Nate has a tremendous challenge ahead of him this year. He has 3 rookies on the team now who will be expected to receive significant playing time: Oden (with only 1 year of college),  Rudy (a little more experienced) and Bayless (with only 1 year of college).  How difficult will it be to make the playoffs in the Western Conference while trying to break in  3 green rookies?  In my opinion .... highly improbable. 

So Blazer fans, we just might have to put those playoff aspirations on hold for yet one more year.   But in the end, it will be so worth the wait  if  you just let yourself imagine what will follow!    When it finally happens, I think we'll see that it will be more than just "making the playoffs".  We're going to be  winning some series'.

I'll not be at all disappointed if we fall short of the playoffs this upcoming season and will not be holding Nate accountable for it;  unless he is not giving these guys a chance to progress.    The joy and satisfaction will come from watching the development of these 3 high potential,  exciting players,  all the while observing the progress of  our key guys,  Brandon, LaMarcus, Travis and Martell. 

This is going to be an exciting season .... almost thrilling!   I am so pumped.

 ..... to get Rose that is.

First, I'd like to offer this opinion:  Rose will end up being a better point guard than either Paul or Williams.  He simply has so many outstanding skills.  Also - and I don't know how significant this is - Paul or Williams were never considered or discussed (that I recall) as top 2 selections in their draft.

For the sake of this FanPost, I'll make two assumptions: 1). KP would like to make a stab at acquiring Rose, and 2). he is not willing to part with Roy or Oden to do so.  Keep in mind this quote from Pritchard: "To get into the first two picks, you'll have to give up an all star and a pretty good starter".  

So, the question is:  how much would we be willing to give up to get Rose?  Here are some possibilities: 

a -  Rudy, Outlaw and #13

b - Aldridge, Outaw and #13

c - Aldridge, Rudy and #13

d - Aldridge, Rudy, Outlaw and #13

e - Aldridge, Rudy and Outlaw minus #13

Of course there are many other combinations we could offer, but excluding Roy and Oden I think Aldridge, Rudy and Outlaw represent our most valuable trading commodities.

Personally, I'd do 'a' in a heartbeat, although it would hurt to give up Travis.   But I'm not so sure about those other proposals involving Aldridge.  Give up LaMarcus?!  How could we, although I'm of the opinion that Rose will end up being more outstanding at his position than Aldridge will at his.  And, although considerable emphasis is placed on high quality bigs, I know quality PG's are highly valued as well.

I strongly suspect we'd have to throw in one of our big 3 to have any chance at Rose.  I think 'e' may have some merit as we'd still have the 13th pick to draft another power forward.

I'd do 'a' for sure.  "d" is too much.  I'd  seriously consider the others.

Am I nuts?

Am I the only one who is weary of all the Koby bashing on this site?  

Does this quote change anyone's mind?  It doesn't sound like whining to me.

       ************
"Orange County Register, Portland's Rose Garden is a thorn in Lakers' side:

    The Lakers have won 12 of 14 against the Trail Blazers at Staples Center but last won in the Rose Garden on Feb. 23, 2005.

    So what gives?

    "The athleticism," the Lakers' Kobe Bryant said. "That's always the big thing. They're just so athletic and quick. That's always been a problem for us."

This quote from Mike Barrett's blog:

"Afterwards(referencing last night's game), Nate McMillan said that having Joel on the floor more is what this team needs, and said he plans on moving in that direction."

Did I read that correctly?!! For the life of me, I can't understand why it's taken Nate so long to come to this realization?!  This concept has  seemed so obvious and many Blazer Edgers have been screaming for it all season long.  It's about time.

Still, seeing is believing (although Joel did get 31 minutes last night.)

This from the Oregonian:

-- he (Roy) said Monday his heel issues are "a thing of the past" that he doesn't "even think about any more" --

Whoa ... this is beautiful music to my ears.  I've been worried about that damn heel all year! Sports wise, I couldn't possibly have received better news.        

I've seen it opinionated in a few different places now how Phoneix, LA and Dallas are making their recent trade moves to place themselves in a  position to compete at high levels in 2 or 3 years .... inferring they're being done so those teams can hold their own against Oden and company.  

But I don't see it that way.  I'm sure the Phoneix move was to try to get to the finals THIS year.  2 or 3 years from now Shaq may not even be standing and Nash is iffy too.  Same with
Dallas regarding their attempts to aquire Kidd.  Do you really think they want Kidd so they can compete with the Blazers in 2 or 3 years?  He'll probably be retired in 3 years.  Kidd they hope, will help them get to the top this year.

With Koby being younger and still at the top of his game, the Laker's move is a little different in that it should benefit them not only in the immediate future but down the road a few years as well.  

I guess what I'm saying is that to me it's pretty arrogant of us to be thinking these trades are directly attributed to the fear that this up-and-coming steam roller of a team from Portland is striking into the hearts of the NBA nation.

I think most teams are aware that we could be pretty good, but there is a LOT to prove yet ... not the least of which revolves around Oden getting and staying healthy.    

I thought for sure by this time of the season Comcast would have made a deal with the satellite companies ... but nope, the greedy little &%#@$#*'s haven't done it yet. I'm weary of listening to the games on Audio League Pass (although I'm greateful it's there), and missing out on watching astounding performances such as the one B-Roy and the Blazers put on last night.  

But don't dispair 'cuz I have a plan that's so great that everyone will be excited to jump on board.  Here it is:  

To get Comcast's attention, I'm asking everyone with current Comcast service to cancel it today.  It will be just a small sacrifice for the good of the cause and it will save you a few schekels to boot.

Thank you in advance for helping we poor fans who do not have Comcast available, are blocked out of League Pass games and are too remote or too cash strapped to attend the games in person.  And look at the national attention a story such as this will garner with Comcast being revealed as the slimy villains they are.

Come on guys and girls; you will be remembered in heaven for this. Would I do it for you?  Silly question!    

This will likely be an unpopular observation, but I'm wondering:  Am I the only one noticing Goden's lack of enthusiasm from the bench?  Granted, he stands and gives the obligatory half-hearted slow clapping when great plays are made (bringing back memories of his stoic reactions while sitting on the bench during his OSU NCAA run last year.)

Contrast his reactions with that huge, excited, wonderful smile of glee demonstrated by LaFrentz following Roy's incredible three to send the Toronto game into it's second OT.

I realize we drafted Greg to play ball and not for his cheerleading skills, but still ....      

Am I dreaming?  I just knew this was the game that would bring our streak to an abrubt end.  But nope, I was wrong again. What's going on here?

A couple of notes:

Without TV coverage I've been listening to Audio League Pass, usually choosing to tune in to the opposing announcers because of the horrible format Wheels and Tone adhere to.  Anyway, here is a direct quote from one of their announcers regarding B Roy that was made during 'Roy's Quarter' (the 4th of course): "Right hand, left hand, contact, no contact, this guy is unbelievable!"  

Earlier they commented that what stood out was his "change of pace, change of direction, rebounding and passing abilities".  We don't have to feel slighted any more Blazer Edgers, recognition has come to us (thanks mostly to B Roy and to our team game which of course is predicated on Roy's selfless play).

We just beat a team that had a lot of offensive weapons, one that led most of the game. I'm reluctant to say this but if we're close when the  game enters the 4th quarter, we seem to have the advantage!!?  We've owned that quarter!  Jeeze, how can that be with such a young team?  Well, we all know the answer to that .... it's Brandon Roy!  

Keep it going guys! Denver though will be out for revenge I'm sure. Let's just have it close entering the 4th.  

Earlier in the season, and even just today, I've read where some fans have assesed LaMarcus as being a better player on this Blazer team  than Brandon Roy.  Personally finding this extremely difficult to comprehend, I present this question:

If it had been Roy who went down to injury 5 days ago instead of Aldridge, how many of us think we would still be riding this 8 game win streak? How many of those 5 games would we have won?  I seriously doubt there is anyone who thinks we would still be on our 8 game streak, and I'm not sure that we would have won more than a couple of those games.

I just don't think we can give B-Roy enough credit.  He does so many things on the court at such a high level. He is the heart and soul of the Blazers, the fuel for the team's mitochondria, the stabilizing influence.

Here's a recent quote from Deron Williams discussing Roy:   "He knows how and when to pass the ball. He does it all for that team. He's their go-to guy, a very explosive scorer, and he brings a lot of energy."  

In my not so humble opinion, as Brandon Roy goes, so go the Blazers.  He must stay healthy.