Blazers Sign Greg Oden To One-Year Deal After "Setback" Leaves Them "Less Confident" Of 2011-2012 Return
by Ben Golliver on Dec 9, 2011 4:09 PM PST
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Print*** This post has been updated. Read all the way through. ***
The Portland Trail Blazers issued the following press release on Friday afternoon, announcing that center Greg Oden has suffered a "setback" in his recovery and that the team has signed him to a one-year contract that is "independent" of the anticipated $8.9 million qualifying offer because they feel "less confident" he will be able to play this season.
The Portland Trail Blazers have come to terms with center Greg Oden on a one-year deal, the team announced today.
The contract agreed upon today comes after both sides mutually agreed to negotiate a new deal that is independent of the qualifying offer.
"Following Greg's most recent physical examination and evaluation, we've determined that he has suffered a setback," said Trail Blazers President Larry Miller. "We're hopeful, but less confident that he will return to the court this season. We've stood by Greg from the day he was drafted and we continue to do so now with this agreement."
Oden, 23, has averages of 9.4 points (57.7% FG), 7.3 rebounds, 1.43 blocks and 22.1 minutes in 82 games (60 starts). He has notched 21 double-doubles and grabbed 10-plus rebounds 26 times.
"I'm obviously disappointed with the setback, but I'm as determined as ever to return to the court," said Oden. "I appreciate the support of the Trail Blazers and our fans and that they continue to stand behind me."
The first overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft out of Ohio State, Oden missed his rookie 2007-08 campaign after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. He would later miss the 2010-11 season after microfracture surgery was performed on his left knee.
Earlier, Jason Quick of The Oregonian reported...
Blazers determine center Greg Oden has suffered setback, and restructure his one-year deal for a lesser amount
Oden on Thursday was examined by Dr. Steadman in Vail, and said he was given the nod to expand his activity, indicating he had made progress
But the Blazers, who didn't comment Thursday after his appointment, determined that he is less likely to return to the court this season
Oden's setback is with a non-weight bearing ligament. He has no symptoms and doesn't feel restricted, but there is concern w/ the fragility
On Thursday, Oden reportedly underwent medical testing in Vail, Colorado, which had apparently cleared him for some activities.
Here are Nate McMillan's comments on Oden. McMillan addressed the media roughly two hours after camp ended. See the post below for his comments on Roy.
McMillan on if Oden will play this season: "I certainly hope so"
Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan praised Oden's agent for agreeing to take the smaller deal and not just pursue the original qualifying offer in negotiations that included both Buchanan and Blazers president Larry Miller, who was in New York City for the NBA's Board of Governor's meeting.
This post will update with additional information when available.
Thanks to Milkbomb and Blazas! who got there first in the FanShots.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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They can still offer another contract along with a QO
I’m guessing that means they can offer a smaller one year contract. Under most circumstances, someone wouldn’t take that, but maybe this is an exception…
Total speculation on my part. I really don’t know.
this
per previous CBA:
Teams may also withdraw an outstanding qualifying offer in which case the player becomes unrestricted. This happened with Toronto and Keon Clark in 2002. The qualifying offer cannot be withdrawn after July 23 without the player’s approval.
Question is – what was the new date (other than July 23), given the lockout?
Since 7/23 would be about two weeks after the end of a moratorium, a good guess for a lockout comparable date would be at least 3-4 days after start of business (which is today).
Sounds like Portland pulled the offer before GO could sign it today, and offered him somethng else instead.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
noted, thanks
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
I'm one of the biggest Greg Oden supporters but I'm tired of this...I wish we could just trade him
by TrailBlazing25 on Dec 9, 2011 4:48 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
to Miami
For Dalembert !!
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Dec 9, 2011 4:55 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Miami already used their mini-mle on Shane Battier
they wont get Dalembert.
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
Miami has the full MLE.
Remember, folks, Portland is in worse salary cap hell than teams like Miami.
"I Am Mine"
What a fail day of basketball.
http://youthrowlikeagirl.com
by ireallylikejerrydbayless on Dec 9, 2011 4:11 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
....I agree....
At least there was optimism during the lockout…
Sigh.
" one thing I hate more than a L*ker, is TWO L*kers.... "
What have we done to deserve this?
This is not Sodom, not Gomorrah. Why hast thou forsaken us?
"Per John Hollingers twitter - Over the final 12:45 of today's game, Brandon Roy's PER was 84.98" GM 4 vs Mavs
by blazinagain on Dec 9, 2011 4:12 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Today just keeps getting better and better....
"Im ready for a fight..." -Joel Przybilla
by KillaPrzydollaBILLA on Dec 9, 2011 4:13 PM PST reply actions
This team has completely fallen apart
In 1 day.
Brace yourself.....
The day isn’t over…… :(
" one thing I hate more than a L*ker, is TWO L*kers.... "
So this all happened today?
the setback & the restructure? Ugh, this makes me immensely sad. Just last night I was so excited about Greg & once again, dreams are crushed.
I’ve had ENOUGH. MOVE PAST THE FRAILBLAZER ERA.
Paul Allen is the GM.
Metaphorically, not literally, of course
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 9, 2011 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah true.
When it rains in Portland, it’s more of a cloying drizzle that’s continuously starting and stopping… and the occasional freak hailstorm. Like today.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
"When it rains in Portland, it doesn't stop"
“And when think it’s stopped, it starts right back up again”
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 9, 2011 5:13 PM PST up reply actions
What's next?
LMA didn’t attend practice today—are we going to get bad news about him next?
I hate to jinx things but sheesh.
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
:(
Good thing we stocked pgs for years !!
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Dec 9, 2011 4:59 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Wow
What can anbody say at this point? Other than this SUCKS!
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 9, 2011 4:15 PM PST reply actions
OK, as far as I know, a Qualifying Offer cannot be restructured
But the previous CBA did say this in Article XI:
A player who knows that he has a physical disability that would render him physically unable to perform the playing services required under a Player Contract the following Season may not validly accept a Qualifying Offer received under this Section 4 or Section 5 below, unless the ROFR Team consents after disclosure of such physical disability. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, a player who knows that he has a physical disability that would render him physically unable to perform the playing services required under a Player Contract the following Season remains subject to the ROFR Team’s Right of First Refusal.
So maybe Oden can’t actually accept the Qualifying Offer. But in this case, Portland would still hold their right of first refusal.
by Storyteller on Dec 9, 2011 4:15 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Can he be willing to take a separate one year contract offered by the team?
Or a 1 year contract with a team option or something?
I also don’t get what they mean be restructuring.
Yes
And judging from Larry Miller’s statement, that’s exactly what happened. Instead of accepting the QO, Oden will accept a different 1 year offer.
Canzano is reporting this.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 9, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions
That could be disputed by Oden, but it now sounds like Oden and Blazers have made a mutual agreement
to create a new offer (outside of a QO).
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 9, 2011 4:22 PM PST up reply actions
It can't get any stranger around here.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 9, 2011 4:25 PM PST up reply actions
Sure it can...
Larry Miller can stage a press conference to announce that PA is no longer capable of making rational decisions and that he’s now in charge. He then proceeds to say that Ian Karmel will now be the Blazers’ head of public relations. The press conference will be held at the Helium comedy club….
wild
makes it sounds like Portland would have been better off to make him sit out unpaid and retain it’s ROFR for next summer.
Obviously, that would be a jerk move however.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
It definitely would have been. It wouldn't be a jerk move.
If they think he won’t be able to play this year then they would just be protecting themselves from paying him for nothing. But Oden’s side would never agree so I don’t know how they would resolve the dispute.
I imagine there is some sort contingency in the new deal.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 9, 2011 4:32 PM PST up reply actions
"I imagine there is some sort contingency in the new deal."
Backdoor deals are trouble, though, such as what happened with the T’wolves and Joe Smith.
"I Am Mine"
Story, after this year Oden, Roy and Camby will be off the books, right? Plus, Felton
and Wallace are on expiring contracts. Assume they are gone and the Blazers extend Batum. What does the team’s cap space look like next summer?
lots of comments about this all over the site
I ran the (rough) numbers – Portland could clear about 25-30 million under the cap if Wallace opts out and they renounce Felton, Camby, Oden and Wallace. Depends on Nic’s contract amount, and any other multi-year contracts added this year.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Think how far the Blazers would be below the cap if they...
had NO PLAYERS at all! We could then forfeit every game and guarantee a number one draft pick. Larry Miller’s diabolical plan will finally come to fruition…
Time to move on from this era
Everybody on the team except for LMA and maybe Batum should be on the block. Time to begin the rebuilding process all over.
by AndrewD on Dec 9, 2011 4:15 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I'm with ya
might be a emotional reaction to the days news…. but probably not. rebuild time
Fan of Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Broncos, and Portland Timbers
by PortlandOrange on Dec 9, 2011 4:19 PM PST up reply actions
For the 1 millionth time...
When Greg Oden walks without a sizable hitch because physical symmetry is returned to his body, we can open the conversation to a possibility of health for Greg Oden.
Outside of this, the team, you us and everyone else is being duped by his agents now. It’s pretty sick if you ask me.
Sure, this has biggest bust in NBA history implications
The organization has treated the symptoms rather than the cause while anyone who has a semi-trained eye can see plain as day what is wrong with him.
Are you a doctor?
Just curious
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
Nope...
just have read quite a few books about physiology and how symmetry is the #1 determining factor factor for overall physical health in athletes (and all people for that matter). I have then compared Greg to many, many other athletes over gridlines and have seen that Greg has the least symmetry, by far than any other athlete I have seen at any level, college or above.
and no folks….I wouldn’t make a long term investment in Chris Paul.
It's worth noting...
Facial symmetry appears to be a biologically-driven preference in the perception of beauty, and therefore mate-choosing.
In other words, evolution has a bias against lumpy people.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
How do you explain all the women who flock to
…Nic Batum then? His head is definitely asymmetrical. Pretty lopsided actually.
It must be his French accent.
Money obviously has nothing to do with it.
Hold on
Not to be an arse or anything, but do you really think anyone here on this web site is smarter than employed medical professionals that Greg Oden has been seeing for a few years? Cause they get paid a lot more than my Kaiser surgeon who has operated on my knee and he discusses long-term consequences as well. Sometimes there isn’t an obvious answer or cure, like AIDS or Cancer, sometimes sh*t just happens and blaming people who try to figure it out for living doesn’t get us anywhere.
by sPresley on Dec 9, 2011 6:16 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Agreed, though he has a point that symmetry (muscle balance and bone structures) get undervalued, and they would be the domain of physical therapists and not surgeons anyway
E.g. this doctor and chiropractor is renowned for getting muscles to fire again, and athletes from John Stockton and Karl Malone to pro skiers credit him with prolonging their careers http://www.planetc1.com/search/nba-star-attributes-longevity-to-team-chiropractor.html
Or Gray Cook, who works with the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and Indiana Colts and has developed techniques to identify imbalances in strength. There e.g. was an NFL athlete who got operated on multiple times to no avail, when in the end it turned out he had one weak muscle quadrant that could easily be strengthened.
It was always strange to me that the Blazers never made changes (or additions) to the training staff that would be far cheaper than losing just half a season of a star player. No need to fire the old staff if you trust them, just add a few skilled hands with different methods.
Did anybody note that Greg has a problem with a LIGAMENT
In his knee? Think long and hard now. He has never injured a ligament in either knee. His latest surgery was just on his cartilage. I’m gonna go ahead and call out that Greg has likely had yet another injury to his knee unrelated to all the others. Go ahead, call me crazy.
by GoodNoCall on Dec 9, 2011 10:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
You are not crazy
you are just trying to understand something that makes no sense
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
This could be a diversive plan to give the Blazers time to consider amnestying Roy
which if done, before a restructuring of Oden’s offer, may give them time to sign a player using the Full MLE.
Although, it may just be best to eat the salary this year and let him retire.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
Any from a legit source?
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
by EngineerScotty on Dec 9, 2011 4:16 PM PST up reply actions
@BlazerFreeman…if there is more to LA’s exams than just a physical, i’m road tripping back to portland to jump off a bridge.
PHILLY!
notice the big word "IF"
he’s just being doom and gloom silly – what else can you do today?
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
It was inevitable
It was the first thing that came to my mind when I read Ben’s report about Aldridge not being at practice.
I think it's a tough call-
the people trashing KP over his ‘risky’ picks also bag him for not taking DeJuan Blair! BRoy was the only one with known issues coming out of college, LA was clean, and Oden had had unrelated injuries. I just think it’s just been bad luck- you can’t help that, and I feel bad for KP because he picked these really great guys (which Roy, Oden and LA have been) and at least 2 out of the 3 have had terrible luck (although with Roy it was probably just a matter of when, not if, but probably nobody expected it to be this soon).
by simoninaustralia on Dec 9, 2011 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
Blair would have been a 2nd round pick with a non-guaranteed contract
pretty big difference. you pass on pendergraph or cunningham for him, not another top 10 player
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
casey on blazers.com thinks it has do with LA's previous heart issues
and just extra precaution by the blazers because of the recent death at oregon state.
PHILLY!
What's with all the shock and dismay
It’s the same old, same old with Oden. Nothing really new except some contract stuff, so let’s move along emotionally everyone.
yep
I’m not phased in the slightest. Our current championship hopes may rest on Oden, and for some Roy as well, but the team that we’re putting on the floor this season was never about Greg or Brandon.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 9, 2011 4:43 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, Yeah Greg suffered a setback after seeing a team doctor and now.
Yeah, yeah yeah.
He was just fine before that. Nothing to have seen there. Doing GREAT!
Is this Monday?
It sure doesnt feel like a TGIF Friday!
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 9, 2011 4:17 PM PST reply actions
This SUCKS!
Please just drop Oden and let’s move on.
Blazers NBA champs 2010-2011! Oden, please stay healthy......
by The Earl of Dunk on Dec 9, 2011 4:17 PM PST reply actions
it's tough
But this isn’t the time for knee jerk reactions. If anything this lowers Greg’s market value and increases the chances he’d stay in Portland. As a franchise we need to think with our heads, not our hearts.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 9, 2011 5:09 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yup, whatever the setback, one must think that it has to be minor
otherwise, he would not have been cleared to cut, pivot, and shoot. However, it seems to suggest that Greg’s camp is willing to accept a discount, based on the injury concerns.
Moreover, since this is not the QO, we have the option of negotiating an extension in-season.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
That's what i was thinking.
At the same time I’m beginning to feel like the guys on dumb and dumber “so you’re saying that there’s a chance?!”
Yeah, it's difficult to maintain optimism right now.
But, the world is ending in a little over a year from now, so it won’t matter anyway.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Doesn't it seem like
we’ve been saying that injury after setback after injury though? I don’t know, for me at least this is probably the tipping point. Unless his value plummets to the point where we wouldn’t have to sacrifice the money we could use to pursue another serviceable big to keep him.
Yeah
I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s a terribly unfortunate situation. But the anger directed at Greg, the fans wanting to move on for no other reason than they can’t deal with the will he won’t he, that all seems a little petty and selfish to me.
There are a lot of people who just want Greg to go away. It’s not because of basketball reasons, it’s because they feel that Greg is wronging them every time he gets hurt and can’t play. I just can’t hold it against Greg personally and I have no desire to just be done with it.
That being said, I’ll get excited about Greg getting on the court when Greg is LITERALLY ON THE COURT. I wasn’t even phased by this setback, I suggest others take the same emotional approach.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Please, for the love of god, cut ties with Greg. Please. I’m so tired of this already. I don’t care what he might become. He won’t do it in a Blazers uniform.
"You know, when you are in the game, you hear 20,000 people behind you, you don't feel anything."
- Nicolas Batum on playing through his shoulder injury during the 2010 playoffs.
what would be the point of structuring a one year deal?
he won’t be playing anyway and after the year he’s free to go. Is it just giving him money in the hopes that he’s grateful enough to sign another longer offer with the blazers after they year’s up? I don’t get it
Hopefully
they were able to finagle a RFA clause in there!
by ripcitymilehigh on Dec 9, 2011 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
OMG
Alright fess up who was the one that smashed the a mirror that has given us all this bad luck.
Man o man wake up B Roy retiring and then streaming 750 the game here in Oz, leave for a second then come back to the GO news.
You have got to be kidding me!!!!!!
What setback?
What exactly does that mean? Can he still run and cut? Very vague and incomplete. the only thing that seems clear is that he is not going ot play.
This isn't the Lakers,...
"It's not Show time. It's GO time!"
"War is Hell. Go to War!"
April Fools!
Please? Someone? Come on. This can’t be real.
It's not the QO, per the release from Larry Miller
It’s a different offer. Still one year. Presumably less money.
Maintaining bird rights is one reason I'd guess.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
This is ridiculous!
As a season ticket holder I am disappointed with this blazers front office…. I don’t even know where this franchise is heading any more….
by Hoi on Dec 9, 2011 4:21 PM PST via mobile reply actions
It's all being released Friday so it isnt covered too much over an entire week.
Lots of lies and manipulation with this regime.
and Greg’s agents.
On the bright side at least it's the perfect year for things to go really bad.
Strong draft, short season, potential cap space, etc.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 9, 2011 4:22 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
True
I was about to write that we really really need a credible backup C now but maybe we shouldn’t bother and give it our best Colts routine. LA out indefinitely with mysterious injury . . ?
put a body on 'em
now if only we had a GM to make choices in said draft....
don’t get your hopes up until we have one.
Disclaimer: There is a high chance this comment contains sarcasm, so please just chill out, relax, and have a nice l@ker hating day.
You mean like Chad Buchanan?
Who wanted to draft Wesley Matthews instead of Patty Mills?
Or do you mean like Chad Buchanan, who called Luke Babbit the best pure shooter in the draft?
Point being, just because a guy has the title of GM doesn’t mean this org is going to make better picks than before, and it doesn’t mean that our past picks are any better or worse than another teams. It’s fun to bring up draft picks we screwed up by pointing go guys we could have had like CP3 or D-Will, but you could just as easily play the same game with bullets we dodged. Kwame, Darko, Adam Freakin Morrison… all guys we didn’t draft.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
You misunderstand; that's not a knock on Chad.
My comment has nothing to do with the success or failure of draft picks past and who did what. It has to do with having a single person filling the GM position and focusing solely on the responsibilities that it entails.
Chad might make a great GM, he might not, I don’t know. No matter what his potential is, he will not be performing at it while he has the title of INTERIM-GM and still has to divide his time with his head of scouting / player personnel stuff / whatever the hey else he has to do responsibilities. If the blazers want Chad to fill that role then fine, but make him the actual GM and let him focus on that job. If not, stop piddling around and hire someone else and let him go back to his other responsibilities.
The GM is it’s own position. This doing it by committee that is going on right now is probably acceptable for a decent chunk of the year. But come draft night we need a General in the war room, in charge with a commander-in-chief-PA approved plan and the ability and authority to do his job. If what’s happening now continues to draft night then PA will be our defacto GM, Chad will be the powerless scout making recommendations (interim GM title or not), and we will end up with another crop of worthless point guards and undersized wings while being completely lacking in fresh bigs. We will lose the drafting war and fall further behind other teams in developing new talent.
Disclaimer: There is a high chance this comment contains sarcasm, so please just chill out, relax, and have a nice l@ker hating day.
this season was never about Greg or Brandon
Last year we won 48 games virtually without them. This is still a good team. The impact players are the same guys they were going to be before today.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 9, 2011 5:12 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
why are the blazers even offering him a contract????
i’m not an oden hater at all, but this LITERALLY is having him rehab on our dime. the setback was discovered BEFORE the contract was agreed to. WHAT THE HECKKK
To help him retain access to NBA medical staff, for another reason.
It can be argued that this reason doesn’t get the team closer to a championship, which is true.
It can also be argued that pulling the QO just as his setback goes public, thereby making him radioactive on the FA market, would be a rhymes-with-nick move that our Culture Focused front office would not do.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
Is this year's draft crop supposed to be good?
’Cuz we might have a chance to blow another 1st overall pick…
The Blazers should just tank and draft Terrance Jones...
LMA can play center.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Quality Local Talent in 2012
Terrence Jones(SF/PF- Kentucky, projected 9th in 2012 Mock Draft – A 3/4 mismatch, rather then a tweener in my opinion. Can score from anywhere on the floor, just doesn’t know which part of the court to attack when at this point. While his form is unorthodox, he is a legitimate shooter. A good defender, ball handling & court vision are outstanding for his size.). He would fit perfect behind Wallace/Aldridge as the reserve forward until Wallace leaves.
Terrence Ross(SG- Washington, projected 15th in 2012 Mock Draft – Can stretch the floor as a deadly shooter & slash to the basket. Has the physical tools to be a great defender). Replace Roy with another U-Dub 2 Guard?
Mike Moser(SF/PF- UNLV, projected 2nd round pick in 2012 Mock Draft – Leads NCAA in rebounds per game, his hustle is the closest I’ve seen to Faried this year so far).
Paul Allen is the GM.
There are plenty of guys that should be drafted before Terrence Jones.
Don’t let the fact that he is a local boy cloud your judgement. That is the same kind of thinking that would have landed us such noteworthy players as Adam Morrison and Kyle Singler. I wouldn’t even take Jones before Anthony Davis who is also on the Wildcats. From a front court player perspective, Davis, Perry Jones, John Henson, Andre Drummond and Jared Sullinger will all be drafted ahead of Terrence Jones. Terrence Jones can score, but he doesn’t seem to be exceptional in any other areas. The Blazers won’t be in any position to get any of those guys though. More realistically, they would most likely get someone like Mason Plumlee or Patric Young.
by rhaegar on Dec 9, 2011 6:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Terrence Jones is the best Portland talent since Terrell Brandon
There is a legitimate argument that Anthony Davis is the better player, thats true. But your assessment that he “isn’t exceptional in any other areas” are not really true. His defensive intensity this year has significantly improved, to a KG like level.(Though AD is the better post defender). His passing & dribbling skills aren’t on display in Calipari’s offense, but they are legitimate skills that will provide mismatches. Jones is one of the most versatile prospects in several years & has an upside similar to Lamar Odom(though Jones shouldn’t be spending any time at the 5 in the NBA.)
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
Would love to know why you can only
provide thoughts on good news?
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:27 PM PST up reply actions
Feel free to e-mail me.
But it’s not complicated. When there is bad news, don’t go around yelling “I told you so!”. It’s just bad form. Especially when plenty of people said the same thing.
No reason for the admonishment, IMO
Bad form. But, as you wish.
Thank you for the response.
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:32 PM PST up reply actions
You said you would love to know. Timmay explained it. How is that an admonishment? Being overly sensitive to hearing the plain truth; bad form.. Sheesh.
by blazersunited on Dec 9, 2011 4:48 PM PST up reply actions
12/9/12 NEVAR FORGET
dinasour type of guys choir boys
by mittsabishy on Dec 9, 2011 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Until about a couple weeks ago
contact between team and players was forbidden.
The Blazers might have known, but they wouldn’t have been able to comment (or make public that they knew) until recently.
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
by EngineerScotty on Dec 9, 2011 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
If anybody knew
Greg would have negotiated a MLE type deal…unless no one was offering.
20+ mil is a heck of a lot better than 9 mil, and if he doesn’t play this year he’ll be lucky to get Mini-MLE money in the future.
by ripcitymilehigh on Dec 9, 2011 4:29 PM PST up reply actions
Going forward....
You dont fill the team with gangsters
and
You invest in a Training Staff that has an eye to detect problems in potential players and the ability to treat in the 95th percentile in the league. You know what investments to make and protect your investments.
I am loyal to this team and logo, but this regime needs to learn their lessons already….stupid, stupid.
I'm half convinced
The Blazers are auditioning for some sort of reality show right now.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Dec 9, 2011 4:26 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
I'm starting a draft Terrance Jones movement.....
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
I think he's the best PF in the draft....
well, maybe sullinger. Either one. Draft them all! we go thru big guys like china goes thru rice.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Why would anyone want to come to the Blazers? Just to get hurt and ruin their career?
by TheOdenator52 on Dec 9, 2011 4:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hey... no one has gotten hurt and ruined there careers in the last 5 minutes.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Not me, you see how he did UW. that guys word means nothing to him
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
I don't really get it.
Why bother when there’s clearly no need to retain Bird rights now?
I fully expect nate to announce the team is shutting down basketball operations. That’s just how today has been.
by mrpunkin on Dec 9, 2011 4:27 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Blazers contracting, not Hornets
one reason we didn’t bother signing a GM.
i hear we’ll have a new D-league team though, the Portland Crutches.
put a body on 'em
we can´t bklow up now
because the bobcats have the right to swap picks.
I love Roy but his retirement was a good thing for us.
I´m over GO, would be nice if he came back strong because we´d be contenders, but meh
Hopefully LMA is OK, that´d be devastating
We still have a good team, let´s have fun, we´ll be alot better than last year.
Surely we can swap Camby/Oden for Dwight Howard?
since Clearly CP3 isn’t going anywhere
When is this rumored press conference with Miller and Buchanan?
Inquiring minds have LOTS of questions!
on live right now
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
The most important thing to remember about December 9th: SPACE
This team, without contracts applied to Oden, Roy, Camby, Felton, and Wallace (IF he opts out, unlikely IMO), we are HUGE players in the free agent market. How does this team sound:
Aldridge
Kevin Love
Nic Batum
Ray Allen
Kirk Hinrich
No. He's extremely fit, and it's not like you forget how to shoot the ball
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:33 PM PST up reply actions
If shooting the ball was all the counted
Jason Kapono would be a perennial All Star.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 9, 2011 4:35 PM PST up reply actions
Sounds like a team that will excel in the regular season
and get beat-up in the playoffs.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 9, 2011 4:33 PM PST up reply actions
Matthews, Williams, Smith, Freeland
and another FA big.
I like it.
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:34 PM PST up reply actions
LA's not going to last through 82 games plus a playoff run as a center
You need bigs, bigs and more bigs to make a run. Small ball just helps your playoff seeding.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 9, 2011 4:36 PM PST up reply actions
sounds pretty terrible to me
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
How is a downgrade
Over Camby, LA, Wallace, Matthews, Felton?
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:34 PM PST up reply actions
Hinrich and Allen are over the hill and washed up
Love is nice though.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Ray Allen nearly made the
all-star team last year. How close was matthews? With less competition mind you.
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:36 PM PST up reply actions
you don't rebuild with a backcourt that is 31 and 37
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Sigh...
That’s not a lineup that is rebuilding. That’s reloading.
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
to each his own
I have no interest in blowing capspace on a 37 year old shooting guard and a 31 year old combo guard whose best days are 3+ years in the past, and was an average NBA player even then.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
I think Noah playing with Aldridge might be a good pair
Of course, that idea came to mind when there was a rumor that Roy might be a good fit for the Bulls.
put a body on 'em
Not at all
Kirk not an upgrade. Ray Allen very old.
This isn't the Lakers,...
"It's not Show time. It's GO time!"
"War is Hell. Go to War!"
Why not think big?
Dwight Howard – LA frontline is a good starting recipe to win it all.
The cake was a lie.
Mayby AbuFatimah for GM isnt such a bad move after all?
Cant do any worse that K “golden boy” P
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
Maybye we should trade Camby for that bum Okafor
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7kx33fx
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
Your the guy that wanted to give greg a max contract a few days ago
no thanks.
Paul Allen is the GM.
I said that if Greg plays a whole year he will get a max contract
Or at least that is what I ment
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
It sounds like a great move right about now
We need some new blood and fresh ideas on the Blazers
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
You know its says your username at the bottom of posts right?
Everyone can see its just you agreeing with yourself.
by Devenex on Dec 9, 2011 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
DONT OFFER HIM A CONTRACT
This would be the SECOND setback WITHOUT EVEN PLAYING A BASKETBALL GAME!!!
I’ve been on the Oden bandwagon for so long and was completely up for him being a Blazer this year until this. You can’t offer him a contract, he keeps getting hurt without contact or playing, it’s done, he’s done, and we have to be done with him.
You seem like a great kid Greg, but unfortunately your body wont let you be a basketball player.
Can we add this to the entry?
snakebit
[sneyk-bit]
adjective
1. bitten by a snake.
2. Informal . unlucky; doomed to misfortune.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
by Storyteller on Dec 9, 2011 4:32 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
Video/audio feed has gone completely down
Face it, nothing works.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Maybe they got "slashdotted"
Because they held a press conference on a Friday afternoon when nobody was working anyway. Portland Soccer Moms all over the city, and the world, hammering that network pipe like it was an ice skater’s leg.
Seriously, there’s been enough talk about injured Blazers that I thought a Tonya Harding reference would be a step up.
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
I think its time ...
for the Blazers to cut their losses. How can you move forward as an organization when a major part of your future is tied up in a player who may or may not play at some point in the future. Even if he goes somewhere else and kills it, its time for a divorce.
Wow.... just wow.
What a terrible day to be a Blazer Fan.
It’s rebuilding time, folks. No more denying it.
Well everyone, relax and settle in
It’s officially one of the worst Blazer days in decades. Let’s take a breath and get through it. Anyone have any good clean jokes?
by Timmay! on Dec 9, 2011 4:39 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Three guys are lost, wandering through the wilderness. They’re food gave out days ago, and they had little to drink. Hungry and thirsty, they began to talk to each other about what they would like to eat when they’re finally rescued.
The first says, "I want a juicy steak, covered with mushrooms fried in butter, with a baked potato loaded with sour cream, butter, cheese and chives."
The second says, "I want a thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, stuffing, rolls, green beans, yams, all of it."
The third says, "I want a good hearty breakfast of biscuits, scrambled eggs and bacon. Lots of bacon."
Suddenly they smell something. It was faint at first, but grew stronger as they walked. It was the smell of bacon. Bacon, just like the last guy described. They’re mouths began to water and they followed the scent, hungry for such a glorious feast as bacon.
And then they saw it. A little further ahead, a tree with large slices of crunchy bacon hanging from it. Now this was not at all what they expected to find. Bacon doesn’t grow on trees. And as hungry as they were, they just didn’t trust what they saw.
But the third man could not stop his craving for bacon. While the other two stayed back, he went up to the tree, picked a piece of warm, crispy bacon and took a bite.
Suddenly, arrows came flying from out of nowhere and struck the hungry man. And the sounds of natives could be heard rushing quickly into battle.
With his last breath, the man yelled out to his friends, "Run! It’s not a bacon tree, its a ham-bush!"
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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by T Darkstar on Dec 9, 2011 4:41 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Can you have multiple medical retirements pending at the same time?
I’m assuming there is no precedent.
Disclaimer: There is a high chance this comment contains sarcasm, so please just chill out, relax, and have a nice l@ker hating day.
by postup on Dec 9, 2011 4:40 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Looks like we'll be rebuilding
Cho was right. Too bad PA can’t see that.
I heard of a candidate with those qualities
Larry didnt want him
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
before Roy & Oden blew up
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
Would it kill them to communicate something?
The cumulative weight of the disinformation and b.s. about Oden’s health has done me in. I mean: done in.
As much as I would like to dwell on the misery of being a Blazer FAN
Part of me really has to feel for Broy and Oden, I can only imagine having the talent ripped from my hands at its peak and then be faced with no way to overcome it based on my own will and determination
So what's your prediction for the season?
Looks like 44-48 wins, likely first round exit. Though if we lose any more players we might win 50.
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
Right
OK, make that 32-35 wins.
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
by EngineerScotty on Dec 9, 2011 4:43 PM PST up reply actions
It never rains in Portland
that’s just the tears of the Trail Blazers’ fans.
by poorwebguy on Dec 9, 2011 4:41 PM PST reply actions 8 recs
Jeff Foster off the market
re-signes with Indy
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
yay.
giant freddie mercury can retire with one team.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
by mittsabishy on Dec 9, 2011 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It's a kind of magic.
Who's that tromping across my bedge?
by Troll Blazer on Dec 9, 2011 4:58 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
This would ...
be a good time for your Owner to make himself avaialble and assure the fan base this is going to be ok. Instead we will get silence, secrecy, and Larry Miller “statements” which have no actual information. What a day to be a Blazer fan. Sinking feeling …
What would you want Paul Allen to say?
Seems like any assurance given would just be spin.
How about lettin us in our plans with the future
What direction are we taking from here-Carry on or rebuild. This is big time. The fans are ready to riot bro!
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 9, 2011 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
An updated season projection, assuming the mini-MLE big man signing
30-36, good for maybe 10th in the west?
Is it sad that I would almost rather have the lockout going on still?
Because this day is sooooooooooooooooo much worse.
I haven't been this bummed out
Since I watched Dennis Dixon fall over clutching his knee.
God damnit.
by KevinRileyFTW on Dec 9, 2011 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
So Roy is retiring, and Oden may not be with us this season too.
I’m not sure a whole lot has changed, to be honest. Yeah, it sucks. But we’re not that bad off, if we can get some help for our bench with the DPE and Mini-MLE.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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Actions -> Rec and Flag. Blazersedge works right when you use these two things.
by T Darkstar on Dec 9, 2011 4:42 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
But we should have
prepared as if those guys were contributing nothing, but it seems like we were heavily relying on them & were NOT prepared at all.
Paul Allen is the GM.
I think it's better that we know who our group of guys is going to be for this year
if it doesn’t work out Camby and Felton come off the books and we can blow it up. But let’s go all out this year and see what this group can do.
Now that the NFL season is over... GO BLAZERS!!!
agreed
at least a bunch of uncertainty is gone. players on the roster can just play and find their roles. our top 6 is good enough to make the playoffs, and lets see what young guys like Elliot, Luke, Nolan, CJ, etc. have to offer.
We have a ton of flexibility to be used at the deadline, next summer, and beyond.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Wow this country used to be really messed up. that is a crazy picture
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
Yeah, we should be protecting women's honor by having the police give them hymen checks
The world is always messed up by someone else’s standards.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
I'd like to move forward
..to things that can be controlled. I worry about enough stuff in real life without stressing about basketball, yet all very disappointing. So with an eye to moving forward, let’s look at what we have and what we can get this year.
We still have a premiere PF. We probably need some back up there, even though Babbitt said he may get some time there. We presumably got a slight upgrade at PG. I know little about Nolan Smith, but I guess we find out. Our two spot is as good as last year when Brandon sat out a bunch. Now Nic could play some 2. We can see what Elliot has. Our 3 spot looks good with Crash and Nic. That leaves center as pretty fragile. Camby needs a back-up. Johnson is servicable for now. I’ll bet Barron makes the team.
Then if a free agent is available, we have some pieces to deal with. Nothing earth shattering, but something. Just look at the roster, we didn’t really lost anything we actually had.
This isn't the Lakers,...
"It's not Show time. It's GO time!"
"War is Hell. Go to War!"
Sometimes a single facepalm doesn't cut it.
"My shoulder is OK. And away we go." -- Nic Batum
"wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow" -- Dave
by DonkeyShins on Dec 9, 2011 4:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
So, I tell them I’m a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald… striking. So, I’m on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one – big hitter, the Lama – long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga… gunga, gunga-lagunga. So we finish the eighteenth and he’s gonna stiff me. And I say, “Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know.” And he says, “Oh, uh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.” So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.
Who's that tromping across my bedge?
by Troll Blazer on Dec 9, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The only way Greg will ever work for McDonald's is in a commercial.
Who's that tromping across my bedge?
by Troll Blazer on Dec 9, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Greg Oden made more money last year than most of us will make our entire lives
I don’t see him working at McDonalds anytime soon
Now that the NFL season is over... GO BLAZERS!!!
by billsfan4life on Dec 9, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
it's not Greg's fault he's hurt
It’s not his fault we drafted him. Any wishes for him to suffer are misplaced and petty.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 9, 2011 5:18 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 11 recs
Absolutley
Let’s not hate Greg for this. That’s what’s sad about the whole situation, nobody is really the bad guy. It’s just rotten luck.
by neutroticblazerfan on Dec 9, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
Do we have any idea what this "setback" entails?
Is this just that he’s behind schedule, or has something else gone seriously wrong?
Well, it doesn’t sound like he’s going to play this season so I’d say that’s a bit more than behind schedule.
It didn't seem likely that he'd be back until Feb or so.
3 months can be a “he’s behind” but it could be worse than that. Who knows?
I wondered that my self
what is the so called “setback”
inquiring minds wanna know
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 9, 2011 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
sorry Greg
but I’m not standing by you anymore
Fan of Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Broncos, and Portland Timbers
Oden’s setback is with a non-weight bearing ligament. He has no symptoms and doesn’t feel restricted, but there is concern w/ the fragility
Finally news.
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
Well this is somewhat less discouraging.....
Blazers basketball? Just basketball you say? More like a way of life
Well this is somewhat less discouraging.....
Blazers basketball? Just basketball you say? More like a way of life
yeah because the organization and the agents are always tellking us the truth.
Just like Cho, the most honest of them all, told us he loved having Greg! Greg is a centerpiece, then is fired for telling PA we needed to move on behind close doors.
Kepp believing the info being spoon fed to you folks!
I'm really interested in this
“restructured deal” How much of a paycut is Oden taking?
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
He's probably not giving up an arm and a leg
just some ligaments.
by pualo on Dec 9, 2011 4:59 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
didn't he have his knees 'restructured' already?
by Rudyciudad on Dec 9, 2011 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Unknown until they explain what's wrong with the ligament, I presume.
But that doesn’t sound insanely serious in and of itself.
What the heck is a non-weight bearing ligament?
As in upper body?
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Where is blacknoiseNW?
Isn’t he our Storyteller for orthopedic analysis?
LaMarcus has to raise his level of play. Last year he pretty much became the go-to guy for us. Nothing changes, we are certainly going to stay in that direction. - Nate McMillan
Third leg?
"My shoulder is OK. And away we go." -- Nic Batum
"wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow" -- Dave
There are some in the lower body, e.g. that allow you to flex the outside of your foot
But I can’t really come up with examples that still would get him cleared for running, pivoting and shooting as Steadman apparently still did on Thursday. Or that wouldn’t swell the knee already and should get detected and noticed fast.
OK guys we gotta get over this...
Right now we just need to take advantage of any of the options this offers us in free agency and move forward. A good GM should be able to make lemon aid from lemons at this point and it will be OK. Oh that’s right we have no GM. God this team just rips my heart out. But I will still follow them with all the fervor I ever have, it has to turn I swear.
I hope Chad Buchanan wears a helmet to his press conference tonight.
"You know, when you are in the game, you hear 20,000 people behind you, you don't feel anything."
- Nicolas Batum on playing through his shoulder injury during the 2010 playoffs.
I thought it was over
and it was just Nate taking questions. Is there another real press conference coming?
wouldn't be surprised if he just broke down and started weeping in the middle of it
all of us feel like it.
what a horrible, horrible day.
PHILLY!
Can we END THIS already?
STOP signing him. I am sick of it, and I am not even a trailblazers fan. I am an oden fan. I can’t imagine what it would be like being a an Oden guy and a trailblazers guy simultaneously. It has to be pure pain. Add B Roy to that…its therapy time.
Time to rebuild. Even tho you guys will probably still be solid, it was all based on one or both of Oden/Roy returning. Jailblazers…….now Frailblazers.
Cut ties.
by saveourbluths on Dec 9, 2011 5:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Fully agree. rec
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
honestly
being a Blazers fan isn’t that painful, they’re not even the most depressing team that I root for…
Now that the NFL season is over... GO BLAZERS!!!
by billsfan4life on Dec 9, 2011 5:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I never thought I would give up on Oden
But I think I’m done. We need to move on and stop hoping for a miracle.
I thought Rudy would be the perfect 6th man. Come back Ruuudy!
it won't suck too bad until and if durant wins his first title with okc
that will be a bad day for me as a buckeye/oden and blazer fan
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
we are the unluckiest franchise ever
we have been Pritchslapped in the slow, painful way
Blazers need a new Training Staff
that can spot troubled players and keep all of their investments healthy.
Simple as that. Gotta learn the lesson! We did with the Jail Blazers…now need to learn the lesson of the FrailBlazers.
Eventually all of the loose ends will be tied up and we can win a championship.
Simple as that.
If only it were that simple,
Today sucks.
Blazers basketball? Just basketball you say? More like a way of life
The writing has been on the wall for me for 2 years. Sorry if I am not expressing the mourning
today as I went through all of that 2 years ago. The realization of what we have now happened back then.
might as well,
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
i am with you.
i was firmly in that camp when greg’s kneecap split in two two years and 5 days ago.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Things will work themselves out.
"Coach, we got this. We got this." - Frank Gore
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"They responded like mighty men." - Jim Harbaugh
by rise_stand_resist on Dec 9, 2011 5:01 PM PST reply actions
Biggest flop in history?
not that it’s his fault
Full MLE level. For one year.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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Actions -> Rec and Flag. Blazersedge works right when you use these two things.
new post
Another emotional sucker punch of good news.
The team needs to totally rebuild. This should cinch it. Deal Camby and Wallace, resign Nic, and set the team up to head in a new direction. It’s sad, but necessary.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 9, 2011 5:12 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I've been saying it all along
relying on Roy/Oden, not acting before today.. ugh. but yea get the rebuild in motion & make it exciting so Paul Allen doesn’t lose interest.
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
Maybe Paul Allen knew about Roy and Oden...
and was trying to push for a full lockout year by playing hardball during CBA negotiations. Things won’t look so grim next offseason. Should be able to shed Camby, Wallace, Roy’s (at least against the cap) contracts, plenty of cap space to resign Nico, one of those nice FA, and rebuild. Who knows? Maybe Nolan and/or EW will pan out.
Which makes all the more sense why he was smart enough to hold off on his rookie contract....
only to resign him for one year while he rehabbed, before his own doctors evaluated him.
i knew the lockout was good in general for the oden situation
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
That RFA Injury clause sounds pretty clear
If Greg can’t play for medical reasons he’s not eligible for RFA status. He has to take this injury/alternative contract. I guess he could retire but he’s basically our for 2 seasons instead of just this one. That’s kind of nice and sounds fair to the team that invested so heavily in a rookie contract. Now we have the luxury of seeing if he can heal and play this dang game again. I hope he travels with the fellas.
That's not what it says
It says that he can’t take the QO but that he would still be a restricted free agent until he signs a new contract. He’s now signed a new contract – a one year deal with the Blazers that is presumably for less $ than the QO.
Greg will still be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Just a question...
I imagine because it is a one-year contract that he would still have a no-trade clause (Devean George situation). Is that the case?
by The Graduate on Dec 10, 2011 9:06 AM PST up reply actions
That fact is Greeg didn't play last year
and Roy was a shell of himself, and yet this team won 48 games and played the eventual champion as tough as anyone in the playoffs.
I don’t think Portland will win a championship this year but I don’t think Portland is far from contending.
Portland should have enough money next year to go for a max player next year and far and away the most talent of any team with that kind of cap space.
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
by Biph on Dec 9, 2011 5:18 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
The three max players next year are Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams
They look like they’re already going to have preferred destinations besides Portland. There are other players available, but nobody who really would command a superstar-level max contract.
If NJ doesn't land Howard
I think PDX could get Deron.
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
NJ will sweeten the pot for Orlando to prevent tampering charges, then the trade will complete
Just a guess on what’s going to happen.
They won't file tampering charges
http://www.nba.com/magic/denton_tamperingcharges_denial_120911.html
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
New Jersey, soon to be Brooklyn
AKA North Beach? Should be a powerhouse. Prokhorov will have acquired two superstars, in two NBA seasons, he has acquired two superstars ! Quite the resume, for the first two years.
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
They would need to land Howard & Paul in 2012 free agency
or Deron isn’t available, imo.
As of 12/9/2011 The Portland TrailBlazer Franchise has officially entered rebuilding mode...
I agree
the 2011-2012 Blazers were never about Brandon or Greg
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
I think it's pretty clear that we need to trade for Emeka Okafor.
Emotions aside, We did pretty well without Brandon and Greg last year. Having Greg come in when or if he does will be a plus. We also ran without Camby for a good portion of the year, it’s clear that if we want to upgrade we need to get a serviceable center and that center is Emeka Okafor. Camby for Okafor, plus if we can get a backup 4/5 with the Mini-MLE is not a bad deal.
We need to move forward, not on, forward. We need to keep our heads up and make a decision on which direction we want to head into. I think we can still compete, Okafor would be the ideal choice if we can get him. Ronny Turiaf would be a very nice addition as well.
I’d be interested to see where the franchise does with the next step but like many wonder how we take that next step with out a GM.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
by dpnim on Dec 9, 2011 5:36 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
agree we need to move forward, but i would rather remain flexible at this point
Okafor might be a good option this summer, depending on where everything falls out. but before then, I’d rather be more flexible and able to adapt to fluid scenarios
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
we can get Okafor for Camby, and they will probably give us some picks too for taking his bloated contract
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
i am not sure allen wants to do anything with big contracts involved
right now. With such a dynamic free agency filed coming up this summer
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Batum & Felton & LA
Could be a break out year for Batum. There are now plenty of minutes for him to play and he’s coming in with confidence and swagger. Also excited to see what Felton brings to the mix. LaMarcus will be out there. Wallace will have time to settle into rhythm with the team. We just need a back up for Camby. A big body built Ford tough to lock down the center, nobody amazing just somebody solid.
I was never expecting Roy or Oden to be center piece for the team next year so I’m still excited for the season to start. I’m curious to see what Felton brings.
The Blazers can still put up a good fight on any given night.
by clearcutusa on Dec 9, 2011 5:44 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Turiaf and $3 million from NYK
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
No way I would pay 3mil to take on Turiafs contract, maybye if they paid us 3mil
La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah
Yep- you know what my gramma used to say- "if life gives you lemons..."
well, she didn’t really say it, but you get the point. There are definitely going to be challenges this season and we will dearly miss Greg and Brandon, but there are lots of positives too-
Rotational stability; less off-court dramas related to minutes and starting, etc.; more opportunities for (insert favourite blazer with star potential) and Luke Babbitt; theres not a lot of difference between this year’s and last year’s teams, other than that we lost a partial Roy, Miller, Fernandez and Mills, but have added Felton, EWill, Nolan Smith and a hopefully improved Batum. We’re still thin up front but there may still be some hope in free agency; we have the potential to rebuild without huge financial burdens tying us down; we have potential trade chips should we seek to rebuild; we have LA (Aldridge); we still hate LA (Lakers); and no matter what they take from me they can’t take away my dignity… because the greatest love of all… I think you get the rest.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 9, 2011 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
So much I want to say about this.
This is why you don’t sign him to a multiyear deal. I remember some columnist as well as some fans criticising the Blazers for not signing him to a long term deal, this is why. Hindsight I know but I was saying this way before this happened.
I’m sorry for the optimists, I personally moved on from Oden during his last injury. I emotionally moved on and pretended like Greg wasn’t on the team anymore so I’m not that hurt by today’s developments.
It’s best to move on and look upon guys like Aldridge and Batum as our future. Don’t cry over spilt milk. Rip City for Life.
by neutroticblazerfan on Dec 9, 2011 6:47 PM PST reply actions
I emotionally moved on as well
although my preference remains, if he can ever play he be a blazer. But I have long ago given up on expecting it to happen.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Hey I got a setback too!
They oughta sign me to a contract too!
This is my signature. Do you like it?
So they signed him to a 1 year contract just so they can sign him to another contract after that, right?
There’s no other reason they would offer one, correct? Apparently his other offers were so bad that he took less than the QO, so why even sign him to a contract other than to say “we will see you next season.”?
I thought Rudy would be the perfect 6th man. Come back Ruuudy!
Ok so since I am pretty much numb from today I am trying to think of an upside
Is Gregs contract extendable during the season now? Just saying if you can extend it before he becomes an UFA you could probably get him back at a discount. That is if he can rehab from whatever this new ligament issue is….Anybody? Storyteller?
I'm pretty sure it is
But I’m talking out my rear end…
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
If the smoke...
…from this day ever settles maybe someone can explain some things I simply do not know.
FIrst of all, sarcastically I ask, what is the difference between “Progress” and “Setback”, couldn’t Odens agents statements after the evaluation be considered fraud? If it was clear Oden has had a setback as is now being reported, how does Oden’s agent represent Odens condition as progressing or getting better? Seems dangerously unethical or fraudelent behavior, especially if you factor in the Oden was on the verge of being signed to a qualifying offer.
I’d like to know who determined Oden had a problem? Oden or Odens camp aren’t denying it, so it must be something that is pretty medically clear.
2ndly, I thought the Qualifying Offer couldn’t be restructered? I thought The Blazers had to offer it or recind it…but it had to exist or not exist.
If this contract stands independently and is NOT the qualifying offer, what does that mean at it’s conclusion in a year?
Seems stranger and stranger, that Oden would agree to refuse the Qualifier, agree to a lesser “Regular” Contract…or even that, all those things are possible.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
i am not sure of the technicalities
it sounds as if greg truly wants to try and get back despite the “setback” and that he wants to do it for the Blazers if he can, but that it may not be likely he can, so he does not want to leave them on the hook as a taxpayer maybe? I don’t know what the terms of the contract are so it is hard saying.
Like I said I do not know the technicalities, but I imagine a team and a player can come to any agreement so long as it does not go under the league minimum if both are consenting. The QO is only required to maintain restricted free agency maybe while a player shops around?
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
this is getting out of hand and it is only going to end badly
As pissed off as I am as a fan I actually give the Blazers credit for FINALLY not lying to the public about his possible return. I wish G.O. luck and that he can remain healthy for his own sake but lets just be honest….not likely. I hope more people are coming to terms this guy is one of the many circus like players who because of his height has been given way too many chances. His body isn’t made for the NBA. He can play when he is healthy because he is a freak of nature but it doesn’t do us any good when he can’t manage to play for more than half a season. We expect him to come back after 2+ years and not re-injure himself out of being rusty? Come on. Just think if he spent more than one year at college. He would of likely dominated the kids he was playing against, injured himself while doing so, but at least he would of gotten a degree and made something of himself.
he still has time and now resources for that
he is what 23 yrs old or so now.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
I'm tired of everything having to do with Oden
Don’t they examine his legs at any point during his long, long, long rehabilitation? Wouldn’t it make sense to have regular medical checkups during which they might do things like, I don’t know, an MRI on his knees? Why is this taking them by surprise one day before training camp?
Tired, tired, tired.
i do not think this took them by surprise
they had the alternate contract ready for him to sign.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
cut him loose
its not healthy to keep banking on this guy. bring freeland over, see whatever else can be done. sign a good 4 and play LA in the middle. anything else.
yeah does not look like they will cut him loose
but really just seeing what if anything will happen. if they get nothing he will be gone. might as well look at it as if he is already gone, then anything that comes up will be a surprise.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
The Silver lining
OK, we are all tired of the consistency in the ODen updates, in the end, we are doing this purely for his Bird rights. The most interesting thing maybe that we got to renegotiate the Qualifying offer. I thought, and someone correct me if I m wrong, with the original GO offer, we were going to be about 4million over the Luxury tax threshold. If, and this is a huge if, renegotiated the contract to get us under the luxury tax, then we may get the best of all possible worlds
1. Able to use the full MLE immediately and give the teamn and BROY some time to figure out retirement versus amnesty
2. We still retain his brid rights in case of a miracle
3. Either way we still have nearly 30million in cap space for next year
As always, the devil is in the details as to the restructure of the deal, but this could be a blessing in disguise giving us even more flexibility in an inflexibile year
If Oden cannot play by this point, then it is not going to happen.
The man has not stepped on a court in almost two years. If he keeps reinjuring himself just by existing in the world, then he simply can’t play professional basketball. The Blazers need to let this go, and move on, and stop putting the organization and its fans through this.
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