Archive for the 'Rants' Category

19
Sep

Adios Sergio? Not Quite Yet

By Jeff 5 Comments
Categories: Players and Rants

Ben over at blazersedge.com just posted this article which apparently leads him to believe 100% Sergio Rodriguez will be leaving the Portland Trail Blazers. Tell me something I don’t know.

I have a few problems with the article. First, the headline. It’s sensationalism. When I saw it come up in my RSS feeds, you can bet it was the first thing I clicked. When you name an article “Adios Sergio” you lead your readers to a conclusion that simply doesn’t exist yet. Sergio hasn’t left at all, he’s still on the roster and a part of the team. The other thing is that they took Sergio’s translated comment completely out of context. Here’s the full quote:

Sergio Rodriguez: I love the city, I have adjusted well to the team, I have friends… I like Portland a lot. But if I continue to play so little, it’s clear I would like to leave.

Ben at Blazersedge.com decided to only post that second sentence beginning with “But.” Now of course reading that portion of his response out of context would lead anyone to believe that Sergio wants out. However, the quote read in its entirety tells us a couple things. One, Sergio likes Portland and would like to continue to play for Portland. Two, at the same time if he doesn’t get the playing time he would like to leave. Who wuddathunk it? A basketball player who likes playing basketball. And if he doesn’t get to play basketball on his current team, he wants to leave the team. Weird. No one knows how the playing time will be divided up. And according to reports, Sergio has looked better and has improved on his fundamentals. Yet despite that information it’s “Adios Sergio.”

Two other pretty prevalent quotes Blazersedge.com failed to post were these:

Sergio Rodriguez: All I know is that Portland doesn’t want to trade because they didn’t do the last two years and they did it with Jarret Jack, who was the second point guard and almost starting.

Sergio Rodriguez: I learned about the Livingston thing from Spain. They have not spoken about it in practices — neither the coaches or the players. As far as I know, he has not worked out for the Blazers in the team’s facility.

Now that first quote may or may not tell us any information. If Portland did want to trade Sergio, would they even let him know? At the same time, that quote leads me to believe that Sergio has never even heard rumors of himself being traded elsewhere so maybe Portland wants to keep him and develop him? I don’t have the answers. I’m simply throwing out my thoughts on the quote, so take that quote as you will.

The second one is a bit more revealing, but still a bit hazy. We’ve all heard the rumors regarding Shaun Livingston, but Sergio’s response is the first time I’ve heard anything that would smash said rumor. This is important because Shaun Livingston is a point guard and Portland is already stacked at the one spot. Hearing those rumors, Sergio knows that he would be the odd-man out if the rumor turned out to be true. But because he addresses the Livingston situation and seemingly dismisses it, this mounts more evidence that it’s not “Adios Sergio” at all.

Look, I don’t even consider myself a real writer and I sound like I’m on my high horse and soap box but I’m just trying to make a point. I don’t like it when news sites that I respect and read on a daily basis sensationalize news. If you read the article, the overall tone is a very “matter of fact, yes Sergio Rodriguez has left Portland” type of tone, which is simply not true. I’m sure Ben did not intend the article to be taken in this manner but unfortunately it is. Listen, I have close to zero doubt that Sergio Rodriguez will not be a Blazer for the long-term. I’m just saying that please do not impose your opinions as fact upon others.

I still have nothing but respect for Blazersedge.com and I can only dream that this blog will ever get close to what that site is. I don’t want to come across as though I’m calling them out or anything. This post was more about “news clarity” and much much less so about Blazersedge.com’s integrity, which is not and never was in question. All sites have a responsibility to their readers to be transparent about the news they post and to deliver the full news not just the parts they want.

Now I will wait patiently as our five readers scour our archives and look for “sensationalized” headlines and articles to use against me and call me a hyprocite. I will then promptly delete those articles and act like I’ve never written such things.

05
Sep

weed

By Willie 0 Comments
Categories: General Blazers, General NBA and Rants

David Stern borrowed a bit of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s act this week when he booted Heat guard Mario Chalmers and Memphis forward Darrell Arthur from the rookie symposium in Rye Brook, N.Y. after the former Jayhawks were caught with marijuana in their hotel room. There were also some girls in the room and allegedly a third person in the bathroom frantically flushing the toilet. (No marijuana/paraphernalia was found. Where oh where could it have gone?) Here’s ESPN’s story.

The duo will most likely start the season on the suspended list and have already been fined twenty g’s apiece. Arthur already started his public image rebuilding act claiming this was a one-time thing and he’s a good guy at heart.

Whatever. The damage is done. In this day and age, the sticky icky is a slippery-slope that can gobble up and destroy any player’s image. As Portland fans, we obviously know all too well how much of a haze the NBA’s Cheech and Chong act can cast over a city. Quick: which is fresher? Damon Stoudamire’s yellow Hummer, smoke wafting out the windows with Rasheed in the back or the 49-33 record the team posted that season?

Weed poses the same image threat that steroids does to baseball. No matter how many double-doubles or All-Star Games or MVPs Josh Howard puts up, the damning comments he made before last season’s playoffs will stick with him forever. He’s always going to be that guy. When he plays bad, fans will joke that he toked up too heavily before the tip. Even when he plays well, that asterisk, a closely related cousin of the one that will accompany Barry Bonds’ home run record, will always be there in the back of fans’ minds.

The NBA is extremely concerned about the appearance of its product. When players wore throwback jerseys and wifebeaters to post-game news conferences, the league instituted the “appropriate attire” rule forcing players to class it up. The 90s were primarily based on Allen Iverson’s tattooed arms and the glorification of all things “gangsta.” Management only decided to change directions when they realized the league’s hardcore, blistery image alienated the people with money: the families.

Again, we in Portland were prime examples of marijuana and other vices. But who cares about Hummers and league-leading technical foul numbers when your team is getting into (and usually quickly out of) the playoffs?

As it turned out, we did. Oregonian columnist John Canzano recently named fans the most influential people in sports for the state. He said without our constant criticism of the Blazers they would have stayed, well, blazers. It’s hard to argue against him as we certainly traded talent for character, barely getting pennies back on our dollar. (see the Ratliff/Abdur-Rahim for Wallace deal for evidence) It’s equally hard to argue that that decision wasn’t the smartest in the franchise’s history as it has led to the optimistic squad we’ll debut in October.

But the point is marijuana and the baggage it carries with most of the public, almost destroyed a great basketball town. Stern was absolutely correct for harshly punishing the rookies earlier this week. We live in a society that is on the fence about getting high. The league’s actions tell outsiders you can’t do that stuff here but then “Pineapple Express” is the country’s number one comedy. Is it ok for some to do it (Seth Rogan) but not cool for others namely any NBA player? Does America have a double standard for hitting the bong? Is it fair to athletes? Is it fair to fans?

Charles Barley said, in the infamous 1993 Nike commercial snafu, parents should stop looking to athletes to “raise your kids.” It’s impossible for children not to look up to the faces of the game, the LeBrons, Kobes. They emulate what these guys do. When Jordan did The Shrug, how many fifth-graders went out the next day and raised their shoulders to their parents in the bleachers after hitting a layup? Athletes are role models, whether they accept it or not. Little Jayhawks across the nation are probably confused today as their parents shield them away from the SportsCenter report on their college hardwood heroes.

Imagine if Roy or Oden or Aldridge had been caught. Everything the team’s built would crumble in one misguided lapse of judgment. We’d see the Jail Blazers moniker again. Headlines would trumpet: Same old, same old. Instantly, all of the hard work from Kevin Pritchard, Paul Allen and the players would be shattered. Even if it was just one guy, his mistakes reflect on the rest of the team. After the Howard controversy last season, it’s not like the Mavs gained any momentum from constantly fending off marijuana interview questions.

The league is a business and like any business, all it has with its customers is credibility. And that is created and maintained by the components that make up the collective image of the overall product. Take all the teams and players and create a giant suit of armor with a big NBA logo slapped on the front. Stern makes sure that baby shines bright and when spots like Chalmers and Arthur crop up, the commish polishes hard. He was there throughout the late 90s/early 00s debacle; he knows how quickly those sold out arenas can go vacant. So he definitely knows now how those two seemingly insignificant spots can be enough for the customer not to buy the whole thing.

31
Aug

Short Term Blazers: The Ha Seung Jin Edition

By Jeff 1 Comment
Categories: Rants and Short Term Blazers

If you don’t remember who Ha Seung Jin was, I truly cannot blame you. His one claim to fame is probably the fact that he was the first Korean in history to be drafted into the NBA. His claims to shame are probably his ugly face, awkward body and terrible basketball skills. Normally, the Short Term Blazers posts are cheery and starry-eyed memories of Blazers past with short stints in Portland. This one however, is going to be abnormal.

Ha Seung Jin stunk. His career-high was 13 points and only ever played 46 games across 3 seasons. He was terrible, there’s no ifs-and-buts about it. The one perhaps good thing I have to say about him is the fact that he visited my parents’ restaurant pretty regularly while he was in Portland. My Mom even has photos with him. Really.

Besides maybe paying for a few bills for my family, I’m still in disbelief that any team wasted a pick on this guy, let alone my beloved Blazers. You wanna know the really funny thing though? Someone at Nike decided it was a good idea to sign Ha to a 5-year deal. Hilarious.

Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t have ill-will towards the guy. It’s not like I want him to never have a basketball career or anything. I just never want him to set foot on a NBA floor again.


20
Aug

Blazers Sign Luke Jackson?

By Jeff 4 Comments
Categories: Rants

DubbK is gonna be pissed after he reads this post.

From the Blazers Blog on Oregon Live.

Look! It’s when Luke Jackson was actually a decent basketball player.

What do you mean that was like four years ago? What do you mean he’s been on 6 different NBA teams (including a D-League team and the Blazers) in only 3 years of play? What do you mean he’s already been waived by 3 different teams? Are you telling me Luke Jackson sucks?

Yes I am.

I’m not completely down on Luke Jackson getting the 15th and final roster spot for the Blazers (I sort of am.) I’m just realistic. There’s a reason why Luke Jackson is well on his way to becoming the new Dan Dickau. It’s obvious by just looking at the facts. Jackson does not have the chops to cut it in the NBA. Sure, he was picked 10th in the 2004 draft, but he has not done much to prove to NBA teams why the Cavs. picked him so high.

I might go to the University of Oregon, but I’m no homer. I only support real talent. Luke Jackson to me does not have that talent despite once being a stellar Duck. Sure, he’s had a few (like 3) “break-out” games but those were all in throw-away, let’s-get-to-the-post-season-with-no-injuries-to-our-star-players-games.

Maybe he’ll prove me completely wrong. Maybe this is the year Luke Jackson breaks out his shell and proves all his haters wrong. Or maybe the Blazers only pick him up for the pre-season games and we’ll never see him in a Blazers jersey again. Time will tell.

20
Aug

The USA Today Power Rankings

By Willie 0 Comments
Categories: Rants

See them here.

Remember the big rumor back in high school about the SAT? Allegedly, if you got your name and the date right, you’d get a small number of points towards your overall 1600-point score. That’s what Chris Colston’s power rankings look like to me.

*Note: Read the Colston article before you read this. It’s much funnier that way.

Here is what I can only imagine C.C.’s thought process must have been like:

“Beantown and La La Land lead off, followed by Southwest division rivals New Orleans and San Antonio. OK. Name? Chris Colston. Easy enough. Date? Uh, what is it the 18th? No, 19th. 19th.

Man all these teams look the same. It’s ok Chris, you’re ok. Well Portland has to be here. People are always talking about them. And it’s a pretty safe bet that big guy (oh! Why can’t I remember what happened to him? Something with his neck or wrist or knee or something.) will be amazing. And Fernandez will definitely instantly adjust to the NBA game. Europe and America have very similar styles. And that Bayless guy dished out tons of dimes in summer league, right? He’ll be a good point guard.

I know Elton Brand went to Philly. And big guys always bounce back from ruptured Achilles tendons. So pencil them in at seven. Plus, their complete absence of a supporting cast will only let the best players play more minutes. Their combo of Brand-and Andres Iguodala and the 34-year-old Miller is hands down better than McGrady-Yao-Artest, LeBron-Mo Williams-anyone, Rashard Lewis-Dwight Howard-Hedo Turkoglu, Dirk-Kidd-Howard, or Deron Williams-Boozer-the rest of the Jazz

Pssh. This test is easy.

Seriously, I mean. “How much more can Deron Williams improve?” (blogger’s note: he actually wrote that.) The Jazz? They’re slipping. Sure, they’re young, athletic, have a mixture of power players, spot up shooters, slashers, and defenders but I still like Andre Miller and Co. over the league’s second-best point guard.

Man, this test is long. I mean how many teams are in this thing? My sheet says 30 but that can’t be right. Phoenix and Washington can go next just because I know who’s on their squads. But this middle region is crushing me. 15 through 25? Screw it. I’m just going to write down all the teams that are left then drop a pencil and whoever it lands on is going on there next.


Golden State’s play will be interesting without Baron. (No, Chris. It will stink.) Bucks are thinking playoffs. (Yet, they’re his 9th Eastern team listed.) Charlotte’s not as good as they seem on paper. (What paper is he looking at?) Mayo and Gay (Gayo?) could be fun to watch. (Gotta love a homosexual joke to spice up a sinking article.)

Teams 25-27? Some quality “at least” jokes should be good enough. OK, who’s left? NJ? NY? I like that Yi fellow much more than Danillo what’s his name.

Whew. Is it over? Did I pass…I mean, make sense? Did I at least get all the teams in there? That’s good.

And I spelled Colston right? Right.”

Back to me: I love Portland and want the world for them to succeed. Season ticket holder, never miss a road game, podcasts, any article even loosely associated with the team, the whole nine yards. But number five? That’s a stretch. Philly’s a bigger stretch and USA Today should suspend C.C. two weeks without pay for ranking the Jazz behind the Mavs, Magic, Cavs, Pistons, Sixers, and yes, the Blazers.

Chris Colston’s NBA SAT score? He got the first four right but then faltered like a distraught, mega-nervous high school student freaking out about actually taking the test colleges place so much weight on. Final score: 212/1600.

Readers, please sound off on Mr. Colston. I think this has to be the most absurd power rankings I’ve seen since the Carolina Panthers were preseason Super Bowl favorites a season or two ago.

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