Elephant in the Clown Car

by shwa on Dec 16, 2008 4:50 PM PST

So for my birthday my girl got me a black GO jersey...

I can't lie, I was inkling for a white Roy jersey that reads on the front, "Blazers" instead of, "Portland" like the away jersey. What matters though is that I now have a jersey at all. I've needed one since I openly cheered for the Blazers at Oracle arena against the warriors (the game where Rudy was given a technical in the end for being fouled yet fouling) and a W's fan barked, "Can't you afford a jersey?!" It stung. I stung back, "Can't you afford a point guard?!" An exchange no doubt that left us mutually thinking, "Can't we all just get along?!"

Shucks, at least I got Brandon featured on my fantasy squad...I digress. Regardless of what I may have wanted you know I gotta rep the GO jersey every game day and then some. I live in Frisco so all I got is league pass, a foam finger, glass mugs from back in the day featuring Buck and Cliff(ord), and my newly acquired GO jersey.

Now that his name dons my back several times a week I admit I'm inclined to follow the guy's every step. I'd say our opponents have been for the most part under-burdened by Greg's presence. He's had his moments. The game we lost to the Warriors down here was perhaps his most impressive game...I think I remember 4 boomshakkalakkas.

I'm not sure if it's the jersey, the blazer's recent struggles, or the fact that I hate my job but I just haven't been sleeping well. Last night, I had a terrifying dream about GO trying to get out of a clown car but he was too big and these little blazes were doing their darnedest to pry him loose but he wouldn't budge a lick.

After consulting some very trustworthy dream interpretation websites and meditating in triple-threat position I have come to a revelation. GO wasn't stuck in the clown car; GO is the clown car. As good and over-achieved as we've been this season, nothing is as important as GO's development. I realize this is even more important than games, which is why I should hopefully be able to sleep tonight even if we somehow manage to lose to the Queens at home.

So hey all you Blazes out there, stop pulling on my man and let him drive this thing. Besides, it's worth it to develop GO on the court since he's already had time to develop off of it. I'll sacrifice a few W's to see where he's at and measure him up against some of the game's best. It's probably also good for him to have his butt whipped from time to time--it'll help him mature and get hungry for revenge.

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Huzzah

Sorry about your job. I’d rather be in San Franciso that the inland Empire though.

I guess some of us support Oden for the hope, some for the talent they see, and others for dreams and there interpretaions.

".. is gumby an alien?" - Sophia

by staylost on Dec 16, 2008 5:02 PM PST reply actions

eh, at least I gotta job right

My mom babysat Paul Allen, no lie. Check the profile.

by shwa on Dec 16, 2008 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

Wow, weirdest Blazers related dream since Sophia reported this one a few weeks ago

During half time of a Laker game I was at KP comes on and announces a trade: LMA and Oden for an invisible point guard. We were all like, "wtf?" and then when LMA and Oden came out of the lockerroom KP was like "sorry you have been traded for that guy so go home" and then they look around for the new PG and cant see him, because he’s invisible. I woke up thinking , how is this gonna work? Hope KP knows what he’s doing!
Weirdest dream ever no doubt a direct indicatiion that I have trade post anxiety and have a secret want for a point guard.

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 16, 2008 5:07 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Ohhhh wow

I missed that one somehow. I think we need to get a psych on staff @ Blazers Edge ASAP

I think I can only add "The NBA, where caring for everybody but the fans happens". --amlmart1

by prezofdeath on Dec 16, 2008 5:08 PM PST up reply actions

Prez, didn't you have a dream that your grandmother reads BEdge

And her favorite poster was jake the snake?

I agree that we need a psych consult, but I’m just sayin…

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

by KP Corleone on Dec 17, 2008 8:07 AM PST up reply actions

I had a dream 2 nights ago that steve nash played for the blazers

what does that mean doc?

by appel82 on Dec 16, 2008 5:09 PM PST up reply actions

I really don't know

The weirdest Blazers related dream I had was Greg playing in a purple and gold jersey :-(

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 16, 2008 5:10 PM PST up reply actions

Stop that right now.

Unforgivable!

I heart taxes.

by everett on Dec 17, 2008 12:19 AM PST up reply actions

We should be allowed to swear at you for that one. Can we Dave? Please?

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Dec 17, 2008 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

So you rather would have the invisible point guard and Greg the Clown Car? Really? ;-)

It was a nightmare, okay? I didn’t see other players, just him in that jersey. It was enough to remember it when I woke up from that notion.

by Norsktroll on Dec 17, 2008 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

At least the point guard would be open pretty consistently...

Jaws were hitting the floor as Greg repeatedly attempted to tear the rim off the backboard...

by TheOdenator on Dec 17, 2008 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

But if he's invisible...

How do the other players KNOW when he’s open? Or where to pass to?

God I can’t believe I just added to this post…

I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

by haildablazer on Dec 17, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

haha

Jaws were hitting the floor as Greg repeatedly attempted to tear the rim off the backboard...

by TheOdenator on Dec 17, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions

UM, DUH

That’s why God invented BASKETBALL PLAYS, and you have everyone follow the play exactly and then the invisible guy goes to where he is supposed to go and the other players throw to that spot when the invisible dude is supposed to be there.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME OH MY THE LEVEL OF DISCOURSE ON THIS INTERNET SITE HAS GONE WAY DOWN LATELY. BACK IN MY DAY, IT WAS A GIVEN THAT EVERYONE KNEW HOW TO USE INVISIBLE PLAYERS TO OUR ADVANTAGE. NOW YOU GOTTA TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY BUSY DAY TO EXPLAIN THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF BASKETBALL TO NINCOMPOOPS.

Nuthin’ personal though.

Look, everyone was thinking it, but no one but me had the guts to say it. That’s called leadership.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Dec 17, 2008 5:47 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Ummmmmm

Dreaming about GO in a clown car? I think my people are your people should get in contact….I think I might be able to refer you to a very helpful psychiatrist.

I think I can only add "The NBA, where caring for everybody but the fans happens". --amlmart1

by prezofdeath on Dec 16, 2008 5:07 PM PST reply actions

By the way, this post is worth a rec just for this line

a W’s fan barked, “Can’t you afford a jersey?!” It stung. I stung back, “Can’t you afford a point guard?!”

Classic.

I think I can only add "The NBA, where caring for everybody but the fans happens". --amlmart1

by prezofdeath on Dec 16, 2008 5:10 PM PST reply actions

I liked that one too.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Dec 17, 2008 7:11 AM PST up reply actions

"GO wasn't stuck in the clown car, GO IS the clown car"

Rec’d for such sophistication that I don’t even get it.

by premthegrem on Dec 16, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions

I had a dream while back that Brandon and Greg invited me to a party, but I didnt want to go.

They kept insisting I go but still I refused. Finally they offered to buy me dinner on the way so I went. Then we went somewhere else and they ditched me somewhere. Weird.

by dario argento on Dec 16, 2008 6:24 PM PST reply actions

Bastards

by einman77 on Dec 17, 2008 6:18 AM PST up reply actions

Great Paul Alen story in your Bio.

I didn’t know his mom was a teacher. Cool stuff. I take it you have meet Paul? What’s he like in person?

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Dec 17, 2008 8:35 AM PST reply actions

Wrong. Making the playoffs is far more important than the amorphous "development" of a fairly klutzy rookie 7-footer...

As good and over-achieved as we’ve been this season, nothing is as important as GO’s development.

……………………….. Oden either develops or he doesn’t — and people should start to come to terms with the fact that Oden is NOT going to be a superstar NBA center, because he pretty clearly isn’t — but the goals of the TEAM and the success of the TEAM is far more important than getting the raw Oden from point 1 to point 2.

"Now with a non-provocative footer!"

by timbo on Dec 17, 2008 10:29 AM PST reply actions

Oden will be a superstar center

I am sure of it.

Like, big time superstar.

But playoffs are extremely important as well. In the long run, having Oden be Oden makes us a championship level team, and without him we’re just a good playoff team that needs a LOT to go in our favor to make the Finals. I think we can develop him and win at the same time, and make the playoffs.

Playoffs is the most important thing RIGHT NOW, but Oden and his development and subsequent chemistry with Roy and LMA and Rudy and Bayless is the most important in the long run.

Don’t judge Oden too harshly, too early. He is doing better than Dwight did as a rookie, and coming off a bad injury to boot. 20 year old big men are always going to be 20 year old big men— raw. Oden is doing some things really well and others just so-so… but for a rookie big man, he is doing those so-so things really, really well.

Like I always say, there is a reason Greg Oden has been Greg Oden since he was in 8th grade. He’s going to be really, really good.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Dec 17, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

Once he learns a go-to post move or two,

learns how to not get blocked or stripped down low, and gets that little jump hook to fall consistently he will be a force. He already changes the opposing offense just by being on the floor, sets monstrous picks, blocks well, and cleans up garbage. He is already affecting the game positively while sometimes looking embarrassing on offense. I agree. He is going to be REALLY GOOD in a year or two.

by dario argento on Dec 17, 2008 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

Think About Brandon Roy for a minute

Would he have even gotten drafted after one year of college? Clearly no.

Yet here he is, in his 3rd NBA season, after 3 more years of college than Oden and his game is still improving.

Prysbilla – been in the league what, 6 or 7 years and he had more than one year of college and his game is still improving.

Neither of them had a year off following major surgery.

We love B Roy, B Roy is a potential superstar who is getting better every year and continues to improve – 6 years after his freshman year in college. Would you have known what Roy’s ceiling was at the end of his freshman year?

There is every reason to beleive that Oden’s game will continue to improve every year over at lest the next five years and maybe more.

Given where he is right now, the finished product will be amazing.

This team wasn’t built for this year.

by raoulduke on Dec 17, 2008 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

See, Morty, you're doing it... Don't compare Oden to Dwight Howard because he isn't and won't be...

…………… If you’re gonna look for ANYONE to be the next Dwight Howard, at least Andrew Bynum has the physique and coordination level. There MIGHT be a case made for him — but he’s really middle of the pack, too, which is where Oden will end up being.

Oden has no moves, no explosiveness, tends towards slowness, shows the ball early and gets stripped at an NBA-leading rate (I just made that up, prove me wrong), little coordination, and seemingly no heart. And I am getting more than a little sick of him swinging his legs when he dunks to shake the standard — that’s an overcarbonated head on a very bland and unhopped beer.

Not only is he NOT a superstar in the making, the dude shouldn’t even be starting. I find this team increasingly hard to watch the more time he gets…

"Now with a non-provocative footer!"

by timbo on Dec 17, 2008 9:14 PM PST up reply actions

Remarkable

You replied to such an intelligent post with such a knee-jerk one. I guess it takes some imagination to see what Greg Oden is going to turn into. I guess a diamond in the rough just looks like a rock to the untrained eye.

"If [Roy & Aldridge] walked around in fur coats, with a bunch of glamour & glitz, we'd have a bunch of guys wearing fur coats. But they don't. They're just good guys who want to win and know how to play the right way." --Kevin Pritchard

by hurryup09 on Dec 17, 2008 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

Oh--one other point...

I’m a major Przy fan. But I recognize that a big reason for his high production this season is the presence of GO in the line-up. As Joel himself has acknowledged, that presence allows him to forget about foul trouble and play with abandon. These guys may be competing for minutes, but they’re not impeding each other’s games by any means. On the contrary, they’re a great combo.

As I’ve mentioned before at BE, my childhood team, the Golden State Warriors, won their lone championship with a pair of defensive-oriented centers (George Johnson & Clifford Ray) splitting minutes. There’s no conflict between GO and Przy except in the minds of a few Blazer fans. Having a team-spirited vet back up and mentor a young star in the making is a best-case scenario.

by hurryup09 on Dec 17, 2008 9:33 PM PST up reply actions