http://www.sbnation.com/users/mark%20twain Posts made by mark twain on SB Nation http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/11/15/662182/does-oden-get-20-10-and-5 mark twain Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:39:26 -0000 <p>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!</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">How many games until we get 20, 10, and 5?</h5> <div id="poll_container_31761_141663638"> <form action="/polls/vote/31761?container_id=poll_container_31761_141663638" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/31761?container_id=poll_container_31761_141663638', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154547" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154547" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154547"><span class="option">Tonight 1 game</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154548" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154548" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154548"><span class="option">Golden State (away) 2 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154549" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154549" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154549"><span class="option">Chicago (home) 3 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154550" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154550" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154550"><span class="option">Sacramento (away) 4 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154551" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154551" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154551"><span class="option">Phoenix (away) 5 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154552" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154552" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154552"><span class="option">Sacramento (home) 6 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154553" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154553" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154553"><span class="option">Miami (home) 7 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154554" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154554" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154554"><span class="option">New Orleans (home) 8 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154555" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154555" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154555"><span class="option">Detroit (away) 9 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154556" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154556" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154556"><span class="option">Knicks (away) 10 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154557" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154557" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154557"><span class="option">Washington (away) 11 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154558" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154558" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154558"><span class="option">Boston (away) 12 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154559" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154559" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154559"><span class="option">Toronto (away) 13 games</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_154560" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="154560" /></span> <label for="poll_option_154560"><span class="option">more than 13 games</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" /> &nbsp; 188 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/31761?container_id=poll_container_31761_141663638', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/10/28/648961/i-ll-be-the-first-to-ask-d mark twain Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:03:05 -0000 <p>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...</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Which one do you draft (please don't be a freaking homer)</h5> <div id="poll_container_30993_553618379" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">71%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>G.O.</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">92</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">28%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>K.D.</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">37</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>129</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_30993_553618379').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/9/30/625745/could-this-be-more-ironic mark twain Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:26:14 -0000 <p>This is potentially&nbsp;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... ... .. ... .. ... ... ... ... ...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"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."</p> <p><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3619002" target="_blank"> <p>&nbsp;read this</p> </a></p> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/20/598069/china-and-the-olympics-ot mark twain Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:27:59 -0000 <p>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&nbsp; 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.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649" target="_blank">Read this now!</a></p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Does the Chinese government and all their silly antics creep you out?</h5> <div id="poll_container_28685_271992309" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">77%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>uh, yeah, duh!</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">37</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">22%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>no, stop being such a close minded idiot. The Peoples Government is awesome!</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">11</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>48</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_28685_271992309').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/7/19/574948/if-darius-plays-does-it-or mark twain Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:51:49 -0000 <p>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, <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/07/miles_making_the_rounds.html" target="_blank">this</a> 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.</p> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/7/1/562401/ot-weight-loss mark twain Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:21:53 -0000 <p>So originally I was simply going to post this in the new "Junk Drawer" thread, but then determined it warranted more discussion.</p> <p>Today is my first day back to working out in awhile. I've always struggled with my weight. I feel like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus" target="new">Sisyphus</a> 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Also, for any gym rats, what keeps you motivated. Any good websites or books with exercise tips and techniques?</p> <p>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!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/6/28/560911/whoa-conspiracy-theory-whe mark twain Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:49:19 -0000 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Did KP call you and tell you to remove it??? If so, that's even crazier. WTF?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>oden oden oden oden</p> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/6/23/557660/dave-this-question-s-for-y mark twain Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:42:59 -0000 <p>It seems that we all post a heck of a lot more than the other SB Nation NBA blogs. To the point where you're getting national recognition on ESPN <a href="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-345/Monday-Bullets.html" target="new">(Dave's famous, I want royalties!!!)... </a>Do you get any stats, or are you able to see how many posts/comments we average a day compared to the other sites? I'd be curious to know, I'm sure all the other faithfuls would as well. I don't know if it makes us look really nerdy time wasters, or really super duper devoted fans, but either way I'd love to know!</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Which one is it?</h5> <div id="poll_container_26936_517473748" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">33%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Really nerdy time wasters</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">21</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">66%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Really super devoted fans</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">42</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>63</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_26936_517473748').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/6/19/554698/boston-championship-purcha mark twain Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:13:27 -0000 <p>What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I think that though they still had to earn the championship by making it out of all the series, I still feel that they purchased this championship as much as an NBA championship can be purchased. Anything short of a championship would have been considered a complete failure. It is ironic though that both teams A.) had a star that stated he wanted to leave if not given better team mates&nbsp; and B.) were the beneficiary of completely absurd and lopsided trades that can only further the conspiracy theories of the NBA. Either way I feel we were all screwed this year and I can't wait until next season starts.</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Did the Celtics buy the championship?</h5> <div id="poll_container_26787_282707193" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">64%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Yes</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">44</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">35%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>No</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">24</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>68</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_26787_282707193').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset> http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/6/12/551249/pau-gasol-overrated-and-ug mark twain Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:46:49 -0000 <p>sorry to post another diary when I have one a few down, but this is something I've been dying to bring up. Does anyone else think Pau is seriously overrated? The only person I've seen turn the ball over that much is Jarrett Jack. Seriously, he can't hang on to a pass unless it's handed to him, he seems like he has Pryzbilla hands!</p> <p>Also, he is ESS OH EFF TEE==== SOFT, pretty much&nbsp;like Dirk light. I have learned that I'm not even scurred of the L*kers anymore, ODEN WILL DOMINATE THEM.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Plus, that beard is ridiculously ugly on him, he is one ugly dude.</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Is Gasol</h5> <div id="poll_container_26612_830656851" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">9%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Overrated?</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">11</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">14%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Awesome?</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">17</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">19%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Ugly?</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">23</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">57%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Overrated and Ugly?</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">68</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>119</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_26612_830656851').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset>