Feb. 11th -- Blazers/Thunder -- Field guide for lifelong Sonics fans?

by GoodKeith on Jan 22, 2009 4:42 PM PST

Hey gang, it's GoodKeith, whom you may remember from the day the Sonics left Seattle. 200 comments? I'm still amazed. Anyway I am more than likely coming to Portland for a little anger management at the expense of the Thunder and wanted to know a couple things...

1) Where's a good spot to eat before the game? I know about one thing about Portland from going there so infrequently, and that thing is it's a short distance from the Train Station to the Rose Garden. (Also no sales tax) With that in mind...

2) If for some reason I cannot get tickets (or a ticket, solo traveler) to this game, where's a great spot to watch the game? Sure it won't be the same but the beer will cost a lot less.

Common sense dictates I check back in closer to the actual game time but I myself am super busy (graveyard shift job, very involved during off-hours with basketball in and around my area) so I try to get as much information as I can where and when I can.

Oh, and I still don't really have an NBA team to follow, can you suggest one...?

--Keith

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"Oh, and I still don't really have an NBA team to follow, can you suggest one...?"

A. Lakers
B. Boston
C. Cavs
D. Blazers

The above answer will determine whether you could be a friend…..or a typical front runner
Chose carefully

Larry (the new Johnnie Cochran) Miller: "If we get screwed, we're gonna sue"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 22, 2009 4:48 PM PST reply actions

I hate front-runners

But I can’t believe you didn’t mention the Spurs, the most boring championship team out there.

That being said… the Lakers make me want to kick stray dogs and cats in Bob Barker’s face… Rooting for the Cavs is like rooting for LeBron James, wherever he goes jersey sales will follow… and the Celtics? Sheesh. They’ve ran in front forever.

Gotta go with the $30 train ticket on this one and pick the Portland Trail Blazers.

My brother is traveling across the country in a used Honda Prelude. Read all about it here!

nothrowingfish.blogspot.com

by GoodKeith on Jan 22, 2009 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

Hmm...

You would’ve gained extra points if your reason for disliking the Celtics included a comment about Kevin Garnett, but I guess your reason for disliking the L*kers makes up for it. :D

by bocious on Jan 22, 2009 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

Celtic hate comment . . .

      and the Celtics – " They’ve gone to the dogs ! "
                                                    or
                                       “I don’t want to carry a leash for KG”

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jan 23, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

I am looking forward to that game hardcore.

Are people going to be wearing green? I was thinking of wearing a green armband.

by robrun2 on Jan 22, 2009 5:20 PM PST reply actions

Green is a good idea

Its not like you would be dissing Black and Red

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 5:29 PM PST up reply actions

Better put a Sonic logo on it

or folks might think you’re a tree-hugger.

by MiledAnimal on Jan 22, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions

Or worse, a Duck fan

by EngineerScotty on Jan 23, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions

my buddy from Seattle

is making a special trip down to go with me. He’s wearing his Sonics jersey…

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Jan 22, 2009 11:48 PM PST up reply actions

You mean that the OKC Robber Barons aren't dead to you?

You are a forgiving soul.

by tingeyga on Jan 22, 2009 5:33 PM PST reply actions

It's hard to ignore the ESPN BottomLine

And one of my friends and myself have been tracking the failures of the franchise… unfortunately those failures don’t come often enough for either of our likings anymore.

"What is Jumanji?" --Jason Owens

by GoodKeith on Jan 22, 2009 5:36 PM PST up reply actions

Here's my sign idea (not that you need one, I'm sure)

“Hey Clay: You can steal a team from Seattle, but not a win from Portland.”

I know it’s a little wordy but I figure “Screw you, bastards” would get confiscated pretty quickly.

by Badalona Baddie on Jan 22, 2009 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

I have a few Save our Sonics signs...

If I can get that chant going it will be a memorable Wednesday Night. Not that it won’t be, anyway.

"What is Jumanji?" --Jason Owens

by GoodKeith on Jan 22, 2009 5:43 PM PST up reply actions

i know its not the right time

but…had seattle known that the seahawks, mariners, uw, wsu would all be crappy this season, would they have given into clays demands and built a new arena?

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions

Nope.

That’d just be another underachieving team the entire state foots the bill for, because the only way a stadium would be financed is if it taxed everyone. I’m sure there are very few people in Colville, Sunnyside, Okanagan and Yakima who’d be happy to support a project on the western side of the state through tax dollars.

"What is Jumanji?" --Jason Owens

by GoodKeith on Jan 22, 2009 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

Or Vancouver

forget that.

Public money should never be used for stadiums/arenas.

"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach

by jamon51 on Jan 22, 2009 6:57 PM PST up reply actions

Never for profesional venues

Schools are a different deal and rural tax$,s for metro-transit infrastucture is kind of a gray area

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions

i agree that they shouldnt

but…there are always going to be cities who are disparate for some type of pro sports that will pay. i cant picture an end to public funding stadium financed deals. speaking of public money…don’t you think it was a bit much for obama to spend 160 million on his inauguration at a time where we are in a recession? i guess he spent either 4 times the average amount or 4 times the amount bush spent.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

there was a whole NPR special on how Bush spent too much…

by Cablinasian on Jan 22, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions

So the answer is

Spend more on political campains and inaurgual balls,less on schools and infrastructure,that will lead to economic prosperity

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions

Isn't orlando's owner

shelling out over a half billion for a whole new complex, completely out of his own pocket and with no tax support? That’s the way things should be done.

by postup on Jan 22, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions

Right and in this case

Since the city is going to benefit from it they have some transportation and infrastrcture obligations to every one including people who could care less about BB

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions

not every owner is that rich tho.

lets not forget that….having a sports franchise is a boost to the local economy, and the payrolls generate a ton of taxes as well. i don’t really agree that public taxes should pay for it, but i’m just trying to point out that it does benefit the community.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 10:15 PM PST up reply actions

Actually

I’ve heard that’s a bit of a myth—that there’s really not a significant economical boost to an area that gets a major sports franchise. Not proportionally to its cost anyway.

by jamon51 on Jan 23, 2009 12:22 AM PST up reply actions

i dont know if i buy that

you dont think that 70+ million dollars in total salary makes a difference to portland? at the highest income bracket that is a ton of taxes that our city collects. then the thousands of employees the team employs…not to mention the concerts and shows that travel to our town.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 23, 2009 6:35 PM PST up reply actions

Props to him

by jamon51 on Jan 23, 2009 12:21 AM PST up reply actions

Small potatoes

compared to what he’s going to spend of our money during his term… :)

by jamon51 on Jan 23, 2009 12:23 AM PST up reply actions

Eateries

Burger – Slow Bar – Best under 10 dollar burger in town according to the Oregonian…its not only delicious but its fairly large too. They also run drink specials.

Sandwiches – Kenny and Zukes serve good pastrami, corned beef, and reuben sandwiches. They have also gained some national notoriety. The sandwiches are really big and tend to run in the 13 dollar range, but you can easily split the sandwich for 2 people and still be full. Yes they are that big. They also run happy hour specials.

Bar/Happy Hours – Stanfords, Newport Grill, Mc Cormick and Schmicks, and Gotham Tavern. Keep in mind these aren’t the best Happy Hours in town, but I usually go to them before games bc they are right along the max line and an easy commute to the game.

Wings – Fire on the Mountain…best effing wings in town with 16 different types of sauces. They have a smokey habanero type sauce called El Jefe that is hotter than Rebecca Haarlow and Sophia in a sauna. Good stuff if your into heat.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 5:38 PM PST reply actions

You ever heard of "Mike's Drive-In" over in Oregon City?

They used to have really good burgers….

by hotstuffdb22 on Jan 22, 2009 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

ya i have

but thats more of the fast food variety. also its not really convenient before a game.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

OK, I've done tons and tons of statistical analysis

And Philthyanimal really knows food. My only comments: Kenny & Zukes is a little far from the Rose Garden (though “far” is relative — Portland’s downtown is teeny compared to Seattle) and of the happy hour suggestions, Gotham Tavern is a local (vs. corporate) business.

by Corvid on Jan 22, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions

your right

K and Z is a bit far…but i figure if you are coming from out of town, it is an establishment you should go out of your way to check out. Local businesses and Local chains > Corporate National Chains. Lol…I hate chain restaurants, but somehow I seem to justify eating at mc menamins vs other places.

Do you have any places to add? I’m always looking to try new eateries. If Bunk Sandwiches was open past 3…I’d have to eat there more often as well.

Oh and for anyone who wants to try out the happy hour restaurants I’ve listed…if you go to costco…they sell gift cards for (Henrys, PCG, Newport, etc) on 1 card for 80 dollars (100 dollar value), and they have another card for all the Mc Cormick restaurants for 80 dollar (100 dollar value, plus cookbook and i think a dvd). Every bit of savings helps in this economy.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 10:20 PM PST up reply actions

Mc Cormick and Schmicks

My favorite pre-Blazer hang out, and across the street from the MAX station and it’s short free ride. And, free parking at 1st and Oak…. (after 5:00). Great for out of towners like me (driving up from Salem), and easy I5 access. Great seafood and drinks, and pretty lively.

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Jan 22, 2009 11:53 PM PST up reply actions

PS

I’ve noticed that Laker fans (in jerseys) hang out there when the Lakers are in town. Always makes an interesting conversation and fun time….

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Jan 23, 2009 12:08 AM PST up reply actions