First open this link:

Hotspot URL

It's interesting, now that there's enough data to go with, to see what Blazers have been hot and cold and from where.

Take, for instance, Steve Blake. The guy has been on fire from the field and if he'd just avoid getting caught on either baseline his percentages would be out of this world. That, and that odd spot on the three-point line. Also, he shoots way better on the road than at home. That's really odd.

Another interesting thing is that the popular opinion that Rudy Fernandez has no mid-range game is true. He also seems to be better the closer he gets to the baseline.

Don't look at Channing Frye's shot chart if you just ate.

Greg Oden should never post up on the right block. Ever.

Travis Outlaw is cold from the same spot that Steve Blake is. Other than that, his long ball percentages are downright amazing. That freethrow line pull-up J that we all "love" so much? Not so amazing. Play up on him and make him drive, and you reduce his effectiveness.

I think it's hilarious how Joel Przybilla has only taken two shots from outside the paint. And missed them both. This apparently doesn't take into account the full-court bomb he took a while back, rightly so. But 80% from inside the key....

Sergio Rodriguez is a mixed bag. We all know that. He seems to have more success from the spot Blake and Outlaw can't hit from, and mostly keeps the defender honest from everywhere else.

LaMarcus Aldridge has some decent numbers from everywhere. If you're the opposing team you let him shoot anywhere inside the three-point line at your own risk.

And last, but certainly not least, Brandon Roy doesn't seem to have a weak spot either, especially at home. It's good when your top two scorers can score from everywhere.

This is interesting. I ran across a quote by Trader Bob today. I was browsing through The Sports Bigamist's excellent Blazers-themed SI vault stories and read an article about Sabonis. In it was this quote:

"We didn't want to wind up in the draft lottery," says Portland president and general manager Bob Whitsitt. "That's like the Bermuda Triangle. Teams get in it and never get out."

What struck me about this is the thought...would you ever hear Kevin Pritchard make that statement? It seems to me that Kevin Pritchard looks at the draft as an opportunity, not as a roadblock.

It really explains a lot. Whitsitt always traded for help now, not with the future in mind. He was of the opinion that it was the only thing that kept Portland in the playoffs. True, to an extent, but anyone want to talk about the Burmuda triangle of early playoff series exits?

This is directed somewhat at Dave but also at everyone else who promoted this thing. Nothing personal but I feel very strongly about this. I rarely post diaries, but this warrants one. I also know there is one below about Odom's foul but the angle is different enough I thought I could post a new one.

You know, I'm very surprised and disappointed that Dave is acting like it was some kind of negative that our guys didn't start swinging when Odom threw Roy to the ground. That's the kind of crap that gave the Jail Blazers their name...acting like immature little 8th graders.

EDIT 4/10: To be fair, Dave did NOT advocate swinging--I took his comments the wrong way.

Why on God's green earth would you want them to throw Kobe on his can the next time down? Kobe wasn't near the play! To "send a message?" That's completely out of line and NOT what I expect from this group. I expect mature play, taking your hits, letting the officials be the officials and not trying to take matters into your own hands.

I don't have a problem with a little stare-down and bump, like Przy will do now and then. That's fine...it shows that our players care. But to encourage a fight or to get thrown out of the game? I'm sorry, but I would NOT be watching a team that does that.

We had a bit of this conversation a while ago when Odom came into the player huddle. You know, there are always going to be Odoms in the league. If you always react with violence you're playing right into their hands.

That's all I have to say about it. I'm disappointed so many here think the Blazers should start swinging when someone does a hard or cheap foul. That's not the Blazers I know or am a fan of.

How long will Nate be able to keep James Jones out of the starting lineup considering how well he is playing and how Martell Webster is slumping? I understand it is good to keep Tell from getting down, but unfortunately the gap seems to be widening between their individual productions.

I'm a big Webster fan, but I think we may see a new insertion in the lineup sometime in the coming weeks.

Jarrett actually getting some love from NBA.com...

Top 10 moves of 2007, to be exact.

http://nba-boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/top10s_specialties/best_of_2007/top10_moves_2007.asx

Continue reading this post »

Not sure if it's okay to write a non-blazer related article, but this did cross my mind and I was wondering what everyone else thought.

I find that papers on my home office desk are a net negative. I have notes from phone calls, meetings, etc. They're always getting lost, reshuffled, moved around. My kid uses them to draw green and pink cows (using my highlighters). I can't find the ones I need, and am always picking up ones I won't need for a while and moving them. My "active files" rack I rarely access, simply because most of the relevant info is in my e-mail or electronic files anyway.

I'm thinking about just scanning any meeting/phone call notes in (or retyping them) and putting them in my computer filing system. Going 99% paperless if I can. I have a decent electronic backup schedule, so a hardcopy is usually not necessary.

What do you think? Are hard copies obsolete?

From Mike Barrett's blog:

Speaking of Darius, he continues to workout at a frantic pace, and was going through drills with trainer Jay Jensen on the other court during the games Wednesday. He hasn't been cleared to play, but is running now with the team during conditioning drills. Miles, who topped out at 259 pounds following his micro-fracture knee surgery, is now down to a slim 225.(emphasis added) He has high hopes for a return, but still has a long road ahead of him. There are varying degrees of micro-fracture surgery, and Darius' was on the very serious end. Say what you want, you cannot fault his effort in attempting to get back into shape. I've seen it every day.

Continue reading this post »