Rumor has it... If the L*kers fall to the Mavs in the second round, they'll be looking to re-build once again around Koby, keeping just one of their big men.  If this happens... Do the blazers make an off-season move for Pau Gasol?  Despite his failure to show up in the '11 playoffs, the advantages of adding this guy to our rotation are obvious (ie can play both PF and C, chemistry with Rudy, etc..).

Thoughts?

For those of you who will be at the Rose Garden tonight, let's not forget to applaud our young guys for all that they have accomplished this season.  They have no doubt exceeded our most optimistic regular season expectations with 54 WINS!!!  I am beyond proud of these guys, and I am giddy to see what they will accomplish over the next several years.

So, win or lose, let's not forget to thank them for the great season.

Join me in a standing ovation at the final buzzer.

Go Blazers!!

Note: This thread will be relevant for Game 7 too!!

I am sure you've all noticed that many home teams have been sporting green uniforms due to it being NBA Green Week.  Considering Portland is one of the greener cities in this country, I would find it hard to believe we wouldn't be participating in this trend.

So, are we expecting our Blazers to roll out sporting green Friday night vs the L*kers?  Has anyone heard any official announcement about this?

If they do, I really hope they aren't as ugly as the the Chicago Bulls uniforms are tonight vs the Sixers.  Just hideous.

So, where are we all gathering to watch the opening night double-header?  Cleveland at Boston @ 5:00pm, then Portland at L.A. L*kers @ 7:30pm.

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I got an email this morning from the Blazer ticket office, and season tickets are being shipped this week via Fedex!

I've got a question for all of you experienced season ticket holders.  I've heard that some people leave their ticket sheets intact in order to preserve the collector's value of the tickets; but how does that work?  Do you re-print your tickets at home via your blazers.com account?

I'd appreciate any insights...

This was taken from the USABasketball.com website.  To read the full USA vs. Spain preview report, here is the link.

Tony Ronzone, Director of International Player Personnel

What about Spain makes them dangerous?

One is there continuity. Some of these guys have been together since 1999 when Spain won the Junior World Championship in Portugal. Six of those guys are on this 2008 Olympic Team. That's pretty impressive. They could close their eyes, and they could still find their guys on the floor. They are very mature, experienced basketball team. The best domestic foreign league is in Spain, and the athletic talent in that country is unbelievable. They have a lot of confidence and zero fear. The players that do play in the NBA are all succesful, from Gasol to Calderon to Garbojosa, they have all had success in our league. So when they play against us they think they can beat us, and it shows in their confidence on the floor. And they have a guard named Rudy Fernandez, who will play for Portland next year, that is playing unbelievalbe -- just none stop high energy.

I know this is not directly related to our Trailblazers, but it is definitely an exciting thing for the city of Portland.  And since last nights news of Roy gave us all "nightmares"... this really isn't too far off topic.

As many of you know, Phil Knight (Portland's billionaire) purchased Will Vinton's animation studio here in Portland many years back. Today that studio is known as LAIKA.  LAIKA recently birthed a feature division (LAIKA Entertainment) and is in the final stages of finishing its first feature film Coraline, an adaptation of the best selling book by Neil Gaiman, directed by Henry Selick (director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, etc.).

I've had the privilege of working on Coraline as part of the visual effects team, and I tell you.. this movie looks incredible.   But.. don't take my word for it.  This week, Rotten Tomatoes dot com is hosting a series of featurettes promoting the film.  Here are 4 of the 5 featurettes that are being released this week.  I'll post the 5th one tomorrow when it becomes available.

Enjoy!

Part 1: Henry Selick & Neil Gaiman bring Coraline to life--

Part 2: Crafting the World of Coraline--

Part 3: The Story of Coraline--

Part 4: Meet the Inhabitants of Coraline's World--

Part 5: Coraline in the higher dimension--

I've never actually given much attention to the Trailblazer's pre-season exhibition games.  But this year, having season tickets for the first time, I'm curious as to what rotation I should expect Coach McMillan to put on the floor in these games...?

Is Oden going to be unveiled? Or is the purpose of these games more-so to finalize the roster and let Rudy, Bayless and Batum get their feet wet?  Of course, Oden is probably more in need of this than any of the aforementioned players, considering his lack of 5-on-5 this past year.

So, my question is basically... What/Who do you expect to see on the floor October 7th at the Rose Garden?

(the great thing is... I am 100% stoked to see any of these guys play!)

Thanks for your comments, and I'll see you at the garden Octobter 7th!

So, this is my first season as a Rip City Club member (season ticket holder).  I am hoping some of you seasoned club members can share with me and any other newbs the perks of being in the club?  Assume I know nothing about it... other than having tickets to all the games.

Access to member only areas at the Rose Quarter? Merchandise discounts? Pre/post game hangouts?  How does the Blazer organization make it's season ticket holders feel special?

We need a small forward...
We need a veteran player...
We need playoff experience...
We need a player with good character...
We need someone to defend Koby in the playoffs!!

Kevin Pritchard, bring Shane Battier to Portland!

Unfortunately, he won't be a free agaent anytime soon, but there are other means of obtaining a player.  Send Outlaw, send Webster, send future draft picks... send Paul's $$$.

What do you all think?  Let's hear your comments.