Ask the Mikes

Last year Brandon Roy openly talked about his distain for the lottery, and the idea of deliberetly losing games to increase the chances for a high pick. This year everyone expected the Blazers to be a surefire Lottery Team with a good chance for a top 3 pick, yet they are currently a top 10 team in the entire league. Do you think the team has adopted Brandon's approach to the game? Should we be dreading the potential of another Lottery pick?

I really am curious to hear what the Mikes would think is the greatest factor leading to the road/away discrepancy.

1. Can you ask them what they think of the whole Britney/child custody thing, and if she has a Randolph's chance at the All Star game of reviving her career?

2. Do they foresee pro wrestling ever making a comeback, or are the heydays behind them?

3. Do they miss Zach Randolph, Steve Paterson, Bob Whitsett, or John Nash?

4. Do the players ever hug them after a big win and if yes, how do they get sweat stains out of their suit?

5. Were they disappointed in the ending of The Sopranos?  

6. Do they ever forget which Mike they are?

7. They know someone has to go to make room for next year, which player are they just dying for KP to get rid of?

8. My dog discovered crunchy snacks in the cat's litter box, any advice to break him of the habit of dining there?

9. What did they think of JK Rowling's revelation that Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is gay?

10. Looking back, on their vast and storied careers, would they change anything?

1. Will Kevin Pritchard be able to make space on the roster for Rudy next year?

2. Who would the Blazers match up against the best in the playoffs?

Which Blazer has been getting the most interest from other GMs in the league?  And what are our chances of getting rid of that player.  

My question relates to the organization as a whole. The teams play has created a whole new set of possibilities, but has the initial approach to the season changed? Are you still 'okay' with a lottery pick? Lastly, is the organization prepared to deal with a potential let down?

On the plane, do you talk to players about playing or coaches about coaching?

Do they think KP is targeting a particular FA in the summer of '09?  Since this team is growing faster than expected, what are the chances that we won't NEED one? (Or at least one of the high-priced one.)

LMA said he hopes he & Roy play together their whole careers. Are there current combos that they would hate to see broken up by trades?  (In other words, are there extraordinary combos?)

Will Rudy really fit in right away?  Any ideas how to make room for him?  How about roster space for a first round pick?  Would they trade that away?

How is the NBA schedule constructed?  Human, computer, alien?  How carefully is it examined for things like playing Utah 4 times in 5 weeks, (in Feb. we play Seattle twice in two nights and LAL twice in four),  flying across the continent west to east to play a morning game,... and looking ahead to February I see us playing Chicago here on a Weds, flying to Detroit for the Fri game, coming back home for the Sat game against Indiana.  And those 3 cities are so close together... or is the schedule maker geographically impaired - I'm thinking of all the aircraft fuel consumed...

What are the chances of the Blazers having their own DLeague team?  And changes in DLeague structure so we could have signed players there without counting against roster space?

I also have questions for Tom Penn about contracts - for when you wangle an interview with him :-)

For that matter, do they think the blog explosion has changed how GMs do their jobs?  Do Nate and the players read any of this stuff?  

Lots of questions, but you get my drift.

What player do you feel you have to see, even if you have to pay for it?

Are you still a Rasheed Wallace fan?

Who would you rather have, Clyde Drexler in his second year, or Brandon Roy now?

Which current Western Conference powerhouse (Dallas, SA, Phoenix, etc.) do you think the Blazer match up with best?

If this is before the Boston game, what are our chances of shocking the world in Boston?

Which era of Blazers logo is your favorite?

Were you doing anything superstitious during the win streak?

I was thinking about the ideal guard to put alongside Roy. Brandon is a solid defender, but quick point guards will give him trouble. So, if Roy is Portland's "point guard of the future" you'd want to pair him with an undersized "shooting guard" who could stay in front of waterbugs like Parker, Nash, etc.

The good news is...the Blazers already have the more-difficult-to-find component--that's Roy. It shouldn't be too hard to draft or deal for an cat-quick guard who can spot up and shoot the lights out and is also willing to play lock-down defense to help prevent PG penetration.