Not Hollywood. Not New York. Not Miami

Portland can't compete with Los Angeles, New York and Miami in many respects, but spend five minutes at the Rose Garden on game night and you'll be infected by the vibe. Having suffered a broken heart with Roy's retirement, Oden's endless trials and the disintegration of what looked like the best collection of young talent in the league, Trail Blazers fans desperately need a vehicle for their boundless affection.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports...
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[Derrick] Rose has joined other NBA notables Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers, LaMarcus Aldridge from the Portland Trail Blazers and Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks in pledging to donate $1,000 for every point they score in Friday's games.
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Updated: Jay Allen of 95.5 confirmed with The Blazers that LaMarcus will be donating from the Sunday game with OKC, not Friday's Game with the Spurs.
ed: bumped to front page

Nice Take by Jason Fleming of Hoopsworld on Brandon

When Roy, who has had multiple knee surgeries, had both of knees scoped a short while back and it was revealed he had little or no meniscus in either knee – the cushioning part of the knee – the talk started. It was proclaimed Roy would never be right again, that he would never again be an All-Star, and maybe his career was in fact over.

He claims he didn't pay much attention at all.

"I'm so tough on myself I don't really get a chance to listen to what everybody's saying. Every once in a while somebody would tell me what they are saying, and that's cool, but I'm a tough critic on myself. I'm going to push. I want to get myself back to that level. Not for anyone else, but for myself. I know that if I am able to get to 100% I will be able to live with the outcome, and it's not about proving anybody wrong. It's about proving to myself I can go out and do it."

Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com writes, "Questions over the Heat's center position resurfaced during Miami's hard-fought win over the Portland Trail Blazers. And interestingly enough, Portland may employ Miami's long-term answer: Greg Oden can become a free agent this summer."

Ed: bumped to front page

Oh Oh...Everything Crossed!

FCC officials wouldn't disclose details about the conditions Thursday because commissioners were still reviewing Genachowski's proposal.

But two people outside the FCC described them to The Associated Press. They had knowledge of the details but spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were confidential.

One measure aims to guarantee that satellite operators, phone companies and rival cable TV services can still get access to NBC broadcast and cable channels, Comcast's regional sports networks and other must-have programming at reasonable prices.

That condition would mandate arbitration to settle any disputes and would potentially prohibit Comcast from withholding NBC Universal content during negotiations - a practice that broadcasters have been increasingly turning to in the push for higher fees.

Another Quote from a bloomberg article:

Comcast also must sell programs to rivals, and allow competing programmers to reach its video subscribers, said officials at the Federal Communications Commission, which is reviewing the deal.

Submitting to Arbitration

Comcast may be required to submit to arbitration in disputes about its programming from its regional sports networks and NBC-owned TV stations, Arbogast and Kaut said. Such conditions could help rival video providers DirecTV, Dish Network Corp., AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., Arbogast and Kaut said.

In today's edition of the NBA At 2: The Portland Trail Blazers and Brandon Roy need to accept new realities…Is LaMarcus Aldridge an All-Star?...Phoenix Suns should have just stuck with Amar'e Stoudemire…NBA Chats.

"Prediction: 53-29. Good for a solid playoff seed, but possibly not good enough to keep them out of a second round date with Los Angeles. It's a hard knock life, playing in the West."

Article from ESPN. 95.5 and JQ just had an update that Rudy did talk with Nate...so that part of the article seems a little outdated

wonder who is leaving?

Portland’s Powerhouse Sports Station – 95-5 the Game is seeking a talk host to immediately fill mid-days 12 noon to 3pm. If you are a seasoned sports host (5 years experience required) with a great ratings history, can take the lead in producing your program, and are sales friendly, please email audio and your resume to: brian.jennings@alphabroadcasting.com. 95-5 the Game is home for the Portland Trailblazers, Oregon Ducks, Seattle Seahawks, and Portland Timbers.

Nice article on JP by Wendell Maxey

Sources tell NewOrleans.Com/Sports that 38-year old Monty Williams, a former NBA player for 9 seasons, has the inside track for what would be his first head coaching job. Williams has been an assistant coach with the Portland Trailblazers since 2005.

A good read from Ian Thomsen on SI

"Now that he's been in Portland for almost two months, he said he doesn't want to leave. He likes the selflessness and promise of the young Blazers, and the idea of returning next year to take pressure off Greg Oden, who could find his way by coming off the bench in support of Camby."

Losing Andre Miller hurt Sixers, but helped Jrue Holiday in long run

On a personal note...I'm so glad we got Andre - Sorry TIH!

From the article:

"What it did cost the team was wins, probably many of them. Miller is not only the floor general the team sorely lacks, but also a locker-room leader, which the team doesn’t appear to have.

"When I was there last year, Andre Miller was the true leader of the team, on and off the floor," said Reggie Evans, traded in the offseason to Toronto for Jason Kapono. "He was the one who told everyone where to be on the floor. He was the one who led by example."

Fans Blazermaniacs hold plenty of cards in Blazers-Pritchard drama

A good read by Scott Howard-Cooper over at NBA.com

Interesting wish from sportswriter Frank Zicarelli

Maybe the boos that will rain on Hedo Turkoglu will knock some sense into the underachieving Raptors small forward, whose every step forward has been followed by three steps backward in Toronto.

On Sunday, Turkoglu makes his first trip to Portland, where the basketball faithful is among the most rabid and educated in the NBA.

Fans in Portland will air their feelings when Turkoglu has the ball in his hands, that much is certain. Deep down, they're probably grateful that Turkoglu didn't join the Blazers.

No punch gets pulled, no word gets minced in small markets such as Portland, where the spotlight is always on the NBA.

Brewer shrugs off accusation of dirty play

My favorite little tidbit from this article is Andre Miller coming to Batum's defense.

"Andre Miller came to me during the game and said, 'Hey, what's going on with you and Batum?' " Brewer said, referring to Portland's veteran point guard.

"I was like, 'What?' He said, 'Batum says you're trying intentionally to hurt him.' I was like, 'What? What are you talking about?' That was my reaction. I didn't know what he was talking about."

Howard's ever-increasing role keeps Blazers in contention

Help on the way?

FCC Requires Cable Firms to Share Local Sports Channels

The 4-1 FCC vote ends the so-called "terrestrial loophole" that's been used by cable operators, including Comcast Corp. and Cablevision Systems Corp., to withhold local sports programming from rivals such as Verizon Communications Inc.

Satellite operators and phone companies have complained the loophole has put them at a competitive disadvantage since many consumers want to watch live local sporting events at home.

Last July, Verizon filed a complaint against Cablevision for withholding a high-definition version of a channel in New York that shows Knicks and Rangers games. Last year, AT&T Inc. filed a similar complaint against Cox Communications Inc. for denying it permission to air San Diego Padres games.

In Philadelphia, the loophole has allowed Comcast to withhold its SportsNet channel from satellite TV providers DirecTV Group Inc. and Dish Network Corp.

The decision, which might face a court challenge, could be a blow to cable operators that used exclusive access to their popular local sports channels as a competitive advantage. It could give sports fans in some markets more choice in pay-TV providers, and heat up competition for subscribers.

Federal law requires cable operators to offer access to channels they partially or wholly own to rivals at reasonable rates. But the law includes a loophole that allows cable companies to deny access if a channel's video feed doesn't travel via satellite at some point between the TV studio and the consumer's home.

The issue has been around for years, but has become more contentious recently, as phone companies have begun competing with cable operators to offer high-definition TV in some markets. The FCC has considered closing the loophole before, but there have been some questions about whether the agency had legal authority to do so.

One of the FCC's Republican commissioners, Robert McDowell, voted against the proposal, which was approved by the FCC's five-member board by a 4-1 vote. Mr. McDowell said he believes it is "beyond our statutory reach" under current law. He predicted that the cable industry would mount a legal challenge to the action.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said consumers shouldn't be forced to choose between watching local sporting events on one pay-TV provider if they would otherwise prefer another.

Write to Amy Schatz at Amy.Schatz@wsj.com

How Fun for Blazer Fans!

Brandon Roy slapped his name atop the Agency Ultra Sports Lounge for a New Years Eve shindig that starts at 8:30PM and costs $35 at the door.

Check it...

Rip City NYE Party Hosted by Brandon Roy!

December 31st, 2009 - 8:30PM to 3:00AM

Brandon Roy and more of your favorite athletes will be hosting the craziest New Years Eve party in town. The Rip City New Years Eve Party has Pre-sales tickets available for $25 and it is $35 at the door. This includes a gourmet buffet style dinner and a New Years toast!

Buy tickets or tables at the Agency, call us at 503-548-2921 or you can go online at http://tinyurl.com/RipCityNYE.

More info:

* Party is 21 and over.
* Other Blazers in attendance: Aldridge, Bayless and Martell Webster.
* Presale tickets are sold out already.
* Dress extra classy.
* Free champagne toast at midnight.
* More info here.
* And the Agency's website here.

A Little Holiday Fun courtesy of Elf Yourself at jibjab

RRRRRRRROOOWWWWRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, how was Greg Oden a bust?

"Oden had a very productive rookie campaign
This morning SportsNation, whoever they are, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ridiculous notion that Greg Oden, the rookie center of the Portland Trailblazers, is a busted draft choice. My Win Credit formula, based on David Berri's Win Score efficiency metric, wishes to rebut."

Not sure how credible the source....thehoopsreport.com

Jon Brockman - 2nd Round

"It's still not perfectly clear which team gave him the guarantee, but I've narrowed it down to two teams: the Detroit Pistons and the Portland Trail Blazers. Both teams have multiple picks early in the second round and both teams could use a power forward. The Pistons need a lot of frontcourt help, and the Blazers need a backup power forward."

"Whichever team it is, the Pistons or the Blazers, Brockman should be off the board by No. 44 at the latest. Portland owns the No. 33 pick and the No. 38 pick, while Detroit will draft at No. 35, No. 39 and No. 44."

With weeks remaining before the NBA draft and start of free agency, the Trail Blazers already have made their first significant decision of the offseason.

General manager Kevin Pritchard told The Oregonian on Friday that the Blazers have decided to exercise team options on starting point guard Steve Blake and sixth man Travis Outlaw, two key components of last season's playoff team.

A good read from Scott Howard-Cooper at SI

I don't care. OK, Houston 108, Portland 81 in a calamitous Saturday night. I'm still loving the Trail Blazers. Loving the talent, loving the personality, loving the coaching, loving the front-office decisions.

Okay...now we've all got a lot of time on our hands waiting for Tuesday. Here is a great site to "geek" over while we wait.

HISTORICAL VICTORY PROBABILITIES AND TEAM PERFORMANCE RECORDS FOR BEST-OF-7 FORMAT MLB, NBA, AND NHL PLAYOFF SERIES.

BEST-OF-7 PROBABILITY FORMULAE has my head spinnin'...oh my...wish I had Norsktroll's brain!

A short blurb in the Portland Biz Journal:

During the last three regular seasons, the Portland Trail Blazers victory total jumped by 11, nine and 13 wins, respectively. During the same period, the team’s revenue exploded, spiking from $78 million to $114 million, according to Forbes magazine.

The 48 percent increase boosted the team’s value from $227 million to $307 million and pushed it to the edge of profitability.

The magazine estimates the team had an $85.1 million operating deficit in 2003-04. It’s now slightly less than $1 million.

That means the Blazers, after meeting their team goal of making the playoffs this season, could reach their business goal — profitability — in the next two years after more than $100 million in losses this decade.