Live from Grant High

by Ben Golliver on Jun 14, 2008 11:39 PM PDT

Ime_fredjones_small_medium

Ime: Yo Fred, where's the concession stand at?

Fred: Man, I was just wondering that same thing.

Both Mr. Udoka and Mr. Jones were on hand at the Rose City Exchange this afternoon, watching their AAU teams battle on day 2 of the 3 day tournament.

It should be noted that both men not only put up the sponsorship money for their teams, but also took the time to show up, cheer on their teams, and make themselves accessible to fans and well-wishers.

The NBA Cares... and, even if it doesn't... at least these two genuinely do. And for that we should salute them.

Looking for something to do on Father's Day? Might I suggest making your way out to Grant to catch the final day of this AAU action. I spent nearly 5 hours today marvelling at how quick and well-coached these young kids are and how much they love the game of hoops. What a great antidote to the NBA's recent scandal.

For tournament coverage that cannot be beat, check out Oregonlive.com's High School Blog, where Tim Brown and team are just killing it.

Also, if you haven't checked out the Tribune's excellent profile of 13 year old prodigy Nigel Williams-Goss, it's well-worth your time. Mr. Williams-Goss started at point guard for Udoka's team and held his own, despite playing against players 3 and 4 years his senior. Although he wasn't in the game during crunch time, it's clear that the experience of playing against older, more mature competition is invaluable for his basketball IQ and skills development.

To my eye, it seems that the U17 division of this tournament is just about the highest level of ball Oregon kids can experience during the off-season. Perhaps we will see Ms. Nared competing in this tournament sometime in the near future?

I leave you with this video that I've wanted to share for a while now. It's Grant's Mike Moser (who also plays for Team Udoka) participating in a slam dunk contest earlier this year. Watching Mr. Moser and watching the crowd's reaction (especially the bouncing kid wearing jorts at the 38 second mark who simply cannot control his joy), I see a MUCH BETTER basketball than the one marred by Mr. Donaghy's corruption and Mr. Stern's pomposity. Enjoy.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Great story as always

I wanna see what the WINNING dunk was if this was 2nd place.

Sounds like Stern rigged a big market player as the 1st place winner. His tentacles even reach to the furthermost reaches of high school athletics!

I like these stories.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jun 15, 2008 3:33 AM PDT reply actions

Two guys I liked form the jailblazers

Btw…that dunk was nuts for a high school competition.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jun 15, 2008 3:52 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks Ben

Good thing KP got rid of those two bad apples. They were killing the Blazers culture.

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 5:23 AM PDT reply actions

yeah really.......

Home town guys without police records? Why were they brought here in the first place?

"Rudy Fernández ha confirmado hoy que la próxima temporada jugará en el Portland Trail Blazers"

by $chonzarelli on Jun 15, 2008 7:17 AM PDT up reply actions

My guess is mind control

I remember an old story about a daycare where really bad things were happening to the kids. If memory serves me, the daycare provider killed a rabbit and turtle in front of the kids and said if they told anyone, that something similar would happen to them. KP sacrificed Fred and Ime so the rest of the players would have to buy into the culture… Or else!

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions

sound theory......I'm buying it.

So after the Blazers championship run is over and we begin to rebuild and reminisce, will Ime and Fred come clean about KP’s methods and turn their individual sacrifice for the city into some local endorsement deals? Maybe sell a few cars or open a resturaunt. I see doller signs in their eyes….....

"Rudy Fernández ha confirmado hoy que la próxima temporada jugará en el Portland Trail Blazers"

by $chonzarelli on Jun 15, 2008 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions

highest common denominator

once again you raised the bar to an uneclipsable height

If you dont talk to your cats about catnip, who will?

by bow4meow on Jun 15, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

I wasn’t even trying. Unlike most people, I don’t see KP as a god like figure. I see him as an evil genius who sacrifice his only begotten son for a championship. He’d step over his grandma. He’d convince Fred Jones to give up money then trade him to the worst team in the NBA. He is evil incarnate and I love him.

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

i just meant

the reference to the rabbit/turtle killing day care program.. sweet

If you dont talk to your cats about catnip, who will?

by bow4meow on Jun 15, 2008 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice piece Ben.....great Fathers day idea.

Its good to see the home town guys making the effort.

The video was good, but you can’t actually believe that it’s “MUCH BETTER” basketball. You must be basing this opinion on the crowds reaction. Sure, the people in attendance were excited, but any more excited then Celtic fans will be tonight? Or Blazers fans at the Rose Garden next year? Doubtfull. I think if you could ask the fans in attendence at Franklin that night what would be more exciting to witness: a Trailblazer game or the PIL dunk contest? You would find most if not all answering “Blazers”

Slam dunk contests are entertaining, but teamwork is “MUCH BETTER”

heres another video of some PIL dunking from 07’. LaMarcus Miles throws down.

"Rudy Fernández ha confirmado hoy que la próxima temporada jugará en el Portland Trail Blazers"

by $chonzarelli on Jun 15, 2008 7:15 AM PDT reply actions

"much better"

= no smug in the video. no drama; just ball.

just a little angry at stern this week, i’ll get over it.

"Honor Terry Porter." Email me with your TP stories and memories.

by Ben Golliver on Jun 15, 2008 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

true.

It’s hard not to be mad at Stern this week, if I hadn’t decided months ago to ignore him I would be angry too.

"Rudy Fernández ha confirmado hoy que la próxima temporada jugará en el Portland Trail Blazers"

by $chonzarelli on Jun 15, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I see Ime and Freddie are both wearing Blazer colors.

Miss us much?

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Jun 15, 2008 7:30 PM PDT reply actions

When they left

KP was waiting for them in the parking lot. He said, I got something for you boys; and then he had Tom Penn kick both of them in the baby makers.

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

It was ime's fault he did not resign,,,

fred was the one who got screwed…get your facts straight…chump

by Sabonis4Ever on Jun 15, 2008 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

KP Was In On Both Deals

He gave Ime’s agent a cool million, off the books, to keep Ime from resigning with the Blazers.

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions

a million dollars just to kick a guy in the nuts

KP is evil. You have been right all along. I am now a believer. I will register online to join the cult of tominhawaii.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jun 15, 2008 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions

He wanted to develop Outlaw and Webster

And he needed a scapegoat.

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 15, 2008 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Naah

it was his agent who was asking for more than he was worth, probably thinking PA would pony up more for a good guy & fan favorite. Ime’s mistake was believing his agent’s hype.

Jason Quick on July 9 :” It appears the Blazers and Udoka are miles apart in reaching an agreement. According to league sources, Udoka’s agent —Erin Cowan—has informed the Blazers that a Western Conference team has offered him a three-year, $12 million contract.”

Joe Freeman on Aug. 17: “Udoka’s agent , Erin Cowan, would not disclose terms of the contract, but sources indicated this week that Udoka would sign a two-year deal worth just more than $2 million. The Spurs confirmed the signing on their Web site. “

Big difference between $12 mil for 3 yrs. and $2 mil for 2 yrs.

And he didn’t get his championship ring either.

by jorga on Jun 16, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure

You can believe that if you want. I’ll hang onto my conspiracy theories. The league is corrupt, they faked GO’s injury, and KP got rid of the local guys to send a message to the team. He’s an evil genius. He’s the Vince McMahon of the NBA. (Only when McMahon isn’t doing something really stupid.)

"lowest common denominator - every time I think you hit rock bottom you sink it deeper into the shale" -- bow4meow

by tominhawaii on Jun 16, 2008 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Vince is underrated

Pro wrestling used to be a joke. Now it is the most popular joke in the world.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jun 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Part of the problem is

Ime’s agent is just a childhood friend of his, I believe. I think a more established agent (as in, one with a full roster of players the Blazers crave and wanna stay in a good relationship with) mighta’ served Ime better.

Also, I’d also assume KP has more sources to find out if Ime’s agent is being honest or not, and Ime’s agent possibly didn’t consider the fact that KP would know he is lying because KP is connected and the agent is not.

I would hope Ime wouldn’t trust his friend’s judgement over his own, so it kinda sucks he (or his ‘team’) priced himself out.

Still, things turned out ok. Ime signed with the Spurs and now has found a permanent home, while we got more minutes for Travis and Martell and we were more than happy with the result. I think it was the best scenario for all involved.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jun 17, 2008 1:24 AM PDT up reply actions