Our new lineup looks like this:

Oden/Prz/RLEC

LMA/Frye/Diogu

Martell/Outlaw/Batum

Roy/Rudy

Blake/Bayless/Sergio/(Koponen)

That's a pretty balanced team right there. But I can't help but notice that RLEC staring me right in the face. Depending on Martell's production this next season, I could see the team saying this is it, this is who we go forward with.

Or maybe they still want to go get that "closer" that KP has talked about so often in the past. At this point I think such a player HAS to come at the SF position. The trade assets we have left amount to RLEC, Frye, Diogu, Martell, Blake, Sergio, Koponen, Freeland, and future picks. Does a combination of these assets net us a big name at the SF position?

Listening to KP on courtside last night, he said that he really likes what we have, but that there are still a couple other things they could do. Personally, I think they'll see what they have AT LEAST until the trade deadline, and then see what bubbles up for RLEC + a couple pieces. If Houston is struggling, does McGrady become available? Or would Battier make more sense? How about Stephen Jackson or Andre Iguodala or Tayshawn Prince if GS/Philly/Detroit get off to bad starts.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy just seeing what we have. I like Martell and think he could be the starting SF for the next 10 years provided he gets a little better. But you can't help but think we need to make just one more move to seriously compete for a title as soon as two seasons from now. What do you guys think?

Lots of talk about possible trades leading up to the draft. I get the feeling that Pritchard will definitely be trying to move up in this draft to get the player of his choosing, whether that be Westbrook or Alexander or Augustin or someone else entirely. There's already been enough speculation on who that player actually is, so rather than beat that dead horse I thought it would be interesting to take a look at possible trading partners and their needs.

When you look at the teams filling up the 6-10 range in the draft, which is what it will probably take to get at least one of the players mentioned above, the one team that really sticks out to me is the Clippers. Here are a few reasons why:

1. They simply need bodies. They officially have only 8 players under contract for next season, plus some dead weight, and of those Brand, Maggette, and Livingston are huge question marks. I just don't see how they can expect to improve much next season by adding only one player through the draft.

2. Some of the players they do have qualify as pretty good starters in the league: Brand, Kaman, Thornton, Livingston when healthy, Maggette, so they are not necessarily in the market for more starters. But they are sorely lacking in depth behind their quality players, and this is where we can help. We have a good crop of young, talented players who could do wonders to improve the bench play of a team like the Clippers.

3. The holes that the Clippers do have in the starting lineup and on the bench seem to match up nicely with what we have available. Brevin Knight needs help and Livingston is questionable, so they might be interested in Jack. There's nobody behind Kaman and Brand, so they might be interested in Frye. Maggette might opt out and Thomas can never really be counted on, so maybe Martell or Outlaw appeals to them as well. Clearly we have some answers to their questions.

4. Their competitive window is still open. With the two most important players on their roster, Brand and Kaman, at 29 and 26 years old respectively, they are in a position to still be pretty good if they can just infuse some young talent into their team. No reason to blow it up just yet.

5. Finally, Pritchard rarely leaves anything to chance when it comes to the draft, giving up whatever he needs to to get the player he wants. At #7, it's likely that he would have his choice between Westbrook, Alexander, and Augustin, the three most likely targets for us in this draft based on team needs, workouts, and media reports.

I obviously have no idea what a trade with the Clippers might look like ... Jack, Frye, and the #13 for Thomas and the #7 would work. So would Jack, Frye, a re-signed Wafer, the #13, and the #33 for Mobley and the #7 (I personally like that idea the best). Needless to say, I'll be looking for Pritchard to make a deal with the Clippers come Thursday. Thoughts?

Awhile ago I mentioned that my wife and I are roadtripping the West Coast this summer and asked for suggestions . MANY of you responded with some awesome tips. Thanks to all. As a show of appreciation, I thought I would update you all on what we've decided. Here is our itinerary so far:

7/14: Arrive (noonish) at Oakland International Airport. Spending the evening and the following morning/early afternoon exploring San Francisco. Definitely having sushi as many times as possible. Leaving early afternoon on the 16th.

7/15: Arrive (late afternoon) in Napa Valley to enjoy a couple days of relaxation in wine country. Hoping to explore as many wineries as possible (still taking suggestions here), but Gundlach Bundschu is definitely on the list. You simply must try their Red Zin and their Cab. Leaving mid-afternoon on the 17th to head to the coast.

7/17: Arrive (early evening) at our campsite for the night at Wright's Beach on the Sonoma Coast State Beach.

7/18: Rising early to eat and hit the 1 up the coast. Totally pumped about this. Will stop somewhere for lunch on the way (suggestions?) before arriving at our campsite at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park . We hope to do a small hike before kicking back and drinking some of the wine we bought in Napa.

7/19: Rise early and hike a little more. Drive around and admire the beauty this place before we head toward Ashland, OR. Arrive in Ashland (late afternoon), grab some dinner (suggestions?) and then catch Othello at 8:30. Staying at the Ashland Mountain House Bed and Breakfast for two nights.

7/20: Wanted to catch A Midsummer Night's Dream this afternoon, but it's already sold out, so we might just be relaxing at the B&B or wandering around town. Taking suggestions here too!

7/21: Leaving early for Coos Bay (the place of my birth) and heading up the coast once again. Haven't decided if we should stop at the Wildlife Safari on the way or not. My family went when I was a kid, so it's quite nostalgic, but I have a feeling it'll be one of those things that just isn't as cool as I remember it. Like Disneyland. Hoping to catch the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and then likely staying somewhere along the coast between here and Astoria. Suggestions? Hoping to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory sometime today or early on the 22nd.

7/22: Arrive in Olympia, WA (late morning) to visit my best friend, his wife, and their new baby girl, Claire Marie.

7/23: Arrive in Gladstone (late morning) to stay with my grandmother (Nene) until we leave on Sunday the 27th. Things we hope to do while in Portland: Oregon Zoo with my nieces and nephew, the Chamber Music Northwest summer festival (options here include The Intimate World of Claude Debussy and the Grand Finale: French Favorites ), and the Oregon Brewer's Festival , and perhaps wandering out to Willamette Valley wine country (if our Napa supply runs low). Other than that we'll probably just be visiting family and collecting Blazer paraphernalia while we're in town. Speaking of which, does anyone know if you can hang outside the Blazer's practice facility and get autographs?

Man, this sounds like a heck of a trip. If anyone wants to throw out more recommendations for restaurants or other stops, particularly in Ashland and on the Oregon Coast, I'm all ears. I recall someone mentioning a good Mexican stop in Newport. This is the part of the trip that we haven't focussed on just yet. I also know there are a lot of new members to the site, so if anyone missed the previous diary and wants to contribute ideas to make this an awesome trip, I would very much appreciate it.

Also on a big side note: My wife has officially agreed to move to Portland next summer while I pursue graduate school at George Fox, so one wayward Blazer fan is coming home to roost!!!

Cheers

-bfan

I know, I know, I feel like we say this every year. But I was just looking at the ages of the Spurs' players, and it's not looking good for them. Here's how old some of their players will be when next season rolls around:

Tim Duncan - 32

Manu - 31

Kurt Thomas - 36

Bruce Bowen - 37

Horry - 38

Oberto - 33

Jacque Vaughn - 33

Ime - 31

Stoudamire - 35

Brent Barry - 37

I knew Bowen was old, but 37? That's ancient! Thomas, Bowen, Horry, and Barry really stick out to me here. The Spurs got key contributions from these guys down the stretch this year, which helped propel them to the top half of the Western Conference. How much longer can these guys contribute?

The Spurs are renowned for their ability to reload with roll players every year, but I just don't see how it can happen when they have over $50 million tied up in Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, Bowen, Udoka, Bonner, Barry, and Vaughn. They'll be nestled right up to the salary cap with only the mid-level to use, and trade assets are sparse with most of their small contracts expiring this year and the likely retirement of Horry and Thomas. They might add Tiago Splitter in the offseason, but I don't know how much help he'll be.

Couple all of this with the fact that some other veteran teams will be vying for experienced vets to fill out their roster in the offseason (Boston, Miami, Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans), and the Spurs may not find the same bang for their buck that they usually do in the offseason.

Could we be looking at the Spurs' last hoorah as a title contender? Or even further, there has been some recent discussion on who we'll have to knock out of the top 8 in the West to reach the playoffs, but nobody has mentioned the Spurs. We witnessed them struggle more than ever through the first few months of the season--well into January--and with most of the teams in the West getting better, is it possible that early-season slump lasts even longer and causes them to miss the playoffs? It will certainly be interesting to see who jumps out in front in the West next year, and who gets left behind.

Was just home for lunch to take the dogs out and low and behold, "Road to the NBA Finals" was showcasing our favorite 1992 sons against the Bulls on ESPN2. A few thoughts:

1. The Portland fans were all wearing florescent pink hats in the Memorial Coliseum. What were we thinking? Ugh.

2. Boy, I wasn't very impressed with our defense as a team and Clyde's defense especially. Gave Jordan WAY too much room to operate on the perimeter. Does anyone else remember being that shoddy at defense?

3. Danny Ainge was INTENSE. He was out there gritting his teeth and making faces. He was even making faces on the sidelines! Man, we need a player like him right now. Which of our current players needs to fill that roll of getting everyone fired up? After watching our 1992 squad again, everybody on our current team seems so docile comparatively. Rudy might bring some fire, but we need to find a firecracker or two to come off the bench. I don't just mean energy here, people. I'm looking for someone to flat out piss the other team off with his antics. I want to stick in their craw.

4. Man I wish we had Jordan. What were we thinking taking Bowie? Idiots!

5. Here's the biggie: JORDAN RAN THE POINT FOR THE BULLS!!! I was too young to recognize this at the time, but after watching the film it's clear that Jordan often initiated the offense. I didn't realize this. Did anyone else? This makes me feel better about Roy eventually becoming a full-time offense-initiator. I don't know why this makes me feel better--it just does.

I used to think that Josh Howard would be the perfect small forward for what we've got going on here. He can score, defend, shoot, and rebound. Furthermore, with Dallas in a bit of dire straights with their window closing, I was hopeful one of the possible trades this summer or next might involve him.

All that is gone now with his recent interview admitting that he smokes pot in the offseason. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3368139

Pot smoking aside, what a terrible move to make these comments before a playoff game in which his team is down 0-2. He put himself ahead of his team. Futhermore, he now risks future suspension and/or legal problems as the league will surely pay more attention to his offseason activities. Suffice it to say, thankfully Kevin Pritchard is not in the business of stocking our team with idiots anymore, and I will turn my attention elsewhere as I try to guess which players the Blazers will try to acquire in the next couple years.

I'm so bored today. Which means: More diaries from bfan.

I noticed this interesting little tidbit while searching the ESPN.com rumor mill recently:

No Clear-Cut Best Player

Although NBA rules prohibit him from commenting on freshmen Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose, Heat coach Pat Riley indicated Tuesday he is undecided what he would do if the Heat lands the No. 1 pick, asserting there is no clear-cut best player.

"There is not a definitive guy right now," he said, reiterating he would consider trading the pick for veteran help. "If there's someone we all agree on ... then we will do that. If we can't get a consensus, or if I don't feel real good about it, or if he doesn't really fit because of the position, then maybe we go in another direction." -- The Miami Herald

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors

So, the Heat might be willing to trade their pick to a team for veteran help? Hmmm, not many teams out there who can offer an expiring contract, young talent, AND consistent veterans at different positions ... EXCEPT US!!!

I wonder ... if the Heat win the #1 pick (which might be unlikely since the worst team hardly ever wins the lottery), could we make a play?

This is a toughy since the Heat currently only have 7 players on their roster next year--one of which is on a qualifying offer, with the other two on team options for a minimum-level contract. It is conceivable that none of these players are brought back, leaving only Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Mark Blount, and Daequan Cook with which to work a trade. Any trade with the Heat must likely include Blount and his horrid contract. Other players, like Jason Williams, could be used in a sign-and-trade, or a third team could be brought into the mix, which are both likely options as well.

So, I pose the question to you BlazersEdgers: Assuming Miami draws the pick and would prefer to improve their team in multiple areas rather than simply taking Rose or Beasley, what would you offer to get a deal done? Any suggestions must work under the salary cap. The best suggestion will earn the title of "Little Pritchard" from yours truly ...

Follow up question: Is it destiny that a player named "Rose" would end up playing in the City of Roses?

(Hint: yes.)

bfan out [editor's note, by bfan] Oops. I was looking at Storyteller's salary site and forgot that he doesn't update it very often. Consider that Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks are also in the picture when it comes to trades ...

Of all the players I watched in the tournament, Joe Alexander is the one who intrigued me the most. Reminded me of David Lee ... with a jump shot.

DraftExpress currently has him going to the Nets at #22. http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/

I wouldn't spend the #13 pick on him, but could we trade our two early second rounders and cash to move up to #22?

The Cavs need a PG. Could we trade Jack to move to #19?

Everyone seems to want KP to move up high to get somebody, but I wouldn't put it past him to target someone in the middle round and make a couple moves like this, much like he did with Rudy last year ...

The NBA season is winding down, the Blazers are a lame duck for a few more games until their goose is cooked, the last cinderella has fallen, and I'm sick of reading about trade proposals.

So, here's an off-topic question for y'all: The wife and I are thinking of taking a little West Coast road trip this summer. Flying into the Bay Area, drinking some wine in Napa, driving the coast, hitting up some Shakespeare in Ashland, seeing Crater Lake, driving the coast some more, visiting friends and family in Portland and Seattle, and possibly finishing out in Victoria.

Any suggestions for pit stops, camping spots, views, bars, collectibles, etc.? Favorite restaurants? Favorite wineries? Favorite breweries? What are some must-see destinations?

Thanks for all your opinions you West Coasterners.  Or is it Coasters? Coastites? Coastees?

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080325/noticia_53448375778.html

This article seems to say Rudy turned down 20 million Euros for three years from CSKA Moscow with a view on the horizon to play in the NBA.

I'm a little rusty on my espanol. Anyone care to translate (wink, wink to our friend in Spain)?