the season by the way).  The defense has been improving steadily over the last few weeks.  The only thing more impressive than Portland's improved defensive rotation in the last 5 games has been their ball rotation.  Roy is playing at 100% for the first time in months.  Nic is playing like a defensive machine, successfully guarding the likes of CP3, Dirk Nivitzki and Kevin Durant in the last week.  Dre has emerged as a leader and a go to man late in games and Marcus Cambyhas slipped into the center position nicely has affected more shots than TiH has taken at Dre in the past 6 months.

All of this in time for the playoffs.  Which makes this post about as far from timely as possible.

Continue reading this post »

Trades.  Trades.  Trades.

Every other post these days looks like a lengthy trade drawer comment that got away.  Sounds like Trader Bobis back in town and no one is safe (I’m not sure every Bedger remembers those days).  We've read it all..."Got to get a small forward."  "Need a new point guard."  "How will we make the playoffs without banger 4/5 to back up LaMarcus."  "Trade Greg/Trout/Dre while they're worth something."  We have even seen a few posts and comments calling for KP to be replaced if we don't make a splash in February.  Yes everyone has the answer....TRADE!!!

Trades are exciting.  One of the most exciting moments in sports that doesn't occur between the lines.  A new player on the team.  Youtube hits will spike and the fanposts will be coming in by the dozens.  Visions of improved play on both ends of the floor.  How will the team mesh?  Can you imagine how they will play with _____.  How exciting. 

Here is a thirteen player trade from 2005 that excited fans throughout 5 U.S. states.  Even Bob Wittsit would have gotten his fix off this one:

MIAMI HEAT acquires F Antoine Walker from the BOSTON CELTICS and G Jason Williams, F James Posey and G Andre Emmettfrom the MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES and the draft rights to C Roberto Duenas from the NEW ORLEANS HORNETS in a five-team trade that sent G-F Eddie Jones to Memphis, F Rasual Butler to New Orleans, a 2006 second-round draft pick, a conditional second-round draft pick, F Qyntel Woodsand the draft rights to Albert Miralles to Boston; The UTAH JAZZ acquired C Greg Ostertag from Memphis; Boston acquired C Curtis Borchardt from Utah and G Raul Lopez from Memphis; New Orleans acquired G Kirk Snyder from Utah.

Here is quick look at most of the trades from the past three years in no particular order.  I excluded trades for draft rights and pawn piece players (I'll explain why in a minute).

MAJOR TRADES: (these consist of big names and trades that improved one or both teams)

Phoenix acquires Shaquille O'Neal from Miami in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks

Dallas trades Keith Van Horn, Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, DeSagana Diop, first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010, and cash considerations to New Jersey for Jason Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright; waives Nick Fazekas.

Boston acquires Kevin Garnett from Minnesota in exchange for Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected), a return of Minnesota's conditional first round draft pick previously obtained in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak and cash considerations.

Denver acquires Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin from Philadelphia in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two first-round draft picks

Dallas trades forwards Devean George and Antoine Wright to Toronto for forwards Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, center Nathan Jawai and cash considerations as part of a four-team deal

Phoenix traded center Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland for center Ben Wallace, guard-forward Sasha Pavlovic, a 2010 second-round draft pick and cash.

Atlanta acquires Mike Bibby from Sacramento in exchange for Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue and a 2008 second round draft pick.

In a three-team trade, Cleveland acquires Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and a 2009 second-round pick from Cleveland plus Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle; Chicago acquires Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons from Cleveland; Seattle acquires Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble from Cleveland and Adrian Griffin from Chicago.

MOSTLY LATTERAL MOVES:  (I'd suggest skimming through these)

In a three-team trade, New Orleans acquires Bonzi Wells and Mike James from Houston, Houston acquires Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska and a 2008 second-round pick from New Orleans as well as the rights to Sergei Lishouk from Memphis and Memphis acquires Marcus Vinicius from New Orleans and the draft rights to Malick Badiane from Houston.

San Antonio acquires Kurt Thomas from Seattle in exchange for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and a 2009 first round draft pick.

Denver acquires Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones from Philadelphia in exchange for Reggie Evans and the draft rights to Ricky Sanchez

Charlotte acquires Jason Richardson and the draft rights to Jermareo Davidson from Golden State in exchange for the draft rights to Brandan Wright.

New York traded guard Quentin Richardson and cash to Memphis for center Darko Milicic

Charlotte acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans for forward/center Emeka Okafor

Dallas traded guard Jerry Stackhouse and cash considerations to Memphis for guard Greg Buckner

Milwaukee acquires Richard Jefferson from New Jersey in exchange for Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian.

New Jersey traded guard Vince Carter and forward Ryan Anderson to Orlando for guards Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee and center Tony Battie.

L.A. Clippers acquired guard Sebastian Telfair, forward Craig Smith and forward Mark Madsen from Minnesota for forward Quentin Richardson

Minnesota traded guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington for the 2009 No. 5 draft pick, forwards Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov.

Golden State traded guard Jamal Crawford to Atlanta for guards Acie Law and Speedy Claxton.

Toronto acquired forward Reggie Evans from Philadelphia for guard-forward Jason Kapono.

Minnesota acquired forward/center Shelden Williams and guard Bobby Brown from Sacramento for center Calvin Booth and guard Rashad McCants.

New York acquired guard Larry Hughes from Chicago for guard Anthony Roberson and forwards Jerome James and Tim Thomas; acquired forward Chris Wilcox from Oklahoma City for forward Malik Rose.

Orlando acquired guard Rafer Alston from Houston for forward Brian Cook.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City acquires Tyson Chandler from Chicago for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

Memphis acquires Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker, Greg Buckner and the draft rights to O.J. Mayo from Minnesota in exchange for Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins and the draft rights to Kevin Love

Denver acquires Taurean Green from Portland in exchange for Von Wafer.

Detroit acquires Juan Dixon and cash considerations from Toronto in exchange for Primoz Brezec.

Houston acquires Gerald Green from Minnesota in exchange for Kirk Snyder, a second-round pick in 2010 and cash considerations.

Minnesota acquires Antoine Walker, Wayne Simien and Michael Doleac, along with a first-round draft pick and financial considerations from Miami in exchange for Mark Blount and Ricky Davis.

Utah acquires Kyle Korver from Philadelphia in exchange for Gordan Giricek and a protected first-round pick.

Charlotte acquires Nazr Mohammed from Detroit in exchange for Primoz Brezec and Walter Herrmann

New Jersey acquires Stromile Swift from Memphis in exchange for Jason Collins and cash considerations.

Memphisaquires Stromile Swift and draft rights to Rudy Gay from Houston for Shane Battier

Minnesota acquires Antoine Walker, Wayne Simien and Michael Doleac, along with a first-round draft pick and financial considerations from Miami in exchange for Mark Blount and Ricky Davis.

Orlando acquires Brian Cook and Maurice Evans from L.A. Lakers in exchange for Trevor Ariza; waives Bo Outlaw

Utah acquires Kyle Korver from Philadelphia in exchange for Gordan Giricek and a protected first-round pick.

San Antonio traded forwards Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas and center Fabricio Oberto to Milwaukee for forward Richard Jefferson

Charlotte acquires Nazr Mohammed from Detroit in exchange for Primoz Brezec and Walter Herrmann

HOSINGS:

L.A. Lakers acquire Pau Gasol and a 2010 second-round draft pick from Memphis in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010Boston acquires Ray Allen and draft rights to Glen Davis from Seattle in exchange for Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and draft rights to Jeff Green.  (I have to say, Marc is making this look less and less like a robbery every game)

Orlando acquires Rashard Lewis from Seattle for future second-round pick (HA – that’s theft.  Sounds like something Paul Allen would do.  More on that in a minute)

Orlando acquires Brian Cook and Maurice Evansfrom L.A. Lakers in exchange for Trevor Ariza

Well if you've managed to skim through this post this far instead of looking for the poll and posting a comment in regards to the title of my post, I appreciate it.  That took some time to put together.  And the poll is coming.  Originally I wanted to include the past 4 years but it became tedious and it is long enough. 

In the past few years we've seen several big trades that moved significant players. Some that were fair.  Some that were cruel and unusual punishment to fans.  But more times than not the trades are for non-impact players, bad fits and are often regretful.  This list did not even include trades for draft picks or all the young players that are only in the league for a few years- which is literally close to half of the trades in the NBA.

If you compare the impact trades and the other 90%, the difference is pretty obvious.  Packages of young talent and key players for other key players and cap relief.  I don’t see a trade in the 90% category that made a team a contender or even took them to the next level.  Maybe you could go back and find one for me.  My point being, although trades always seem like the easiest and best solution, they are only beneficial a small percentage of the time.

For those of you that think KP will be ridiculous for not pulling the trigger on a deal this February keep in mind that over 90% of the calls he will be fielding over the next few weeks will fall in the "lateral move at best" category.

Do we really need to trades young talent to win an extra few games this season?  We’ve heard all the stories and accusations of how Dre came to Portland and now are chemistry has taken a hit.  Do we need that twice in one season?  I have a feeling some Portland fans don’t like Dre because they don’t see him as a Blazer.  I can understand that.  He wasn’t a Blazer last year, or the year prior.  We didn’t draft him.  We haven’t seen him grow into a key part of our beloved team.   Let me ask you this, if KP makes another move and brings a player to the Rose City, will he be a Blazer, or will he just be the new guy shaking up the team chemistry?

During the two previous seasons we heard fans and media crying for a SF – trade, trade now.  Then KP stood pat and we saw the emergence of draft pick Nic Batum, a defensive stopper with seemingly unlimited offensive potential.  Now we don’t need a SF via trade.

Most of this season we’ve heard that we need a young banger at the 4/5 to backup LMA.  KP solved this problem before it started and picked up a young banger 4/5 named Jeff Pendegraph.  If you ask me he is the solution to the problem and he has potential and every bit of ability to help the Blazers for the rest of this season, and most likely into the future.

If you look through the league you will see a very interesting and stark pattern.  Good players, impact players are rarely acquired via trade….they are drafted or they are draft day trades.  Locally we see that here in LMA, B Roy, Nic, Greg, JB, The Definition, etc.  Across the league this list includes Kobe, King James, Josh Smith, Carmelo, Bynum, Deron Williams, CP3, D Wade, Joe Johnson, Hinrich, Duncan, Parker, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Keeping this in mind, if the best players in the league are acquired via drafts and draft day trades, it sure is a luxury to have a GM in KP who has made this his speacialty.

And if you think it is a problem that KP only makes his big moves on draft day, and not in February, take a look at what he's done for us regarding the draft in the last few years:

·      In a three-team trade, Portland acquires the draft rights to Nicolas Batum from Houston; Houston acquires the draft rights to Donte Greene and second-round selection in 2009 from Memphis plus Joey Dorsey from Portland; and Memphis acquires the draft rights to Darrell Arthur from Portland.

·      Boston acquires Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a second-round pick in 2008 from Portland for Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz and the Draft rights to Randy Foye.

These next three trades would probably be considered hosings by any Portland fan.  Well, really any intelligent fan for that mater.

·      Phoenix trades James Jones and draft rights to Rudy Fernandez to Portland for cash considerations - that's right money.  Paul Allen litteraly robbed an entire city and franchise with his checkbook.  That's a bad dude.

·      Minnesota acquires the Draft rights to Randy Foye from Portland (via Boston) for the Draft rights to Brandon Roy.

·      Portland acquires the Draft rights to LaMarcus Aldridge and a future second-round pick from Chicago for Viktor Khryapa and the Draft rights to Tyrus Thomas.

I'd say KP has set us up pretty well for the future without making any big trades.  He did make a pretty big trade once though:

·      New York acquires Zach Randolph, Fred Jones, Dan Dickau and the draft rights to Demetris Nichols from Portland in exchange for Steve Francis, Channing Frye and a 2008 second-round draft pick. (I wish so badly we would have had the foresight to throw in Darius Miles and whoever else it would have taken to get the draft rights to David Lee.)

*Portland acquired Jamaal Magloire from Milwaukee for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner and Ha Seung-Jin.  I'm pretty sure Skinner and Ha would sign for the league minimum...do you think we could do this one again?  That would be a nice band-aid for the remainder of the season.

 The health of the man who robs GM’s with his checkbook 

 Mr. Paul Allen is the best owner in sports.  Hands down.  After you read this post, I invite you to put in an argument for anything to the contrary. 

 I’ve read a lot of posts in the past few months about the injuries on our team.  Seemingly endless.  Greg, Joel, Nic, Trout, Rudy, Pendi, Mills, Brandon….and now Bayless.  But with the exception of only a post, or maybe two, I haven’t read a word in regards to the health of Mr. Paul Allen himself.  I hope this stirs up some good information on his battle with cancer.  Hopefully.

If it weren’t for Paul what would we have?  He tried to buy us a championship in 2000.  There hasn’t been a decent player that Paul wouldn’t cut a check to.  Portland had the highest paid team just a few years ago.  And even with the recession, and with every other team in the league cutting back, Paul shells out two big contracts to our young stars….and buys a free agent.  Portland begged for a PG, and Mr. Allen pulled out the checkbook.  Looking around the league, I don’t see many teams that would have been willing to shell out two max deals (close anyways) and a MLE in the middle of this recession.

We owe a lot to Mr. Allen and the Vulcans.  If it weren’t for Paul, the Sonics might be the only remaining team from the I-5 rivalry.

Portland hasn’t been a good team the entire time the Vulcans have owned the organization.  The Blazer’s organization hasn’t had very good management in the past decade, with the exception of recent years.  I still don’t think this is any fault of Paul’s.  Talent of personnel is tough to judge.  How may employers have you heard complain how hard it is to find good help.  Much like GM’s, you’re likely to have a few kids before you have a good one.  Aside from this, there is nothing else you can ask of an ownership group than unlimited funds and total backing.

So, if you don’t mind, I’d love to see this post full of comments in support of Mr. Allen, as well as any information we might be able to find about his progress and prognosis.  Joel, Greg, Brandon, Nic, Rudy, etc are all important parts of this franchise and this team, but none of them are as important at the guy that keeps them here. 

He made the right move by hiring KP – there’s no valid argument there.  He made the right choice when opening up his bank account to LA and B Roy.  Yes if it weren’t for Paul we might not have much to cheer for.  I hope he is doing well and I can’t wait to see him back courtside for every game.  It’s just not right for the only empty seat in the house to be the Owner’s seat.  Get well soon Paul.  As tough and bad as he is I don’t doubt he’ll beat this thing.  Paul’s a bad a** dude.  If you don’t agree, let me remind of something:

Phoenix traded James Jones and draft rights to Rudy Fernandez to Portland for cash considerations - that's right money.  Paul Allen literally robbed an entire city and franchise with his checkbook.  That's a bad dude.  Normally people rob you for your checkbook.  Search the headlines and the police reports.  You won’t find another guy so bad that he robs people with his checkbook.

via images.forbes.com

Get well soon Paul.  We’re all pulling for you, and the team needs you.