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!!

Occassionally during the year, I find myself in some remote place where I have no access to either television or the internet to view a Blazers game.  Or, sometimes I'm travelling on the road when the game happens to be taking place and thus the same situation arises..  However, my heart burns to know how the team is doing.  All I have is my cell phone.

Another caveat is that I don't believe in text messaging.  I used to have it, but it occupied too much of my time, so I dropped it.  Thus, is there any phone number I can dial to know the score of a Blazer game?

Back in the 90s, one could dial some number to the oregonian and receive an update on a blazers score. I tried searching for this, but came up empty.

Thanks!

Quick claims The Player has gone through a transformation.

However, we've known since the beginning of last year that Roy would be great, maybe not as soon as we all expected.  Okay, so Roy is taking steps to greatness, we can all agree on that.  But these are microsteps.

Defeating Phoenix, yes, is huge considering the context.  However, it's only one game.

Anyone who has been a fan of the Trailblazers for at least 10 years, will agree with this:  Following this team is like attending a Wedding on Friday and a Funeral on Saturday.

Roy gave us a wedding to celebrate this past week.  But folks, I warn you, the Funeral is ahead.

We still don't have a second chair violin, though we do have a few people trying-out for it.  Brandon Roy is doing a great job playing like Freddie Highmore who starred as Evan Taylor in August Rush.   However, what the directors of August Rush didn't show the audience was all the heartache and pain Evan Taylor and the others went through for the final performance.  And also, this story itself was a fairy tale.

We face Denver twice and Dallas ahead.  One thing we'll know at the end of the week is how long the wedding reception will be.

At the end, this is all somewhat like a fairy tale.  Until we have a 2nd fiddle, and consistency in other places, expect the highs to be high and the lows to be low.  This team, and Brandon, will be great when the Funerals turn into hospital visits.  Brandon has placed a camel on his back the past several games, but neither he nor the team are anywhere close to being given the noteriety of being mentioned with the top teams in the league or the top players.

If anything this shows, the gap between Brandon and the rest of the team is large.  Further, because of the size of the gap, the coaches need to realize there are some major pieces missing.  For as great Brandon is, the team is that much further behind.  When Steve bLAnk is your guy providing some second fiddle on different nights, things are not as great as they might seem.

This is a "vent & extend" thread for the Blazers loss to Boston tonight.  Feel free to express your "vent" below, followed by who or what you think should be "extended" in the player rotation or team offense/defense.

Please note:  Some comments may not be 100% accurate, as this is only one game.

Vent:

Channing Frye - You cost us the final 3:00 min. of the second quarter.  Your errors sent the momentum into Boston's pockets and they ended the half on a 14-0 run.  Not even the Bush-White-House has done something this bad.  Maybe you missed your real talent and should've gone on this tour??  Your air-head ballerina play where you jumped up in the air and then decided to drop the ball was the worst play any NBA player has made.  Further, you made things worse by fouling some Celtic on the other end who made the bucket.  Even Stan Van Gundy on ESPN said that was the worst 24 seconds of NBA basketball he's ever seen.  Further complicating matters, your teammates (Steve Blake and Rudy) decided to copy your ballerina move.  You embarrassed us in front of a national audience.  I can't stand your preppy attitude towards basketball.  Get aggressive.  Block shots.  Rebound.  Help on weakside defense.  Just move your body!!!   Lastly, letting Kevin Garnett dunk on you with about 2:00 minutes remaining was perhaps the biggest letdown of all of your "depressions."  We could've cut the lead to under 10, but you we're out on the three point line with your Kodak camera taking pictures of Rajon Rondo.  Get your head in the game!!!

Blazers Transition Defense - Boston did a lay-up drill tonight.  We looked like the older team.  They fast-breaked us to the willy nilly.  Nuff said.  No excuses here.

Extend:

Jerryd Bayless -  You're the reason this game became respectable.  You should be in the normal rotation.  For saving us national embarrassment on national TV, I give you the game MVP honors.  Now I finally see why KP drafted you.  You should be given at least 12 minutes a game.

Ike Diogu- This guy deserves more PT.  He should at least take Channing's spot (at least until Martell returns).  He played an excellent game against Chicago a few weeks ago, and doesn't make as many bone-head errors as Channing.  You play with patience, and it appears that you actually think before you act.  Great job.

All in all, thanks to Bayless for making the boxscore look better.  I appreciate this more than anything else tonight.

I went to the game tonight in DC and had a fabulous time.  I'll first write about my thoughts on the game, then I'll tell y'all about something special that happened afterwards.

Game:

Rudy is the real deal.  He hustled for all 4 quarters tonight.  His energy fueled the win tonight.  He had one spectacular put-back that is a "must-see" on highlights - the whole arena was in awe.

Brandon Roy is Brandon Roy.  You got to love his consistency.  In the fourth quarter, the Blazers had not scored any points for about 4 minutes.  They looked lethargic, tired, and ready to go home.  Enter Brandon Roy.  He rattled off 9 points in a few minutes and put this game on his back.  Without Roy or Rudy tonight, we would've been toasted.

Greg Oden.  I was impressed with the big fella.  You can tell the potential is there.  He certainly looks better and better each game.  He had a few amazing dunks that were worth the price of admission.  This guy is phenomenal, even at this point.  He had one block bigger than any building in Portland.  It was huge.  His put back off a Steve Blake miss tasted like a Loss Abbey Yellow Bus - mmmm, so nice.

Aldridge looked good.  I liked his effort on defense more than anything else.   He had a few clutch plays towards the end.  He seems to set-up Roy fairly well.  I think he's sometimes uncertain whether to pass or shoot, which messes a bit with the offensive flow.  At the end, we he finally decided to dunk, we were all happy.

Rest of the team - nothing new to comment here - most guys looked pretty tired and this showed on the defensive end... The one player who stood out the most was Outlaw.  Other than that, Pryzbilla hustled a lot which helped at times.  He was injured for a moment but thankfully came back.  Sergio got away with 1 travel, but then in the same possession, was called for a 2nd travel.

Our defense tonight was horrible.  I'm sorry, but as much as I love these guys, there was little team defense.  This could be due to the fatigue factor, but guys weren't switching, nobody seemed to be talking, and the weakside was left open a lot.  The Wizards stayed in this game because our defense was so bad.

All in all, a gutsy win on a back-to-back.  One can noticeably tell that these guys look awfully tired right now and I think this shows on the defensive effort.  I'm not sure why Nate doesn't go deeper into the bench in a game like tonight.  I'm happy they have tomorrow to rest before Friday's game at Boston.  Sleep well Blazers, because it's gonna be a war on Friday.

Afterwards:

So my wife and I sat near Monty William's extended family during the game, and they gave us VIP- passes for after the game to meet players in the hallway!!!  It was great.  I litterally felt like a little kid getting ready for my first disney ride.

I'll post pictures at some point.  All the players were very nice and kind.  It's sort've hard to criticize them when you actually meet them because they're such friendly people.  Both Nate McMillan and Mike Barrett were the easiet to talk with - I asked both about whether they "had heard of Blazers Edge" and both said "Yes" and smiled!!!  I told Rudy he is the  greatest Spaniard to ever play the game and he gave me a hug!  Greg Oden is hands down polite.  He was posing for multiple pictures with people.  My wife thinks Aldridge is Hot, and I told this to LA after they had a picture together and he looked at her and smiled !!!  Webster is straight up legit - very cool person.  Batum just smiles.  I don't know how much English he knows yet - seems humble. Steve Blake is like "office Joe."  You wouldn't recognize him at all as NBA player.  Outlaw dresses in style, but doesn't have much to say.... all in all, a great team that seems to really enjoy each other... I could write more about each player, but I'm going to retire for the night.  If this wasn't Holy Ground, I'm not sure what is.

It's a great day to be a Blazer!!!

P.s.  I enjoyed watching this team more "away" than at "home" in the Rose Garden.  There's something special about seeing the few Blazer fans in the crowd during the game and talking with the players afterwards... they seem much more down to earth when not at home.  The "blaze" seems more bright in dark "away" arenas.  If you're able, I'd encourage to go to an away game to see this perspective - you'll enjoy it!!

---------------------------------------------
Now, with pictures... Enjoy! -- Ben
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Anyone going to the Wizards Game tonight in DC?

Let's meet at halftime in front of section 120.  Also, plan to be there 5:00 minutes from when the halftime buzzer sounds.

I'll be wearing a Brandon Roy Jersey and a black/white blazer cap.

This should be fun.  We did it a few weeks ago in Portland and had a great time with those who showed up!!!

Go Blazers!!

Go Blazers!!

Go Blazers!!

In a recent ESPN report, Charles Barkley speaks his opinion on all the recent Lebron James free agency trade talk.

Barkley states the following:

"If I was LeBron James, I would shut the hell up," Barkley said in the Wednesday interview. "I'm a big LeBron fan. He's a stud. You gotta give him his props. I'm getting so annoyed he's talking about what he's going to do in two years. I think it's disrespectful to the game. I think it's disrespectful to the Cavaliers."

I usually don't side too loyally with Barkley on some things, but I'm 100% with him here.  For LBJ to be talking, even feeding people's minds about potential trade scenarios, going as far as wearing special shoes last week in Madison Square Garden, is ridiculous as Barkley points out.

However, even further and more significant, is how large monetary contracts have shifted the focus on the game of basketball to single players themselves.  I think LBJ is extremely selfish in all that he's done with the trade discussion, but at the same time is the output of the ugly underground culture of the NBA and money.  He has exercised no maturity in this scenario, even replying to Barkley with a simple "He's stupid. That's all I've got to say about that."

To see "professional" athletes behave in this manner is ridiculous.  James doesn't know how to take the higher ground.  He already sees himself as the highest.

James' selfishness went even further when he said, "I think you do what is best for you and you do what is best for your career."  And to be politically correct, he makes sure to cover this all in "team" language by saying:

"I am focused on the team that I am on right now and winning a championship," he said. "So it gets funny at times, but I don't think about making a change at this point. I am focusing on the team I have here and the relationship I have with the Cavs."

Focused on the team or focused on the contract?  C'mon Lebron!  You can't have 2 loves of "Team and Contract."  Nope, these are generally mutually exclusive.

Portland shouldn't even step forward to pursue this person.  He's immature.  He's focused on money.  He represents everything wrong with money and the NBA.  A  book could be written on this topic, because it's seen everywhere in the league.

The NBA needs to restructure contracts so players don't lose focus of the intent of the game.  Money spoils everything in life, the NBA is no exception.

This is the first edition

of an eventual tradition,

that allows the fans

to state why we're thankful for the Blazers 'Fam.'

Go ahead and list everything you're thankful for in the Blazer Family.

Here is my Top 10 for 2008:

1.  Kevin Pritchard

2.  Paul Allen

3.  Brandon Roy

4.  What will be a 10-6 record to start this season.

5.  The rest of the Blazers besides Roy

6.  Ben, Dave and all the BE community, for making this a fun site to visit

8.  The healthy atmospere surrounding the organization

7.  The internet that allows me to watch games on the East Coast

8.  The healthy atmospere surrounding the organization.

9.  J. Quick, Mike Rice, Brian Wheeler, and Mike Barrett

10.  Free speech (and freedom) in the United States that allows us, the fans, to have a voice!!

Do the Blazers have a team psychologist?

If they do, they ought to double their salaries right now. 

In the 3 years Aldridge has been in the league, I can't remember a stretch of games like he's currently played.  Let's be honest:  this guy doesn't look too good right now.  He is streaky at best, and this isn't even a fair handshake.  Right now, he stinks.  He's had countless great games in the NBA in the past, but this season isn't going well for him at all.  He's had a few nice moments this year, but a growing dark cloud overshadows those moments.   There's not too much separating him and Channing Frye at the moment, and that's scary.  Something's gotta change for him.  Maybe new shoes, or a new car, or perhaps a new girlfriend?  Somebody take the kid shopping and buy him some candy.  Only a psychologist could tell him his cure - or, perhaps one of those palm readers at Portland's Saturday Market..  This is a year for Aldridge to make "leaps" if he's going to be anything close to "All-Star" status.  Isn't simply seeing his name on the All-Star ballot a disappointment right now?  How could somebody actually vote for him based on his play?

Oden is another child right now.  His attitude stinks.  I want to like this guy a lot, but right now his pissy attitude blocks his own dunks in my opiniion.  He acts like a 10 year old:  happy some days, sad others.  It appears he lacks determination.  I'd think he'd be thrilled to be playing after all the rehab.  Or perhaps, he also lacked determination in his rehab?  Shouldn't the same work ethic we heard from his rehab carry over to his play during the game?  Right now, Pryzbilla is a 180-degree opposite of Oden.

McMillan may be a restless parent right now.  Should I let the kids play together or not?  Should they eat this food or not?  Should I let them stay up late or not?  McMillan needs to stop rewarding last-names and start rewarding smart play.

If this were a British Parliament right now, I’d motion to bring both Oden and Aldridge off the bench.  These kids are lost.  Someone needs to find them.

Also, the phrase Big Three shouldn't be used right now.  Let the best players on the team decide who the Big Three are.  Right now, the Big Three are Pryzbilla, Roy and either Fernandez or Outlaw... we actually don't have a Big Three.

Hey Everyone!

I'm visiting Portland for the weekend and was wondering if anyone from BlazersEdge is interested in meeting at half-time of the upcoming game against Chicago this Wednesday?  I thought it would be fun to meet some others from the site, perhaps pause for a BlazersEdge photo, and talk "BlazersEdge" angles on the current game =)

I always enjoy discussing topics with people on the site and thought it would be fun to meet real faces!!!

If you're interested, please reply below and suggest a good location to meet inside the Rose Garden.  I'll be in Section 105.

Go Blazers!!!

I can already hear the crowd roaring in the Rose Garden.

Everybody is chanting:

DE-FENCE

DE-FENCE

Oden swings from the top of the key as By-numb attempts a shot and, BOOOM it's gone, flying high into the rafters - the crowd roars, and Oden bumbs chests with Sergio in one major exclaimation mark.

Oden's BACK -BABY!!!

Here's the report from the morning shoot-around. 

The AP quotes Oden saying, "Feels good. I'm ready. I'm excited," Oden said after Wednesday's shootaround. "I'll hopefully play the full game tonight."

Question 1:  Is there any link between ESPN televising the game and Oden's return?

Question 2:  How many times will Oden dunk this game?

Question 3:  How many games should Oden play with the 2nd unit?

Imagine a line up of Outlaw, Sergio, Rudy, and Oden all playing team basketball at the same time!!

Question 4:  Do you expect Oden to play the rest of the season?

I hope so.  However, based on the past, I think he'll miss 5 additional games due a tweak of something... happens to everybody. 

See Poll below to vote.

One thing that already stands out between this year's club and last year's is the ability to open a lead on an opponent only to see it melt away and potentially cost them the game.

Positively, this demonstrates that Portland has the ability to pound their opponents if they so choose.  Additionally, it shows that the team is working together to produce leads that are not dependent on a few players, but as Kevin Pritchard likes to now say "1-16."  As with the metaphor,  I think it really does show team basketball where 5 guys are intact chemically.  This is a unique trait in the league that I think only a handful of teams possess.

Negatively, the blown leads can be attributed to youth.  I think however this is somewhat of a smoke-screen to not deal with the "elephant in the room."  Yes, youth may be a factor, but c'mon!!  Blaming a blown lead on youth is the same as saying "I don't know" :  each has no specific content.

So, what are some specific reasons for leads being blown?  Might it perhaps be a lack of conditioning?  This would seem plausible, as players who are not well-conditioned tend to start fouling more often.  But, the Blazers always seem to be well-conditioned in "print" - maybe they're not as conditioned as everybody thinks?

A lack of conditioning could also be attributed to a higher rate of turnovers during different parts of the game.  Higher turnovers in turn create more opportunities for the opposing team. 

However, I'm not satisfied with a conditioning response because something inside me wants to think the team is well-conditioned.  In addtition, it seems like conditioning and youth would be on similar sides of the spectrum:  younger players should be better conditioned.

Maybe it's a lack of focus?  Well, this again could be attributed to conditioning...

I know you may not like this post.  But, it's time for an honest assessment of TO.

OUTLAW HAS REACHED HIS CEILING WITH THIS CLUB.

Travis is impeding the development of the Blazer's future.  His fate and departure are sealed.

Sometimes managements needs to make a decision and move forward.

A decision regarding the future of Travis Outlaw (TO) is needed NOW.

I love TO.  But, this guy needs to be shipped out.

Kick him off the island, Pritchard.

Yes, last year Jack was removed.

For the 3 major baskets TO's hit in the 4th quarter the past 1.5 years, his multiple mistakes have shifted the balance the other direction.

I can't stand his cock-eyed-high-angle-71.45 degree shooting form that begins with his head facing vertically downward on the floor.

He's fundamentally both AWKWARD and OFF.

His turnovers are both timely and un-needed.

Further, Outlaw doesn't play TEAM basketball.  I bet Rudy and Roy thinks he's a ball-hog. He throws up crazy looking shots every game.

He reminds me of the guy who sometimes gets really lucky at key moments, so you hang on to him.  However, outside of those key moments, he's terrible.  But, then all of a sudden, another key moment comes, and...... with Outlaw, it's BRICK.

A good fit for Outlaw would be with Steven Hill in OKC.  It's closer to his hometown, and as we well know, PJ Carlesimo loves brick-shooters that follow the lead of Kevin Durant.

One guarantee:  Outlaw will be gone before the All-Star Break.

Who can we get in return?

Dunks.  Blocks.  Defense.  Is this a dream?

This guy is AWESOME.

Where did he come from?

He's got "eyes" for the floor.  BIG EYES.  Reminds me a bit of James Jones.

How did Pritchard ever find him?  How did he snag him from Houston'?

He finishes at the rim with unbelievable smoothness.  Reminds me a bit of James Worthy.

This guy is the real deal.

Where did his game instincts emerge from?  People initially thought he would be spending some time in the D-league.

His presence changes the game - 6 feet 8 inches in height.  His defensive stance is beautiful.  He was guarding Tony Parker multiple times tonight and did good.  He probably should've been on him in the middle of the game.  Actually, he was on the floor with 34.5 seconds remaining, but wasn't on Parker.  After the Portland timeout with 22 seconds, he wasn't with the finishing unit.  But, he was the first off the bench when the Blazers won the game.

Unbelievable athlete.

Stat Line vs SA:

12 Pts (5-9 FG), 1 3P (1 -3 3P), 2 Blocks, 1 Steal, 1 Offensive Rebound, 21 Minutes

Does he have a NIKE contract yet?

THE STREAK OF losing TO SAN ANTONIO IS BROKEN.

Blazers Win!!!

100 -99