Monday Musings

by Dave on Nov 10, 2008 1:03 AM PST Comment 90 comments

We're starting a new feature this week which I hope will run most weeks unless it gets insanely busy (like a Sunday and Monday back-to-back, which I think happens rarely if at all). In this feature I'm going to respond to the most commented on topics and issues from the week past, judged mostly by frequency and intensity of comments in the fanposts and post responses. This is kind of like offering my thoughts on the things you've been talking about, just on the main page instead of in the comments. I'll still be commenting in the sidebar too, but this lets me respond more universally and give credit to the people who are generating these conversations.

Here are the hot topics of the week (in no particular order):

1. Sergio's Trade Request

This one has generated a lot of emotion along with the analysis. Some people are angry at Sergio, some at his agent, some at Nate or the team. My thoughts: we probably shouldn't be angry at anyone as everyone is doing pretty much what they're supposed to.

Sergio has an absolute right to be frustrated. He wouldn't be in this league if he didn't think he could play and play well. He's generated some great moments on the court and shown as much spark as people who have played in front of him. In his mind he's got to believe he can do more. He's been living with frustration for a year plus and it doesn't seem to be getting better. You can question his timing and ask whether he's given the new season enough of a chance, but I suspect any of us in his situation would feel similarly.

Sergio's agent is also doing exactly what he's supposed to. His job is to champion his guy above all else. That's one of the checks and balances that keeps the system running. If his client is frustrated long enough it's his job to try and break the logjam, up to and including making the dreaded trade demand.

Nate is also doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing, which is running this team in the way he feels will produce the most wins. It's not his job to make Sergio happy. Having communicated what Sergio needs to do in order to prosper it's not his job to make sure he carries through either. There are solid reasons Sergio is not on the court more and I doubt many people would argue he's ready for a starting role or to take some of Rudy and Roy's minutes.

This is simply a case of everybody doing what they naturally should and those different aims not meeting. That happens sometimes. We'll see how it develops, but for now it's no harm, no foul.

2. Does Travis Outlaw stink?

This was the topic of the week before the Sergio storm hit. I'm going to write a post very soon covering the things I don't understand about the way people see the game and fandom. Among those questions I have is why, when people celebrate a new fan favorite, it leads in so many cases to them finding fault with the old players who are still in front of him. As soon as Nicolas Batum had a couple good showings, it was Travis' turn to get barbequed.

Travis does not stink. Travis is Travis. He's the same player we all cheered in the fourth quarter last season, with one or two improvements. That means Travis is a scorer who uses his athleticism to generate jump shots that he makes at an astonishing clip given their difficulty. He's going to give you scoring every night and a sterling all-around effort about one game in four. He's gotten better at his long-range shooting, a critical step for a small forward in the Blazers' offensive system. His defense leaves much to be desired. Whether he can play small forward consistently or whether he's better as a back-up power forward is still an open question. And that's about it. He's good at a few things, unique in one or two, pedestrian in most others, bad in a couple...about an average NBA player.

Nicolas Batum has different strengths. That doesn't mean he's a better player than Travis at this point, nor does it mean he should be playing to the exclusion of Outlaw. Whether (and when) they're called upon is less a function of talent than a function of team needs at the moment with perhaps some experience factor thrown in.

3. Iverson for Billups

As I said on the podcast last week, I was underwhelmed by this trade. I think it smacks of desperation on Detroit's part...a classic attempt to jam a crowbar in the window when you feel it closing. That doesn't work. It doesn't make Denver better statistically, not even in assists. It probably balances out team chemistry but at the opportunity cost of them being able to steamroll you on a given night. It certainly doesn't take them farther up the contender ladder. Nor is it a move for the future. If Chauncey Billups were the player he was three years ago he never would have been traded in the first place. He's 32 years old to boot. Whatever marginal gains they make this year (if any) they're welcome to. It won't matter in three years and they're not going to win a title before then. Unless this is a move to set up another trade I can't think of a more obvious way to say, "This team is going nowhere important" than to engineer a trade like this. At least the original Iverson deal had an outside chance of creating something special. This is incremental improvement to a non-special team.

4. Guilty Blazer Confessions

Dougall5505 started this thread about stuff we're not proud to admit as Blazer fans, such as owning J.R. Rider jerseys and second-guessing KP draft picks. After 195 comments from others I feel compelled to add my own:

--I supported the Jermaine O'Neal trade without a second thought. I was excited to get Davis in fact.

--I used to think Bob Whitsitt was one of the greatest GM's ever.

--I liked Darius Miles' dunks way too much in his contract year.

--I once thought the Showtime L*kers were cool for about a month as a kid.

I am shamed.

5. Is This Blog The Same Anymore?

This came from the 300-comment behemoth started by Charles Barkley McLovin. I've read through the thread and even left a couple of comments of my own. I'm not going to rehash the moderating here because, you know, I feel like I've said enough about that over the past six months or so. We're always learning and refining those things but along with that truth comes the corresponding truth that you'd have to look long and hard to find conversation as good as happens routinely on this site. I've read all the comments, agreed with most of them, and taken them to heart, filing the conversation away for further reflection as the moderation of this site evolves.

I will, however, offer this bit of historical perspective. Take it or leave it as you choose.

There's a cycle that goes on around here. I think most any long-term member will recognize it when it's explained. It goes like this:

1. The site gets a boost in popularity. People come here in waves with significant Blazer events. Some leave after the event is over. Many stay, and thus the site has grown quite large over time. This happens with regularity.

2. Along with the influx of new people come some with rough edges and an outright troll or two.

3. The trolls are usually gone within a few days but the whole incident stirs people up.

4. In the midst of this stirring up someone says, "It's not like it used to be back in Time X here..."

Here's the crucial thing...the perspective. "Time X" is never the proto-history of the site when there were a few dozen people here and conversation was truly intimate. Instead "Time X" is when the commenter joined, which was usually in the last big influx. At that exact same "Time X", which to the commenter is the barometer of intimacy and good conversation, someone else was posting "It's not like it used to be back in Time X here..."

I do not deny that during these waves conversation gets diluted somewhat and occasionally uncivil and out of hand. It's up to all of us to keep standards up and it's good to be reminded of that. But I strongly suspect that the "not like it used to be" conversation is a stage that we all go through as we become familiar with the blog and its people. After you've spent some time here it's never going to be like it used to be for you, any more than your spouse is going to seem exactly the same as they were on the first date after you've been married for ten years. "Is it like it used to be?" is probably not a fair question. "Is it good?" is the standard by which we should be measured. In some ways, no, some of the conversation is not good. Some of it makes me cringe...even some of the stuff I choose to leave up. But I promise you that I was also cringing at certain comments back in whatever your "Time X" was. (Reference the Sergio debates last year or the Zach Randolph debates the year before.) On the whole, on the balance, the conversation remains strong around here and it will continue to be so.

Being here through all of this growth has taught me this: when the wave recedes and the trolls are gone more people are left here than were here before and the conversation returns to 99.9% good...a new rosy "Time X" for a new generation. I suspect some people don't make it through the new wave. But I also suspect those who do are amply rewarded.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

P.S. I'm only going to do five topics each week but since this is the first one I'm going to add a short sixth. The Comcast situation seems to be on a low boil. It probably should be a high boil by now. I'm not going to say much more about it, as nothing has really changed since the last time I commented. But I will say this: As someone who gets asked a fair amount about TV availability I will say that the Blazers have, hands down, the most confusing TV coverage/availability situation of any professional sports team I've ever known. That can't be a good thing.

0 recs | Comment 90 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

the Iverson trade

was a caproom move for the Pistons.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Nov 10, 2008 1:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

To get whom?

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 10, 2008 1:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The way I've heard it explained

Is that Dumars wanted to have as much time as possible with the new lineup, wanted to give his young guys playing time to see if they’re legit and then have cap room for FA pickups this summer. I think in that order.

WWKPD?
Ambassador to the Miami Heat

by Magnum on Nov 10, 2008 1:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Unlike us, they also can preserve the cap room until 2010

Yeah, LeBron won’t come to Motor City. But there are enough very high quality free agents around in the next two years. Dumars is starting the rebuilding ahead of time before everything is collapsing, with an outside chance to even make a last title run while Wallace and Iverson are still on the roster.

For Denver, in a way it was also a cost cutting move. The roster was too expensive for a team that is going nowhere, and now they are down to the luxury tax limit after buying out McDyess. Plus Billups is the only local in the league, which should help fan support get better again.

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 1:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I expect Sheed to get traded this year

if Detroit isn’t right there in the mix near the trading deadline

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Nov 10, 2008 1:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, Rasheed Wallace's expiring contract is too valuable to trade at this point.

by AK1984 on Nov 10, 2008 3:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Only if they think they can get a free agent

If they abandon that thought, then suddenly Sheed may be a trade candidate. Especially if their season goes downhill fast.

by Timmay! on Nov 10, 2008 3:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If the Detroit Pistons' season goes downhill, then it's ...

ieven smarter to let Rasheed Wallace’s contract expire after such a dismal season.

by AK1984 on Nov 10, 2008 3:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Depends on the offers

For example, if they get offered Gerald Wallace for Rasheed’s expiring contract, and they start to believe nothing better is on the horizon, they may use Wallace and Stuckey to start the rebuild with a lesser free-agent.

Of course, rumor is they’re trying to make a run at one of the big free agents in 2010, so they may want to keep their books down for a year. Then Wallace is out.

by Timmay! on Nov 10, 2008 4:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You gotta get a mac brother.

by everett on Nov 10, 2008 8:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i too wondered about who they were targeting but i think, whoever it is (this summer or next), will be a better value than the roughly $50 million over 4 years owed to chauncey billups. at least to the pistons, given their current situation and in forthcoming years.

chauncey wasn’t going to win them a ring this year. so why pay him 14 million 3 years from now? his trade value is only going to decrease as he gets older (at least until his deal gets closer to expiring). dumars kind of bit the bullet on this one. most gm’s would have held out hope.

honor terry porter

by Ben. on Nov 10, 2008 2:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

In the short term, this probably didn’t help Detroit (there’s a gambler’s chance it will work like magic for this year, of course), but in the longer term, it gives them the cap flexibility to rebuild via free agency or trade, next summer or the following.

Dave, I’m surprised. You’ve repeatedly said our cap room might well be used in a trade. That obviously means we won’t have any clue for whom it would be used — it depends on who comes available that fits our squad. We never know who will become available in a trade — it partly depends on which teams struggle this year.

Detroit just positioned themselves with that same flexibility. Starting next summer, they will be one of the teams positioned to pick up a really good player in a salary dump, or to facilitate a three team trade, or whatever. They have a year and a half (till the trade deadline of the following season) to get a guy they want. We couldn’t possibly know who that might be.

And probably, letting AI walk won’t really hurt their backcourt that much at all, with Rip and Stuckey taking the reins.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 2:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly!

Rodney Stuckey is the future in Motown, even though I’m not sold on him myself.

Anyhow, unlike Tayshaun Prince, Chaucey Billups was eventually bound to be traded from the Detroit Pistons. Seriously, however, I don’t get why people around here expected Joe Dumars to part with Prince — although my bet is that it’s a misunderstanding of the Pistons’ situation mixed with inept homerism — yet, as it was, the folks over in Michigan have earned credit for being one of the most successful, cost-effective franchises in the NBA today.

Indeed, Kevin Pritchard could learn a lesson or two from Dumars.

by AK1984 on Nov 10, 2008 3:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dumars drafted Darko...

If anything, KP could teach Dumars a few things.

Giving [Batum] the freedom to go for steals is going to be like giving a redneck six boxes of ammo and a quarter mile of empty Bud cans. - Dave

by Cablinasian on Nov 10, 2008 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

dumars has the jewelry.

honor terry porter

by Ben. on Nov 10, 2008 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Nov 10, 2008 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure anyone EXPECTED

All the Tayshaun Prince talk around here was sort of like junior high boys sitting around looking at the SI swimsuit edition.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I don't get the AI trade

Looks like two teams giving up to me. Maybe Detroit will pull a fantastic FA to pair with their young unproven ‘stars’ and win a title in the next decade. Also, maybe pigs will fly. At least Denver is finally getting a player who can win, or who has won in his past.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 10, 2008 7:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

For Denver

it was putting them back in playoff contention. After losing Camby, that was unlikely. Now, they’ve got a chance at the playoffs, and actually being good enough to have a chance to win a round. And they don’t have to pay luxury tax anymore, which matters to them.

For Detroit, it gives them cap flexibility starting this summer to rebuild while still being competitive in the East this year. If AI somehow miraculously clicks with their guys, they could be superb this year. If not, they’ll still win a lot of games and make the playoffs, and next year they can begin to build a real team.

I think it was a good move for both teams.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 10:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally different situation though

Cap flexibility two years down the road for a team that wants to win now isn’t as attractive as it is for a team filled with youth.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 10, 2008 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

but they weren’t going to win now. They might be able to beat the Lebrons and the Dwights, but they might not, too — they might have only been fourth in the East.

So, this kills two birds with one stone. A) It’s the obligatory gamble to try and catch lightning in a bottle (comparable to Phoenix trading for Shaq) before the old guys are put out to pasture. B) If the gamble doesn’t work, maybe even if it does, it positions them to start rebuilding early, perhaps even without having a disaster year.

The team they had was not going to win it all this year, and two years from now, it was going to struggle to make the playoffs.

You are right about it being desperation for this year, but it is also rebuilding. IMO, this was brilliant. Dumars is going to have a mid-level playoff team this year at worst, and if he uses the cap space well, in two years he’ll be a contender again.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In the summer of 2010, the Detroit Pistons will make a push for Chris Bosh.

As it was, Joe Dumars made a fiscally prudent trade by essentially moving Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. Rather than be wrongly criticized for said transaction, he deserves praise for his foresight.

by AK1984 on Nov 10, 2008 3:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bosh and Amare might be both on the move in 2010

There are quite a lot of potential destinations. An interesting one would be Cleveland, the only team that can pay two max. players and still have some flexibility (e.g. LeBron + Bosh/Amare/Wade/…). They are in a pretty good position compared to NJ and NY who are always rumored as the big destination for free agents. Orlando would be in the mix (tax, team, etc.), even more if they had not overpaid massively for Lewis while bidding only against themselves. Miami might have some flexibility to add someone to Wade if they have not disgruntled him until then. And a few teams in the West should have flexibility, too. That summer will be like the All-Star sweepstakes.

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 4:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Underwhelmed on the Nuggets side?

Billups had a career high in PER last year, I believe. He is not showing any signs of slippage and is one of the best PGs in the league. Motown didn’t trade him because he’s slipping – they traded him because Joe D realizes the team has reached its ceiling and isn’t winning a title as presently composed. A decent shot at the conference finals doesn’t do anything for them, anymore, so they shook things up with an eye on free agency the next two years.

As for Denver, though, this trade makes them a ton better. It elevates them on the list of contenders and probably puts them above the Blazers on the list of likely WC playoff teams. Chauncey upgrades the D, gives them a steadier smarter veteran presence in the locker room (Iverson, while a vet, isn’t exactly the best influence on Melo and company), and, most of all, he’s just a MUCH more effective player than Iverson at this stage of their careers. By win score, Iverson is slightly above the average NBA player (b/c he doesn’t score efficiently) and Billups is elite. Basically, replace Iverson’s minutes with Billups and the Nuggets win another 8-10 games.

This could well cost the Blazers a playoff spot.

Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.

by KP Corleone on Nov 10, 2008 6:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Blazers are still a better team than Denver

imo

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 10, 2008 7:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Still?

Last year the Nuggets had like 10 more wins. This season, we have justified hope to be better.

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but

They had Canby last year

by southern oregon on Nov 10, 2008 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And suddenly the Clippers are a scary defensive team

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

But take away AI and Camby, and add Billups, and you think Denver is better than last year? I don’t.

Yeah, last year the Nuggets had 10 more wins. I think they are good for 4-5 wins less than they had last year, at best. And I think we’ve improved more than enough to surpass that.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 10:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They are giving up a ton of points

by southern oregon on Nov 10, 2008 10:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bold point number 2

I noticed the same thing. Batum plays well, Travis is expendable. Sergio has a great preseason, Blake should be shipped off. I don’t think individual people are so fickle around here that they give up on Travis because Batum is playing well. I think people who never liked Travis’ game that much and have maybe ‘always’ wanted him traded just speak louder when they can point to Batum. The same goes for any love/hate relationship. As soon as there is anything one side can point to and scream, “Look, that’s why XXXX should be traded!” we are going to hear about it. To recap, I don’t think it’s the fanbase as a whole wavering, unless it is in a gameday thread. In that case, there are times when it doesn’t even look like there are Blazer fans commenting, only people who lost money betting the wrong way.

I think Batum has been playing very well and he could very well be the answer at SF. I was never that high on Outlaw, but now, with Batum looking good, I think we can move him sometime near the deadline. I likely wouldn’t have done that before the season.

I didn’t get in on the confessions thread, so here is mine. I was happy the L*kers won the Finals after the infamous WCF collapse because at least we lost to the NBA champions. Ugh.

WWKPD?
Ambassador to the Miami Heat

by Magnum on Nov 10, 2008 1:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with Batum looking good, I think we can move him sometime near the deadline

Batum has a lot of trade potential and we need to cash that in ASAP.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 6:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WOWzers!

that my friend, is some incredible eisegesis. If your NOC center job ever falls through, I’m positive there’s a heretical church somewhere that could use you as pastor.

Marc Gasol´s formula.
Asked about his way to succeed, Marc Gasol said: "If the coach asks me for banging my own head 200 times, I do it. Even more, I do it 500 times."
--translated by Amlmart

by prezofdeath on Nov 10, 2008 7:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awe you flatter me with your kind words.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 7:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Like the grand wizards of basketology

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 9:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh tom

you got me

I fall before the might of the out of context quote.

WWKPD?
Ambassador to the Miami Heat

by Magnum on Nov 10, 2008 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Travis seems to have a bit of the circus shot syndrome but I have no doubt that he will be an important member of the team this season. The 3 spot is looking great this season and I can’t wait to see Martell and his outside shooting in the mix with Batum’s defense and Travis’ ability to get to the hoop and go sky high for rebounds.

As far as Sergio goes I wish he was happy with his role. Right now I would rather have Roy and Rudy playing more but if Sergio is able to score a bit more then Coach Nate giving him some of Blake’s minutes would hopefully make him a bit happier and he seems to make passes that end up on the highlight reel.

This blog is great and even though I don’t know what it looked like more than a year ago there is no reason to hate on it for what it is now. I know that I can drop by before and after the game and it will be a great read.

by crazyfist on Nov 10, 2008 1:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I know CBMcL wasn't hatin'

he was reminding us of what makes this blog great, and it’s much appreciated.

The only perspective I have is that the “used to be” time probably didn’t really exist. There have always been bumpy people and bumpy topics. On the whole, it seems to turn out well, given some patience, civility, and a little bit of charitable interpretation.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 10, 2008 1:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly, the good old days were last May

when I joined. Was there a large influx of members around that time? I hope not cause that makes me different and different is cool, hip, ‘in’. But seriously, 2 weeks after the season was over, 2 months before the draft, that can’t be a big time to join.

Who are the first few dozen people who have been here since the beginning? I would like to know. Are they even the people I see comment the most these days?

WWKPD?
Ambassador to the Miami Heat

by Magnum on Nov 10, 2008 1:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I read sparsly when Casey was in control

way back in the day. And I started reading Blazer Thoughts when Eric mentioned it on the Olive blog and read Blazersedge religiously when Dave took over.

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Nov 10, 2008 1:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The people who have been here the longest have a UID

That means they can’t get pregnant on the internet. Jorga’s is 75, Dave’s is 32, and mine is 699, but I’ve only been here just over a year.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 6:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily...

some of us lost our usernames when the changeover happened. My UID was sixty-something…

"I love this game!" -Moonbeam, from 'Rollerball' right before he was knocked into a permanent coma

by -ken on Nov 10, 2008 9:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whuzza UID?

by everett on Nov 10, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and how do you find it?

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Nov 10, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I miss the old Ken

What happened to the man I used to love?

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure of the UID

but i read a little but rarely commented when Casey, aka lance uppercut, was blogging here…i came over from Blazers Thoughts when Dave did and due to my schedule becoming increasingly hectic and my free time becoming more scarce, I don’t post nearly as much as i used to. I still try to read as much as possible though, which ends up with me being on here a couple times a week instead of every day, reading 5-10 posts at a time which in itself is fairly time consuming!

Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake-but for the nation's sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not military preparations-for armed might is worthless if we lack the brain power to build a world of peace; not our productive economy-for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government-for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

by saregister on Nov 10, 2008 12:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just found my UID

I’m #26…oh yeah, I’m cool =D I’ll let you shake my hand if I feel you are worthy! LoL

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

by saregister on Nov 10, 2008 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My new favorite is Rudy

but that doesn’t mean I absolutely have to hate Travis now. That is weird that some people feel that that has to happen.

That frustration kind of boiled over into the fanpost about the site, but i’m glad it did and there was some good conversation in it. I was just trying to remind everyone that Blazersedge rocks and we should try and keep it rockin. The music may change over time, but that doesn’t mean its bad, its a new kind of rock.

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Nov 10, 2008 1:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like this new feature

It’s very similar to what you did at Blazerthoughts

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Nov 10, 2008 2:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

which I miss

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Nov 10, 2008 2:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa

I was wondering why there were 120 comments on Blazerthoughts’ last post…..lol about 119 are anonymous posters advertising other sites.

Marc Gasol´s formula.
Asked about his way to succeed, Marc Gasol said: "If the coach asks me for banging my own head 200 times, I do it. Even more, I do it 500 times."
--translated by Amlmart

by prezofdeath on Nov 10, 2008 7:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

gotta continue to preach patience

as the blazers are THE SECOND YOUNGEST TEAM in the NBA……………

give pritch and nate some time to analyse the players, at least till the end of the season before calling for drastic trades

by Yawnie on Nov 10, 2008 2:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Right you are

If you subtract Raef,the youngest team in the league.

by southern oregon on Nov 10, 2008 11:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nate found a spot for Sergio in the uptempo unit and that´s his roll, IMO.

He can´t outplay Blake at the style of play that works having Roy at SG, I could even say that Sergio and Roy don´t fit together at all. Blake and Bayless can´t outplay Sergio at the style of play that works having Rudy at SG. Nate can use more combinations with Rudy than with Roy, as Rudy is more versatile.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Nov 10, 2008 3:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I somewhat agree with your perspective here...

however, I still don’t think Rudy is more versatile. He’s definitely a good player so far, but I don’t sense he’s set himself apart as Roy has done, simply because he’s only been here for 6 games.

To me, the book hasn’t closed on the chemistry front, and probably won’t become clear until about +45 games into the season.

by hotstuffdb22 on Nov 10, 2008 4:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I could be wrong. I took my idea about Roy´s versatility from Roy himself when he said that some players, CP for example, could not fit well with him.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Nov 10, 2008 5:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy reminds me watching Jeter play baseball

there is an Uber-Awareness of what is happening all around…and these little times where it puts him right in the right place due to anticipating the game….there are always dividends from that type of play, you nevere know how or when it’ll pay off – - but in basketball, there’s a LARGER advantage than the Jeter/baseball thing because of the amount of interaction in a game — the sheer number of decision points in a typical game where this will be an advantage . . it makes an even greater impact.

He will only get better at this as he learns the players around the league and as his own skill set improves. He is totally a long term keeper

by LetsBlaze on Nov 10, 2008 5:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

please don't compare any more Blazers to Y*nkees

Just a personal preference as i despise the Yankes and their $8923083487billion payroll and non-stop press coverage almost as much as the L*kers…

Just ribbin ya man…it’s a very interesting perspective though.

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

by saregister on Nov 10, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Roy and Sergio

looked really good together in Atlanta last year. Really good.

I would love to see Sergio progress to the point where he has to get that PT. Those two can be effective together if they actually get the time playing together to develop chemistry. It might not be natural, but great players can always find a way to play together unless they are selfish. Sergio has the potential to be that great player.

I’m not that high on what Sergio is right now (though I’m pleased with his improvement this year, and it makes me optimistic). I’m very high on what he can become — his weaknesses are the kind that can be overcome, his strengths are rare and not easily taught.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Dave has clearly defined my goal here, besides discussing the Blazers

…some of the conversation is not good. Some of it makes me cringe…even some of the stuff I choose to leave up.

Actually, I’d rather make Dave laugh than cringe, but if I can’t get a laugh, a cringeworthy comment left up is almost as nice.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 6:43 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

only from you tom

Only from you….I laugh at about half your stuff, cringe at about 2/5, and the other 10% i don’t think I’m cultured enough to understand!

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

by saregister on Nov 10, 2008 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Should I set goals?

Do you think I can acheve 1/2 cringe-worthy if I bring down my pop culture references? I got some dirt on the Kingston Trio that would make Vanessa Hudgens blush.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

THANKS DAVE!!

I do love that cancel button!!!

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Nov 10, 2008 7:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

something that I've noticed

More popularity = More popup ads.

Yuck.

by kikifromdowntown on Nov 10, 2008 7:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Adblock is your friend

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have adblock at work and I don't get pop ups

Maybe he needs Adaware or something.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 9:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The weird thing about Nate and Sergio

is that all Sergio’s freaking out about and asking for is true backup minutes (15-18 minutes per game, two shifts, the end of first/beginning of second and end of third/beginning of fourth).

He got 13 minutes as a much rawer rookie, but is getting 8 and 9 the past couple of seasons, so getting basically the first of the two backup shifts. It’s weird.

I know folks around here don’t seem to pay much attention to how teams than the Blazers are run so yall might not know much about other teams’ rotations, but it’s very unusual for a player of Sergio’s caliber to be playing 9 minutes per game. On any other team, he’d get 15 to 20 minutes easily.

Before yall start with the chorus of criticism, just look around the league and see what most backup point guards are. Or hell, what a lot of the starting point guards are. A young player showing promise, even if flawed, gets 15-20, it’s standard practice, and for good reason. Giving a set playing time expectation settles the nerves and prevents pressing. You need to give minutes to see improvements, and that amount of minutes gives you rope to either give more minutes on a game if the player has it that night or sit him more than usual if he’s messing up.

So it’s really unusual to have an every night rotation player playing this few minutes, because usually if a player is part of the standard rotation, coach will trust him enough and value his contributions enough to play him 15 minutes. If coach doesn’t trust him enough for 15 minutes, then they’re usually not an every night player — guys around the league who get 8 or 9 minutes are the specialty guys who come in for particular matchups or whatever, and only see playing time maybe 2/3 of the games.

I’m going to guess that there’s politics involved. I suspect Nate doesn’t like Sergio’s game and wishes he could not play him at all. But I suspect KP likes Sergio’s game or wants to showcase him for a trade, and insists he gets playing time. So in a compromise that makes no one happy, Sergio plays every game, but only for a few minutes, the bare minimum Nate thinks he can get away with.

by howlingfantods on Nov 10, 2008 8:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

+ 1

Thank you for pointing that out. Sergio and less that 15 minutes (this season) is Nate being Nate.

When Sergio, Batum, and Rudy are on the court together, you have European “TEAM” style ball being played. This group produces lot’s of ball-movement, player-movement, defense, and scoring. But, that doesn’t seem to be Nate’s type of game. The opposite style features Outlaw in a type of game that Nate seems to be more comfortable with.

Is it politics or Nate being Nate? I think it is the later.

by spencerbutte on Nov 10, 2008 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's politics

I think it’s Nate wanting to see if Roy can play the point with Rudy being the 2-guard or vice versa. That’s where Sergio’s backup minutes are dissappearing to. There have been a lot of people suggesting those two make up the best Blazer back court but Nate has to see if that rubber meets the road.

Spanish Main: The point of departure for enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides, alley-oops, assists and three pointers.

by LaughingJon on Nov 10, 2008 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

Right now, without dispute, our three best players on the court are Roy, LMA, and Rudy. Roy and Rudy play the same position. We will not have normal rotations until Nate figures out how to have them play together. If he can’t figure that out, one of them will be traded. Probably Rudy, unless it is a truly phenomenal blockbuster.

I expect him to figure it out.

But right now, the reason there aren’t many backup PG minutes is because Rudy is the backup PG as well as the backup SG in the second half.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think anyone begrudges experimenting with the Rudy and Roy show.

But it really wouldn’t be missing out on much to cut a few of Steve’s minutes.

I’d also like to see Roy play off the ball a bit more, but that’s a different topic.

by howlingfantods on Nov 10, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you hit the nail on the head...

Sergio isn’t a standard rotation player on this team.

Nate’s said that he wants to widdle down the standard rotation to 8 players. Sergio isn’t better than our 1-8 (in no particular order… Roy, Aldridge, Przy, Blake, Batum, Outlaw, Frye, Rudy… 9.Martell, 10.Oden). He’s not even top ten. You can’t tell me he plays better than any of those guys (except maybe Oden, but you know that’s not a credible argument)… it’s not up for debate.

This is purely a matter of the team having it’s best players on the court. Given this line of thinking, Sergio is actually getting overplayed.

The other weapons we have on the bench are deemed more important to our success, and I can’t see a fault in that line of thinking.

It’s been speculated on for some time… being overly stacked with talent is a gift and a curse.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Nov 10, 2008 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Darn... I meant to hit preview.

I wanted to add that other backup pg’s may get more minutes simply because they’re better than the alternative bench players for the coach.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Nov 10, 2008 10:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way, I want to stress that I don't think Nate's necessarily wrong here.

I mean, I personally think Sergio’s worth playing 15 to 18, like all other promising bench players. But I don’t feel strongly enough about it to be like calling for Nate’s head or whatever.

The point of this comment is just to point out that this is a very unusual substitution pattern, to play someone every night but only for 8 or 9 minutes. It’s so unusual that it implies that there’s a non-basketball reason for this pattern, and it’s also so unusual that it’s not surprising that Sergio’s freaking out, because it is so atypical and sends conflicting messages about what he’s contributing.

by howlingfantods on Nov 10, 2008 10:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A breat of fresh air.

I really enjoy reading your posts Dave. You manage to be a fan, yet maintain your objectivity and remain realistic. The life of a fan can be trying at times. The emotional roller coaster rides. The hopes and expectations that crash head on into reality.

The Blazers have a good young team that will get better. I am amused and frustrated by the extremely detailed critiques by people with no more credentials than being a
fan(atic). The second guessing in the moments of frustration can really “stir my pot,” so to speak.

That being said, we all here are presumably fans, with no shortage of opinions. Some of these opinions make for interesting reading. My opinion of the Blazers is this. They will improve, and eventually there will be some roster moves simply because we may not be able to pay everyone what they might make elsewhere, and some will be unhappy with the playing rotation. It may be this year, or in a few years.

There isn’t a single player on the team that I don’t like, but there are some that I’d be willing to part with sooner than others. There’s no real reason to be “down” on any of the players at this point. I expect to see some movement at the small forward and/or point guard category at some point. Possibly an obvious observation or assessment, but it’s where the team has the most questions.

I really like Steve Blake, but I can’t see him bringing out the best in any unit. His assist rate is mediocre. The on floor creativity is minimal. He is steady and can hit the outside shot at times, but really is he enough to get us there? Is Blake keeping the spot warm while younger players are being developed? I think Sergio is an enigma. He can really push it, but he still needs a more reliable shot, and more defensive work. Could he give us more than Blake if he started? What are the pros and cons? I hope Bayless remains patient and learns how to learn. Yes, he needs to learn how to learn, and listen. I think he could be better than Blake and Sergio, but he isn’t right now.

Then comes Rudy and Brandon. Both are keepers. Both see the floor well. Both can play point when needed. On another board a poster opined that having them both on the floor together at the end of the game could be a problem as both want the big shot. I am not sure how that is a problem. Both look to set up other guys as well as themselves. They just go about it differently. I think Rudy and Brandon can develop great chemistry.

As much as Il like LMA, I think if Channing started we would lose anything really. He has shown us that. That’s why I love them both. I hope we can keep them both for the long run.

Batum will really be a great player at both ends. Martell has shown nothing but steady growth. Travis can be a great offensive player, but rarely can put all apsects of his game together to play a complete game. He recently showed he could at times with double digit rebound performance and some blocks. I’d like to keep them all, but eventually I think at least one of them will move. Assuming we did trade one of the payers, I think Travis is the most likely. Martell fits better in either unit and played well with Rudy early. He is a better outside threat than outaw for the spot up three. What I mean is that the offense flows better with him in there with the starters. Batum could play with either unti as he has already shown. So then, I think Batum and Webster offer better flexibility and floor spacing. The only point of question is that sometimes Travis plays PF and often does well there. Might that be his better position? If so, then does that make Channing more expendible? Travis is a 3-4, while Channig is a 4-5, and maybe a 3 in a pinch.

I want more wins now and I’d really love to see a blow out with the Blazers administering the whooping. yet, I can wait and go through all the ups and downs while watching the growth and improvement, along with resoltion in time regarding certain players and positions. I have been a fan for over thirty years, I will continue to be a fan whatever happens.

This isn't the Lakers,...
"It's not Show time. It's GO time!"

by GameFace on Nov 10, 2008 8:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

good comment

and also very close to my views (I just can’t seem to get it down right because I usually get too critical of certain things and players play, I see out there, and it fouls up my perspective)
   IMO, the team will struggle until they can establish a team identity of sorts….In that, they have not yet determined what type of team they will be….So the players in the balance, like Sergio, Outlaw, Batum,Fry,Webster, Bayless, could end up on this team, or somewhere else (at some point)…. Maybe not until next year…..It is important for the team to establish this identity because it will give these bubble players a better chance to fit on the team and prove they belong . Chemistry, is a tossed about noun, that will come out of this and hasn’t evolved because we will keep changing the mix.(which we will probably do for, at least, the first half of the season)…So it is somewhat of a repeating circle, that keeps us from progressing right now (Getting to the next level or two)
    It could be an explanation for the erratic play right now, and because this is a business, and fan entertainment, the rush is on to get some things accomplished….So if the team gets through this, they could be all the better for it, in the long run…..
     I have been guilty of being too critical of almost everything I see out there that doesn’t process in my mind as making sense, or that raises questions and concerns
     I think this year will be a transition season and expecting much more out of it, would probably be foolish……..

So I guess I’ll be foolish and raise the questions that still are not answered
(I guess most everyone will say these are fairly obvious)

1. Who will they want at the 3…= undetermined ; But Web with Batum backup would be the most likely options …one of the 3 will probably not be with the team next year, so Outlaw would be the best bet to trade and may also have the best value to other teams
2. They need a penetrating point guard, and rotating Roy and Rudy into this spot can only be temporary assignments at best…..Sergio is the best penetrating guard, but is probably only a backup at best and needs more playing time, to get better…..Bayless is a freelance type player and that’s where he will have an impact…So at this point, he will not fit the point guard slot in Nate’s system IMO he would be a great spark off the bench, in role situations…but you’ve got to turn him loose…Blake is steady, but only average at this spot
3. If they decide they want double small forwards (meaning the 4 spot) then they have 2 Players that fit that role very well, in LA and Fry….(there has been a trend away from power forwards [the big bruising rebounding type] in the NBA…most teams look to get a “hybrid” of power forward and small forward at the 4 now
   I want to keep the hustle, flowing, players like Rudy and Kaboom Batum …they would be on my future team, for sure, and they have brought this team something that has been lacking for awhile (open court play)

      So, I’ve come to the conclusion, that this team will struggle, for some time to come, and the frustration will continue as well…..they still have a big adjustment to make when Oden gets back due to the new offensive scheme with him in the lineup (a bunch of growing pains with this one)
The expectations are high, but the reality will keep everything in perspective and I hope I can relax and let things play out for awhile (not likely)

by 67 on Nov 10, 2008 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreement

Agreeing might be boring but I agree with most all your “musings”. Excellent analysis and viewpoint in regards to the whole picture in relationship to Sergio. The problem becomes for a lot of fans they don’t step back and look at the whole picture and often if they perceive a problem they want instant resolution. So it becomes, Trade him now, Play him now, it’s Sergios fault, Nates Fault, The Agents fault…

I agree that everyone is doing what they should, my only beef and where it becomes a “bit” of a foul is because I do question Sergios timing. 4 games into the season is a little early for him to be complaining and I also think a more private behind the scenes attempt at resolution should of been made first. I would of advised Sergio to be a little more patient and at least make an initial attempt to communicate directly to Nate and KP about his concerns before his agent went public. Mostly because I think it makes everything more difficult once a player has gone on record as wanting to be traded and/or being unhappy.

Glad also to hear someone else that is underwhelmed by the Detroit/Denver trade. When it broke if you listened to national media you would of thought LeBron was being traded for Kobe. It’s an interesting trade for both franchises but I also agree that it smacks of desperation. Obviously it changes both franchises but I don’t think it has an extending impact to either franchise. Denver with Billups is not going to win a championship and Detroit with Iverson isn’t a better team than The Celtics. It seemed more to me like two teams playing the shell game with each other, we will just have to wait and see who got the bigger pea under the walnut shell. I too was underwhelmed.

I also agree with what you are saying about Outlaw and a lot of fans reactions to Outlaw. So far Batum has been an exciting revelation and discovery this season. I love the guy. But you are right, fans tendency to be fickle and in Outlaws case almost a subconcious desire to jettison the guy has puzzled me not only now, but all summer. I wonder if it’s not just more a case of you hear the squeaky wheel? People who like Outlaw, or are happy with him simply are not going to comment while the discontented will make the noise so it makes it seem like a majority exists where perhaps none does? I don’t know, but I’ve been puzzled all summer at what I’ve heard in many cyber basketball circles about Outlaw.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 10, 2008 9:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sergio´s timing is "preventive war".

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Nov 10, 2008 9:23 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I just feel bad for Sergio

He did all he could to replace Jack and then Rudy comes in and steals his minutes. You can’t blame Nate. It’s up to Sergio to try to steal some of Blake’s minutes or Sergio is ƒ¨ç˚´∂ is the ∫øø†¥˙ø¬´like Crash Davis at Shawhank. He has to be frustrated. It’s like like introducing your best friend to your girl, and she falls for him. If that happened to me, and it wouldn’t because I’m a stud, I’d probably want to leave town too.

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 1:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Pre-emptive strike" is what it's usually refered to here

but preventative war works too :)

"I believe in [Joel]. I just love the way he plays." - Nate McMillan

by jamon51 on Nov 10, 2008 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While I agree with your point about "shipping out vet X for new player Y"

I think the Blazers situation is more than just that. As fans we tend to over react yes, but we also tend to look ahead with far more rose colored glasses than management I believe. From a fan’s point of view Batum’s play should only get better as he gets experience, from a management’s point of view, he still have alot to learn and no guarentee’s he ever learns any of it.

Now for the Blazers it is not Batum vs Outlaw, but Batum vs Outlaw vs Webster. With Web out right now we have playing time for both Batum and Outlaw, but once Web comes back,, what do the Blazers do if both keep playing as well as they have?

Current stats:
Batum 6.2ppg, 2.5rebs, 1.2stls, .7blks, 47FG 403pt 16.94 PER in only 16.5 mins
Outlaw 12.5ppg, 5.3rebs, 1stl, .7blk, 43FG, 673pt 18.7 PER in 30.2 mins

Before we say outlaw is having a tough start to the season think of this, his scoring is down a bit, but his FG% is the same, while his 3pt and FT % are way up, his rebounding his up, his assist rate is way up, and his current PER is the highest of his career. Not a bad start to the season in my opinion. I think we can do with less scoring from Outlaw if he is going to continue to crash he boards, gets steals and shoot a good percentage from the field, 3pt, and at the line. He is taking 2 less shots per game, but 1 more 3pt shot per game.

Both players are playing above what Web did last year, but he looked really improved this preseason and camp, so who knows what is going to happen there. As fans we tend to start talking about making room first which means we all pick our player we want to keep them make trades to help him stay.

Good post Dave.

by usmcr3049 on Nov 10, 2008 12:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Travis' rebounding numbers are deceptive

One huge game skewed it significantly. Let’s see him rebound consistently, OR have those huge games more than once a season.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just wish we could get rid

of all politics and political or religiously intolerant user signatures. That’s why I’ve considered quitting BE altogether…this last political season was terrible on BE. Blazer fans hating on Blazer fans, and some of the users (even popular users who I will not name, not just drive-by newbs) have some very offensive (to me) signatures. I try not to read them but they’re on every post they make. I think banning all political/religous talking (even in the Junk Drawers) would really go a long way toward raising the conversation on this site to a different level.

"I believe in [Joel]. I just love the way he plays." - Nate McMillan

by jamon51 on Nov 10, 2008 2:14 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

You know that's not a bad idea.

The difficulty in something like that is drawing the distinctions between political/religious talk and other types of talk. Especially, since politics and religion bleed into the fabric of our society. For example, when the topic of Josh Howard and the National Anthem came up, on its face it is social commentary and related to sports. However, once a topic like this is posted, politics and religion are going to seep into the conversation. I do like your idea…b/c I agree, sometimes certain groups of people can feel ostracized due to their religious or political views…however, it seems like a tough thing to implement fairly. I think going by the rule of thumb, of treating everyone respectfully, and acting like you are actually talking to the person face-to-face might help. Great idea though.

by JasonT on Nov 10, 2008 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It is not easy

but if you can tolerate/ignore the egotist’s (they use BE as a platform to express themselves) you may not have to worry about them….There are plenty of courteous people in here to offset much of the junk……you should not quit, because you help their platform and give them the sense that eventually they will dominate the site…..They use signatures to possibly exclaim what they are all about….that should tell you something about them by letting you know if you care to communicate with them or not….
I tried the Oregon live forum several times, but they had a click of people that controlled and dominated the site….egotistical brats IMO…..But Dave keeps things pretty good in here and as long as that continues, and people, like you, stay aboard, the offensive people become ineffective (except maybe to each other)…
The funny thing about a signature is, it is so telling of the person you are dealing with…and it allows you to draw a perception of this individual, even though it may be a false one……sometimes they just think they are being cute and do not realize they could be offending someone …..it may not hurt, if you let them know it offends you…….

by 67 on Nov 10, 2008 4:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Was this comment made in jest,

or am I totally ignorant here?

After reading your comment I looked for political signatures, and couldn’t find one; in fact, the only one I found that wasn’t b-ball related was a signature that I am 90% sure was a retort to your comment.

I’d say if you are really that sensitive to a little extracurricular conversation, then maybe this isn’t the best place for you. This is a public site, and people are wont to express themselves about stuff that may or may not be on target. It’s O.K. Count to ten, and move on. Don’t get mad sad, or otherwise affected, your life will be much better that way.

I love taxes.

by everett on Nov 10, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You are ignorant

Sorry. :) Not totally, though. But you are relatively new here, I think, so it’s not surprising you haven’t seen it, but there are some very political signatures.

It’s not just that they express a viewpoint, it is that there are some people here who seem to go out of their way to be inflammatory towards people of a different viewpoint.

by jscot on Nov 10, 2008 11:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

though obviously not to the point of me considering leaving…not yet anyway. LOL.

One of my small vices is that I like to watch wrestling every now and again. Like WWE-type wrestling. It’s goofy and stupid and athletic and funny and occasionally inspiring and makes great viewing fodder when I’m working out. But every once in a while they’ll trot out a storyline about murder or racism or something like that and it almost always causes me to take a break from it until they’re done. The reason is not so much that I’m offended, rather those subjects are so big and should evoke such serious thought that they totally break the boundaries of the show when they’re invoked. I mean, how do you go from contemplating the horror of losing someone to a homicide to, "There goes the flying lariat off of the turnbuckle!"? If you’re forced to confront ultra-serious things then you can’t really pretend like the wrestling show matters. And if the wrestling show doesn’t matter, even for that pretend hour, then why are you watching it?

I feel the same way about religion and politics here. Obviously I have deep feelings and thoughts about both. Obviously I enjoy engaging in good conversation about them. But these are conversations on a different level than sports. If somebody is wrong about who to sub in first when Joel Przybilla gets two fouls the worst that happens is we lose a game. If somebody is wrong about a serious political matter thousands of people could get disenfranchised, hurt, or killed. The two aren’t the same. I tend to feel these topics are much too deep and important to engage in using the typical internet style anyway, let alone on a sports blog. If we’re doing the conversation poorly it’s completely distracting and offensive and pointless. If we’re doing it well then it’s hard to figure out why the Blazers should matter so much comparatively. And this place is about the Blazers mattering so much. Let us have those moments when they matter more than anything else and let us have the camaraderie that comes from those moments without making us deal with your political opinion out of its context and ours.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 10, 2008 11:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs