Raymond Felton has definitely been struggling in a big way. He doesn't seem to have a lot of confidence in his game, or the knack to make the right decision down the stretch. He may still turn it around, but It got me to thinking about the point guards the Blazers have had over the last few years. What if you could magically bring one back, who would you choose? (sorry, Brandon Roy doesn't make the list)

Like everyone else, I've found things to do with my time, but my son talked me into watching one of the Blazer games I have DVR'd. I choose the San Antonio game from last March. I knew they would win - otherwise I wouldn't have saved it, but I'd forgotten what happened.

It was a back and forth affair. It was a mixture of fun and sadness to see Rudy and Andre and know they are no longer part of the team. It was exciting to see the players go at it 'again'. Ginobli was his amazing self. The game came down to the end, with Batuum stepping up to the line with 0.9 seconds to hit two free throws to tie the game. Then I remembered what was going to happen!

I started to well up with emotion when Batuum guided in the ball to win the game. It was easy to get caught up with the announcers and crowd, and I remembered that I really do 'love this game' - and it made me realize again what we are missing.

I've only got two more games saved up to watch. Here's hoping they don't have to last me 11 months!

We've got a few days to kill until the draft. Why not partake in a game of over/under. I'll present you with a category and a number. You get to predict whether the actual outcome will be higher (over) or lower (under).

1. Number of all-stars will the Blazers have in next year's All-Star game? Over/Under 1.5?

2. Number of former all-stars will the Blazers have on the team next year? Over/Under 1.5?

3. Number of games Travis Outlaw plays for the Blazers? Over/Under 1?

4. Number of starts for Jerryd Bayless? Over/Under 9?

5. Number of wins for the Blazers next year? Over/Under 55?

6. Number of new players on the team? Over/Under 2.5?

7. Number of games that Greg Oden starts? Over/Under 49?

8. Number of games Martell Webster starts? Over/Under 49?

9. Number of rookies on team next year? Over/Under 2

10. Number of trades on draft day? Over/Under2?

What's your guess?

I've noticed that quite a few games lately the opposition has come out shooting lights out. in the 1st Quarter.  It took me over an hour to do the research because I couldn't find team FG% by quarter, but check it out...

Last 9 games: Opponents shoot  an avg. of 53.6% in the 1st  Quarter
Dallas: 60% (48.8% for the game)
Toronto: 52.6% (44.9%/game)
Boston: 50% (40.3%/game)
New Orleans 53.3% (51.3%/game)
L*kers 60% (49.3%/game)
Detroit 50% (50%/game)
Golden St. 56.2% (50.7%/game)
Chicago 50% (43.4%/game)
Philadelphia 50% (46.1%/game)

Overall on the year, the Blazers have given up 50% or more in 1st Q.  20 times!

So my question to everyone: What's with the slow starts? The team started the season with "Defense" and the mantra. I'm reasonably happy with the record, but why can't they defend in the 1st Quarter???

As long as Brandon compared GO to Dwight Howard, let's take a closer look.. Here's a comparison of Howard's first year stats - converted to 48 minutes, compared to GO first 4 games - also converted to 48 minutes.

Points:
Howard; 17.67
Oden: 16.9

Rebounds
Howard: 14.7
Oden: 16.1

Turnovers
Howard: 2.94
Oden: 3.73

Blocks
Howard: 2.44
Oden: 6.21

Assists
Howard: 1.33
Oden: 0.75

Steals
Howard: 1.38
Oden: 1.24

FG%
Howard: 51.9
Oden: 44.4

FT%
Howard: 67%
Oden: 61.1%

Now consider that Oden has been sitting out for a year and is still getting used to his teammates. Oden a failure? His numbers look pretty decent compared to Dwight 1.0, and that's all we can fairly compare right now. If he stays healthy and continues to get better, he certainly could be as good or better.

Here's a few questions to warm you up until the contests start. (Sorry, no prizes) Ten questions to help you get your brain into regular season form...

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With the lottery only a couple of weeks away, I was thinking about our great fortune last year, and who might represent the team this year.

BRoy is always a good choice because he's such a great individual and will always represent the team and the town in a classy way. Do we dare mess with last year's mojo and send someone else?

Is this part of the continuing initiation for Mr. Oden? He's shown that he can handle the media.

Do we send our coach, or even have the re-energized Paul Allen.

Could we entice Rudy to sign if we let me go to Secaucus, New Jersey?

Does anyone have a pair of Blazer thunderstix (free throw noise makers) just sitting in your closet that you'd like to get rid of? While watching the game the other day, I thought that those would be a fun thing to add to my modest collection of Blazer gear. I live in Eugene and don't make it up to P-town very often. If anyone has a stack of these and would like to sell a pair of them to me, I'd pay postage+.

Has anyone every had to shoot free throws with anything like this in the background? Is it distracting?

I don't know if this means anything but I did receive a second email back from Comcast. The first was to acknowledge my writing to complain about the satellite situation. Late last week I received a second email asking who my provider was.

I take that as a good sign in that maybe they are trying to figure out who people are using and maybe how to proceed with the negotiations. I'm hoping for a follow-up message.

Anybody else get a message like this?

Just an interesting thought to throw out...

Next year when Oden is totally healthy and tearing up the Association, does he qualify as the Rookie of the Year next year - since he didn't play a lick this year - or is he a sophomore?

On All-Star weekend would he play for the rookies in the Rookie/Sophomore game?

Does he get to forced to carry veteran's bags, go tet donuts or get thrown in the pool like Green?

My guess is no on all these accounts - but what do you think?

The Blazers may have been thought of a "joke" through some of the recent turbulent years, but not to this extent. I was reading Supersonicsoul's blog http://www.supersonicsoul.com and their wrap-up of the many changes in the Northwest division teams.

"Steve Allen's hiring of Kevin Pritchard looks pretty good from here, and I'm guessing Nate McMillan will have quite a bit of fun beating up on the Sonics this year."

That could explain some problems we've had.

I'll take Paul and his financial muscle, although Steve has done some pretty funny bits.

I do however forgive "Soul" though, since a bit later he says: "Call me crazy, but a healthy Greg Oden puts the Blazers right there with Denver and Utah for the best in the Northwest."

Francis bought out link from O-Live. Steve Francis indeed does not put on a Blazer uni. Gets $30 million of the $33.6 million he was due

NBA announces new salary cap link from ESPN. The new salary cap is $55,630,000. The mid-level exception for over-the-cap teams is $5,356,000, and the luxury tax threshold will be $67,865,000

Ok... there is probably rules that won't allow this but just for fun:

We probably don't have the talent to trade (or would want to give up) to get the 2nd pick. But what do we have? An owner with LOTS of money. What does Seattle need more than anything? A new stadium. Paul Allen agrees to finance a new stadium in his home town. They give us the #2 pick in exchange.

Seems fair to me. I'd even kick in a few bucks to help. Are you with me?

With the Blazers apparently headed from FSN to Comcast, does that mean us Dish Network subscribers will be left without a way to watch the games? (or do you think they will figure some way to add the games?)

Will I have to "scrub" the Dish? We've had it for quite a few years and would rather not switch to "the dark side" and Comcast.

From the Blazer website: Vulcan Inc. announced today that Tod Leiweke will assume management oversight for Trail Blazers Inc., which operates the Portland Trail Blazers franchise in the National Basketball Association. It was also announced that Steve Patterson has resigned as President and General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, effective immediately. Mr. Leiweke announced that an immediate search would be conducted to name a team General Manager and find a new President of Business Operations, both will be Portland-based positions responsible for the day-to-day operations of the franchise. Mr. Leiweke will continue his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Seattle Seahawks.

KATU.com reporting no charges for Zach

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