RIP to Rodney, but thats not what this post is about. Aside from the banners in the Rose Garden rafters, I don't think we have not done enough for the guys that rose the only banner up that really matters- The 1977 Portland Trail Blazers.

I have to be honest. I am perplexed that the Blazers besides Maurice Lucas(RIP), the Blazers haven't done much to go out of their way to reach out to the men that brought us our only championship.Why haven't at least pursued Walton in an advisory/consultant role, much like how the Sixers just hired Julius Erving? The guy knows the true fundamentals of basketball as good as any player in the history of the sport. In large part due to John Wooden.I understand Walton was angry when he left Portland due to the mistreatment of him, but Paul Allen wasn't a part of that regime. Also, time heals all wounds.

We should be trying to reconnect to 77', beyond the jerseys hanging in the rafters. Starting at the top with Lionel Hollins as a head coach, he has done a damn good job in Memphis. Bob Gross would make a solid assistant based simply on his playing style. Dave Twardzik has general manager experience & is currently the assistant GM in Orlando. Though I don't condone the crap that the Magic have added since drafting Dwight, you can't blame assistants. If he'd be willing to stay in an assistant role he would be a solid addition with his amount of experience. Larry Steele runs a basketball camp in Vernonia, I'm sure he could add something. Johnny Davis is an assistant under Lionel Hollins in Mo-Town(Package deal?). Getting down the roster, apparently Lloyd Neal has worked for the IRS in Portland since 1985- perhaps as a consultant he can help our players not make any Wesley Snipes-like mistakes. Also, RIP Herb Gilliam as well.

Dr. Jack Ramsey. That's how I'm starting the final paragraph. God knows he deserves it. The 77' Blazers were notorious for being one of the best teams(the true meaning) of all time. While I know he is ancient & he couldn't come in for 82 games a season, I think he could help in an advisory role. Its not like he isn't working, he has done quite a bit of work with ESPN lately. You can see his style passed through to Lionel Hollins, Memphis's team defense is among the best in the NBA. I'm not saying that we go hire all these guys without doing the due diligence of interviews to find the best candidates for our team, but give them a chance. I believe some of them would relish a chance to get together to bring another championship back to the rose city.

Remember & Respect 77'