Take off the rose colored glasses and answer this question honestly. Knowing what we now know, seeing what we've seen, and given our current lineup, if you could go back in time would you really take Oden over Durant? I'm on the fence about this now. There is something about the passion and fire that Durant played with that made me very, very, very envious. His fluidity, quickness and size leave him virtually unguardable. I don't know guys, Odens lack of consistency at this point is starting to get worrisome, but what really bugs me is what was talked about before the draft; does his passion for the game measure up to Durants? I don't know, I know this is a serious loss hangover and I don't know if I'd be writing this had we won no matter how Ophone played. I do know this. A starting lineup of Pryz, LMA, Durant, Roy, and Blake seems like it would do pretty damn well. 

So how long will it be until we get our first excellent 20 pt, 10 rbnd, 5 blk game from the big guy? I'm not saying I expect it tonight, but looking at his improvement from the Miami game to the NO game, I have to say I wouldn't be surprised. I am certainly one of those people who said that we need to wait 2-3 months to see the real Oden, but readily admit my disappointment in the Oden situation up to this point ("this point" pretty much being before yesterdays game). I am not a moron, and I know that it will take time for him to get into shape. But what we all saw last night was a man that played through fatigue, and still gave tremendous rebounding and blocked shot efforts until taken out of the game. Obviously this is the second of a back to back, so reality tells me he won't have an explosive game tonight. HOWEVER; something tells me theres a fire brewing inside the big man and that he's gaining confidence very quickly. Who's gonna box him out tonight? There's no Tyson Chandler out there to compete with him. I know Jefferson is 6-10, averages over 10 rebounds a game (8 of them defensive), but I get the feeling that Oden, with energy, can have his way with him when it comes to rebounds and put backs. So, will we get our first monumental performance from Oden tonight? Let me also say, I in NOW WAY am using that stat line as a measuring stick for Oden. If it doesn't happen all year it won't necessarily mean he isn't progressing and improving. I just know that I, along with everyone else, will enjoy the hell out of the game that that happens, and we all know it will eventually happen!

So my sister (twiggs) got all bent out of shape tonight because I was pissed. I was pissed that Greg freaking Oden couldn't make it through his first NBA game without being injured. God darn it I'm pissed about this. Anyway, I told her it was going to happen. The GO vs KD talk would be re stoked immediately. So, no funny stuff. Simply put. Knowing what we know know about GO, would you re do the draft? Keep in mind, I'm not sayin Oden was a mistake. But not making it through his first NBA game, after missing his first entire NBA season, is FREAKING SCARY. And if you don't agree, you're being a homer plain and simple. Given their plus sides, I take Oden any day of the week. Given Oden's fragileity (word?), I'm starting to wonder...

This is potentially pretty lame. The only way this scenario could play out any worse is if we actually were the potential 10th game back instead of 11th (if he get's signed that is). I suppose if Danny Ainge really did want to stick it to us for getting Roy and winning the Oden lottery, he could quite literally hold him out one of those games so we are in fact the 10th and deciding game that sticks the preverbial nail in the coffin of our cap space. I'm not too worried about it because I honestly still don't think he'll make the team, but I'm just sayin... ... .. ... .. ... ... ... ... ...

"As it is, if Miles makes the Celtics (who have 16 players in camp, with Miles and Sam Cassell the only ones with non-guaranteed contracts), he would be ineligible to suit up until Boston's 11th game, Nov. 15 at Milwaukee. If Miles were to play in that game and eight of the next nine, he'd have an opportunity to both seek revenge against his old team and kill two-thirds of their cap space for next summer if he steps onto the court for what would be his 10th game, Dec. 5 when Portland travels to Boston."

 read this

I'm not a big fan of the Chinese Government. To put it bluntly, I think they're downright creepy. The Chinese people seem wonderful, and I harbor no ill will towards them. I found it very heartwarming that they were cheering so publicly for Michael Phelps to win his 8th. Anyway, I digress. I'm really creeped out by the facade they try to project on us (the rest of the world). This is a great ESPN article which lists out some of the things that they have done to project a "Perfect" image of China to the rest of the world during these games. The even creepier thing to me is that they don't try to hide it. That/s so wierd. They're like, "Yeah, we had the cuter girl lyp sync while the ugly one sang because it's not good for China and it's people for the world to see an ugly Chinese girl"... I'm not saying lip syncing doesn't happen here in the states (though I DESPISE, ABSOLUTELY DESPISE lip syncing). It's just wierd to me  because we all know the truth of every thing they're trying to hide, yet they still hide it all... And we never would have cared in the first place.

Read this now!

I'm so confused. I keep reading differing views on the D Miles situation. The assumption all along is that if he comes back and actually plays in more than 10 games in either of the next two seasons, that IT WILL COUNT AGAINST THE CAP. However, this article quotes otherwise..."As we've reported in The Oregonian and this blog, if Miles plays in 10 games during either of the next two seasons, the remaining $18 million on his six-year, $48-million contract would go back on the Blazers' books. The team is responsible for paying Miles, but it will not count against the salary cap because an independent doctor deemed his right knee injury career ending"... Either the Oregonian is wrong, or we're wrong. OBVIOUSLY if it doesn't count against the cap, then who cares if the Blazers have to SPAM, I doubt he does. However, if it does, then all of our worst fears look like they're about to come true.

So originally I was simply going to post this in the new "Junk Drawer" thread, but then determined it warranted more discussion.

Today is my first day back to working out in awhile. I've always struggled with my weight. I feel like Sisyphus in this regard. I always try to get skinny, and a couple times have almost made it, but then gain weight again. Now, I'm not like morbidly obese. I seem to always hover around 30 lbs overweight. This is due to a few factors. 1.) I likey to drinky. Now that I have a baby I'm obviously not going out anymore, but still during the summer it's soooo hard to resist the beer. 2.) my eating habits suck. I love cheese. 3.) I don't exercise. My job doesn't require me to do anything physical, and I can't go to the gym when I get home from work anymore because I need to help watch the baby.

So, now I'm doing the dreaded "getting up earlier to go to the gym" thing that I haven't had to do in years. I was wondering if there is anyone else here that has gone through weight loss and succeeded? What worked for you.

Also, for any gym rats, what keeps you motivated. Any good websites or books with exercise tips and techniques?

Please don't post anything like "hey, don't eat cheese or drink beer anymore and you'll lose weight!"... Duh. I know "what" I need to do, but I'm just looking for peoples advice who have done it on "how" they stayed motivated and succeeded. Thanks!

Did KP call you and tell you to remove it??? If so, that's even crazier. WTF?

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