With Blake coming in, do we still know Jack?

I really like the Trail Blazers' signing of Steve Blake. Trouble is, I really like Jarrett Jack, too. So what's the problem, you say? The problem is that with Blake back in town, it probably means that Jack won't be. The Oregonian's John Canzano sees it that way, too. Blake will probably be the starter, leaving backup minutes for Jack and Sergio Rodriguez, but remember, many in the organization think that Brandon Roy is the Blazers' point guard of the future.

Of course, the Blazers are saying all the right things, denying trade rumors that Jack is indeed headed out of town. But it just doesn't make sense to keep all those point guards - there just isn't enough room. With Blake freshly inked, rookie of the year Roy, and Rodriguez (the Blazers previously had many offers for him, but refused them all) not going anywhere, I just don't see any other alternative.

All of this aside, another puzzling part of this off-season is the Blazers' attempt to re-sign Travis Outlaw. He did show some improvement last year, especially in his jump shot, but I still don't understand their affinity for a guy on whom they spent the #23 pick in 2003 who has shown little improvement since. With the addition of James Jones at small forward, I think the Blazers would be better served to get a contract done with Ime Udoka and let his solid play come off the bench.

All that being said, things are definitely looking up for your Portland Trail Blazers, and when Steve Francis' contract comes off the books prior to the 2009-10 season, in addition to Raef LaFrentz, Jones, and Blake, the team will have tons of room under the cap with which to sign a monster free agent or two.

Whoa, daddy.

Age Aint Nothing But A Number?

So what do you think of the new NBA rule that restricts a player into the draft, if not at least 19 years old?
That is the question I ask people when we talk about basketball. I generally get the statements:
"Well, I think its bulls**t!"
OR
"If a players good enough out of high school, why not?"
AND
"Doesn't matter, I don't like basketball."
Which are all pretty legit answers if you consider my audience.

My personal assessment is if a player is as dedicated to his craft as he should be, it wouldn't matter what the rules are. Maybe its a chance to send kids off to college for a little bit more experience, without the fear of injuries. Maybe its a chance to have a player really consider his options, or finally, a way to weed out the scrubs from the ones that really love the game.
I know that the draft for a majority of athletes has everything to do with how much money they make when drafted. I feel like this game has become so consumed but its dollars signs, that it lightweight affects the sports overall. Is the age the real problem, or is it the amount of money that's lost when you know you cant profit off of an 18 year old high profile player anymore? Just a thought.

Shaq Saves The Kids

Trying to survive this massive heat, I turn on the tv and see none other than Shaq and a bunch of obese kids doing jumping jacks in a classroom. At first, I thought it was a commercial...promoting the NBA and all the good it does for the community, but then I realized it was a reality show.

So then I laughed. How clever it is to have Shaq, a big athlete motivating big kids to live healthier lives. What's even more efficient about this show is that it not only sends a positive image of the NBA and its philanthropy, but puts the attention on the schools and how they are failing to teach probably the most important lesson of all: health.

Of all the useless things schools find the funds to teach students, its tragic to see many fitness and health education programs get cut. If kids don't learn how to take care of themselves, what good will knowing the square root of 42543525 to the power of 3242 be?

So despite the corny-ness of this show (it really has awkward parts...couldn't even watch it all the way through), I think it is a fantastic idea, and I hope it will make excersizing more popular amongst the youth of this fast food nation.

It is just super frustrating seeing how schools put such a low priority on fitness education. Living a healthy life should be a core principle people learn from a young age. You can't really do anything else if you are under constant chronic ailments. Plus, one is able to think more clearly and have more energy if they eat healthy.

So if all else fails, this show will raise awareness. And that rocks. :D

I love me some Blazers, again

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the move the Blazers made to finally unload Zach Randolph. Sure, he was a 20 and 10 guy - one of very few in the entire league - but he was also an offensive black hole.

That being said, bringing in Channing Frye and Steve Francis was a good move, but only if the Blazers can actually buy out the remaining two years on Francis' contract. There were early reports, right after the trade, that the buy-out could get Francis' salary off the books as early as this year. That would be great, getting the team enough room under the salary cap to sign a big name free agent, all but assuring a return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. But since, there have been reports that the contract won't be able to come off the books until 2008-09, possibly even 2009-10. This hurt a little bit, as I was drinking the "Rashard Lewis to Portland" Kool-Aid. He would have been a great fit here, and seemed like he may have wanted to play here, due to his relationship with his former coach, Nate McMillan. And he would have been our Kevin Durant, since they are very similar players. Alas, the only way that could happen is through a sign and trade deal, but the Sonics are unwilling to help their neighbor to the south in such a manner, especially with the recently rediscovered rivalry. But the delay is not entirely bad, with a free agent class next year that includes guys like Corey Maggette, and the following year with names like Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett.

Names like these used to be a pipe dream, but with the new direction of the franchise, Portland is rapidly becoming a very attractive destination.

Footage of Greg Oden in Pioneer Square

To add on to Katie's post about Greg Oden taking the MAX to Pioneer Square, here is some footage.

Gotta be honest: it's pretty cool to see a #1 overall draft pick introduce his loved ones to an entire city.

Draft Day Shake Up In Blazers Roster

Not only did the Blazers pick Greg Oden, one of the most prized centers to come out of the NBA draft in a decade, but a blockbuster trade involving Zach Randolph was made. After the dust settled from making the official announcement that Oden would in fact be a Trail Blazer, Kevin Pritchard and family stirred it all up again by trading their leading scorer of the past 4 years. The Blazers sent Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Freddie Jones to the New York Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

Some may criticize this trade because we didn't get much in return for Randolph’s skills, who was the only player in franchise history to lead the team in scoring and rebounding for four consecutive seasons. But Randolph just didn't fit in with the up-tempo team that the Blazers have been assembling. It was also evident that the fans and the organization were tired of his off the court incidents. In his six seasons with the Blazers, he was suspended by the team three times and was involved in several other off-court incidents ranging from sexual assault allegations to a DUI.

This trade will go down as one of the best trades the Blazers have ever made. Not only will they be saving their new and improved reputation, but they will also save 28 million dollars in two years, by unloading Randolph's inflated contract. Critics will point out that we also took on the large contract of Steve Francis, but his contract expires two years before Zach's does. Mr. Stevie Franchise may play in Portland or the Blazers could work out a buy out of his contract. If the Blazers did buy out Francis's contract, it would enable them to go after a much needed Small Forward like Rashard Lewis in the free agent market.

More changes are sure to come this off season, but it is clear that Rip City made its way back in Portland.

A Quick Trigger Finger

After more than a month of bickering, heated discussions and national publicity, the “Great Portland Debate” has officially come to a close.

SportsCenter kicked off with a bang tonight, as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports" flagship program announced the Blazers' plans for the no. 1 pick in tomorrow's draft: We are taking the big man Greg Oden.

On one hand, I was relieved. The Blazers brass appeared to finally understand that stumbling across a legitimate seven-foot center is like finding a waterhole in a scorching desert- it doesn't happen often. Sure, Kevin Durant is talented and would've brought instant scoring power to a squad lacking a potent offensive attack, but every sane Portlander realized long ago that Oden's mountainous physique is the Rose City’s ticket to championship success.

Question the former Buckeye’s surgically repaired right wrist, and I will tell you he could bench 185 pounds more than Durant even with it less than 100%. Say Oden isn’t a polished offensive threat, and I will counter by rapping about his intimidating defensive presence that will keep pretty-boy guards and small forwards, like Durant, shying away from the paint for fear of getting swatted by the beast.

And, in regards to his offensive abilities, he is better than a raw Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum and Patrick O’Bryant, who was selected with the No. 9 selection last season. As he showcased in the NCAA Championship Game in March, Oden has a consistent hook shot and his around-the-basket skills make him a viable force inside for put-backs, tip-ins and alley oops.

While I was thrilled to find General Manager Kevin Prichard hadn’t choked with his selection, I was thoroughly disappointed that the announcement was so premature. Seriously, talk about ruining hundreds of draft parties and taking the air out of a suspenseful debate. WOW!!! Big mistake on Prichard and, most likely, Owner Paul Allen’s part. This move is analogous to telling a youngster what he’s receiving for Christmas hours before he feverishly rips into his presents the next morning. It just isn’t right in every conceivable way.

The only remedy to cure the heartbreak Blazer fans are felling after Prichard and Allen stole all their draft-day fun is to bring it back. Yes, this means Prichard breaking out the wheelin-and-dealin hat he donned last season when Portland reeled off a record six deals, dusting it off and single handedly generating some excitement with trade after trade. I expect he will deal Zach Randolph, as there is no longer room for his sluggish, banal game with Oden around, for a veteran small forward like Reshard Lewis or Richard Jefferson. Also, I hope he packages two or three of the four second round picks to acquire another first round selection.

So, the debate is now sadly and prematurely dead, but the fun might just be beginning for the Blazers.

I wish there was some amount of money...

...I could bet on the Sixers drafting this guy: