SB Nation User Blog: walkoff41

"Old School" Philly memories

walkoff41 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:40:25 -0000

Remember that Philly powerhouse that slapped teams

around in the 76-77 season. Ponder the club led by Dr. J, Chocolate Thunder,

Bob Mcadoo, Bobby Jones and company. That team clubbed their way

through the East and into the World Championship Finals against the

underdog Portland Trailblazers. The championship was as good as won.

The 76er's had the high flying, supremely skilled players who dazzled

NBA fans and pundits alike. Their unparalled skills and power dunking

prowress could not be contained by Bill Walton and a bunch of no name

players from the distant Northwest. If only Kareem and the former Minneapolis

club were there to give that once in a generation club a battle. Now that would

be a matchup to be remembered. Well, at least the parade of dribble drive

finger rolls and visits to Lovetron would make this a short series before

a FANtastic parade through the streets of the City of Brothery Love !

Oooooops ! The pundits and east coast sportswriters got

a wake up call from a scrappy team led by the ultimate team

player. Big Red, Luke, Dr. Jack and the guys showed those

supremely talented individuals how to play and win as a team.

Bobby Gross moving without the ball, David T hounding the

ball handler and Lionel hitting the pullup 15 footer. Of course,

Luke throwing some well placed elbows and helping Walton

control the boards and paint didn't hurt either. The recollections

of Schonz throwing down the "Rip City & Lickety Brindle's" while

listening on the radio, help to cement memories from 30 + years

gone past. These memories help me recall how team, defense, hustle

and togetherness will overcome superior individual talent !

Does this current TEAM have the beginnings of those special

ingredients to become champions ? Will this squad develop those

"Old School" traits in order to rise to the top ?

Comcast pushing for deal.

walkoff41 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:25:09 -0000

As most

As most of you know, I've been very outspoken

in my criticism of this gigantic cable company. As a

30 + year Blazermaniac living in Medford, few things

over the years have taken priority over the Blazer TV schedule,

outside of the Blazer express to 6-12 home games yearly.

The 06-07 was fantastic, as I subscribed to NBA

League Pass and watched 75 + Blazer games.

With the new season looming and the blackout still in place,

I was suprised when I recieved a message from Comcast

Sports NW. They were inquiring about billboard space

in the Southern Oregon area, for the purpose of

featuring the Blazers & Ducks in an advertising campaign.

When I returned the call, the represenative explained that

they wanted satellite & cable customers to " Ask your sattelite

or cable company to add Comcast Sports NW to the channel

lineup".

Being that Charter Communications is our only available

cable company, I believe we may be able to use this opportunity

to push them to add CSNW in a special sports tier. I don't care

what the cost; BRING BACK OUR BLAZERS ! Now is the time

to increase the pressure. I found BE in the fall of 2006 and

I know my fellow Blazermaniacs from the "Edge" will help us

in our mission. Call list follows.

Chuck Cushman-"Blazer Fan Action Coalition- (360) 687-2505

Don Brissler -"Bring our Blazers back" - (360) 687-8125

Sen. Gordon Smith - (202) 224-3753 - (202) 228-3997 - Fax

Sen Ron Wyden - (202) 224-5244 - (202) 228-2717 - Fax

Congressman Greg Walden - (202) 225-6730 - (202) 225-5774 - Fax

Congressman Peter DeFazio - (202) 225-6416 - (202) 225-0032 - Fax

Congresswoman Darlene Hooley - (202) 225-5711 - (202) 225-5699 - Fax

FCC - Chairman Kevin Martin (Sactown?) (202) 418-1000- Kevin.martin@fcc.gov

Commissioner Jonathon Adelstein - (202) 418-2300 - jonathon.adelstein@fcc.gov

Commissioner Micheal Copps - (202) 418-2000 - Micheal.copps@fcc.gov

Commissioner Robert McDowell - (202) 418-2200 - Robert.mcdowell@fcc.gov

Charter Communications - 1-800-936-1479 - DIRECTV - (888) 866-3008

Dish Network - (800) 200-2043 - Comcast Sports NW -(800) 870-0465

What if ?

walkoff41 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:09:18 -0000

What if . .

GO came into this season like a young Shaq, but with a jumper

out to 12 feet, a FT% in the 70's, O moves with the left hand and

the ability to outrun most PF's up the court.

Smooth came back with a better handle, more muscle and

the unstoppable "Smooth Shake" on the baseline.

Martell's game was highlighted with a BRoy lite crossover and

left hand that allowed him to get to the rim on O and the determination

and grit to shut down his man on D.

Rudy showed the step back jumper from NBA three, was a MAN

in the weight room and finished in the top three in 6th Man & ROY.

TO showed up in shape, took it to the rack (a lot) and decided

to exert himself on defense.

KP pulled off another PS and picked up Westbrook for the # 13

and any combo of JJ, Sergio, McBob, Euros & 2nd rounders.

BRoy stayed healthy and was BRoy.

Pryz, Frye, Blake and the squad played good, strong fundamental

team ball while staying healthy.

Nate and the coaching staff made all the right moves.

?????????????????????????????

WCF ? FINALS ?? Start of a DYNASTY ???

The Loooong Ball !

walkoff41 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:48:04 -0000

With the announcement of Rudy coming to the NBA and the

Trailblazers, the fans are juiced about his unique package of

dunks, step-back threes and alley ooops off the dribble. I think

one factor in Rudy's game being overlooked is his speed up

the floor and our other rookie's ability to go looooong !

The plain fact of the matter is that with GO in the middle

working the defensive boards, we will have more leak outs

by Martell, Smooth and now Rudy. GO showed some nice

outlet ability in his highlight package and I think it will be

a unexpected surprise this year. Rudy's highlight reel showed

excellent transition speed and handle in order to make him

one of our Runners. If we could only draft Westbrook at # 13,

we would have that final piece in a lockdown defender at the

PG (combo), who can really fly up the court and finish !

I smell something baking and I think it's a CAKE.

Smooth

walkoff41 — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:19:03 -0000

It's funny to think about after witnessing BRoy take over the game inthe fourth quarter, but LaMarcus issuch a big key to the Blazers gettingto the championship. He is such a physical specimen in his combinationof length, speed and agility. The NBA has quite a few 6'11" power forwards,but how many can match his speedover 94 feet ? KG ? Duncan ? Sheed ?Certainly not Dirk. I find it unusualthat he has the great touch in his top of the reach jumper to go with the length, speed and agility. Hencethe nickname "SMOOTH". He even speaks with that smooth Texas drawl. I can't wait for the inevitable8-10 lbs of core muscle that his frequent forays into the weight roomwill produce. That will allow him toadd strength to his package, and turnthe finesse finishes into thunder dunks.Add the left wing face up power dribble to the righty hook, to his back to the basket version of Hakeeem's dream shakeand Smooth has all the tools!

Poll

What should we call LMA's fade away to the baseline ?

LaFade

15 votes

Buttertime

6 votes

The Texas Two Step

9 votes

Smooth Shake

5 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

Blazer Fan Access Coalition

walkoff41 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:25:54 -0000

As you may know from Canzano's column,
a couple of Blazermaniacs have started a
group to put pressure on Comcast and the Blazers
to help get deals done with the cable and sattelite companies. We don't get any TV coverage
beside National TV games here in Southern Oregon
(Medford) and our Blazer radio affiliate is
now spanish language. According to Chuck Cushman,
one of the organizers, the Comcast deal basically
eliminated coverage for Southern and Eastern
Oregon, Southern Washington (including areas just
outside Vancouver), as well as other rural areas
of Oregon. Chuck's research indicates that
the population excluded is near 600,000 households. Mr. Cushman is a land use lobbist/
National Parks and Forests advocate and so has
a email, fax and internet based communication
group that has effectively lobbied Congress and
other governmental agencies for many years. He is also a huge Blazer fan and has set up a network of
links to Comcast and Blazer officials as well as
advertiser's that we can inform of our displeasure.

Blazer Fan Access Coalition
P.O. Box 423
Battle Ground, WA 98604
(360) 687-2505
ccushman@pacifier.com

If you think Comcast holding 25% of the
Blazer fans hostage isn't right, please get on
the phone or email list. Bring back our Blazers !

Dixons D'

walkoff41 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:32:35 -0000

In response to the poll regarding Juan's playing
time, I think the important thing to remember is
that he can't guard anyone. He plays D with his hands and though this yeilds an occasional steal,
most of the time it's the opposing guard in the
paint. At least Martell has been trying to play
defense, while growing into his future game.
Remember he's only 20.