95% of the time, NBA players go where the most money is offered.

That’s “what’s best for their family” – mo money.

His wife probably didn’t need to do more than point out that Toronto was going to pay him more money. I think all the talk about her “making the decision” or “changing his mind” is just that – talk. He’s the one who signs his name on the contract, if he made a verbal commitment and then broke it – oh well – it wasn’t binding, he’s just another NBA player whose first priority is money.

Personally, I had my fingers crossed until the end hoping he’d back out of the deal and was pulling for Toronto, because I believe he would have been a disaster for the Blazers, his best production year was ‘07-08 and he’ll spent the next five years declining both physically and on the court, because unless you take care of your body like a maniac (unlike pizza-boy) the miles just start to add up on the wrong side of 30.

You put into words exactly what I’ve been feeling the last 24 hours. Seeing the vitriol that fans were hurling at Hedo and his wife was almost enough to make me stop reading these websites, which I’ve been lurking on for years. Especially nasty were the the comments following the Oregonlive story. Gave me chills to think that people can get that nasty over a game.

I’m sure that Toronto was waiting to see what we offered before putting out their offer, at which point Hedo and his wife had a decision to make. Sounds like they made the right one for a number of reasons—and remember, even before he accepted Toronto’s offer, the Blazers had spent the afternoon trying to get the word out that no deal had been reached yet.

By the way, I’m another native Oregonian who grew up with the Blazers (championship days) and has found hmself living far from home. Usually I’m impressed by the intelligence and class of most of our fellow fans. I guess the perception of being rejected can bring out the worst in some folks.

Thanks for such a thoughtful and dignified response!

I do feel used and, yes, abused.

I ain’t raped and freezin’, but it’s not for lack of him and his agent trying.

Things are settling out with the major free agents. I say, fill the hole at the banger 4 with Bass or McDyess ASAP. Then move on to see what else can be accomplished.

I am over Hedo.

I could tell my wife that we’re moving to the Ozarks and she’ll move because she knows her role.

First of all it’s “rumored” his wife had an influence. We are probably never going to be able to know or quantify the percentage of influence she may of may not of had in regards to Hedo’s decision.

Like yourself, I’ve been upset about how this whole Hedo situation played out. I don’t like that he verbally commited and we had a deal in principal and then he backed out. I do think he deserves criticism for that action.

These are the things we CAN know. When it comes to personal motivation to make a decision, I think only Hedo, maybe his agent and Mrs. Turkoglu really know how much every factor, money, location, family concerns, affected the decision. I’m going to say I’m upset at Hedo for seemingly commiting and backing out, but I’m not going to call him less of a man or criticize him for maybe listening to his wifes concerns, as unfounded as I think they might be, (because I love Portland and Oregon) .

So simply I agree, I think we need to keep some perspective. I’ll probably take every opportunity to Boo Hedo the rest of his career BUT not his wife, and/or because he may or may not of listened to her.

I’m going to boo him because I feel he and his agent used The Blazers, probably were less than genuine the entire time about the reality of Hedo signing. Going so far as to allow a “deal in principal” to exist, then backing out. This wasted valuable and precious time for The Blazers and I think has The Blazers scrambling to try and find out what else might be possible. For that I’ll Boo Hedo.

I’’d also like to say this much, with the passage of a few hours, I’ve gone back again and watched the video of Hedo arriving in PDX and talking to the media. He does kind of seem like the guy that casually arrives at the car lot to get some information and test drive a car but get’s decended upon by the entire sales staff who want to “get him in that car today”. In the interview he never commits to Portland, he always says the interest is what you want if you are a player, and that he’s “just going to see”. I still don’t like that he allowed a deal in principal to exist, and I still don’t like being snubbed at the final minute. But with some time for emotions to cool, I’m wondering if The Blazers didn’t overestimate their ability to sign Hedo. We can only wait and see if they had much of a plan B or how quickly they can form a plan “B”.

Ultimately, Hedo Turkoglu did what he “thinks” is best for him today.
It remains to be seen if The Blazers have an alternate plan, or the ability to adjust for themselves tomorrow.

Misogyny is tough to stop once it gets rolling (like racism, gay-bashing, etc.) and when a couple dumb pack journalists pop off with the utterly unsubstantiated “his wife likes Toronto” line, that set the table for a little fiesta of chauvinist piggery, making her the scapegoat.

I personally think Hedo was a great fit for Portland in terms both of basketball style and personality. I’m sorry he landed elsewhere, but I understand.

Toronto offered him more money and won the auction, as nearly as I can tell. They were clearly his primary target-destination all along, they just had to make the difficult decision to cut ties with Matrix, Delfino, etc. and spend the big bucks on Turk…

Toronto will suck five years from now and Portland will not. Take that much consolation, if you need some.

In relationships we are equal I consult my wife with all major decisions in my life, I wouldn’t just up and say one day “hey babe were moving to Alaska pack a coat” with out consulting with her the same as she wouldn’t come home and say “darling Ive decided I wanted to pursue a career in stripping” In relationships you have to compromise. Who cares if Hedos wife was a major decision in him not playing in Portland, Im sure Hedos wife has to compromise quite a bit in a relationship with an NBA player so its probally fair. I know me personnally Im very happy that me and my wife respect each other enough to consult each other on all major decisions, sure sometimes I have to give up a few things and sometimes she does to but the Happiness I get in return from being with her is worth so much more to me then what Ive had to give up.

The only players I want on our team are those who want to be here, and those who want to win. Hedo wasn’t either of those things.

The fact that he walked away from Orlando after five years culminating in a trip to the finals was all I needed to know that I didn’t want him here. Think about it, besides Hedo himself, Orlando is a young team, and if they made the finals this year, why wouldn’t you want to stay? Money, you say? Well, speaking of money, I’d bet some that he actually would have made MORE money staying in Orlando. No state income tax coupled with the extra cash players get for playoff runs (which Toronto won’t be making anytime soon), and you have a guy who is not only greedy, but can’t do math.

Then there’s winning. Orlando was two games shy of as much winning as possible in the NBA, and there’s no reason to think there wasn’t more of that in the near future. Portland also offered a strong possibility of significant winning. Toronto, not so much.

Guys who make their decisions based solely on money usually disappear before the ink is dry on the contract. I’d take someone who is hungry for a title, and who is interested in being on a good, young team with lots of potential.

Honestly, Hedo only seems like a big deal because this was a weak free agent market for the holes we needed to fill. We will find a better fit, count on it.

I’m astounded by all the personal attacks.

• Those in the “I’m relieved!” camp are calling him overpaid garbage.
• Those in the “I’m upset!” camp accuse him of using us and going against his word and being a wimp and a loser.

So what that he said “I’m in” and then went with Toronto? Would you really want Hedo or any player to make that deal against his wishes? So what if the Raptors are a lottery team during his tenure there while we collect rings? If winning a championship is not the number one priority for Hedo and his wife, who cares? It just means he wasn’t the right fit for the Blazers.

And what’s the big deal about the money the Blazers would have paid him? Isn’t that not anyone’s problem except Paul Allen and KP? Some of you talk like they were planning to Pay Hedo out of your allowance.

If KP & team wanted Hedo, he would have been a great add for us. He took what seemed to him a better offer. I’m not relieved he didn’t sign, but no hard feelings that he changed his mind, either.

I thought it makes you less of a man to listen to women. Sounds like Mr. Turkoglu could learn a lot from studying the great Wilt Chamberlain.

[sobbing]

Thanks BFIC