...is not going to come from Loaded Orygun. That's a job that was mostly being done while I was making my way back from the Garden Saturday night, stewing and just feeling a little sick. But for a story that carries national interest in the sports world, you might come across all kinds of stories and reactions running the gamut in the national and local media--and some of it is definitely better than others, so a careful culling and pruning is best advised.
I have my own thoughts, of course:
I was crushed like a grape under Paul Allen's money when I arrived (a bit late) to the game and heard the news. I spent much of the rest of the contest failing to appreciate the privilege of seeing the Blazers live, but in the fourth quarter as Roy began to work his magic I confess I got into the moment. But even after that thrilling finish, immediately after I felt empty and anguished all over again.
It kills me to see all of the "Bust" tags and "shoulda picked Durant" told-you-sos from around the NBA. For one thing it's a load of crap; nobody is a bust at 21 unless their body or mind is totally broken, and while a patellar injury is ugly and difficult, it's not generally career threatening. And I would still whisper in Kevin Pritchard's ear to take Greg, even knowing what would happen to him, as long as I knew everything else about him that Portland has come to love. Simply put, he's family now--and you don't even consider sending away family, or wishing they never came into your life.
The Blazers may still be a playoff team in 09-10, just not a playoff WINNING team. And maybe they still would have been without Greg, but added to the loss of Batum and Outlaw, it's just too much. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to look forward to, particularly in the opportunities now likely for guys like Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph to jumpstart their careers.
I could probably go on for a while; this is an emotional subject and I have plenty of emotion to offer. The bottom line is that I feel just terrible for Greg and the rest of the team...but both he and the City will pull through and rise again. Re-UpRise!
But the real reason for posting is to direct you to one article you must read in order to understand. Whether you have time and interest for just one article or 100, there is a must read out there. Naturally, it comes from the guys at Blazers Edge, possibly the best community oriented team sports blog in the nation. Proprietor "Blazer Dave" penned a reaction on Saturday night that is honest, realistic, clear-eyed...and yet also strongly sentimental and coming from the same fan's voice that many of us carry. There's another good piece from him today on where and how the Blazers go from here, and also his buddy Ben has a solid roundup of things from around the horn (as well as a more immediate one from Saturday, with video)--but this is the one that's seminal:
And I know my heart is bleeding into my head as I say the following, but that doesn't mean my head is totally divorced from the equation. I am still overjoyed Greg Oden is a Portland Trail Blazer. In fact were I the owner or GM of this team visiting him the very first thing I'd say is, "I am glad we picked you and if we had to make the pick all over again I would choose the same way." I don't expect Oklahoma Thunder fans to look at it that way. Heck, I don't expect anyone in the whole rest of the league to look at it that way tonight. I get that. I know all of the reasons it makes sense. But that makes sense for you. For me, and I believe for the Blazers, Oden is still the right guy. I would not want anyone else. I've been watching this game for a long time. I've been through the 62 stages of early fandom and have managed to come through passion intact but also, I hope, with a pretty good sense of distinguishing truth from wishes, that which is solid from that which is just convenient and noisy. Greg has shown me something. Even as raw as he is, even as little as we've seen of him compared to what we'd wish, his presence on the court is unique among his teammates and has the potential to be unique in this league. More to the point, for the Blazers he has the potential to do something that a scoring small forward, speedy point guard, or burly power forward does not: decisively fill--nay, overflow--a hole that potentially stands between us and a championship. If Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge weren't already on this team I might not be saying that. If we didn't have a glut of scoring forwards and guards besides I might not be saying that. If I didn't have faith that management will eventually settle the point guard position I might not be saying that. But when push comes to shove the guy in the middle is still the hardest to find and a guy with the potential to bend the game like Oden does is all but impossible to find. Other players would make this team better right now. But I'm not as confident that other players would end up being the potential championship piece for this team in this situation that Greg Oden could be.
Take whoever you want. Make whatever comparisons you want. Give me #52. Then talk to me in a decade and let's see who came out ahead. Greg was quoted by the Blazers, saying, "I'm obviously disappointed having worked so hard to get to where I was. This is a setback, but I'll be back." And we'll be cheering for you: now, then, and after.
Perhaps you watched 60 Minutes last week and saw LeBron James casually throw up a 3/4 court shot while giving an interview to Steve Kroft. The guy's the king, no doubt--it looked effortless, whereas I'd need one of those t-shirt guns just to get it that far--but it's not like he's the only person who can drain a long ball.
I don't think it was meant to compete with LeBron necessarily, but at a kids' camp day featuring Blazer big man and rookie Greg Oden, he decided he'd try one while the promo cameras were rolling. Check it out:
At the end Oden confirms there were no video tricks, and warns us "I better see a commercial out of that." They played it multiple times during the broadcast of the Jazz asswhuppin, so mission accomplished. My favorite parts are the kids, one of whom you can hear saying, "Holy CRAP!" So great to see that goofy Oden grin--along with, let's be honest, the look of pure shock that he'd drained it. Good times!
As Blazer Nation huddles near a heat source, knees up and rocking with a gentle moan sipping wine or perhaps a Maker's Mark, let me break the news to you gently if you haven't already heard: Greg Oden, not ready, 7-10 days the new timeline. They promise. Drip. Drip.
Conspiracy theories and the inevitable ohmygodwhatabustweshouldhavegottenDurant drumbeats have rekindled anew on the Oregonlive and BlazersEdge comment sections, and while Occam left me a message tonight reminding me that "the knee is still sore" is very likely the prominent reason Oden will miss another week's worth of games at minimum (including some where, as with Texas he'd come in mighty handy), I can understand that the slow leak and unhelpful local media pressure have created a perception that fans aren't getting the whole story.
Let's leave the rank speculation then, and talk about what it does to (for?) the team as they enter the stretch drive. First, if we take the latest statement at face value, he'll miss a long homestand (minus the Denver game in 'rado this week) featuring important West games against the Mavs, Wolves and L$kers. It's not the rest of the season, but it's a pretty key chunk of it. Navigate these next six games 4-2, picking up just one of Denver/LA/Dallas, and it's a strong week. Go even money or less, and it could damage seeding.
That's what's at stake--what's the impact? I'll give it a go, below.
(I might could have used an actual picture of Roy, like the snazzy one at Blazers.com next to the story I'm about to relate, that you can already figure out from the title, a bad pun on a Prince song from an album every teenager was issued in the early 1980s. But look at the guy--he knows he's pretty, he knows nobody plays 341 different instruments like he does, sounding kick-ass on all of them. He knows who the ladies like. He knows he can get away with wearing elbow-length lace gloves, and nobody even ponders anymore how some undertall kid from a decidely non-mainstream music mecca ended up throwing down so well, with so few peers like he has. )
With his second invitation to the All-Star game (albeit as a reserve both times; whaddyagonnado with Kobe in LA), this feels like Roy's Purple Rain moment. Now he's kind of on the same freak scale as Michael Jackson (well, he was always a freak), but back then he was Michael after Michael was Michael. Thriller was 82, Purple Rain 84. He wasn't as big worldwide, but that summer you heard Prince simply by turning on a radio.
Roy's no freak, except for maybe the freakishness of being in the Association and having no record, no Technicals Temper, no series of reproductive romantic encounters, no giant duffel of spliff in the trunk, etc. His utter normalcy makes him stand out, even on a team full of mandated Boy Scouts and Aw Shucks guys.
Last year was a surprise; this year I think would have been a surprise if the coaches had not selected him--but it's always unsure. And that lack of suspense is a sign of stature in itself. It would have been a travesty not to play him, the way he's been performing. Whatever success the Blazers have this year, with the exception of their two wins without him, they owe at the core to Brandon Roy.
And if you didn't pick up on it, those things that are true about Prince are quite a bit like Roy's circumstance--he is a virtuoso of moves, both at the rim and from range. He rebounds. He steals. He goes with both hands equally well. He's small, from an area not necessarily scouted for its multitude of top HS players, and was a prodigious talent very quickly when he went major league. As I said, he's the core and the glue that binds all the loose but capable-of-grooving-together pieces that surround him. He knows it, and he'll turn the spotlight on himself when he thinks he needs to carry the load, but he's happy being part of a group as well.
So congratulations Brandon and the Blazers for really having a coming out party in Phoenix! Roy will join Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez, both of whom will be on the Rookie team in the Rookie-Soph match, and Rudy of course will also be unveiling his mystery jams for the Dunk Contest. How long has it been since Portland had such a presence at All-Star weekend? Never, I'd wager, since this ancillary stuff hasn't been around but for so long. Looking forward to it!
Being on sick leave today is kind of double edged sword for the blog: I'm at home rather than at work, which means I can post whenever I like...but I'm at home sick, meaning I'm more likely to prefer sleeping or moaning quietly in a chair while mourning Bob Barker's departure as I watch the new host of Price is Right not being as good as Bob Barker.
So like me, perhaps the Blazer-afflicted among you are ready to move on from a thoroughly disappointing and reality-calibrating loss at Utah's "EnergyCenter" arena. It certainly was no center of energy for the Blazers, who were as kinetically diffuse as they were off-kilter. "A step late and two inches off center" would about describe the way Portland played on defense and offense last night, respectively. Forty-four Jazz points in the paint, six-of-27 shooting from distance for the Blazers are the data backing up the sentiment.
I happened to see this ad for the first time last night, although apparently it's been out almost a year, and I about fell out of my chair with laughter. Greg Oden is a guy with a good sense of humor, is self-deprecating and can be very facially expressive. Which is all part of why this ad rocks, for ESPN Magazine. Enjoy!
Let's be honest, Greg Oden has already had more than his share of "welcome to the NBA" moments--draft day, that amazing reception in Pioneer Square, his first big contract, first major injury, first game, first game left due to injury, first dunk...but despite the absurdly short window of time given to evaluate the situation, Oden was already being judged as an injury risk or someone they simply couldn't rely on to be a factor for an emerging playoff team. After all, the kid's just a rookie. Can he put in 20 minutes? Can he put in a back-to-back? Can he shoot fouls in a league where they will just abuse him if he can't at least hit 50%?
As a result, the completely gregarious Oden had become a rather tense looking giant, and very early on everyone looked unsure of how he would hold up and how he fit into their offensive scheme--which until he steps onto the court is one predicated on perimeter shooting.
So the last two games on Friday and Saturday--back to back games on the road no less--have been a delicious preview of what might be to come for both Oden and his teammates, all of whom to a man look ready to produce at a high level. In a loss at New Orleans and bounceback victory against a Minnesota team they'd already beaten this season at home, Oden immediately became a game changer: a plus player for his minutes, a legitimate scoring option, and a serious shot-changer and glasshog on defense. The next ten opponents of the Blazers better make sure they have fresh film, because they're going to need to scrap last year's scouting report and write up a new one. This is what they are likely to face:
Oden on Saturday finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals and was one of the central figures in the Blazers' 12-point comeback in the second half. He wrestled rebounds from Minnesota players, held his ground against star Al Jefferson, and was so effective on offense that Minnesota's best defense was to foul him, resulting in eight free throw attempts in 24 minutes. He also had a tie-breaking monster dunk late in the fourth quarter.
"I've been telling people once he gets healthy and gets his confidence, this dude is going to be a force," said Brandon Roy, who had 24 points and six assists. "And I still think he is giving people just a taste of what he is going to do. I mean, he's good man. People just have to continue to be patient."
Saturday's performance came one night after Oden had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks at New Orleans, easing any worries that his surgically repaired right knee can withstand the rigors of back-to-back games.
Ok, maybe I'm being just a TOUCH optimistic by suggesting a perfect, undefeated season for the Blazers this year. But you'd be less popular around here than Sarah Palin at a gay barista's convention, if you were to mention out loud that you don't fully expect the team to make the playoffs this year. Anticipation could not be higher, and if you're finding yourself insufficiently crazed for tonight's season opener against Kobe and the archrival Lakers, get thee hither to The O's preview section.
And hey, how about some news on the Opening Night front? One day after announcing that rookie Nicholas Batum would replace the injured Martell Webster as a starter, coach Nate McMillan thought better of tossing his French Surprise into the lights and spectacle of a nationally televised first game against one of the league's marquee teams. Travis Outlaw will get the chance to show what he can do in extended minutes instead.
GO BLAZERS! The wait is finally over. Show us whatcha got, boys!
Sure, sure--it's only preseason, it's the first game of preseason, and the Sacramento Kings are not exactly Celtics West. But fans of the Blazers have been waiting to see Greg Oden play someone besides his own teammates since about June of '07, so forgive us if we're champing at the bit for action. We're also pretty stoked about European phenom (and Olympic silver medalist) Rudy Fernandez' arrival in Stumptown. And to see the result of the Blazers' maiden court effort with their shiny new parts--a 110-81 wipeout of the Kings at the Rose Garden--can't help but excite the crap out of us for the regular season.
It took all of two minutes for Oden to make his presence felt, slamming home a dunk and setting the crowd afire. But Fernandez didn't need very long to nearly catch up to Oden on the Anticipatory Delirium meter, making dazzling passes and moving with fluidity on the hardwood. You're going to hear a lot of "Rudy, Rudy!" if you go to a home game this year.
Think I'm exaggerating the importance and value of a single exhibition? John Canzano at The O agrees with me that while it may not count in the standings, it definitely counts in other ways. We've suffered too long through previous wastoid teams, we've waited long enough to see the new players, and we've definitely waited long enough to head into the season feeling like Portland has a playoff team.
The players feel pretty good about things, too. Take a listen:
The Oregonian documented every pivot and dunk and referred to parts of the Aug. 4 workout as “awe-inspiring.”
“I’ve got tingles,” Tom Penn, the Trail Blazers’ assistant general manager, told the newspaper.
Oden’s every step has been closely watched in the Pacific Northwest, where expectations have only grown in his absence. The young Blazers surprised the league by going 41-41 last season without him. Oden will join a lineup flush with budding talent, including the All-Star guard Brandon Roy, forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw and the sharpshooter Martell Webster.
Oden’s return should push the Trail Blazers into playoff contention for the first time since 2003, and perhaps into title contention in the near future. Coming out of Ohio State, Oden was viewed as a once-in-a-generation center, a skilled, powerful big man who could dominate the paint for the next decade. A year spent in the training room has hardly diminished those hopes.
“Once we selected Greg Oden, expectations just went out the roof,” Coach Nate McMillan said. “You immediately start thinking championship when you think about Greg Oden. One day you should be winning one. So expectations are very high, even though he hasn’t played one game. You can’t control that.”
That's a two year old picture by the way, from his Ohio State days--it just happened to be the one that came up first and most interestingly in my search for an accompanying image. I'm sure all the girls he dances with now wear pants. :) But folks in Oregon are definitely feeling about Oden and the Blazers like a pantsless sorority girl; only about 100 season tickets remain, with around 300 11-game packages left. The days just two short years ago, when people literally gave away tickets in the 200s just before gametime (I know, I got a pair) are over. Walk up tickets? Feh! Better craigslist it, my brotha. But it's gonna be sweet.
Today I got a phone call from Senator Barack Obama. I was so nervous two days ago when I knew it was gonna happen and wanted to make sure he knew I had done my homework on him. I have a lot of respect for him and already had a really good feeling about him. As the time got closer, I got on his website, learned more about what he is about and brushed up on what I knew, so I got more comfortable with the idea of speaking to him one on one.
The conversation was quick - like two minutes but I got to talk to him like a real person. What I got from talking to him is that he is a real sports fan and he knew about the Blazers. He said that when I come back Brandon, LaMarcus and I will be a force next year. He also asked me about my knee, and he said he wasn't feeling my mohawk - lol. I laughed and explained to him that it's just a haircut to me and he told me he liked how I handle myself as a young man - "Thanks Mom." I did not talk politics with him. He talks about that stuff all the time and I'm going to keep learning more about the issues.
He is a very nice man and I am a big fan. I got the chance to go to his website (www.barackobama.com) and read up on some of his beliefs and there are things he is doing that I really support like his plan with education, civil rights, and health care. That's why Senator Obama is getting my vote.
This is clearly designed to motivate the Ohio voters, since Oden did tarry a spell there before finding home in Oregon. They probably still like him there...but now he's OURS, so lay off! As for Obama, good to hear that he knows his hoops and is drooling like the rest of us at the thought of Roy, LA and Oden anchoring the team next year.
So Oden IS a political animal of sorts, and is engaged in this year's election...any OTHER endorsements, perhaps more local? Shoot, he doesn't even have to endorse--I'd give a week's pay just for the photo op of Oden standing next to Steve Novick. Or maybe one of Oden lazily reaching up and touching the rim--and Novick hanging from it by the hook. The possibilities are endless, but that's the long and short of it. (Booooooo)
Greg Oden, the top pick in this year's NBA draft, likely will miss his first season with the Portland Trail Blazers after surgery on his right knee Thursday.
Doctors found cartilage damage during an exploratory procedure, and team physician Dr. Don Roberts performed microfracture surgery to repair the damage.
It was a fairly busy day in Oregon news, which online for the Oregonian seems to focus heavily on Portland, especially at night. Shootings and fires and whatnot. There was a shooting in Northeast tonight, but also Mayor Potter announced he will not run for re-election, and a soldier from Damascus became the latest Oregon fatality in the Iraq war. So there's lots to talk about or make sure everybody sees.
But The Oregonian knows what people are really going to toss and turn over tonight: in by far the biggest type, this saved page from about 1145 last night:
Blazers Greg Oden Will Have Knee Surgery
OK, even getting a scope is not a good thing to have happen to the savior of the franchise. But geez...it's September. Who worries about basketball the first week of football season? And oh yeah, there's that whole "it's a game and maybe not quite as important as say a shooting or a home-state military fatality" thing.
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(I might could have used an actual picture of Roy, like the 
Ok, maybe I'm being just a TOUCH optimistic by suggesting a perfect, undefeated season for the Blazers this year. But you'd be less popular around here than Sarah Palin at a gay barista's convention, if you were to mention out loud that you don't fully expect the team to make the playoffs this year. Anticipation could not be higher, and if you're finding yourself insufficiently crazed for tonight's season opener against Kobe and the archrival Lakers, 
The Oregonian documented every pivot and dunk and referred to parts of the Aug. 4 workout as “awe-inspiring.”
