How Big Is It?

by Dave on Jun 28, 2007 12:17 AM PDT in News

Another one of the questions the ESPN crew asked was this:

How does this achievement/event compare to others in Trailblazer history?

I thought I'd ask you the same question.

My answer... Up until this point you can't call this an achievement at all, because strictly speaking we haven't done anything. Furthermore the anonymous lottery "pick" is about to be traded in for a real player with a real name and his achievements will have to far overshadow any ping pong balls bouncing if this event is going to be significant at all. All of this is temporary...lasting only until tip-off of Game One of the 2007-08 season. At that point the whole lottery and draft is exactly as good or bad as the player we select today performs.

However that doesn't mean that the event is insignificant. Today marks a milestone in franchise history...hopefully the beginning of something very special. Plus all of the hype, pageantry, and excitement make this a memorable day in its own right. Seldom will you find people as gathered and united as they will be this afternoon. For fans this will be a very significant day.

Obviously the championship ranks above this moment in significance. There hasn't been a bigger moment in franchise history to this date. I would argue that both trips to the finals since were also bigger and possibly the trips to the Western Conference finals as well. You might be able to look at certain moments in Clyde Drexler's career or maybe the drafting of Bill Walton (if you can remember back that far...I can't) on a par with this moment. There might also be some academic, fairly neutral events (such as the sale of the team to Paul Allen) or even some negative ones (like the Jermaine O'Neal trade) that rank up there in significance. Even so, put them all together and they probably don't total ten. And even with that list you can argue whether this event shouldn't be right up there near the top.

In short, I think this is a big deal but probably not quite as big as the greatest moments of achievement on the court. Give me at least the championship and the two finals experiences and I will probably admit that this day closes in on their heels.

Where does it rank for you among the days in all time Blazer history?

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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rankings

1977 Championship Run
NBA finals vs. Bulls
NBA finals vs. Detriot
Winning 2007 draft Lottery
WCF vs. lakers 2000
Draft day 2006 (Roy, AL, Sergio)
WCF vs lakers 1991 (i think thats the right year)

Those are my top 7. of the top of my head.

Oden = Dynasty

by JBlazer on Jun 28, 2007 12:49 AM PDT reply actions

Well

It seems to me you'd make this up as kind of a "beginning of an era" type list, and match it against events that ushered in other eras in Blazer history. So here goes:

1970. The Blazers are founded.
1976 preseason. The team that would embrace Ramsay's philosophy, and ultimately set Blazermania in motion, is assembled.
Buck comes to town, and the Blazers break through to two finals

and three WCF in three years.

Number #1 pick in the 2007 draft. Revives fan base at an accelerated rate.
1999 Western Semis, game 6. Knock off the Jazz to make it back to the WCF after seven years of first round exits.
1983 draft. Portland drafts Clyde.
1989. Adelman named coach.
November 25th, 1990. The Quarter.
1992. Clyde named to Olympic Dream Team.
2006 draft day. Roy, Aldridge Sergio come, Telfair goes, Nash, Patterson on the way out.

Don't have specific dates, nor the time to look all them up. This draft is already huge without even happening yet, but the other days before it have yielded known results. Plus, the Jail Blazer thing kind of puts the draft behind the eight ball, giving it a negative historical significance, as opposed to the Clyde and Walton years, which continued, and gave birth to, Blazermania.

by supremepuntiff on Jun 28, 2007 1:13 AM PDT reply actions

Achievement is the wrong word to use here -

I swear some of these media guys get journalism degrees from a Cracker Jack box. It's not an achievement, it's an opportunity.

My Blazer history ranking (ignoring Jailblazer moments):

1. Championship
2. Finals vs Bulls
3. Finals vs Pistons
4. This draft
5. 2000 WCF
6. 1991 WCF
7. The Perfect Quarter
8. 2006 draft day
9. Very first Rose Garden game
10. tie, drafting Clyde & trading for Pippen

by Blazerholic on Jun 28, 2007 1:55 AM PDT reply actions

OK.

Which journalist was it, specifically, who used the word "achievement" with regard to the draft lottery?

by hugs on Jun 28, 2007 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

simple

1)-naming kevin pricthard g.m.
2)-roy*aldridge
3)-firing nash*patterson
4)-drafting g.oden
5)-2009-2010 nba world champions

i don't dwell on past failures since 6/5/77
i think only positive and the now*future

by fatty on Jun 28, 2007 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

I see it...

...as more of a turning point - although since last year, we've been on an upward swing. Along the lines of the acquisition of Lucas or B. Williams. In hindsight it will be seen as a milestone. The greatest moments, as you say, come through accomplishments on the court.

"...though you may fail...aim at something high." Henry David Thoreau

by Dr Dave on Jun 28, 2007 8:41 AM PDT reply actions

Negative moment

I think had Sabonis joined us the year or the year after we drafted him then we would have had him in his prime instead of Duckworth running with Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Buck Williams. Michael Jordan would have had a lot fewer rings.

by castle on Jun 28, 2007 8:47 AM PDT reply actions

Paradise Lost

I think of that often. Sabas cleaning the glass, throwing outlets to Clyde. A real low-post presence and passer to keep that team from stagnating so badly in the half court. Oh what beauty could have been!
If only Spain wasn't so nice.
Oh well.

by hugs on Jun 28, 2007 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

We'll see...

This will be a substantially bigger moment (the biggest in franchise history) if Greg Oden leads us to a championship (or multiple championships).

by Champs2009 on Jun 28, 2007 8:52 AM PDT reply actions

How do you define "significant event"

There also have been some very significant events that had a negative effect on the franchise: passing on McAdoo for LaRue Martin, the hiring of Whitsitt, the 4th-quarter playoff meltdown against the Lakers, the playing of "Mony, Mony" during time-outs...

by hugs on Jun 28, 2007 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

Good Question

I am 35 and my parents did not watch sports. I did not get into the Blazers until 1996 after living in the south and being in the navy for 6 years. So all my "significant events" take place since 1996.

Today will be big. I am actually more excited about what the Blazers do after the first pick and what all the other teams do. I have already been excited about the #1 pick and it's time to see what is next.

"Aloha" is mostly used in customer service, everyone else says, "howzit?"

by tominhawaii on Jun 28, 2007 2:04 PM PDT reply actions