RG returns to the RG

by 3oo level fan on Dec 4, 2010 9:05 AM PST

The biggest sporting event of Oregon’s weekend and the most anticipated NBA game of the week tips off at the Rose Garden Sunday at 6:00pm. Clippers forward Ryan Gomes returns to Portland for his long awaited visit. The Bridgetown fans are on edge and “RG” is the topic of all of the conversation around the home team.

The visit could be particularly emotional for the Blazer’s coach. Gomes was widely understood to be a McMillian-guy around the organization. Gomes understood well is role on the team, played within Nate’s offense, and always hustled on defense. Gomes unexpected departure in the offseason took everyone by surprise while the Blazers and its coach did not reach a contract extension.

Many blame jettisoned general manager Kevin Pritchard whose draft day acquisition of Gomes set the stage for the popular player leaving the organization and the city that loved him for several days. In house whispering sees greater than coincidence with the fact that KP was fired on the same day.

With a team of young talent Gomes was a spiritual mentor in the locker room. Gomes influence was never more seen than on former Blazer point guard Jerryd Bayless whose career collapse has corresponded with the Gomes’ moves. Since June Bayless lost his spot as backup point guard in the rotation and has been traded twice finally exiled to the NBA’s wasteland of Toronto. His fall has been particularly painful.

With the Blazer’s engaged in their worst performance stretch of the Roy-Aldridge era, fans can’t help but to second guess the series of decision to move such a valuable contributor as Gomes. Not only could the team use his 7.0, 3.7, 1.6 per games stats (stats that place him within the top 12 on his team in PER) but the team obviously is feeling the leadership void unfilled since his release. It is only natural to wonder what this season could have been had Blazer management not made such a woeful decision.

Once a Trailblazer. Always a Trailblazer. I blame the Vulcans.

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Comments

Yeah, I was amazed this story didn't lead on ESPN

The return of Ryan Gomes to his former team has been such a highly anticipated event. At the beginning of the season he had one game circled on his calendar: @Trailblazers.

I will be there with my Gomes Blazers jersey. I plan on burning it ceremonially immediately following the game.

Fabricio Oberto and Ryan Gomes: Blazer Legends

by musicdaniel on Dec 4, 2010 9:15 AM PST reply actions

I only hope that PDX can remain civil

I would hate to see burning cars.

...just observing from a distance...

by 3oo level fan on Dec 4, 2010 9:21 AM PST up reply actions

thanks for the laugh this morning

I woke up hoping that the season thus far was a bad dream, but this gave me a good chuckle (is there such a thing as a “bad” chuckle?) this morning.

Fabricio Oberto and Ryan Gomes: Blazer Legends

by musicdaniel on Dec 4, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions

There will be riots

If Gomes rubs it in our faces and does his typical pregame routine of wearing warm up clothes and shooting jumpers of various lengths from different positions on the floor.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Dec 4, 2010 3:40 PM PST up reply actions