"This Changes Everything."
posted: 5/22/2007 at 10:16 PM
I'm going to attempt to go thorugh this blog without overstating everything, but that will probably be difficult. I will first say that this has to go down as one of the top four or five moments in franchise history. You could probably get away with ranking it higher than that.
As I left our special draft lottery radio show, headed for KGW to do an interview with them, I got a call from Kevin Pritchard, who was absolutely bouncing off the walls. He told me he had just talked to owner Paul Allen, and that he was bouncing off the walls. KP told me that Paul had told him, "this changes everything." As you know, Mr. Allen loves to the draft, and this year his team will be selecting first on June 28th.
Our lottery party was nuts, and, yes, that's me in the photo giving someone a high five. I don't know who it was, and that was kind of the case all night long. It was as if years of frustration popped like a balloon in a single moment. I don't care what it means on paper, I just know what it felt like in that moment.
As I said on a TV interview following the event, I don't think this has really sunk in yet. I'm not sure when it will. I had played this over in my mind so many times during the past several weeks, and then had usually stopped myself for fear I was going too far, and that I was getting unrealistic. Afterall, I knew we had just a 5 percent chance of landing the top pick. I played the lottery simulators all the time, and many times would have to simulate the lottery process 100 times or so to finally get the Blazers to land in the top spot. When it mattered for real, in New Jersey, incredibly, our number came up. Around work we always used the term "if lightning stirkes" when talking about the possibility of landing the top spot. It's now happened, and a city is changed. We have only begun to feel the shockwaves of this.
How incredibly ironic that a year ago we were kicked in the stomach during the lottery, as the Blazers, with the best odds of any team, fell to the fourth spot. Thanks to Pritchard, things still turned out very well with the draft-day trades. Now, it's Memphis and Boston doing the cursing, and the Blazers have finally seen their number come up. And, it couldn't have happened at a better time.
NBA commissioner David Stern was quoted as saying, "Tonight we're looking at what's probably going to be the deepest draft in a couple of decades." And, keep in mind, that's with the dramatic drop off that everyone has said will come after the first two picks. That tells you how highly thought of Greg Oden and Kevin Durant are thought of.
Pritchard learned of the selection about 90 minutes before the world heard. He was stuck in a room, with no phone, no way to communicate with anyone in Portland, and not even a way to tell Brandon Roy, who was on the TV set representing the Blazers. He told me he yelled, hopped out of his chair, and then did laps around the room chugging water, with his mind racing to figure it all out.
I will say that for as often as I talked to Kevin about this, he never waivered from his belief that we would have the number one pick. When talking about the draft, or lottery, he always said "when we get the number-one pick..." I guess that says something about the power of positive thinking.
The winning number in this important lottery game? "591413." That was the first sequence of balls pulled in the back room. Pritchard said he ran his finger up and down his sheet of 53 combinations and went numb when he realized what had just happened. They pulled 14, which he says has always been his favorite number, and then it took unlucky number 13 to make the dream a reality.
I've got three audio links for you to hear from our radio show. The first one is from our actual live broadcast, and is about the moment we learned we had struck gold. To hear that moment, if you can even hear it,
click here.
Also, I have our interview with Kevin Pritchard, after we had been on the air for over three hours, and KP had wrapped up his national conference call. He joined us and shared his excitment with our radio audience. To listen to that,
click here.
Finally, head coach Nate McMillan joined us before the actual lottery had started, and we talked about all of the scenarios. We then called him back, after we got the number-one pick. It's a great interview, and great to hear the excitement in his voice. To listen to Nate's interview,
click here.
So, now we can start talking about the NBA Draft, which will be on June 28th in New York City. We'll have a draft party at the Rose Garden on that night, and you are invited. It's also going to be a seat selection night for season ticket holders. And, I should mention that if you're on the fence about season tickets, you had better jump before it's too late. The phone system crashed due to heavy volume several times on Tuesday night, and this website was having a difficult time accepting all the orders. It was a momumental night as far as ticket sales are concerned.
We can also let the debate begin. Oden, or Durant? They're both headed to the Northwest, which is amazing in itself. We'll get the first selection, and Seattle will get the second. What a night for the Sonics, by the way, who got a massive shot in the arm by moving up to number two. They're trying to save that franchise in Seattle, and this is exactly what they needed. I'm happy for them.
I could go on, and on, and on, but it's your turn. Thanks for all the support. And, if you've been gone for a while, welcome back.
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I can't wait for next season, we will be going to the playoffs for sure!!!
This does change everything...What a break for a franchise that really deserves it. We were already headed in the right direction but this could speed up our rebuilding process imensely...The basketball Gods were smiling on us tonight!
Can anyone say rookie of the year twice?
I fantasized about this possibility for the last couple of months, but I'd never thought I'd ever see it as a reality!!!
Wowweee!!
We'll see Roy, Aldridge, and Oden in the finals in 2009!!!
Andy Grant, Lifelong fan!
Congrats to you, Mike. You and Rice are the finest, and I know sometimes it must be hard talking about a young team that "really fought" but didn't pull games off. This is going to be a wild ride for both of you, too, and I look forward to seeing smiles on both of your faces for a long time to come.
I couldn't believe my ears when I got home. Going out to buy Apacolipto on Blue-ray I walk through the door. Then my brother tells me Blazers got the number 1 draft pick. My brother has been talking to me all year how the Blazers need to get Oden so the should lose. Then it looks like we had no chance of getting a good pick. Now we get the best prospect since Shaq. This is crazy...I love the Blazers.
WOOHOO! Man, am I glad I signed up for season tickets at the end of this season. Watching these Blazers led by B-Roy all year, I just knew next year was going to be something special. Now we know it's going to be something even more than that.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR TIPOFF!
I don't think I have screamed so loud or long about the Blazers since winning the Championship 30 years ago. My husband doesn't share my love of basketball so he was getting pretty annoyed with the noise. So, I called my 20 year old son in Eugene who will be playing basketball at Lane Commnunity College for the second year this fall. We have one very strong bond and that is our love of basketball and the Blazers. He didn't even answer the phone with the usual "hello" but with "Oh my God, Oh my God, Mom, we won, we won, we've got Oden, we've got Oden!!! The whole conversation was about beating the odds and what it now meant for us. I have a feeling that conversation took place on a lot of phones all over Oregon today. I only wish I could go to see the Blazers at the Rose Garden but my body won't allow that so, I am really excited about the new Comcast Network deal. There is a lot to be happy about today in the state of Oregon!!! I just hope we take Oden because I think he could be our ticket to the play-offs and the hope for a championship.
Wow. We all saw the future of the Portland Trail Blazer change as each placard with the lottery teams' logos was revealed. Every time the Blazer logo was not among the order was one step closer to an incredible scenario. And in just minutes, the Blazers went from a nice draft position to the ultimate, and in a draft year that will be memorable. It was like winning a big playoff game as an underdog in come-from-behind fashion, hitting ever shot down the stretch, and doing it all in two minutes. Only, this "win" will be felt for years to come. Listening to it unfold on KXL was outstanding. Hearing the cheers escalate as each team's draft spot was announced, culminating in hearing Seattle had the second pick, leaving the Blazers at number one - we haven't heard that much enthusiasm and hope from Blazer fans since the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers in 2000. The drought is over. Even though I've thought about how unlikely it would be for Portland to draft two outstanding players from Texas in consectutive years, my gut says go with the man whose initials are "GO". Greg Oden.
i was gonna be late for class at PSU but couldn't leave without hearing our number called...when it happened i could not stop yelling; but when i finally slowed down i heard more yelling coming from the courtyard of my building! i looked out and yelled some more! there were 3 or 4 different people i didn't know in different windows celebrating the instant return of RIP CITY!! When i asked who they wanted, their response was "either or," either way "i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" Lets just say, I've never been so happy running to class!
i was gonna be late for class at PSU but couldn't leave without hearing our number called...when it happened i could not stop yelling; but when i finally slowed down i heard more yelling coming from the courtyard of my building! i looked out and yelled some more! there were 3 or 4 different people i didn't know in different windows celebrating the instant return of RIP CITY!! When i asked who they wanted, their response was "either or," either way "i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" Lets just say, I've never been so happy running to class!
What a truly amazing day this is. It's hard to describe the feeling that Blazer fans are all experiencing right now. It's almost 1:30 AM and I am still bouncing off the walls.
This indeed changes everything. There are so many good things to mention about what this means I'm not sure where to begin. Either Oden or Durant will be a fine choice and I am stoked that we get to decide between the two. Portland immediately becomes a lightning rod for free agents and players will actually want to be traded to the Blazers now. Portland is back in the national spotlight with this pick so we will actually see nationally televised games this year (hopefully not too many I'd take Mike and Mike over the ABC crew anyday).
As I watched the draft lottery from my brother's house here in Eugene, I was amazed as the college neighborhood burst into applause with me. Blazer fans can now come out of the closet, and judging by this city's emphatic reaction there are quite a few out there.
Rip City is back, and it's going to be blast.
As a side note I played Chad Ford's lottery simulator this morning and got the top pick for the Blazers 2 out of my first 5 attempts. Call it devine intervention or pure luck, but there was something in the air today.
MB,
It's two in the morning and I can not sleep because I keep thinking about what happened today (or yesterday I mean). I came on here to see if you had written a blog yet, and sure enough! I haven't been this happy since the Seahawks beat the Panthers in the NFC championship a few years back. I'm twenty years old and have always been a Northwest sports guy and have followed the Blazers as long as I can remember.
I still remember back in the Drexler, Porter, Kersey, Duckworth and Buck Williams days. I've stuck with this team through thick and thin and it's so wonderful to get the number one pick. This team and city deserves what they got. I listened to your guys' broadcast live and it was amazing (although the broadcast was a few seconds ahead of the ESPN's announcements of the lottery).
Anyways, I know KP will make the best decision for this franchise and he hasn't let us down thus far. I personally think we should go with Oden. It's not every day you see a young 7 foot monster with his talent. If you want to build a winning team and franchise, it starts with a big guy in the middle. Say we pick Oden.. then what happens to Przybilla? Will he be a backup and mentor for Oden? Joel's not too shabby at the defensive end himself. Also, have you heard about anything dealing with Darius Miles? Will he be ready for training camp and the start of the season? I see KP making a lot of moves on draft day.
See you June 28th at the Rose Garden!
I'm a Blazers fan in exile here in Tennessee. Here is what I posted on my blog.
5-9-14-13
5-9-14-13
those are the lucky numbers and OMG the Blazers have just won first pick in the deepest NBA draft since 1984 (Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan). For those that don't know I am a HUGE Blazers fan and have been all my life.The last decade has sucked for us, sucked bad..... and now we have the number one pick!
Rip City baby...~ Nathan Begley (Blazers fan since 1984)
Who could have thought that the Blazers would have the #1 pick, thats absolutely incredible! But everybody has Oden penciled in as our pick. Greg's a great player but our front court isn't in great need of a center and we have a starving need at small foward. So Just imagine the starting line up of: Jack, Roy, Durant, Randolph, and Aldridge. HUGE!!!!
Yesterday was my good friends 26th Birthday. He's a lifelong Blazer fan, and basketball player. There couldn't have been a better Birthday present than the number one pick. He said it was the greatest day of his entire life, and I believe him.
BTW, you take Greg Oden. No Brainer. If management takes anyone but Oden, including Durant, the fans will never forgive you. I mean it, and I'm wearing all Blazer gear at work right now, so you know I'm a die hard.
Put the league on notice. They won't be able to stop us. GO BLAZERS!!!!!!
ZER Nation is alive and kicking!
GO ZERS!
WOW, as I sat in my tv room all I was hoping was that we dont get pick 14-10..I kept telling myself if we get under 10 that is pretty good considering who we already have. After what seemed like hours to me, ten came and no Blazers..9 and 8 flew by and I was wow this is real good for us. 7 came and it was minnesota so I was like ok..we will get 6..this is just how its been projected so hey We will take it. 6 came by and no blazers..I started t oget chills and I did not know how to react after this. When I sa boston at 5 I almost flipped out..I knew at that point the draft was gonna be reversed. When I saw that Memphios got 4..I already knew we were gonna get 1..it was just a crazy feeling of confirmation. I still am in shock.
Blazer staff..do not..I repeat DO NOT make a mistake by picking anyone other than Oden. We do not want t ospend the next 10 or so years getting pounded by Oden in Seattle becaused we passed on him. We have not had an opportunity at center this big since walton and this prospect is much better than that. Please, please take Mr.Oden. I believe our sf spot is going to be fine wit hthe emergence of Outlaw. He will only flourish with someone like Oden creating havoc and mismatches...that will leave Outlaw alone or ono on one. Congratulations Blazer fans...our day has come..it's the beginning of a new era. I live in southern California and I have plans to become a member of the Portland community in a few short yeras. It will be an honor. I will be with you all at the draft.
(15+ year Blazer fan)
I turn 30 in June (yes, that means I was born June 1977) and I can't think of a better birthday present than this, congratulations to us Blazer Nation! A franchise wracked by bad luck and poor decisions for years and now everyone is looking at us with envy, let's soak it in. :D
Finally the Blazers will be back on the National Scene....but this time for the RIGHT reasons! I'm still in shock, I'm going to buy season tickets very soon...if there's any left, and I'll definately be at the draft party on the 28th! I've been a Blazers fan since I could walk, and I haven't been this excited since I was trying to buy NBA Finals tickets in 2000 when we led the Lakers by 15 points in the 4th qtr of Game 7....but I don't want to talk about that anymore, and we shouldn't have to because we now have a great future and present to enjoy! Rip City is back, and here to stay!!!
This has to be one of the greatest moments in Oregon sports history. The right to pick first in one of the deepest drafts in the NBA in a long time is monumental; at last, the Sun has finally shone on the darkness that Blazer fans have endured for over two decades.
Even during the Drexler era, the Blazers could never quite get over the hump and bring home the title that the town and the fans rightly deserved. We are talking about the best fans in the NBA--yes, even better than Golden State.
I had the fortune(?) of growing up in Oregon during the Drexler years, and had my heart broken three years in a row and then again in 2000. Remember the way the Pistons burned us on our home floor with phenomenal defense and outside shooting after we tied the series in Detroit? Remember Cliff Robinson and his infamous dropped pass in game 6 against the Lakers? Or the total collapse we witnessed in the fourth quarter against the Bulls in Chicago and against the Lakers in LA to blow our chances at the Holy Grail of basketball?
This is nothing short of sweet, sweet, vindication. Our karma has improved, Paul Allen has hired someone with his head screwed on straight (for a change), and our roster has followed suit. I can hardly wait for the season to start with our new franchise player; I may even move back to Portland from Southern California to witness the maturation of this exciting young team as they ascend to greatness (no exaggeration).
For the record, I do believe it is possible to pick the wrong guy. It happened in 1984 and it may happen again. Though I think Oden is the riskier pick, because of injuries and undeveloped potential, you simply have to take the guy at No.1. He may rival the likes of Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, or Patrick Ewing. That kind of a center improves your chances of winning the title fourfold, and I am glad that our front office has nothing less than the championship as its primary long-term goal. That said, Durant is a sure thing, a polished perimeter player with size and strength and tons of potential, who may fit in better with the team, the town, and the franchise. But do we really want to waste our time with another player that collects highlight reels and no championships? Sorry, I love Clyde but The Glide couldn't win the title without The Dream, in the pros or in college.
The chances that Durant-Oden will turn into Jordan-Bowie are remote, and no reason to try anything fancy on draft day besides getting rid of Randolph to make room for the best young center to enter the league since Tim Duncan, or to acquire a veteran small forward to help the team mature.
Rejoice, Portland fans! Redemption, and not just water, have rained upon Portland in 2007.
Mark the date!
PS., One interesting scenario would be to trade the No.1 to Seattle for the No.2 and a few first round picks, ensuring our place in the lottery even with a franchise player like Durant for the next few years. However, you just don't pass up the chance to draft and build a team around Oden. No way, no how--he is just too good.
PPS., Jon Barry was insane for suggesting the Blazers trade the pick, but can somebody outright fire Stephen Smith of ESPN? This lottery was anything but disastrous for the league or for the sport, as he has suggested. I'm sick of this attitude by the media that only big-market teams deserve big-time talent. Is that the world we want to live in? Remember, this is the same jerk that claimed the Blazers didn't know what the heck they were doing in last year's draft. Good call, Steve-O. You were right on last year, so you must be right again.
Everytime I read an article about the event I get chills. This is easily the most joy I've felt for this franchise in a long, long time.
June 28th, I'll be there guys.
I'm hoping it's Oden... I-5 Rivalry Revival!!
please help me... what or how did Billy S come up with RIP city during his tenure as a broadcaster...? What does it mean? We have a whole lot of nicknames but RIP CITY is a first and i LOVE basketball. I even saw the series where Chicago beat Blazers, holy how. So.. help.. Rip City?
Roy at point
Outlaw at shooting G.
Lewis at SF
Aldridge at PF
Oden at center
With Priz off the bench!!!!!!
We can have a fast running team like the GSW but with actual talent and size!!!!
I was outside playing basketball when my friend called me up and said. Guess what, it's down to Seattle and the Blazers i was already freaking out over that then he told the best news i've heard in along time "Blazers got the #1 pick" I immediately started yelling and jumping around and i kicked my basketball as far as i could in excitement. THIS MADE MY YEAR. Go Blazers
Life long Blazers fan, Adam
Blazers could select Oden with the first pick, and fill the SF need in the second round with Alando Tucker.
Huh? Huh?
I can't believe it!! We have the number 1 pick! Oden here we come for you big fella! Blazer nation is ready to rise again and make the Rose Garden once again one of the loudest arenas to play in the NBA! I'm so happy for the franchise and the city of Portland. We have not been talked about that muchon sports networks for about the last 5 years and now we are making a splash with the R.O.Y. and the #1 pick in the draft! I hate all the people out there saying that the draft format needs to be changed. We got screwed last year out of the #1 pick and we didn't complain, we just went out and got Roy, Aldridge, and Sergio. All the teams that didn't get the 1 or 2 pick this year need to stop their complaining! Here we come, PLAYOFFS BABY!!!
AWESOME!! I have loved the Blazers ever since I was old enough to play basketball. Clyde, TP, Buck, Kersey, Duckworth, Cliffy and Ainge were my favourite crew. Finally the Blazers can return to glory!!! (PS how about picking Oden and giving the Nets Z-Bo for Richard Jefferson, huh? Jack/Rodriquez, Roy, RJ, LMA, Oden)
Randolph, Miles, Przybilla and next years number 1 to the Wolves for KG. Championship 2008!!!!!!!
When I hear of the so-called Oden/Durant debate I have one question- what is there to debate? Greg Oden in all probability will be the next great big man in the game, standing alone when Shaq,Yao and Duncan fade off into the sunset.While Durant is incredibly talented, it's more likely that he'll be just another great small forward (i.e. Carmello, Shawn Marion,etc.) than another Michael Jordan. In Short, it will be much easier to find a great forward than the next great center.
I suggest picking the player that loves basketball and has the best attitude.
I hear talk abut the so-called Oden/Durant debate and I wonder.., What is there to debate? While Durant is incredibly gifted, it's more likely that he will be just another great forward,(i.e. carmelo,Shawn Marion,etc.) than he will be the next Michael Jordan. Greg Oden Will in all probability be the next dominant big man in the league, standing alone long after Shaq, Yao and Duncan fade off into the sunset. Besides, the Blazers are not without talent in the three spot-Travis and/or Martell should start to blossom next year. An opportunity like Oden may never come again.
I just got done watching the news. I can't beleive that the Blazer's would not draft Oden, the last time we drafted a center he help lead us to our one and only championship. You need a strong center to win a championship. We have needed a good center for a long time, centers aren't around every corner.
Wow! The end of the world for Boston and Memphis fans is now complete rof.
I have been struggling internally for 6 hours just today with Durant vs. Oden. So tough. So risky with Oden, but so tempting.....
I think this choice may come down to personality. But i have points against Oden for potential fragility. And i imagine how averaging 25+ points as a freshman translates over to the NBA.
I struggle back and forth, and i just can't really see a bad pick either way compared to where i worried Portland would FALL in the draft just a few weeks ago.
From that perspective, a do-or-die risk on Oden isn't that much of a risk. I already thought that our team would improve without ANY draft help. I already projected playoffs next year. But to get either player at 1 just adds instant playoff cream to an already up-and-coming, yet youthful, roster.
We don't need to BUILD around either of these picks either, thanks to a certain amount of talent already on the roster. Randolph seems to become more dispensable if we pick either way.
Next year i would definetly start either draft pick and L.A., which is two-thirds of the front court.
So that could more pressure on the franchise to trade Randolph. Stay tuned!
I've been a blazer fan since 1980 (when I was a little kid) and this was the greatest moment for me since the 1992 finals. I laughed and cried at the same time!!!! I know that sounds ridiculous but I think there are thousands of you out there that reacted the same way. Oden or Durant will change our team and we will fill the Rose Garden again!!! KP, your the best!!!
Things have finally changed for us Portland fans!!!!! It is time that we can finally forget everything that has happened over the last decade. We can forget blowing "the lead" against Kobe in the Confrence finals. We can forget coming back from 3-0 against Dallas only to lose in game seven. We can forget how it felt to constantly be referred to as the jailblazers. And most importantly, we can forget there ever was a time when our team was a common sight at the bottom of the standings. Yes Blazer fans, it is finally our time, and it is time to start a new!!!!
"It's about as disappointing as you could ever hope for," West said minutes after the lottery was announced at the NBA Entertainment Center. "It's like pitching pennies. It's grossly unfair to the team, but I've said it before, I don't think the lottery is fair. I never liked it. I don't think it's a good system at all, period.
Cry me a river. One report said something about a team getting a top pick that "doesn't deserve it"
well i'm just gonna have to stick my thumb on my nose and wiggle my fingers at these pansies because last year portland was in memphis's position with the worst record and the best chance of landing the number 1 pick and we also slipped to number four. What did portland have to say?
“I think our preference would’ve been to have the pick of the litter and dictate our own fate,” said Trail Blazers General Manager John Nash, “but we’re comfortable (at No. 4). There are four or five or six players that can be solid picks.”
Instead of taking reservations at a pity party and wining about it not being 'faaaiiiir' portland took and egg and made an omlett drafting everything they wanted and more.
I just knew with portlands luck we would slip as far again as we could and would have to work our way up to a great player. Now that we can take Oden without wories - (durant may be a better player right now and even in the future but Oden is by far the harder to replace or come up with something to substitude for what he can bring) - maybee that work can be put to use figuring how to move up to the #2 spot and get both hehe
I've been a blazer fan my whole life.Even through the jailblazers years I never gave up hope.I remember right before the start of last season telling a co-worker(both blazer fans and hate LA.)that I hoped we didn't do that good(shame on me)He asked my why the hell not I responded with one word:Oden.I changed my thinking during the season so much heart and determination on the same team(thanks KP)I just wanted them never to give up.Tuesday night I was getting ready for work and was like dang gotta go check the lottery.I looked on the MSN screen and my mind went numb was like no way this has to be wrong 7 times later I started to cry.This changes everything and once again Blazermainia is running WILD!!!!!!!!
I remember when we got Walton. It turned the whole world around in one season. He was a college senior with many, many games under his belt. Barring injury, this Oden will change Portland's entire look and make all other players much better. Teams will have to sag in the middle more against them; which will open up outside shots. The Blazers are now just a few trades away from being super for a long time to come. Clear up the Darius Miles dilemma and see if you can shop Zach for a really good shooter. Perhaps just drafting Oden (and Seattle getting Durant) will open up Rashard Lewis to a trade? Amazing, amazing "problem" to have going into the actual draft!!
You know, I'm sick of these east coast people complaining that oden and durant aren't going to a big money market team. TOO BAD!! Should we feel sorry for the celtics and give them our pick? GET REAL! We're getting Oden, Seattle is getting Durant. They'll be on TNT and ESPN early enough for everyone to watch them. OOOH I can't wait.
THE GREATEST DAY IN PORTLAND HISTORY !! FINALLY FOR MY ERA WE GET THE BADDEST PLAYER EVER !! THIS IS BETTER THAN THE BEST BJ !! WE DONT EVEN SAY AMEN NO MORE WE SAY GREG ODEN !!
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