I have a ESPN fantasy basketball league with a few more spots left. Rosters are 10 deep and 5 players can play on any night. It's a head-to-head league that includes playoffs. There is a live online draft this upcoming Sunday, October 18th at 5pm (PST) (8pm EST). People that participate are from all over the country, making it fun. If you're interested send an email to jdrewbennett@hotmail.com and I'll send you an invite.

Okay.  I'm lazy.  I'm dying for the Blazers season to start.  I'm way too depressed from not seeing the Blazers in action.  So, when does training camp start?  Is it soon?  I truly miss watching the games late at night here on the East Coast.

What will be the biggest news of training camp?  Will one of our key players get injured?  What will be the biggest story-line? 

 Also, what's the latest on Aldridge's contract? 

Check out these games today for Western Conference Teams:

Mavs @ Celtics (1pm EST, 10am PST)

I hope the Mavs lose so we improve our divisional standing.  Who's worse - Mark Cuban or Kevin Garnett?  I think Garnett is more of a foul taste, but Cuban is right up there in my view.

Spurs @ Lakers (3pm EST, 12 PST)

I think the Spurs can pull this out.  Neither of these two teams are going to fall in the conference standings, so this should be an exciting game to watch.  Possibly a preview of the Western Conference Finals in 2009. 

Suns @ Hawks (6pm EST, 3pm PST)

Again, I hope the Suns will lose.  Should be interesting to see whether they break their 3 game losing streak.  When do we play the Suns next?  We should be able to beat them now, they don't look that good.

Rockets @ Pistons (6:30pm EST, 3:30pm PST)

Hoping for a Rockets loss.  I don't think the Rockets have a shot at this game after losing Yao (along with their other injuries).

Jazz @ Nuggets (8pm EST, 5pm PST)

Can both teams lose?  I'd like to see the Nuggets lose, as this would distance us by 1 game from a Northwest division tie with them.  However, after losing to the Cavs last night at home, I don't expect Utah to have the energy to pull this out.  I hope they do, though.  I do feel bad for the Jazz  owner who just had some legs partially amputated.

Clippers @ Warriors (9pm EST, 6pm PST)

This will be like watching the JV teams play after the varsity squads.  Nobody cares, but since it's later in the evening/day, what else do you have to do?  Okay, we'll sit and watch this entertainment simply because it's basketball, but also a nice preview to tomorrow nights game for us against the Clips.

Nine Western Conference teams are playing today.  Seven of these teams are the top 9 in the Western Conference.  The only top 9 teams not playing are the Blazers and Hornets.  Maybe somebody could set these two teams up on a Xbox and tell us the outcome?

A great day for the Western Conference.  An even better day to improve our playoff position and hopes.

Go Blazers!

[Note from Ben: Title shortened due to length.]

Bayless time has officially arrived.  Portland needs to make room in the rotation for him - RIGHT NOW.

Tonight's performance was spectacular.  7 points in 6 minutes.  "Acrobatic drives" is an understatement.  Bayless is where "Hang-time-wait-more-hang-time-and-you-just-fouled-me" happens.  The guy played so well tonight he deserves a minimum of at least 15 minutes a night.

It's time for Sergio to pack his bags.  He's had enough time to prove himself, and hasn't.  I wish him the best, but we need to make room for J-Bay.  When Sergio was playing tonight and made another silly-Sergio-mistake, the Chicago TV announcers said, "my goodness, you'd think he would know not to do that."  Sergio has had enough time in Portland.  Time to trade him.

The only way to make room for J-Bay is to have him take Sergio's minutes, like he did tonight during the 2nd half.  Bayless is a special player - you can tell it in the way he moves on the court.  I don't know why Nate keeps fiddling around with Sergio when he has a player like Bayless.

If both Bayless and Oden make steady improvement from now till the end of the season, we might make the 2nd round of the playoffs this year - that's how much Bayless counts for us.

Update 1:

Hello everyone,

I appreciate the comments in this discussion.  Some of you have done a nice job of raising different perspectives in this debate.  Here is an article just posted on O-Live (J Quick) talking about the same issue.  

I spoke to three team sources about this issue last night in Philly.  The consensus seems to be what Quick wrote.  Sergio is better at running the offense, but this is it.  There weren't a lot of positive remarks given towards him - one coach rolled his eyes, and I know he was being honest, as I know his family pretty well and have seen this person in multiple contexts.  However, when the conversation changed to Bayless, both had a lot more to say, using words like "great potential" and "has showed in practice what he can do - it's incredible."  Thus, I think Portland is pretty high on Bayless.  Nonetheless, they are giving plenty of opportunity to Sergio.

Update 2:

Unbelievable.  BaylessFTW.  This kid belongs.  Any doubters? 23 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 11-11 FT, 6-9 FGA/FGM .  Make room for this kid in the rotation.  He belongs.  This is a breakout game for him.  He was incredible - posterizing the nets with a dunk + foul is where "why we drafted you and your the summer league MVP" HAPPENS.  This is the NBA, baby.  Welcome Rex!!!!!  Vote him in for the all-star team - do it now, Portland, vote him!!!  

Go Blazers!!!

Somehow, someway, my wife and I are once again representing the Blazers faithful this upcoming Wednesday night in Philadelphia.  We'll be 7 rows up, wearing red Roy and Aldridge jerseys.  We're gonna scream and let Philadelphia know Blazer Nation is the strongest fan base in the entire world.  Call me crazy, call me stupid, but I'm a diehard fan on a mission to cheer this team to a championship.

If any other Blazer fans are going, let me know and we can meet up!!