Podcast Is Up

by Dave on Jul 2, 2008 4:39 PM PDT

This week's podcast is up. Topics include Rudy Fernandez, roster space, veterans vs. potential, a little bit of Summer League, and a peek into the secret life of Gavin Dawson. You can find the feed...

Here

Also, a disclaimer before I get roasted. We were talking about the strengths and weaknesses of our four potential point guards and the possible playing time for Bayless and Fernandez. We got into the hole left by Jarrett Jack, what opportunities that opened up, and which of our guys could step up and fill those minutes and that role. In the course of explaining our needs in that area I talked about how Jarrett Jack could get his own shot and take care of the ball. The word I was looking for instead of "ball" was OFFENSE. Obviously "take care of the ball" is usually equated with not turning the ball over, an area in which Jarrett struggled mightily last year. Taking care of the offense, on the other hand, is more along the lines of being able to get your shot when you need to without totally disrupting the flow every time you touch it. You could generally pass the ball to Jarrett and still be effective without killing momentum. Once the word has left your lips on the podcast, however, it's all but impossible to go back and correct without sounding awkward, so I just let it go.

Just wanted to forestall the raft of mocking, angry comments.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

P.S. I've also been informed that the ninnyhammer running the board got my audio level pretty low and they had to crank it up in post-production. If things sound weird, that's why.

P.P.S. Weirder than normal, that is.

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Comments

way to cover yourself in advance

you know how Blazer fans can get about JJack.

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 2, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply actions

let's give some credit to JJ1 here

who else on the roster could inspire such a disclaimer

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

by Ben Golliver on Jul 2, 2008 4:57 PM PDT reply actions

at this point, Sergio has a chance at a disclaimer...

if one were to include him and “smooth jumper” in the same sentence during a podcast.

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 2, 2008 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Casey Who

Feelin like the ole guy asking the score, but “Who’s Casey?”

Avatar is an old pine tree on Grizzly Mountain alongside Central Oregon's telecommunications towers

by OBJuan72 on Jul 2, 2008 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions

The grandfather of this blog

Casey Holdahl is the first BlazersEdge author who handed it off to Dave when he went to work for the Oregonian and ultimately the Blazers. He’s now their web front man.

by jamon51 on Jul 2, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

Appreciate your help jamon51

Old Juan grayowl is flying in the dark looking for the know ledges, starting to feel like Rip Vangymrat. You guys on B-edge are playing a great game, but I still learning the rules

by OBJuan72 on Jul 2, 2008 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Is this an interview or a discussion?

I think it’s supposed to be a discussion, but I’m not really sure. If it is, Casey please feel free to tell us what you think. It sounds a little like you’re not sure we want to know what you think. Let me be clear that we do, so be confident.

That’s not meant to be any offense, just a lil encouragement.

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

by hobobob on Jul 2, 2008 5:21 PM PDT reply actions

Also Casey

I love the way you say ‘point guard.’

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

by hobobob on Jul 2, 2008 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Casey

in addition to being a natural facilitator, is also still technically bound from talking about certain things by certain NBA rules.

—Dave

by Dave on Jul 2, 2008 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Ninnyhammer? You've got a pretty sharp edge...

for a pastor.

by FeelTheLove on Jul 2, 2008 5:23 PM PDT reply actions

Mock, Mock, Mock

Your puny disclaimer cannot stop me

I remember the good old days. The Rasta Monsta days.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 2, 2008 5:31 PM PDT reply actions

i hate when the guys talkin

one of the guys in the radio show (not Dave) he starts off high and then he really low and can barely hear him gahhddddddd

Oden...Aldridge...Roy.....THE REAL BIG THREE
Watch my brandon roy vid

by CroRupt on Jul 2, 2008 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

I ain't done listened yet

But that sounds exactly like Casey on previous podcasts. He says lots of good stuff, and his Quick chats and interviews with KP were awesome, but on these podcasts he trails off a lot and I can’t get my ‘puter volume high enough.

I’ve mentioned here before, and others had the same problem, so it should be a known problem, at least a little.

To fix it, either Casey tries to be aware of his trailing off, a sound dude rides Casey’s levels and bumps ‘em up when he trails, or the volume of the entire show gets bumped up. I wouldn’t mind the latter, as it’s kinda quiet as is, and I live in LA so there are a ton of helicopters and police sirens and gunshots making it hard to listen to my quiet Blazers’ podcasts.

On a side note, the coastline of Croatia is very beautiful.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 2, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Okee-day, I done listened

And I thought the audio was fine; I could hear Casey better this time and it seemed like he tried not to trail off as much. That gives me hope that he has the potential to not trail off on a consistent 82 podcast schedule, and that he has the work ethic to get the most out of his natural ability.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 3, 2008 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Point Guard, Shooting Guard?

Nate has something else in mind. Consider this. If you combine all the guards together and order them according to playing time.

1.Roy
2.Blake
3.Fernandez
4.Bayless
5.etc…

Start the game with 1 and 2. Sub according to need and time. How many combo’s can you think of? You can bet the coaching staff will know . It’s a new kind of ball in Rip City!

by 43352 on Jul 2, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Is Bayless more of a 2 than a 1?

They consider themselves forward thinking in Portland from what friends tell me. Apparently they have this global warming issue handled. They’ve found ways to end your life as a profit making venture. And they’re hip to counter culture icons.

by NBA Observer on Jun 27, 2008

by Kampeska on Jul 2, 2008 9:21 PM PDT reply actions

He is a combo guard. He can play both.

He played PG in HS and PG and SG in college. He and Roy are both combos and should work well on the court together

I remember the good old days. The Rasta Monsta days.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 3, 2008 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Lol

I wanted Dave to say “man-crush” so bad.

A Time For Heroes,
It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood
And it's all
It's all in my hands
And its all up the walls
Well the stale chips were up and the hopes stakes were down
Until Kp came into Town!
'Sing it Petey!

by Dheepan on Jul 2, 2008 10:14 PM PDT reply actions

My Thoughts

I think KP should address the team in the pre-season and say Roy, Oden, and LMA is the core, and the rest are all competing for a job on a championship team. He should mention how rich PA is and then say, it should all shake out by the trade deadline.

To me, there are two important factors regarding this team’s development. Who has improved over the summer and who fits best with the core. KP should have the answers to both of those questions by the trade deadline.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 3, 2008 4:16 AM PDT reply actions

I dont know if I would call out the core

That puts undue pressure on guys who have earned their keep and might ruin some comaraderie that we have developed in the team

I remember the good old days. The Rasta Monsta days.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 3, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Well

I think everyone knows the core. I’m pretty sure Przy knows his job is safe and what his role will be. Frye and others probably understands their roles as well. Basically a 41 win team just lost two key reserves but they are adding Oden, Rudy, and two really young guys.

Expectations are changing and guys on the roster need to look at the big picture. If they are improving, then they pretty much can choose to stay or go. If they are junky, then KP will just get rid of them. They can choose two paths, one with the Blazers and probably championships or one where they have a greater role on a different team.

If this roster gels, I don’t think there will be a need for significant changes until after next year. Even then, I don’t think there should be significant changes. Just something simple like exchange a point guard for a big guy with six fouls to give.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 3, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Not that I think you are wrong in the least

I am just not sure I would separate them from the team. Thats essentially what that does. It won’t RUIN chemistry but it breeds kind of a divide from them. I think most players know what will be expected of them, and the veteran role players know they are role players (pryz, blake) but maybe Martell doesnt realize he is one, or Frye doesnt realize he likely wont ever play in front of LMA. This might make them resent that fact.
I agree we should let the players all know that its time to produce or get ready to be moved.. and then let them gel and see who can and cant produce

I remember the good old days. The Rasta Monsta days.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 3, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Myeah

KP can probably smooth over the edges better than I would. I’m with you on that. I just think it would be the coolest if KP told the team his plan.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 3, 2008 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

About "getting one's own shot"

Dave, you mentioned that Jack had been an alternative to Brandon as far as being able to “get his own shot” when needed. You and Casey agreed that the Blazers would need somebody besides Brandon in this role, and neither of you seemed confident that either of two rookies - Rudy or Jerryd - would necessarily be able to step up soon despite the fact that slashing is a big part of the game for both of them. The discussion omitted any mention of the fact that Martel and Travis are both working on their ball-handling in order to be able to slash to the hoop.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you are talking about a player who has:
1. the ability to get a shot off that is unlikely to be blocked, and
2. sufficient accuracy to ensure that the shot has at least a decent chance of scoring.

But, whereas Brandon and, formerly, Jack were notably the two Blazers who could drive to the hoop and score when a bucket was needed, they weren’t the only two to meet the above criteria. Certainly, Travis proved that, even without great ball-handling ability, he was able to score reliably, and, especially, under extreme time pressure when heavily defended. So, I would include him as a Blazer who can “get his own shot”, though in a different way from Brandon.

This next season, however, I think the Blazers will have an incredible new weapon that will enable them to get those crucial fourth-quarter baskets: Greg Oden. Yes, he’s going to be a “rookie”, but I’d be willing to bet that by the end of the season, he’ll be a nearly unstoppable go-to guy. Time will tell, and I hope KP will take a wait-and-see approach until the trade deadline. By then, I think everyone will see that this home-grown Blazers team has no serious deficiencies.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 3, 2008 12:36 PM PDT reply actions

I guess the point mostly was

in crunch time you can’t have a player who’s easy to guard on the floor. I know Blake has gotten better with his moves and I give him full credit for that, but part of the reason he didn’t see as many fourth-quarter minutes as many starters do is that you’re not really confident passing him the ball in pressure situations. You’re correct about Travis and Martell improving, but you still can’t leave that hole there. It’s the same thing with Joel Przybilla, though obviously Blake is light years better than Joel on offense. In certain situations you just need to be deadly (or at least mildly threatening) from every position. Blake isn’t.

However there IS a caveat to that. If you have a player on your team who is flat-out dominant-a LeBron, Kobe, Tim Duncan, what have you-then it doesn’t matter so much. Roy and Outlaw are already close to that for single possessions, particularly the last possession of the game. Nobody’s going to stop them getting a shot off. If Roy’s dominance stretches over time then heck, just play Steve anytime you want.

My guess at an eventual end-of-game offensive lineup: Roy, Rudy or Bayless, Travis, Lamarcus, Oden. Or take out Oden and put in Rudy and Bayless, at least in the short term. In that sense you’re completely correct. The traditional PG position doesn’t cause a weakness. I’m not sure you can play that lineup for six minutes straight yet though.

—Dave

by Dave on Jul 3, 2008 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions