Who's the Blazers True Point Guard?

The idea that Blake was brought back to Portland because he is a better performer than our current point guards is ludicrous. In my opinion, he was brought back on to the squad because he was the best available role player for our young team. The young players need a seasoned player to help provide direction during the growing pains that the Blazers will more than likely be faced with. Also, Nate trusts Blake to run the offense the way he wants it run.

Blake is not a better one on one player than Jack; Blake has no skill demonstrably better than Jack. Career 3-point averages are meaningless - recent performance and trends are far better indicators of immediate future performance and trends. Even if Blake gets better at some skills, with his one potentially valuable skill being 3-point shooting, Jack is likely to improve faster and be better.

So why Blake again?

Because the Blazers do not trust Jack to run the team like it should be run - which would threaten the development of the rest of the youngsters. If Jack doesn't start, it won't be because he isn't the better basketball player, it will be because Blake will be a more stable, error-free guard. Blake will play the game McMillan wants him to play, while Jack - in my opinion - is more prone to play for the moment.

From a pure performance perspective - Blake is a backup point guard, but he doesn't think he is a backup. Many fans don't believe he is a backup. But lets face it, Steve Blake is a solid backup. What is being over looked is Sergio Rodriguez will be the point guard of the future, and Blake will help Sergio hone the skills necessary to run the team.

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.

Oden's tonsils foul him out of summer league

Greg Oden is now not going to participate in any more of the Blazers summer league games. Unfortunately, He is suffering from tonsillitis that are said to be the size of golf balls, as well as a severe sinus infection. It is certainly a rough start to his NBA career. Oden also experienced a set back to his college career at Ohio State when he broke his wrist and played most of the season with it not completely healed. So, when it comes to luck when looking at his past two jumps into the next levels of his basketball career, there has been a lack there of.

There has been debate over weather Oden should take the court in a couple of weeks to participate in the U.S. national team mini camp in Las Vegas, but I think he should just take a break and get ready for the 82+ games for next season. There is no reason he should get involved with the U.S. national team because of his ccurrent heath condition. Yeah, it would be good to see Greg being coached along side Nate McMillan, but is it worth wearing the kid out before the season even starts?

Also, many people are looking at his statistics over the first two summer league games and are not impressed. This is what I have to say to all of those ignorant individuals: The big man is sick and can hardly breathe when he runs down the court. Give the guy a break! Yes, statistics and abundance of fouls that were recorded over the two games were nothing to boast about, but he seemed to blow away Pritchard. In the Oregonian he went on to say "my gosh, today especially in the scrimmages, he was as dominant as we have seen him. Good lord, how much more does he need to show us? I mean, he's not feeling well, and yet he is playing through it." That is exactly the kind of dedication that this whole team can build off of.

So sit at home big guy and enjoy some ice cream because in a few weeks you will be back on the court polishing your game for this season.

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.

Blazers remain in search of a victory

Despite all of the hype following the Blazers selection of Greg Oden in this years NBA draft, the Blazers remain winless in summer league play at 0-2. I understand that summer league doesn't really matter but, it would be nice to see some victories. On the upside, Oden had a much better showing in the second game as he contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks. Hopefully Oden and the Blazers can put a few more things together and find a victory on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Lakers. Go Blazers!!

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.

In Response to Mike's Josh McRobert's Bet

As I was watching the first round of the NBA Draft and weeping over the sudden departure of Zach Randolph from the Trail Blazers, I couldn't help but notice that the Philadelphia 76ers has not yet selected Josh McRoberts, a move that Mike was surely going to happen.

As the draft kept progressing, teams continually kept passing on the pure hustle, yet not very skilled player from Duke. When the draft entered the second round and McRoberts still had not landed on an NBA roster I began to ask myself, "Will this guy even get drafted?" Then we got to pick number 37 and the Portland Trail Blazers once again shocked the world and took McRoberts. I found this more shocking than anything else Portland had done all night or ever for that matter. I found the selection of McRoberts more disturbing than the salaries of Raef LaFrentz and the newly acquired Steve Francis. How does this guy fit in to Kevin Pritchard's master plan?

There is only one logical explanation as to how Portland is going to use Josh McRoberts. The answer is simply six fouls. McRoberts will share the same role and responsibilities that other storied big man such as Joe Wolf, Chris Dudley, Joe Klein, and Will Perdue did while serving their time with the Trail Blazers; keep the better players out of foul trouble.

When Mike originally said he would bet any amount of money that Philly would take McRoberts, I thought going into the Draft that was a sure thing. Now I am kicking myself for not taking that bet, and Kevin Pritchard should be kicking himself somewhat for wasting a pick.

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.