Bring on the Replacements?

by Phizbin on Nov 14, 2011 9:05 PM PST

I don't know if you can have scabs in a situation like this or what it actually means. Maybe it's not possible at all.

But this whole thing has reinforced in me why I'm a Blazer fan: it's for the connection with the community. I really enjoy and look forward to watching our current team.

You know what else? I'd be immensely excited to watch Dan Dickau lead a rag-tag group of PacNW locals from the YMCA and community college ranks. I'd welcome back Victor Khryapa, Shavlik, or whatever other D-league players or Euro standouts that wanted to have a shot in the US. Furthermore, I'll bet that they absolutely play their guts out every single night while they have a chance to play at the Rose Garden. What they lack in vertical, they might make up in hustle and sweat.

I want a season. I want to stay up until 11:00pm watching Blazer games here in Illinois, which affords me a chance to see shots of the Willamette river.

I'm getting plenty of standoff negotiations in Iran, Greece, and Washington DC super committees. I didn't need that in the NBA. I want my sport back so I can come home and relax. I'll cheer just as hard, I promise, for second-tier players to get me through the next year or so.

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My solution is to watch college basketball.

Last night, the Washington Huskies looked decent enough — even though Tony Wroten, Jr. is one of the most selfish ball hogs I’ve ever witnessed, which is saying something — while the Washington State Cougars gave the Gonzaga Bulldogs their best effort in defeat.

Good times all around.

Now, if college basketball isn’t your bag, then maybe you could latch onto an overseas team or catch D-League hoops whenever possible.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Nov 15, 2011 4:20 AM PST reply actions

D-League

Is it possible to send down players during the lockout? :p

Get it done... Paul.

by 420Phenom on Nov 17, 2011 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

try this

http://www.goviks.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&schedule=26&

As a bonus you can probably go out for a nice dinner before the game with the money you’re saving on tickets. :)

i keep dancing on my own.

by atomiccafe on Nov 15, 2011 6:40 AM PST reply actions

how great would it be to see a packed house for these PSU games BRINGING it the way they do at the RG. I bet the city could will these guys to a tourney spot again.

Also – Viking FB this weekend, and they are playing for a shot at the playoffs… I have been to 4 games and these guys are FUN to watch, though losing McCaffrey hurt.

by The Penguin on Nov 15, 2011 9:54 AM PST up reply actions

I think that

Replacement players would be entertaining for about two weeks, then people would lose interest, it would be a XFL or Portland Winterhawks entertainment.

by shmohawk on Nov 15, 2011 9:34 AM PST reply actions

I disagree...

.. i don’t think there would be any interest to lose.

by The Penguin on Nov 15, 2011 9:51 AM PST up reply actions

I actually enjoyed the XFL

I enjoy watching the prelim rounds of the Olympics, too. I can see that there might be a market. After all, there was fair attendance for the NFL scab games.

Buck Williams for the hall of fame

by Phizbin on Nov 15, 2011 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

Sign me up for the scabs

I want a starting backcourt of Hollywood Robinson and Billy Ray Bates.

Any ideas for the frontcourt?

by setshot on Nov 15, 2011 11:18 AM PST reply actions

To Each Their Own.....

…but I will be honest. I have little interest in watching a “reduced” or watered down version of the N.B.A..

Part of the reason I follow The Blazers and The N.B.A. as a whole is my belief that the N.B.A. does still represent the best basketball played by the best basketball players in the world. It’s not the only reason I follow…but it is a reason.

I don’t think the N.B.A. can really exist unless it holds that prestige. I simply do not have much desire to follow the competitive exploits of whatever group of “Also Rans”, Subs, or 3rd Stringers that might be assembled.

If the N.B.A. is to succeed? I think it must remain the class of the world as far as basketball competition goes…it simply cannot afford to become something less than that.

That’s the leverage I think the players do hold.

If the N.B.A. started from scratch? How many years or seasons would have to pass before people began to trust it was the best product again? If playing options splintered, to other leagues either domestic or foreign, with high profile college talent perhaps bypassing the N.B.A. as a whole? How irrepairable would that damage become?

No I’m not interested in a grade “B” N.B.A.. To me, it’s all or nothing. For it’s very survival I think it must be…

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 15, 2011 11:29 AM PST reply actions

This is not a strike but rather a lockout; there is a big difference.

Lockouts are when the business owner prevents emloyees from coming to work. A strike is when the employees don’t go to work. In this case the owners have quit paying the players under contract to do the work the contracted to do because the owners want the players to renogatiate the conditions under which all new contracts are signed.

Locking out the players and not even engaging the players in honest negotiations is not bargaining in good faith rather it is like trying to negotiate only after a gun is held to your head. Stern has repeated ultimatums to the union whereas the union has used very few of the tools available to them in negotiating. The players have finally used their most powerful tool, threat of suit for locking the players out of work by disclaiming the union.

by NWfan on Nov 15, 2011 12:03 PM PST reply actions

Sorry, but as soon as the players turned the last deal down, they went on strike

They had a deal that would have started the season, gotten them paid a butt-load of money, would have helped kickstart a bunch of local economies with jobs related to the Basketball season, helped local sports bars and restaurants out and they basically gave the finger to everyone.

They lost whatever high ground they had. They are going to lose in court — professional team sport players always lose on this in court — and then they will need to sign an even worse deal with the owners.

They went on strike and they have no where to go. As for me, decertify so they can bring on the replacements and get the season started. The players will comeback as soon as this happens.

by Anim8rguy on Nov 15, 2011 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

?

it’s still a lockout. The players would love to go back to work and get paid. Who’s right in the labor dispute and whether the disclaimer is justified has nothing to do with the simple and obvious distinction between the players refusing to come to work and the owners refusing to run the league.

i keep dancing on my own.

by atomiccafe on Nov 15, 2011 3:33 PM PST up reply actions

I disagree, most players are already under contract...

and would be very happy to start playing again under those contracts. However this whole lockout (by the owners) is centered about what the terms and conditions on all subsequent (new) contracts will be.

This is not a strike in any shape or form.

by NWfan on Nov 15, 2011 4:32 PM PST up reply actions