Thus far, only three players have been released through the Amnesty clause of the new CBA. We currently have a three million dollar exception that we can use. If we wanted to claim Chauncy or Agent 0, could be put in an offer using the mid-level exception? Could we split the exception into two 1.5 million offers and try to get both for a low price (not saying that we should, but asking for the purposes of this thread whether we could)?

Also, does anyone know where to find the full CBA? I can only find the shortened FAQ set that the NBA put out.

I was at a weekend-long bachelor party and I missed the game.  I figured I could watch it Sunday on Comcast on replay, but I couldn't find it, plus I couldn't find it searching out into the future.  Anyone know if it will get replayed so I can DVR it/watch it?

Heck, I haven't even seen a highlight reel yet!  What kind of rental home doesn't have cable? 

Go DUCKS!

So, something has been bothering me lately besides the possibility that our Ducks were involved in "irregular" recruiting activities.  What has actually been bothering me more than that has been the absolute lack of class that we, as a fan base, have shown in the midst of this controversy.  

I'll ignore than vitriol that goes on between any Oregonian and Clownzano.  I think he's horrible for so many reasons unrelated to the current affair, so I can understand the hatred for him.  Even excluding Clownzano, we, as Duck fans, have not been representing our school well and I make this call to arms to stop it. For example, the columnist who indicated that Chip Kelly should be fired has received many angry communications from Duck fans, many of which simply call the writer's sexuality into question.  We are better than that.  Even if you don't think Chip will be fired, there is no reason to lose all class and flame a columnist.  That isn't going to help the perception of the University of Oregon. 

Quite frankly, every time I hear Chip speak, I feel better about the situation.  He is a true professional, and I hope we retain him.  However, I have also heard from multiple sources (non-news sources, but actual sources that have ties to those in the know) that firing Kelly had been considered and isn't off the table yet.  But a lot of that is because of the whirlwind that is going on and the lack of true understanding of what is going on. 

We have months of this to go and we need to be the bigger man in this.  We need to follow the lead the Kelly has given us.  Be polite, be respectful, and comment only once all the facts have come out. 

Let's not hurt our University more by being utter jerks.

Since the press conference introduce Matthews was at the end of my block, I made time to get away from work to check it out.  Here are my unconnected, unprofessional notes and impressions:

1)  Everyone who got up on stage was in a suit... except Miller who was in a sports jacket, an untucked shirt, and blue jeans.  Miller drove Matthews and his wife to the press conference, and the rest of the brass came in another car.

2)  Matthews is not as tall as I would have imagined.  He may be 6'5", but I think that is adding something. 

3)  Matthews started by thanking the Jazz organization and their fans.  Very classy.

4)  The only pictures I got of Mathews was him next to the shortest reporter there, which makes Matthews look a lot taller. 

5)  Quick got there just before it started and when no one asked any questions when Matthews opened it up to the floor, he finally asked the first question - asking whether or not Matthews considered himself overpaid.  Matthews response was underwhelming:  I'm going to hit the gym and work hard and the money is for my family. 

6)  Matthews was supposed to do a mini-training session with some local children at the basketball court at the park.  I'm not sure how much traning he could give them in his suit. 

7)  Matthews will wear No. 2 next season.

8)  Blazers execs said he was their primary target. 

9)  Overheard one Blazer exec saying that during the period of the interim without a GM, they will still fielding calls from other teams regarding trades, but that they weren't going to make any trades in that period unless they were clearly homeruns. 

10)  I met Ben while there.  It was kind of interesting meeting him.  I told him I really like the peice on KP's last day and he revealed he wasn't really even aware that there was dissent to the piece because he doesn't want to change the way he writes, so he doesn't read the comments.  

11)  Blazers indicated that they hoped to have him and Batum on the court at the same time. 

My dad and I are heading to Knowville for the Volunteer game and will likely be flying into Tennessee Wednesday or Thursday.  I likely will never return to the state of Tennessee in my lifetime.  What should I go see/do while I am there?

We may be flying into Nashville, so we will hit the Grand Ole Opre, but aside from that, I'm kinda blank on what to do.  Also, you keep hearing about SEC schools knowing how to tailgate it up.  What should I expect in terms of when to start tailgating?

So I have a question about the trade exception.  I know that we can't package it up with a trade, but could the following work:

Team 2 has a player (Player A) with a $11mil salary.  We want said player.  Team 2 also wants to receive expiring contracts.

Trade the exception to Team 2 for Player B, whose salary is about $3mil. 

Then, trade Player B, Travis and Blake to Team 2 for Player A.  We take on 11mil, they give up 11mil plus now they have the exception.  Essentially, these deals would become Travis, Blake and Trade Exception for $11 player. 

Can teams do this?

So, I just learned I've got a ticket for the civil war, but I've never been to Reeser before.  Does anyone have a suggestion on where should I tailgate?  Are there a group of duck fans tailgating?  Also, when should I try to get there?  Will fans be tailgating in the morning like at Autzen or is it a late arriving crowd?

Let me know!!!!

Go Ducks.  It's a Jolly Holliday with you, Ducks!

So the police presence at the game last week seemed oppressive.  My dad and I walked around the outside ring near the entrances and we both noted how many cops, sheriffs, etc. there were and how it made us feel a bit uncomfortable.  (Keep in mind I'm an attorney and have never been in trouble with the law and my dad hasn't been arrested to my knowledge, and we both still felt uncomfortable.)  Anyone else notice this?

So, 95.5 just reported that Batum has signed a contract with the Blazers.  The terms were not disclosed.  This goes with Wheels thoughts.  Is there anyway for the Blazers to get involved in negotiations with a Euro team so that they pay a Euro team to offer a multi-year deal with a player opt out option so we can bring him back here when he's ready?

Wheels thinks Batum in, Kap out

I know that a lot of us here are glad we didn't draft the 'stache,  but what about trading to get the 'stache (and the number 9 pick)? 

In reviewing Ford's Mock Draft, he indicated that the Bobcats are looking for a big man who can play some center.  I know Frye played the 5 for some periods during the summer.  What if we did this:

Traded to the Bobcats:  Jack, Frye, and #13 pick.

Traded to Blazers:  Morrison and #9 pick.

It seems like a lot to give up to move up four spots and makes us a bit heavy on the SF (wiithout really establishing a dominant player - just a lot of potential).  If we drafted a PG, we would have 4 on the roster so another move would need to be made. 

That might allow a secondary trade of say Jack or Sergio for Seattle's second first round pick and a trade exception (they have several).   Thoughts?

We all know that Green and McRoberts were going to go to the 'D' League this week.  But now they are not both going.  Only McRoberts is going.  Below is a quote from the end of the Quick story on Aldridge.  (see prior diary)

Blazers guard Brandon Roy said he expects to play tonight after testing his bruised tailbone in Tuesday's practice. "It's still a little sore, but it wasn't as bad as before," said Roy, who was limited to nine minutes in Saturday's game against Utah because of the injury. "I think I will be able to play." . . . The Blazers will send rookie forward Josh McRoberts to the Idaho Stampede of the Development League this week, but rookie guard Taurean Green will remain with the Blazers and accompany them on their seven-game trip that starts Sunday.

My Thought: There is a reason Green is staying with the team and that is because they expect Roy to miss a couple games due to the injury, and they want to be able to run the three guard sets like they have been doing.  Thus Green will be the emergency guard in case JJ or Blake or even Serg can't play because they won't be able to turn to Roy and there will be more minutes to spread to the guards.  

Agree?  Disagree?

I'm sure this has been commented on already today, but I was heralding Jack's play during the second half while at the game and thought I would do it here.  Early in the game, the pace of the game was slow and we struggled to get into the key with the ball.  But in the second half, I noticed that with Jack at the point, he really pushed the ball which opened up our passing lanes and allowed us to drive to the hoop much easier.  While his scoring was padded after it was over, his impact was a lot bigger than the line will ever tell.

So, whenever Webster knocks down a three, they play a half-second sound clip of a female singing "ooh".  Does anyone know what this clip is from?  Nothing on the big screen has given me a clue.  Is there any relevance of this song to Martell?  

I am sure I don't have 300 words yet, so I will just say it's been fun seeing the Blazers reel off these wins.  I was sure that they had given the game away last Sunday, but was pleasantly surprised when they didn't.  

One final note, on Wednesday, I will be playing dodgeball during halftime, so, yeah.  

With all the delirium of the announcement yesterday, one question has still stuck out for me:  What the heck do you do with four second-round picks?  
That is right, four second round picks.  We DON'T need to get younger, we need to get better.  Barring picking gold out of pile of fool's gold, you aren't going to get better with a second round pick.  So, does anyone NEED four second round picks?  I can see a team wanting 1-2 of them, but that still leaves us with two late second round picks.  Are the picks trade fodder?  Will be be as active as we were last year with us moving up to have a #1 overall and a #10 overall (Do the Kings have anything we want other than the pick?) or will it be a realively quiet day with us drafting an endless list of players we've never heard of?  
That, to me, is as intruiging a question as who we should take with the first pick.  
Quick, name 4 second round draft picks that have played more than one season for the Blazers..... Go ahead and look it up.  I'll give you time.