Quarter Season Awards: Inspirational Player of the Year

by Dave on Dec 7, 2006 12:32 AM PST in News

Since we're officially at the 1/4 mark of the season (or will be after the first half of the next game anyway) we're handing out Quarter-Season awards. Scroll up and down today's posts to register your vote on them all.

Please pick ONLY ONE player. No fence sitting allowed! One poster, one vote! That's the fun/challenge of it. Feel free to explain your reasoning along with your vote.

For this post, vote for the guy whose play shows the most heart, regardless of talent or other considerations.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Ime Udoka

Obviously the media, even the national media, have been all over his story, and for good reason. But he's not playing just cause it's a good story, he's done lotsa lil' things very well, and is solid from behind the arc.

No, he's not the small forward/shooting guard for the future, but he deserves to continue to be a solid role player off the bench. If he doesn't get a multiyear contract (nothing too expensive, can't get too crazy) after this season, I'll be very disappointed with Blazers management.

He's smart and plays hard. He's versatile. If another local kid didn't hurt his ankle, Ime would probably be playing 3000 miles away. I can't imagine another Blazer getting this award.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Dec 7, 2006 12:46 AM PST reply actions

Ime Udoka...

this could be the category that is unanimous. I can't imagine picking anyone else.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Dec 7, 2006 6:28 AM PST reply actions

Gimme Ime

Ime Udoka Easy, no question about it. I am also going to declare a distant runner up in Z-Bo. Seems a little strange, but I think his hard work over the summer and weight loss has paid huge dividends this season. He has shown that hard work pays off.

by TearsforDuckworth on Dec 7, 2006 6:51 AM PST reply actions

JJ

I think Jack shows a lot of heart. He always plays hard and is concerned enough about his and the team's play to seek out Nate in the middle of the night for a basketball discussion.

by TwoDeep on Dec 7, 2006 7:31 AM PST reply actions

Ime all the way

He's just a great story and the one true hustle guy on the team.

by DropstepJ on Dec 7, 2006 7:51 AM PST reply actions

Ime

To see a home town guy get cut from one team, and start for another is nothing but insparational.

by OCBlazerfan on Dec 7, 2006 7:51 AM PST reply actions

Udoka

Didn't have a contract to begin with, now has been instrumental in a great number of Blazer wins this season. That is a no-brainer.

It wasn't the first time I'd been kicked in the cherries and called a rat by a woman, but it was the first time I didn't mind.

by shenanigans on Dec 7, 2006 8:18 AM PST reply actions

Udoka

by default.. although Jack is a very close 2nd. But Udoka doesn't have a guaranteed contract so it's pretty obvious hes fighting harder then anyone.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Dec 7, 2006 8:37 AM PST reply actions

Ime Udoka

This award like the MVP award above should be the "Most Inspirational Player Besides Udoka Award." I mean come on...look at the timeline of events...Given up on by two NBA teams, Two knee surgeries, forgotten by almost every NBA, Invited to training camp for hometown and childhood favorite team, informed of first ever start in preseason, informed of father's death, 1st career regular season start at small foward, and every game since. He is our rock...our solid role player that every team needs. NO CONTEST!!!! Someone is going to make some money on the book deal!

by GimmeIme on Dec 7, 2006 8:44 AM PST reply actions

udoka

came out of nowhere.

ignacio

by ignacio on Dec 7, 2006 9:41 AM PST reply actions

Outlaw

Travis Outlaw always seems to play hard when he's in the game.

by bustabucket18 on Dec 7, 2006 9:48 AM PST reply actions

The Rookies

Because the fans are the ones who need to be inspired most, and the three new guys along with Martell's great attitude are making the Blazers worth cheering for again.

by bbfred on Dec 7, 2006 10:54 AM PST reply actions

Agreed Indeed

What more can you say? Ime has got some love too, but he's been around for a bit. I mean, if a player is going to come out from basically nowhere and play spectacular, it would be expected that his play would be spectacular. But it isn't his play that gives me the excitement for the future, it's our rookies.

I'd also give this nod to Kevin Pritchard for orchestrating our draft choices, giving this team a foundation to build on.

Was Damon really a bad Blazer, or did he get the short end of the stick?

by rpxxxiv on Dec 7, 2006 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

Ime

with a nod to JJ

by Morchella on Dec 7, 2006 11:25 AM PST reply actions

Udoka

walk on. great guy. hustler. kryhapa-like.

by luckyride on Dec 7, 2006 11:36 AM PST reply actions

no contest.

Gimme Ime.

by jksnake99 on Dec 7, 2006 1:32 PM PST reply actions

Ime

'nuff said.

by goonerluke on Dec 7, 2006 3:19 PM PST reply actions

Hmmm

Inspirational to whom? The players have to decide who is most inspirational to them.

So... since I voted for Ime for MVPBZ for all of the reasons cited above, for this one I'm going to vote for:

Sergio.
Most inspirational to the FANS. Well, I suppose Brandon could share in this, but since Sergio is still running while Brandon sits, I'll give it to him this quarter.

There's a buzz when Sergio goes in. Fans call for him to be put in. They (I) love his ball movement. The team is fun to watch when Sergio plays. It's Sergio (and Brandon and LaMarcus) who are going to get the fans back.

I LOVE our rookies. Can't wait till Freeland gets here. And next year's draft pick...

Kevin Pritchard for Executive of the Year. (Quarter?)

by jorga on Dec 7, 2006 3:43 PM PST reply actions

Sergio

Come on, the guy is #1 in Assists-per-48 minutes among players who actually play.

He doesn't speak a lick of English, and is really only playing because he racked up 8 assists in 12 minutes in his first real NBA game. He's totally forcing Nate's hand out there.

The only downside to the Brandon Roy trade was that Sebastian Telfair left, and it looks like we scored a player who's better now and will develop into an All-Star in 3-4 years.

That's inspirational stuff right there.

- Sam

by Samuelson on Dec 7, 2006 4:51 PM PST reply actions

hmmm...

It does depend on the inspiration.

I'd go Sergio.

He creates excitement and entergy when he's on the floor with his ball movement. The fans love to watch the guy move.

Yeah... Sergio.

Ime has the best feel good story, but I'm not sure that he inspires anyone. I think he provides good leadership, but Sergio... he gets the blood a flowing!

by ratbastird on Dec 7, 2006 5:16 PM PST reply actions

Ime..

I don't even feel like I need to bother explaining this one.

by David Piper on Dec 7, 2006 5:44 PM PST reply actions

Espana!

Ime is the classic feel-good story, and don't get me wrong or let it take anything away from his achievements...

but like jorga said, when spanish chocolate takes the court, I get excited. To see the crossovers - completely unnecessary - bringing the ball into the half-court just gives you a sense that the kid loves playing the game.

Robo-Duck's Revenge, an Oregon sports blog

by harperdc on Dec 7, 2006 8:54 PM PST reply actions

Travis Outlaw

Probably the best help defender in our team now. Always energetic, always fly high to contest EVERY jump shot. He also has made quite a few big defensive plays in crunch time so far this season. Not to mention his much improved offense.

by iverigma2 on Dec 7, 2006 9:27 PM PST reply actions