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A Few Thoughts from Practice

Ben_tiny by Ben. on

Nothing revolutionary occurred during today's open practice, but I did jot the following notes that I thought would be worth sharing.  Please realize we were only allowed to watch the last 20-30 minutes of a 2 hour plus practice so the chance that anything truly important would take place in front of our eyes was basically zero.

With that said, here's what I saw...

--------

-- When we entered the guys were setup 5 on 5, halfcourt.  With the ball: Sergio, Martell, Randolph, Roy, Hill. On defense: Blake, Rudy, Outlaw, Aldridge, Przybilla. Players rotated in and out pretty quickly. Offense would run through a play until someone on defense screwed up or a shot was taken, Nate would yell or clap his hands, they'd check the ball up, rotate some players, and do it again.

-- Right off the bat, Martell nailed a long jumper.  His BFF Bayless was there very quickly with a high five.

-- Shortly thereafter, as if on cue, Sergio, who was now playing defense, got an earful from Coach for not rotating properly. Sergio's reaction indicated this was not the first time he's been in that situation.

-- Others to get instruction on defense that stopped things: Batum and Rudy.  Batum seemed overwhelmed, wide-eyed like a raver.  With all the talent on the floor, I don't blame him. Rudy was in the flow and just seemed to be digesting the new information.  Nate treated Batum with kid gloves a little bit; totally different manner than his address to Sergio.  This makes sense.

-- Aldridge looks great. Hit two jumpers back to back with Hill's hand in his face.

-- We saw Bayless briefly at both the one and the two.  In both positions, at different times, he really pounded the ball.  On the top of the key, he was flying by whoever was supposed to be guarding him (Tatum, I think?), getting into the lane just like summer league, but looking to distribute when surrounded by the bigs. When he played the 2 on the wing, he was fighting through screens, getting himself a favorable matchup (Ike switched out on him), and then proceeded to dribble 10+ times before throwing up a shimmy-shake jumper that rimmed out. 

-- Channing was not participating in the drill. He was shooting on a basket near us, working on his face-up jumper, due to his rehab for the ankle surgery.  His ankle was taped and I watched for a while to see if he would favor it in any way during his shot, and he didn't seem to.  He had his usual, natural, balanced shot. I guess that would be a good sign.

-- Greg was on the exercise bike, as you already know. Yes, he was limping. No, this was not what I expected after waiting for more than a year to see him hoop.  Maybe tomorrow?

-- At one point during the drill, Luke Jackson closed out on a Rudy jumper, knocking the Spanish Stud into a nearby bench.  Whoops.  Welcome to America.  The bench was moved in short order.

-- After the drill was over, the team broke up to shoot free throws.  Bayless attentively received some extra coaching from Monty before going to shoot.  After the shooting was over, he was showing off a serious floor burn on his hip, which must have occurred prior to the open access period.  

-- Speaking of Monty, on my way out I said, "they look good." Monty replied, "They ARE good."

-- Some members of the team were wearing "15 = 16" shirts. It's that kind of math that's got our economy in the tank if you ask me. 

--------

So that's what I've got.  The main takeaway from today for me was the challenge that Nate faces.  It's one thing to diagram a depth chart on paper, it's another to see all those big, multi-talented, athletic, versatile bodies all on the floor at once, going at it full-speed.  Lots of choices. Baskin Robbins status.  

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

1 recs | Comment 107 comments

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Oh yea, I'm goin' read this...

…but 1st!

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Sep 30, 2008 6:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Thank you

Thank you, Thank you Ben.

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Sep 30, 2008 6:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey Benny Blanco

I’ve been meaning to predict that Martell and Bayless would either fall in love with each other, or be like magnets that don’t like each other because they occupy the same space of young, serious, intense guy who wants to be great but is on a team with lotsa good players.

Bayless seems like he won’t have the same mental lapses Martell had due to Bayless having extreme self confidence and probably more game, but I think Martell will admire that about Bayless and be attracted to that as well.

They’ll be a duo of heartbreakers.

I’m jus’ sayin’, they’ll get along. Two dudes, serious about being good.

I mention this because of your BFF comment, and because it is something that has popped in my head as I lay awake at night, tossing and turning just thinking about which player is friends with which.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Sep 30, 2008 6:24 PM PDT   0 recs

not sure if this was made public yesterday or not

bayless mentioned he has known martell since nike camp when he was in like 8th or 9th grade. (not sure if this was written about)

bayless also said martell was the one that most impressed him. (pretty sure this was written about)

i think they are already on their way to doing the type of things you’re talking about.

again, baskin robbins status.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 6:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I want to say it now: Bayless is going to be the greatest of these Blazers.

He has IT, lots of IT, more IT than anyone….

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Sep 30, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm pretty sure that's why Boston drafted Brian Scalibrine

Lot’s of IT. Unfortunately, none of IT was worth a darn. Watch out, sometimes IT can be useless.

by KobeStoppa on Sep 30, 2008 11:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What we nee are greggs.

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 7:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oooppps, "need"

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 7:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

KGW says:

Oden participated in todays second round of workouts.

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Sep 30, 2008 6:33 PM PDT   1 recs

As in, after the ankle tweak?

We’ll just have to wait for video from tomorrow’s practice, then.
If Oden’s in that, it’ll be good to compare and contrast the video from that with today’s footage.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Sep 30, 2008 6:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As in, after the ankle tweak?

Yes.
That is how it fit into the report.

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Sep 30, 2008 6:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he's playing tonight

which is a closed practice….

so i don’t think there will be any video of it…

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 6:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If an Oden particpates in a practice

and there’s no video of it, does it make a sound?

by Montavilla Steve on Sep 30, 2008 10:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sweet Ben.

I just saw the Rudy spill on TV, I won’t lie I laughed. Out of Ranolph, Hill, and Jackson who’s looking the best right now?

And glad to hear Bayless is still playing like Bayless.

by Bskey on Sep 30, 2008 6:36 PM PDT   0 recs

no way to tell based off of what we saw.

sorry.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 6:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A Slight Discrepancy

On the link to MB’s blog he explains the 16 in ‘15=16’ refers to being one of the 16 Playoff teams, and today on The Fan I heard Jason Quick say the 16 referred to the magic number of wins it takes to win the NBA Championship. Which one is it?

I know its not a big deal, but I rather like the motto and would like to figure out Nate’s intention behind it before I screen print myself a T-Shirt!

by Mallardvalue on Sep 30, 2008 6:51 PM PDT   0 recs

given that the team’s mantra seems to be “let’s make the playoffs” and given barrett’s access to the team, i’d lean toward the first explanation but that’s speculation on my part.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 7:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Either way

A blatant rip-off of the Tampa Bay Rays. I think we should take it a step further and remove the “Trail” out of our name and reveal incredibly generic uniforms and then knock off the Yankees L*kers out of the playoffs and take home-field from the Red Sox Jazz.

A guy can dream, right?

by usdblazerfan on Sep 30, 2008 9:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No need to read what Ben writes anymore

Rip on Sergio, praise Bayless, rinse, repeat. Its called journalistic integrity, try it now and again.

Your crap is so tiring. This site needs another impartial writer. Dave can only do so much.

by as11osu on Sep 30, 2008 6:51 PM PDT   1 recs

My names as11osu and I like to say stupid things for attention.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Devyn on Sep 30, 2008 7:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey now.

I’ve been a little bit disappointed in Ben’s output recently too, but I wouldn’t call his work “crap.” Especially after a post like this, where he takes us places that we can’t go. Posts like this are what make BE what it is, and that wouldn’t be possible without Ben.

There have been some bumps along the way, but overall, Ben is a fantastic writer. I’m glad he’s part of the team here at BE, and I think he’s going to continue to develop into a better and better journalist.

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 Sep 30, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also:

Your criticism could be phrased in a more productive way, and it would be perfectly valid. How about, “I feel like Ben isn’t giving Sergio a fair shake here” or “I think you give Bayless too much credit.” What you have now isn’t constructive at all.

Also, re-read that paragraph about Bayless in the original post. I don’t think it’s exactly a glowing endorsement.

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 Sep 30, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know...

What he said about Bayless isnt what I wanted to hear. Here is how I see it:

“he was flying by whoever was supposed to be guarding him (Tatum, I think?), getting into the lane just like summer league” translates to: “he continued his ballhog attitude he displayed in SL”

“and then proceeded to dribble 10+ times before throwing up a shimmy-shake jumper that rimmed out. " translates to: "He went one on one for half the shot clock and tossed up a brick”

I really hope we don’t have the second coming of Allen Iverson in Jerryd Bayless. I want to hear something that makes me think he actually has point guard potential offensively…

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Sep 30, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know I've been a bit too hard on Jerryd Bayless, ...

but there’s a reason that he almost exclusively played shooting guard at Arizona beside tiny point guard Nic Wise. Even when Wise was injured for a few games and replaced in the starting lineup by shooting guard Jawaan McClellan, über-atheltic swingman Chase Budinger shifted into a point forward role to compensate for Bayless’ inferior distributing abilities.

All in all, my point is that Bayless isn’t a natural floor general.

by AK1984 on Oct 1, 2008 1:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You continue to misrepresent the situation.....

Arizona’s top SG got hurt. JBay was moved from the 1 to the 2, because he was the best scorer on the team.

by upper left corner on Oct 1, 2008 7:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What?!?

Look, Jerryd Bayless was scouted as a shooting guard out of high school.

http://arizona.scout.com/2/376426.html

http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/98/236/02_4.html

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=13

http://www.prepspotlight.com/imagegallery/prepspotlight-image-gallery/jerryd-bayless-6393-saint-mary39saz-2007-pg

Et cetera …

Again, Nic Wise was the starting point guard at Arizona throughout a fair amount of last season — except for a few games in which he was out with an injury, wherein I’ve already mentioned that interim head coach Kevin O’Neill shifted Chase Budinger into a point forward role to compensate for Bayless’ deficiencies at facilitating the offense — so you’re disinformation is baffling stuff.

Also, the Wildcats’ returning shooting guard from the 2006-2007 to the 2007-2008 season, Jawaan McClellan, wasn’t hurt at all last year; instead, he saw his role change from starting shooting guard to defensive stopper on the wing.

Anyhow, whether or not Bayless can be converted into point guard in the NBA is an unknown to each and every one of us, but it’ll definitely be an uphill battle for him that may backfire on the Blazers.

by AK1984 on Oct 1, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

solution...

he’s a score first point guard, that is best utilized when he is paired with a facilatating orientated shooting guard.

I do remember reading about him being forced to play sg, due to the lack of “good” playmates. (not those kind tom)

but I know little. just chimming in during lunch.

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Oct 1, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Based on those reasons, Brandon Roy ...

is a definitely great partner for Jerryd Bayless. Certainly, there’s better options to pair beside either one of ‘em — such as Andre Iguodala for Bayless and Kirk Hinrich for Roy — yet, that’s solely ’cause neither guy is a lockdown defender along the perimeter.

Anyhow, aside from my criticisms of Bayless, he deserves credit for being an efficient scorer from 15 to 18 feet away from the basket, a speed demon who constantly drives to the rim and draws a bunch of fouls, and someone who’ll seemingly be a harmonious fit in the clubhouse.

by AK1984 on Oct 1, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's a thought

Could it be that maybe Ben is showing integrity and you just simply don’t want to hear it?
If Sergio screwed up, and that’s what Ben saw, then that’s what Ben wrote. If Bayless did his best Damon Stoudemire impersonation and dribbled out the shot clock, and Ben that’s what Ben saw, then that’s what Ben wrote.

You could at least have the class to send Ben a personal email to voice your concerns, rather then assassinate his character and integrity. If you did that, then you’d have some ground to stand on.

Can I buy you a fish sandwich?

by silkybrown on Sep 30, 2008 8:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Attaboy Dave.

Glad you’re here Ben. I think you add a lot to the mix already, and I look forward to watching you, Nate, Martell and the whole team grow together.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Sep 30, 2008 8:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Thanks for weighing in, Dave.

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 Sep 30, 2008 8:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

true story
You’re talking to real people here who give up more time and energy than you know for absolutely no compensation to bring you this coverage.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I speak for many people here when I say keep up the good work.

I think you do a very good job. I look forward to more this week. You and Dave are very appreciated. This is always the first and last site I check each day.

by Bskey on Sep 30, 2008 8:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Another true story

My basketball bookmarks are labeled entirely with first names: Henry, Casey, Mike, etc, etc. Two days ago I renamed my Dave bookmark to Dave & Ben.

by Corvid on Sep 30, 2008 9:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How ya doin, how ya doin?

Dave, Dave.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Devyn on Sep 30, 2008 9:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ooops!

I should clarify. The sentence where I said, “As soon as I make a comment about Sergio I will not be seen as impartial anymore” should read “As soon as I make a NEGATIVE comment.” The other leaves open the interpretation that I have a negative view of him that I’m just waiting to unleash on the world as soon as I speak about him. Actually I hope he performs well, because I think we could use him.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 30, 2008 9:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks,

I just thought that you had an opinion of Sergio that I hadn’t heard you spell out before. But I did take it as YOUR opinion. I think that you and Ben are entitled to opinions. You guys are fans just like us.

Fans — just like us.

Sometimes the people in here (including myself) forget that. I want you and Ben to know that you are appreciated.

by parkinglotj on Sep 30, 2008 9:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seeing in person can change perspective

I was a Sergio fan the first year he was with the Blazers, thinking that McMillan unreasonably restricted his minutes. Then, last year, I bought season tickets and saw Sergio in person. I saw a player with an inconsistent shot, a player who had trouble finishing at the basket after he broke his man down and passed him, a player who, for significant stretches, made no impact on the course of the game. This from a sub who’s injected into the game to make good things happen. Sometimes he was better. Mostly, Sergio was roulette. Before the season’s end I had developed a new respect for McMillan’s judgment.

It seems to me that there are a number of Sergio fanatics who embrace him like religious extremists. For them there are no arguments you can make, no evidence you can produce that can convince them that Sergio is not maligned, that Sergio is not a young Steve Nash or the next Chris Paul.

For those, I pose this question: Why would people whose careers and/or hearts rise and fall with the success of the team want to diminish anyone who can really contribute to the success of the team? This doesn’t mean that people of goodwill can’t disagree. But it does mean, rockinghard, that people who disagree with you are probably not perverse. Or lazy. Or unprofessional. Or biased.

And that’s the truth.

by Trutherlizer on Sep 30, 2008 9:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Where did I say I thought those who disagreed with me are perverse, lazy, unprofessional or biased? Disagreement is one of the greatest parts of BE. I’ve learned a lot from those I disagree with on here. Being able to respectfully disagree on the internet simply does not happen, and it’s rare in other areas of life. I’m continually amazed and grateful that disagreement happens here with such grace (usually).

Please double-check which poster is making incendiary statements before calling them out. Because I think your comment was intended for as11osu.

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 Sep 30, 2008 9:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Perhaps it's being suggested

that as11osu is a pseudonym for you, Mr well spoken, urbane Hard Rocker. Perhaps coded into your name is a despicable truth. YOU ARE AS11OSU! You sneaky rabble rousing incendiary snake in the grass.

You’re probably fatty as well….

That was kinda fun! I may have to try that more often.

Mortimer; you’re next.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Sep 30, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Pardon, rockingharder

My bad. I meant to address as11osu.

And that’s the truth.

by Trutherlizer on Sep 30, 2008 10:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks Trutherlizer

No hard feelings. I just looked at your post and thought, “did I miss something here?”

Also: I see you’re fairly new to the Edge. Welcome!

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 Oct 1, 2008 7:41 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dave to the rescue

Everything Dave writes about Ben is biased. Here we go again. Dave, it’s obvious you like Ben. That makes you biased.

You invited him to write on your blog. You’ll look bad if he fails. That’s why you are biased.

Ben works hard to go to the practice facility, and you can’t. That’s why you’re biased. You feel guilty about playing with Baby PG while Ben does all the hard work. I can see right through you.

Ben writes well, too. You like that, and that’s why you are biased. You’re a biased elitist.

Bias, bias, bias. That’s you, Dave.

Oh, I almost forgot. Rec. That’s four. Somebody else will turn it green, I’m sure. Probably because they are biased.

I’m never biased. It is impossible to be biased when you are always right.

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 Oct 1, 2008 4:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I can see as11osu's point

I think Ben’s "as if on cue" comment about Sergio was back handed. I don’t think Ben bashes Sergio but he has definitely written him off, and he is obviously been enamored with Bayless since summer league. I said it a couple of days ago and I think it is fair to say that Ben has sort of taken on JerrydFTW mentality and Sergio is his Jarrett Jack. (Re: SergioFTW really did not like Jack. In his comments, it seemed like Sergio could do no wrong and Jack could do no right.)

I differ from as11osu in the opinion that Ben is a journalist. He’s a blogger, and there are no standards of blogger integrity or impartialness. He is free type whatever he wants.

I would also like to point out that Blazer’s Edge is a Site by Blazer fans, for Blazer fans, and some Blazer fans are fans of Sergio Rodriguez.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 1, 2008 8:49 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Two points:

1. Ben is hardly the only one saying Bayless is having great workouts so far. I know Casey has raved about him and I believe Gavin has too.

2. It’s possible that Ben mentioned Sergio specifically because he knew people would be interested in how Sergio was doing, because there are Sergio fans here. But Ben can only work with the data he’s given. He can’t make up stuff Sergio did in order to please people. If that’s the most noticeable thing that happened to Sergio during the run the team got while the media was present, so be it. Maybe it’ll be different tomorrow. Blasting him for it is uncalled for.

The long and short of it is, had Ben said, “Sergio had a fantastic practice! Bayless was so-so.” the comments would be, “Great reporting, Ben! Way to go!” His words would be used as evidence across the internet from here to kingdom come. There would be no accusations of bias. All of a sudden he’d be an “expert”. The problem is, that’s not what he saw. He’d be lying. So the less-biased reporting is taken as bias while the more-biased reporting would be taken as truth. The perception of whether he’s a good observer/reporter depend solely on how well he says Sergio plays. That is the unsound, untenable standard. And media outlet, blog or mainstream, that operates on those principles isn’t worth the virtual paper it’s printed on.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He also said

he saw Sergio nail a long shot. He’s purposefully selecting what he reports and what he doesn’t report (on Sergio). And with that, you could make anyone look good or look bad. You’ve seen how he’s slanted Sergio’s words in the recent weeks, and as he has already stated in the past, he’s written Sergio off. Look at what he wrote here…

— Shortly thereafter, as if on cue, Sergio, who was now playing defense, got an earful from Coach for not rotating properly. Sergio’s reaction indicated this was not the first time he’s been in that situation.

as if on cue, huh? Do you really need me to tell you how biased and honestly disrespectful that is?

There is a large contingent of people here that feel his words about Sergio are patently unfair, and it’d be nice if you didn’t just disregard them, because you’re not an idiot, and I’m positive that you’ve noticed it too.

by as11osu on Oct 1, 2008 1:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"As if on cue" is a reference to Sergio's standing with Nate last season if you ask me, not a "see, I told you he was bad" remark

Just my perception.

As for the reporting, while I wouldn’t like to see Ben or Dave just bashing players, I don’t mind writers being opinionated, a trait that Ben displays somewhat more than Dave in his writing. Maybe it’s better to reserve that opinion for a commentary or essay than for a factual report, but in general it makes reading stories more interesting than say an AP report. A lot of sports writers, bloggers and broadcasters that are even nationally syndicated are opinionated, some extremely, few are completely objective. It can get way too much (Jay Mariotti anyone? Canzano? I also don’t like screaming match shows like Around the Horn). But often it’s highly entertaining even if you don’t agree with them on a lot of things (e.g. Bill Simmons, even NBA blogfather Henry Abbott is not neutral by any stretch of the imagination). Ben is constantly citing great sports writers past and present as his influences, and while he develops his own style I think he has a lot of respect for them and for the integrity of this profession.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

P.S.

If you want to see an overtly biased blogger praising some guys and dissing others, head over to Blog a Bull and read how Matt (“Your friendly BullsBlogger”) who btw sits on the board of SB-Nation and seems to be an all-around nice guy despite this trait writes and comments about Rose and Gordon on one side and guys like Nocioni and Hughes on the other side. Then contrast that with the way Dave and Ben write about players they might not be high on.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You're Points are Valid

And after this, I am done with this argument. It is not so much this post as much as it has been Ben’s posts in the past month or two. If they involve Sergio, they are almost always derogatory and always flippant and and dismissive. I think this was just the post that set that OSU dude off. Ben’s tone towards Sergio is similar to his tone towards paper journalist, that disparage bloggers. Saying Sergio had a crappy practice play is one thing, saying, “as if on cue,” is totally different.

Sergio is like my 10th favorite player on the team. I just don’t like going to a Blazer’s blog and read people bash him. He’s a late first round pick and a 2nd or 3rd string point guard, and it seems like Ben, Timbo, and others seek every opportunity to throw a backhanded comment Sergio’s way.

The best way I can compare it is to say that the Blazers are my 14 or so children. My most successful kid could be a succesful doctor, with a perfect family, and my most troubled child is in prison for selling drugs; I’m still going to stick up for the kid in prison. He’s still my family and I don’t like people disparaging him.

I think what that OSU guy was getting at, was that the comments and fanposts are the place for fans to be dismissive towards the players, but the main page has always been even keeled. As much as I love Ben’s writing and everything he does, when he dismisses Sergio, it is disheartening.

I said it before and I’ll say it again and again, I would rather people/Ben put Sergio in the same category as Raef and call him STBT and ignore him, than talk stink about him. Ben would have been better off not making a comment about Sergio at all.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 1, 2008 2:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ok your right, (oh it pains me to say that) we need to talk about Raef

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 1, 2008 3:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ben rocks.

……………………… and I’m a grouchy old sumbeech…

That’s like normal people saying “Ben REALLY REALLY rocks!!!”

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Sep 30, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ben your basketball acumen is always impressive

but your economics math is a little short. 15=135 would be more like the conditions that presaged the economy. This has existed for more than a half-century. Looking up the way the bank reserves system works in Wikipedia:


Effects on money supply

Reserve requirements affect the potential of the banking system to create transaction deposits. If the reserve requirement is 10, for example, a bank that receives a $100 deposit may lend out $90 of that deposit. If the borrower then writes a check to someone who deposits the $90, the bank receiving that deposit can lend out $81. As the process continues, the banking system can expand the change in excess reserves of $90 into a maximum of $900 of money ($90+81+$72.90+…=$900). In contrast, with a 20 reserve requirement, the banking system would be able to expand the initial $100 deposit into a maximum of $500400 ($80+$64+$51.20+…=$400). Thus, higher reserve requirements should result in reduced money creation and, in turn, in reduced economic activity.
.
Reserve requirements apply only to transaction accounts, which are components of M1, a narrowly defined measure of money. Deposits that are components of M2 and M3 (but not M1), such as savings accounts and time deposits such as CDs, have no reserve requirements and therefore can expand without regard to reserve levels. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve operates in a way that permits banks to acquire the reserves they need to meet their requirements from the money market, so long as they are willing to pay the prevailing price (the federal funds rate) for borrowed reserves. Consequently, reserve requirements currently play a relatively limited role in money creation in the United States.

So will you get to watch some of each practice or only this one day?

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Sep 30, 2008 7:16 PM PDT   0 recs

every day this week.

hopefully with a big surprise on thursday as well.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 7:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Looking forward to them all!

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Sep 30, 2008 9:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Big surprise

Ben is going to get to try out for the 15th roster spot.

Ben is going to be allowed to stand under the basket while Greg dunks on his head.

Ben is going to be allowed to try to stare down Jerryd.

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 Oct 1, 2008 4:23 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

KP reveals that he has agreed with Danny Ainge to trade Sergio for the rights to Darius Miles

Thus, he becomes an integral part of our bench, but unfortunately only for <10 games this season.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 4:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh man

the money multiplier effect always bother me too! I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I would think that something D, O, O economics…..Voodoo economics (in my best Ben Stein voice) had to do with monetarism.

Devil's Advocate or just argumentative?

by Magnum on Sep 30, 2008 7:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’ve been a little bit disappointed in Ben’s output recently too, but I wouldn’t call his work "crap." Especially after a post like this, where he takes us places that we can’t go. Posts like this are what make BE what it is, and that wouldn’t be possible without Ben.

There have been some bumps along the way, but overall, Ben is a fantastic writer. I’m glad he’s part of the team here at BE, and I think he’s going to continue to develop into a better and better journalist.

I agree. I’m just so tired of all his posts being redundant with Sergio rips and Bayless praises. It really is old, and isn’t worth my time.

by as11osu on Sep 30, 2008 7:18 PM PDT   0 recs

then don't read it.

it’s that simple.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Sep 30, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

um....

but if we asked nicely,

about if you did see “anything” encouraging from sergio………..wha’d ya say to that?

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Sep 30, 2008 7:47 PM PDT