Bill Simmons: Fresh thoughts on Portland from the Mailbag.

Here's a little taste:

...the best way to describe the crowd's support for Oden: It's like watching 15,000 parents rooting for their kid, only all 15,000 parents fathered the same kid.

about 2 years ago GUnit 16 comments 1 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

What a maroon

He also goes on about how white the Rose Garden is just because they don’t play hip-hop. I find that kind of ironic seeing that he’s from Boston, a city that is notorious for it’s racist sports fans. Yes, there are a lot of white people at the Rose Garden. Show me one NBA arena that isn’t 90% white people.

"I been ridin' the midnight train, got ice water in my veins." -Bob Dylan
"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

by koyote on Nov 25, 2009 9:14 AM PST reply actions

Seriously, that's your complaint?

It’s just a fact, having grown up in Portland and spent plenty of time in the South, Portland is just a very white city compared to other NBA cities, and it’s reflected in the crowd. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been to a game that’s had a majority of black or other minorities in the stands, but there’s no comparison between going to a game in Houston or New Orleans versus going to a game in Portland.

Not to say that’s good or bad, that’s just how it is.

by Royster on Nov 25, 2009 9:29 AM PST up reply actions

AGREED.

I lived in Portland for 18 yrs, I Lived in Atlanta for four years, and Oakland/Bay area for 4 now.

Trust me, Portland is one of the whitest cities i have ever been to.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 25, 2009 5:09 PM PST up reply actions

Show me one NBA arena that isn’t 90% white people

Oakland

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 25, 2009 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, Maroon would be better

White is such a boring color.

by zbrum on Nov 25, 2009 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

I do agree with him on the fact that no one gets up except at the half

And that’s a good thing. We pay to watch the game after all. There’s a reason we have such a huge home court edge.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 25, 2009 10:23 AM PST reply actions

and yet...

every game i attend I see people in the club level just sitting in the concourse watching the game on tv… WTF?!?!

by pdxrob on Nov 25, 2009 10:31 AM PST up reply actions

sometimes those are the “standing room only” tix. basically pay to get in but don’t have specific seats. Best. Sports Bar. Ever.

Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old. - Bill Walton

by NEP on Nov 25, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions

Except the price?

Sounds like a crappy. expensive. sports bar.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Nov 25, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

He nailed us

At least none of this stuff is negative. And it’s amazing that he realized the pick up beers during the time out before half time trick during his first time at the Rose Garden. It has saved me so much time for smoke breaks and watching YMCA kids play. The Oden thing is true too. Look at us last game!

by robrun2 on Nov 25, 2009 10:27 AM PST reply actions

Doesn't that indicate that he doesn't pay close attention to each game

and drinks before doing his professional observation! Sort of a big deal if you’re claiming to know what you’re talking about.

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

by hobobob on Nov 25, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

you have to read the whole thing...he really enjoted Portland and the Blazers experience

the “little taste” above could rile some people up, but overall the section he wrote on the Blazers was incredibly positive, saying that we have some of the best fans in the league (or at least on the same level with other great NBA cities), and that Portland is a great NBA city and he was glad he got to experience it….

by rip_city_swagger on Nov 25, 2009 10:43 AM PST reply actions

Backhanded, but sort of complimentary

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

by hobobob on Nov 25, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I thought the column was positive as well.

My first thought when I saw ESPN front page this morning with word “Simmons” and Big Greg photo was “Oh God, what is he going to rag on Greg now?” And really, it wasn’t the usual, negative stuff that he puts out on Oden on every chance he gets.

If he ever explodes for 30 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks in a game, you’ll have to carry each deliriously passed-out Portland fan out of the Rose Garden individually like they were victims of smoke inhalation in a burning house. (The funny thing is, everyone in Portland is nodding right now. And yes, I know he’s had a couple of inspired games this season. You don’t need to e-mail me the stat lines. No, really. Save us both the time. Let’s not put too much pressure on him. Baby steps.) I also was startled by Portland fans arguably (see, there it is!) liking Rudy Fernandez as much as, and maybe even a smidge more than, the great Brandon Roy.

Reading that passage, the first thought I had was "Hmm, looks like Bill is already started his backpedal like an NFL corner lined up against Larry Fitzgerald. (although I do agree about the Rudy part)

by xedubx on Nov 25, 2009 12:59 PM PST reply actions