Interim Blazers versus Houston Rockets.

Sorry so late!
Houston had no problem taking care of the Blazers last night. We did get to see Ha and Yao on the floor together. Ha has a long way to go but I liked his effort. Kudos to Ruben for playing hard while having the flu. Why is it whenever Darius doesn't start, he has some "injury"? I think I will call T-Law "poster" because he is consistently wowing the crowd with his dunks.
Box Score

Zeke and Ha

T-Law.

Fast break in the making...

Darius's hand must have been hurting too much to get up...(he didn't move, once)

Poor Ruben...

Even with the flu Ruben gives 110%.

T-MAC.

Blazer brass faces off with the fans.

Last night the Blazers hosted their annual "fan forum". It is supposed to be an opportunity for fans to talk with management, ask questions and voice opinions. I have been to enough to know that these forums are essentially meaningless. There is nothing genuine about it. People ask questions and get answers that are very much expected. Fans are told what management thinks they want to hear and in the end, nothing is accomplished. Nothing changes.

Here is an example of how it goes:

"...They were asked three times in a span of five minutes about the franchise's decision to fire its coach and go to a philosophy of playing young players. Each time the panel bobbed and weaved, and steered the discussion toward the "exciting" future.

Yes, we know you're playing young players. Yes, we understand they're developing. What fans wanted to know is, since you've made a change in philosophy, and since you've re-tooled the roster to what amounts to a summer-league, why didn't you re-tool ticket prices?

Finally, a lady in the back row said, "You threw in the towel." (I couldn't agree more)

Patterson snapped back: "I don't agree with that at all..."
Source:Oregonlive.com

Here is a transcript from Blazers.com. This is all they can glean from the evening?

Anyone could have predicted this. What a waste of time.

I guess I will mention that the Blazers are now toting "new special ticket pricing" for season ticket holders. Yippee, what about the money I am wasting right now? It's not enough, not enough at all. We season ticket holders deserve refunds for all the games that have become exhibitions and not NBA contests.

Interim Blazers versus Washington Wizards.

The Blazers ran out of gas. Rebounding is really becoming a problem the Blazers need to look at. Turnovers aren't far behind. Getting the free throw line and MAKING the freebies would help. There is simply not enough steam in the Blazer engine these days. The pressure builds and we get a win and then it's time to start over. The Blazers are now officially out of the playoff picture.
I am truly impressed with Travis Outlaw. He is a joy to watch. The buzz last night was that Mo Cheeks has been attending a few games and will be at the Houston game. Incredible.

Last night's game was by far the lowest attendance I have seen since I have been going to Blazer games. The arena was more than half empty. Paul Allen was there for once We think it was his 3rd game since Mo was fired. I hope he took notice. They may have sold more tickets but they clearly weren't used.
Box Score

Hustle

D-Miles

T-Law! This guy is very hard to get a picture of. He is FAST!

FINALLY!

Fraaaaaaaaaaahm!

T.K.O.

TAIKO!

Knicks considering Damon Stoudamire.

Damon is going to have a lot of choices before him this summer. One of them appears to be playing for the Knicks. I hate to think of Damon leaving but I certainly don't blame him for wanting as far from Portland as he can get. I hope he returns, but I am not counting on it. I think the Blazers are ready to run all of our veterans out of town.

From NYDailynews.com:
"...Stoudamire, according to sources, is a free agent the Knicks will strongly consider this summer, even if Thomas selects a guard in the draft. Thomas wants to add quickness, experience and another ball handler to his backcourt. The addition of a player of Stoudamire's caliber would allow Stephon Marbury to play more minutes at shooting guard...

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but anything is possible," Stoudamire said of signing for a reduced amount. "Always things you can do to get it done. I'm just looking forward to free agency. I haven't been free for a long time..."
LINK

Interim Blazers versus New York Knicks

I apologize for being so late with this but with Easter and NCAA, my attentions have been far from here. We went to the game Saturday night. We got Ruben's autograph. That made my night. I thanked him for his hard work. Now that Pritchard is doing exactly what Mo was doing, playing a mixture of youth and veterans, he is getting better results. I am still waiting for management to step in and slap his wrist for it. I have noticed that Paul Allen is rarely at the games anymore. I wonder why that is?

For us it was a very good basketball night. I think we were the only Illinois fans in the building. What a come back, or should I say, what a choke job by Arizona! When that final shot proved to be too late, we went nuts. A man behind us thought that Az. had won and he was screaming. My husband informed him that Az. had lost. He was not a happy camper. We were though! Later the Blazers also won. T-Law is looking far superior to Telfair.
Box Score
Here are a few pics from the night:

Ruben getting ready.

Ha

Thrilla

Directing traffic

Ruben says it wasn't his choice to not play.

I believe Ruben.

Last night Kevin Pritchard said that "I'd go to war with the guy" when being asked about Ruben. That is a very high compliment. Ruben is without question the best player the Blazers have. He is vital to success. He proved it again last night. Ruben played his first game since Maurice Cheeks was fired. He missed 11 games. He hasn't even been with the team. Blazer brass has been saying he was injured. Blazer fans knew he wasn't. Last night in a post game interview Ruben clearly stated that not playing was "not my choice."

I don't think I have to explain what this means.

I am sickened by Paul Allen, Steve Patterson and John Nash's behavior and I don't know what to do. Men like this should not have anything to do with sports. They'd be better off working for ENRON, or maybe a car dealership. I am furious!

I honestly do not know what to do. I am stuck between a team I love and support and an owner and management that I detest. I feel badly for Pritchard. He is stuck in the muck just like the players are. I wonder if he got called into the office today for daring to try and win last night.

UPDATE: What the Portland Tribune is saying. A plea from S. Patterson? Why? I wonder if S. Patterson got a call from a D. Stern?

Interim Blazers versus Seattle Supersonics

I have no doubt the Sonics will be on a mission tonight to do what they haven't been able to do in several tries. Win in Portland. I am fairly certain they will succeed. I hear that Ruben might actually get a chance to play. Perhaps they have finally decided that there is no way the youth can carry an NBA team. More likely, they want to further mask their quest for a better lottery pick. If Ruben is allowed to play, I wonder what sort of minutes he will get. You can be sure he won't start. Darius's tender ego wouldn't stand for it.
Game Preview

I'd rather stay home and watch the tourney!

UPDATE: I am glad I went to the game. Yes, there actually was a game in the Rose Garden last night. Thank you Ruben patterson for being the FANTASTIC PLAYER THAT YOU ARE! A six year contract should be yours. Shame on management for even having a thought about moving you. Once again Ruben was named as the super season ticket holder's favorite current player. Ruben recieved a standing ovation when he entered the game. His name could be heard being chanted throughout the arena. WAKE UP PAUL, this diamond is not inthe rough, it is shining like a star. Last night was the first time I saw an NBA team on the floor in Portland since Cheeks was fired. This is what fans want, not talent scouting and excuses for doing so.

Blazer management needs to admit they made a terrible mistake. Not getting to the playoffs is on their hands. They purposely pulled the plug. It's too late to stop this ship from sinking but for crying out loud, let the Blazers have some dignity and play to their potential like they were allowed to last night.

I heard Ruben say last night very clearly that not playing WAS NOT HIS CHOICE. We all know who did. We all know who forced the veterans out of the game and handicapped our chances of ever winning by forcing Pritchard to play the kids. Last night was a great game and only proved to me that I have been right. Blazer management has been tinkering with the integrity of the game. I'll say it again. We have a very good team that deserves good management and ownership. Until that happens nothing will be right. What they have done is about as wrong as it gets.
Good game guys.
Box Score

Ruben right in the thick of it-as always.

Damon doing his thing

Ruben doing his thing

DA doing his thing.

Encouragement from the bench.

Man of the evening-as always.

Hey Mr. Stern, looky over here.

If this quote is any indication of what David Stern expects from NBA owners and management, he needs to take a very close look at what is going on in Portland.
I'm still coughing after reading this one:

"I believe that right now each coaching decision is based on a fierce determination made by the owner and general manager that they want to win..."
Source:NYTimes.com

On the article this quote came from I would like to say that I never thought for a moment that Maurice Cheek's termination had anything to do with race. I still don't.

Interim Blazers versus Sacramento Kings

Rewind, repeat, Adelman gets his 700th win.
Box Score

I am not buying it.

I have been waiting to hear news from outside of Portland about what is going on with Blazer players Ruben Patterson, Nick Van Exel, Derek Anderson, Zach Randolph, and yes, Darius Miles.

A report I found today says that Ruben is BEING PAID TO STAY AWAY, Nick is boycotting because management GAVE UP ON MAKING THE PLAYOFFS (purposely losing), Zach Randolph decided that playing WASN'T WORTH THE TROUBLE, and Darius Miles CHOOSE NOT TO TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM. Derek has said that he is able to play but that management has chosen not to play him. Source:Detnews.com

There have been different views of the Blazer situation. Mine is that these players are in effect boycotting because they know that Blazer management is tanking the season. Playing these guys might cause a win. I also believe that those who would like to play are being pushed away and forced to not play in order to make it LOOK like it is necessary to play the "youngsters". When it comes to Darius, I think he simply thinks that "losing isn't fun". Why should he care? He has management wrapped around his little finger.

Of course Blazer management wants us all to believe that injuries and circumstance are at fault here. I don't buy that for a second. All of the choices made by Blazer management have been deliberate attempts to smoke screen their inability to manage a basketball franchise.

Here's my take:

1. Local media doesn't like a couple of players.
Choice: Trade players

2. Fans complain of "bad behavior".
Choice: 25 Point Pledge
Then there is Zach and his contract....I'll move on.

3. A player blatantly disrespects the coach.
Choice: Slap on the wrist, reimbursement plus interest, starting role, fire coach.

4. Opportunity to move tried and true assistant coaches into coaching position.
Choice: Make director of player personnel interim coach. Put off looking for a new coach.
It's getting smoky in here...

5. Making playoffs will require winning games.
Choice: Create injuries for veterans and suit up the "youth".

6. People question motives and actions.
Choice: Cite injuries and tell people they should "focus on the future not the present.
translation: don't look so closely at what we are doing.

7. Fans disappear in droves.
Choice: Give free lower bowl tickets to everyone that will take them. Hound fans with questionnaires.

8. Team continues to lose.
Choice: Blame players for not being "in the community" more.

9. Team still continues to lose.
Choice: Cite "We are trying to avoid a losing mentality, we just need a win", or the all too familiar "things happen". If these don't work, revert to choice #6.

10. Season ticket holder contracts come up for renewal.
Choice: NBA League Pass.

Do you think people are forgetting? Think again.

Today I found this gem that shows how yet another NBA coach views the scene in Portland. I don't have to summarize, Jeff Van Gundy, in responding to all the recent coach firings, does a great job all by himself.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy recently went on a wonderful rant about the wrongful treatment of ex-Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks. Van Gundy, like many others throughout the league, believes that Cheeks was the scapegoat for a whole lot of front-office mismanagement.

"It starts when you fire a quality coach like Maurice Cheeks. That's where it starts," he said. "That has nothing to do with chemistry. That's decision-making. That's bailing. No coach has a chance in this league without support.
"Nothing will fit if you don't support the coach. Nothing. If you don't support your coach, nothing works because then there's no order. And if there's no order, there can be no discipline or accountability. And if there's no discipline or accountability, it follows that people will be talking about chemistry. But I don't really think it's necessarily chemistry amongst the players."

Van Gundy is biased, of course. He coached Cheeks when he was an assistant in New York. But Van Gundy said the issue goes deeper than his own loyalty.

"In the end, whenever management says, 'We're in it together,' you know they're full of it," Van Gundy said. "They'll cut the coach off at the first sign of trouble, like they did in Portland.

"Very rarely in this league, when you have a quality guy like him, and a quality coach like him, do you know what you miss until it's gone . . . Mo Cheeks will be missed more than they'll ever know."
Source:Detnews.com

There is more but that will be a new post...soon.

Interim Blazers versus Los Angeles Clippers

I never would have thought that the Blazers would be looking up the ladder at the Clippers, but they are. The Clippers at 29-37 are fairing better than the Blazers. The Clippers are a long shot for the playoffs. They are 6 1/2 games back of Denver. The Clippers boast one of the best home records (22-13) in the western conference. This is a game that Portland probably can win, but I'd say the odds are against them.
Game Preview

I want to mention a side note from today's NBA news.
The Cleveland Cavaliers fired coach Paul Silas today, however they intend to keep playing to win. I'd say they know the meaning of the word integrity. The Cavs new owner Dan Gilbert said, "We felt the change today was necessary. It's going to put us in a better position to win." GM Paxson says "We felt that if we didn't make this decision that we were jeopardizing our ability to be a playoff team this year." Source:Oregonlive.com

When will the Blazer owner/management see the error of their ways?

UPDATE: I hope Clipper fans as a whole have more class than the loud mouth that represented them on TV last night. What a jerk! Mr. Mouth needs to be reminded that the name is "Killa". Fans like that don't help their team.
Another loss. It's hard to watch but who can be suprised at this point?
Box Score

Interim Blazers versus Orlando Magic

Tonight is a game that the Blazers may have an opportunity to win. The Magic have been struggling and their coach, Johnny Davis, was recently fired. Chris Jent and Kevin Pritchard will go head to head as interim coaches. There is one big difference though, the Magic are playing to win with the veterans and the Blazers are "evaluating talent". We'll have to see which method works.
Game Preview

Derek Anderson gets the message.

I came across this side note to an article at the Oregonian website today. In it there are a few words from Derek Anderson that are more evidence that Blazer management has sent a loud and clear message to not only the fans, but to players as well.

Derek Anderson says the Blazers have "lied" to him after he has played six minutes and one minute in the past two games since returning from the injured list. Anderson said the team called him in Louisville, Ky., while he was rehabilitating his back and told him to rejoin the team so he could play. "First, they said it was Maurice (Cheeks) who wouldn't play me, and now this," Anderson said. "Don't tell me one thing and then don't do it. I got my back together and now I come back and don't play. They are trying to be nasty. I guess because I haven't cussed anybody out they feel they need to punish me. I don't know, but that's not how you treat people." General manager John Nash said the team wanted to give Anderson time to practice and get into shape before he played extensive minutes. (yeah right)
Source: Oregonlive.com

Interim Blazers versus Dallas Mavericks.

Well, what can I say? This has become so strange. I am not accustomed to expecting my team to lose! I could talk about the hopeful growth of our young guys. I could talk about the effort of our veterans. It has become a broken record. The Mavs are coming off of a pretty sorry performance resulting in a loss to Minnesota. I expect them to be determined to win. Good luck Blazers. You are going to need it. Perhaps the guys should wear some green or put four leaf clovers in their shoes! (Happy St. Patty's everyone!)
Game Preview

For fun...hey Blazer fans, remember the two-minute dunk fest the Blazers had against Dallas back in the 03 season? Man, I sure hope to see that again some day.

UPDATE: Too bad. I wanted to see the Blazers pull this one off. They could have. Oh well, Blazer brass are now one step closer to their goal. Travis looks outstanding!
Box Score

My Bracket.

I was going to scan my bracket and post it but my scanner isn't hooked up yet!
Here are my picks just so you know. You can follow the scores at ESPN.

Chicago:
Illinois/Nevada/Alabama/BC/LSU/AZ/SIU/OSU
Illinois/BC/AZ/OSU
Illinois/OSU
Illinois

Albuquerque:
UW/Pacific/G Tech/Louisville/TxTech/Zags/W.VA./Wake
UW/Louisville/Zags/Wake
UW/Wake
Wake

Syracuse:
NC/Minn/Villa/FLA/Wisc./KU/Charlotte/Conn
NC/Villa/KU/Conn
NC/KU
NC

Austin (the hardest stinking region):
Duke/Miss. St./Mich.St./Syr/Utah/OK/Cinci/KY
Duke/Mich.St./OK/KY
Duke/OK
Duke

Final Four: Illinois/Wake/NC/Duke
Finals: Illinois/NC
Champion: ILLINOIS

Interim Blazers versus Houston Rockets.

Houston, you do not have a problem. Houston has been playing very well. I will be completely shocked if the Blazers manage a win tonight. Our youngsters are no match for T-Mac and Yao. As we have witnessed, Damon, SAR, Theo and Przybilla can not do it alone. One thing I am wondering about is whether Ha will see any minutes tonight so he can play against Yao. Ha has said before that he is not scared of Yao at all. I'd love to see it. I am sure they are both curious about each other. Ruben is listed on the IL. DA is activated.
Game Preview (NBA.com)
Game Preview (Oregonlive.com)

UPDATE: There is only one thing to say about tonight's game against Houston,
THROW IT DOWN T-LAW!
Travis's dunk over Yao made the #1 play of the day on ESPN. It is well deserved.

Meet "The Wild One".

Mike Rice, or "the wild one" as he is known to listeners of KXL Blazer broadcasts has a style all his own. He is the perfect compliment to the often boisterous Brian Wheeler. I am a fan of the Blazer broadcast team "Wheels and Rice". Brian Wheeler is the play by play guy and Mike Rice is the commentator. Together they make listening to Blazer games via radio a true pleasure. I often find myself laughing at them. I think they are very good at what they do.

The Portland Tribune did a piece on Mike Rice that I think anyone who is a fan would enjoy reading. I think it is funny that Rice's claim to fame is being the only team broadcaster kicked out of a game. What makes it even funnier to me is that it was Steve Javie that did it. The way Steve blows his whistle when he refs a Blazer game makes me wonder if he still has a chip on his shoulder! Seriously, these are the off court stories that are a part of what makes following a team so much fun.

From the Tribune:
"...After a distinguished 20 years as a coach and another 16 in broadcasting, Rice’s claim to fame was the day in 1994 when he became the only broadcaster to be ejected from an NBA game. “Certain things stand out in a career,” Rice says, chuckling again at the thought. “You would hope that wouldn’t be the only thing you’d be known for. But because I was the only one ever, that’s how everyone identifies me.” Rice isn’t going to lose sleep over it. In fact, he embraces his notoriety. He loves the attention. He loves to talk. He loves his job. At, as Wheeler says, “65 going on 25,” Rice figures he’s beating the system, and he’ll do it forever..."

Mike Rice will broadcast his 1,500th game tonight. Read more at Blazers.com.

Where have I been?

I figure I owe any possible readers I have an explanation as to why I haven't been keeping up with Blazer games. First of all, I recently moved and have been working on setting up our new home. However, this isn't the reason. The reason is that I am simply not as interested as I was. It shocks me because I am a die hard. I am known for my Blazermania. It has become something that people associate with me. Lately people ask me Blazer questions and I have to say "I don't know".

What happened? This is a question I have been struggling with. The beginning of this season was filled with hope, as every new season is. After learning of blogs during the election, I decided to start a Blazer blog. By December it became clear that this season wasn't going to be what I had hoped for. I accepted that and continued to support my team. In thinking about it, I was fine until I learned that the men managing the franchise were not truthful and have no apparent ability to understand how important integrity and respect are. Small stuff? Perhaps to you, but not to me. If you do not know what I am talking about, check the archives about the Darius Miles incident.

To this day these men think that the pathway to connecting to the fans is by putting the responsibility on the player's shoulders. Their answer? "Get them into the community". Sure, this is nice, but it happens anyway and it is NOT what the problem is. Steve Patterson, John Nash and Paul Allen need to take a good long look in the mirror and decide if they themselves have any intentions of following their own advice. Until management stops pointing their fingers at the team and starts pointing it at themselves, the Blazer franchise will continue it's fall from grace.

Because of this, I am struggling with how to support a team that I am proud of, yet not their management. The only thing I have is the $$ I pay for season tickets. I also have the $$ I spend on merchandise and bringing others to games and what they spend on merchandise. I can watch the team play on TV or listen on radio. This is what I am doing. I am not renewing my ticket contract. I am not dragging people to games. I am not buying merchandise. I took the flag down from in front of my house. Yes, we were "those" people. I feel like I have broken out of a bad relationship and am trying to find a way to remain friends. It will be a process.

Until then, I will continue to blog about the Blazers and my thoughts and experiences about them. I am not blind or refusing to see the good things that are there. Outlaw and Telfair are doing a decent job. I hope their confidence is not ruined in the process. I enjoy seeing Damon making the best of a disastrous situation. I love what I see from Przybilla. The sacrifice Theo is giving is well noted. Richie Frahm also deserves credit for his efforts in such a STUPID scenario. Reef? I bet his bags are packed already. He has been a great sport through it all.

I miss Ruben terribly. He should have been this year's Blazer MVP or even the league MIP.
I wonder if he will even be allowed to play. My guess is no or minimally. Seriously, why risk winning by playing Rube? That doesn't follow the plan.

Yes, I am bitter. I am angry. I am frustrated and I feel taken advantage of. I do not trust Blazer management or ownership any longer. My trust in them has been broken and it is going to take a LOT to earn it back. I never dreamed that the guys on the team would be forced to blow a season. I said it. I believe it. By purposely not playing the best players, Steve Patterson, John Nash and Paul Allen have effectively put the Blazers into a position that everyone KNOWS they can not be competitive for anything but the lottery. It's dirty and I do not support it.

This is where I am.

Should Paul Allen sell the Blazers?

YES! The Blazer franchise is in serious trouble and the players are not to blame. I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of Paul Allen and his management team. These guys don't have a clue what it takes to make fans happy. Using the local newspaper as your compass is not the way to run a franchise.

I don't know of many fans that blame the current team (outside Miles) for the uncontrollable downhill run the Blazer franchise is on. They are completely ignoring the glaring fact that fans have lost trust in MANAGEMENT. They are the ones that need to go. The fans don't give a rip about game time entertainment, free tickets, being moved from upper levels to lower levels (so seats can be filled), etc. Fans do give a rip about respect. There are less fans willing to support a franchise that chooses to back a player over a highly respected coach, lies to fans, and behaves like children when caught in that lie, than there are fans who will support these actions.

Today I finally read what I have been hoping to read. I hope this is the beginning of the push. Hey, the Oregonian was instrumental in getting Bonzi and Sheed out of town, why not Paul Allen and his management team? If PatterNash can prove that they are only doing Paul's bidding I may cut them some slack. I still think the whole bunch should just walk away. These guys do the media's bidding most of the time anyway. Why not now?

"...There is a growing perception that Allen should sell the team if the franchise is to make a clean break with the controversy-filled past and start anew.
"They've changed all the players. They've changed all the management. The one constant in all this is his style of ownership," Swangard said. "When you're rebuilding the image of the Blazers, you still have to think one of the big X factors in all this is people's perception of the owner. Allen just isn't what a lot of people want from the ownership of the franchise they support.
"A lot people think the ultimate answer is that Allen just has to wise up and realize he has to sell the team..."
Source: Oregonlive.com

More Blazers/Memphis pictures.

Pritchard senses a win.

Bonzi signing autographs.

Outlaw, Miles and Baker.

The Prince of Telfair.