I watched all of the Blazer's summer league games and re-watched them.  My 1st impression was we - without question "Pritch Slapped" the Pacers.  Right after we made the deal with Indiana, I tried to console a few of My Pacer Friends by telling them that "You guys made out good, you'll love Jarrett Jack, he's a real player and how could he be a fluke if he was on the 2008 NBA Western Conference ALL STAR Ballet?"  My Pacer friends just kind of grumbled and didn't say anything.

Anyway after watching the 2008 Las Vegas Summer League Blazer games, I was the one not saying anything while I shook my head.  I just kept thinking round and round in my mind - how in the world did we get this Guy?   This Guy (Jerryd Bayless) is better than Derrick Rose (the Over All #1 Player Drafted in the 2008 NBA Draft,) in my opinion.  I looked up the Orlando pre-draft measurements on both of them and discovered Jerryd is taller than Rose, He also weighed in 8lbs heavier than Rose.  Wow taller than the #1 Draft Pick, and Jerryd can jump like that - referring to all Jerryd's Monster Slam Dunks. 

What I came away with after continuously shaking my head and trying make sense out of what I just witnessed watching the Blazer's Summer Leauge, was that Jerryd Bayless Has "IT!"   Bayless has that very hard to find "Killer Instinct," I alway look for in all basketball players. 

The player I always identify as having "IT" before any others is Michael Jordan.  Jordan was always the man who took the Job of being that Go to Guy when it counted.  He wanted the ball at the end of the game - to decide the game.  Jordan decided many a game and many a Championship.  He had "IT."  Period.   Others I've identified as taking over and coming through for their teams are:  Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  I'm missing a few others but not many.  Having "IT" is a Rarity and something that's hard to find.

We have a very special player in Bayless, I believe he will take over games in the NBA at times,  just like he did in summer league.  He is going to grow into a very, very special player.  In my opinion, the Blazers haven't had a player with Bayless' intensity for a long time.  He is going to be Big-Time over the years - mark my word.  Can you imagine Roy and Bayless together?  I think it's the perfect marriage.  This will be one of the most lethal of back courts!

Then I watched the 2008 Olympics (Men's Basketball and Spain.)   I watched Rudy Fernandez and I am still shaking my head over what I saw!  I am just going to say "Very Good Things are Going to Come" and "Get Ready Portland to be put on the MAP!"

We sold 2 of the 3 pre-season games of our (3 seats together) ticket package.  The game we still have tickets for is the Golden State Game on the Wednesday Oct. 8th.  This would be a good chance to watch our new and exciting Blazers play at a reasonable price.   Also we have a lot of friends in this section 305 red and several of them are not planning to go to the pre-season games, so they wanted me to ask around to see if I knew anyone that would be interested in going.  They will sell them below face and you could probably even make an offer.  shaveice@oregon.com

OMGosh did you see Rudy Fernandez play in the gold medal game last night?    Holy  _____  !    This guy is super bigtime!   I'm buying his jersey as soon as I can!!!   He's going to be my favorite Blazer I think!   He's like twice as fast as Brandon, He's fearless, Better Shooter at least He was last night, & a Nice handsome young spaniard - I had no idea he was that good.   He might have been this years (NBA draft) number 1 pick, but We got Him last year!  Great job Kevin - you the man.  

We have season tickets grouped together in the same section.  These tickets have a face value of  $19 each.   We would like to help our friends in this section sell their tickets.  It's hard to beleive but a lot of them are not planning to go to the pre-season games.  The Blazers 1st home game is Wed. October 7th against the Sacramento Kings, they play Golden State Wednesday October 8th and Sunday October 12th we play our rivals - UTAH game time is 3:00 pm.  The seats would be in section 305 red, a nice corner view next to purple section 304.  Each ticket is $14. shaveice@oregon.com

Dear fellow Blazer Maniacs,  I am having a very hard time finding out at what times and what channels Mens Olympic Basketball is on.  Now that it is the qualifying rounds (quarter finals and semi finals) I am going to be sick if I end up missing any games.  I'm a little frustrated with the Oregonian they usually give me all the info I need concerning any and all teams and gametimes.  They alway let me know what channel to tune in to, but for some reason they don't list the olympics good at all.

Also I'm dying to find out what blazer games are going to be bobble head nights.  It a blast going on those nights.  If anyone has any info on the different bobble head nights I'd greatly appreciate it.