The Off-Season Begins
posted: 4/19/2008 at 9:56 PM
The final road trip of the season lasted a couple of extra days for some of us who were on the trip to Phoenix. I mentioned in my last post that some of the biggest Blazer sponsors, and legend season ticket holders were invited to Arizona for the final game, and for a special event following the game.
We're now home, but I just wanted to give another big thank you to all of you, and let you know how great Greg Oden was on the trip. He flew down on Thursday morning, just for this event, and was a big part of what we did on Thursday night.
We held a breakfast on Thursday morning, played some golf in the afternoon, and then had a big dinner on Thursday night. Oden was around for some mingling, and then sat in front of the stage, as Bill Schonely made like Sinatra, and sang and danced. He's very good at this stuff, and had the room rocking.
After some sponsors were honored, I took to the stage, along with Mike Rice, and Oden. It was kind of a "this is your life" kind of thing, as we had baby pictures of Greg, photos from his childhood, high school and college playing days, and then got into the NBA stuff. Greg told stories, shared memories, and talked of what this odd year has been like for him.
Greg is so incredibly good at this kind of thing, and I wish you all could have seen him with a mic in his hand. He's very quick with a line, and had the place going crazy. He talked of the frustrations of being a spectator, the thrill of seeing his teammates have so much success, and discussed his off-season plans.
We were up on stage to support him, and draw him out. But, as the room quickly found out, he doesn't need the help, and I'm sure could have done just fine on his own. I've done a lot of this kind of stuff with different players over the years, and I have to say that no one captures a room like Oden. He'll be a favorite of the national media once they cover this guy for a season (as a player). The one guy he reminds me of, in this sense, is Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq is a showman, and always seems to have a line ready for any situation.
Greg's rehab is going extremely well, as you've heard us mention from time to time. He's going to continue on a busy schedule, and will be spending a lot of time this summer with Blazers' trainer Jay Jensen, and strength coach Bob Medina. Oden won't play at summer league, and said he plans to really start ramping up to full-court, full-contact work in August and September.
Last week I recorded a TV show for Comcast Sportsnet that will be airing some time this week, I'm told. I'll let you know when I get the exact time the show will air. I did two segments with Brandon Roy and Oden, sitting together. And then, I did another two segments with LaMarcus Aldridge, James Jones, and Channing Frye, all together. I'm excited to see the finished product, because my job was to basically get these guys going, and they handled the rest. We talked about the past, present, and future. I also got their favorite memories of the season. I've gone around and around re-thinking my favorite moments of the year. If you've got yours, and I know you do, I'd love to hear what they are.
Talk to you soon.
RSS FEED
My lease favorite moment: Hearing second hand Oden was out for the season and then frantically trying to find out for myself on a hot and terrible summer day.
My favorite moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLneb_iBIA
From that moment on I knew everything would be alright.
Favorite memories:
Brandon Roy's cross over, right hand fake and finish with the left around Chris Bosh.
The Travis Outlaw block on Kleiza during the streak to preserve the win.
Travis Outlaw 4 point play in Toronto, then Brandon Roy's 3 after that to send the game into a 2nd OT.
Brandon Roy taking over the game against the Hawks and locking down Joe Johnson.
Martell Webster's 24 in a quarter. His dunk in Golden State.
Beating the Lakers twice.
This was a great season, I love this team.
Mike thanks for the great season again. I feel like all of us blazer fans are at a cocktail party getting loose and having a final thought of the season together.
My favorite moment this year has to be beating the Lakers at home twice. I know that its not gonna come as a suprise that its my answer. But for me it just doesnt get any better than beating LA.
Thanks again mike. Enjoy your off season you deserve it.
Watching Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge perform as well as they did in All-Star Weekend in NOLA has to be a highlight...
Thanks for your blog, Mike. You and Mike Rice are the best at what you do.
Although I haven't met Greg, it is obvious that this guy "gets it." We really lucked out when we landed a class act like Greg Oden. Can't wait to see him play for Portland. Go Blazers!
Favorite moment- Travis's game-winner in Memphis. That was the moment that let the guys know they had what it takes to win. It was a great season.
My favorite moment:When the final game clock hit zero for the season. That moment marked the end of an era for the Blazers and started a new age...an age of winning and championships and reuniting the Blazers and the playoffs for many, many years to come.
Have a great off-season men see you at summer league.
L.T.G
For me it was each players breakout game.
Travis Outlaw getting bonked on the head and taking over.
Webster in the 3rd.
Pryzbilla pulling down 25 (he had been playing very strong for awhile, but that was the icing on the cake)
James Jones at the last home game, sure he had tons of big 3's all season long, but I love the crowd reaction when Jones squares up.
Roy on his first triple-double.
Everyone has a game or two that really went to them. It's great seeing players emerge, lets hope they can keep it up.
The Blazers are an exceptional home team, especially for their record. With the confidence that should follow next year, I'm confident on seeing 50 wins.
Theres alot of favorite moments to choose from. Finding out we got the #1 pick, TO starting the the win streak, Roy in the All Star game and Beating LA was awesome! The one moment that really sticks out for me was during that last Warrior game when Jack went for a loose ball and ended up in some poor ladys lap. I'll never forget the look on her face when Jack took some of her popcoen and ate it! Classic! Ha Ha
This year was full of unbelievably great memorable moments. Honestly, though, the thing that stands out to me the most is Brandon Roy being chosen as an allstar. It is an individual award, but it was pretty clear that it was given as a display of respect for what the blazers had accomplished as well as recognition for Brandon's outstanding play.
It seems like forever since the last time one of our blazers was an allstar. When i think about the fact that it was Brandon, not Rasheed, that was representing Portland in the allstar game, it just gives me goose bumps. I mean, PORTLAND HAS AN ALLSTAR!!! What more needs be said?
Mike: great season for us.
My personal greatest moment was the Fan Fest. I got to see the players up close and talked briefly to James Jones. And my High was although you don't and shouldn't remember it, you was standing at the end of your table doing paper work. when you got done you looked up, I gave you a high five and you nodded and smiled at me. That put me in tenth heaven. I almost got brave enough to walk over and get your autograph.
The Blazers beating Dallas the first time was my greatest moment. that was actually the first time they hit on all cylinders and I knew we had a great team. Not necessarily in all wins but just a great team.
Of Course beating LAL twice was great. and beating Utah with Martell bombing those three pointers was my most exciting. My brother-in-law lives in Utah and that gave me bragging rights.
The whole year was great. I loved reading and debating on the blog. I loved analyzing each game, the players, and mostly the bloggers.
Blogging is almost like sitting around with your friends debating why we lost or why we won.
seeing the fast growing players get better and better. was also great.
watching BRoy take over the All-Star game was heart warming to say the least.
I could go on and on. I enjoyed the whole season.
Thanks for all the insight on games and players that is helpful for someone that lives out in the sticks.
hg
Travis winning the game against Memphis, and the Mikes' reactions--yelling "TRAVIS WON IT!!!" into their microphones. I was literally jumping up and down in my living room. Great moment. Great season.
It's almost like the end of a family get together. I've enjoyed the sharing of thoughts both brilliant and not so brilliant, and the love of the Blazers. We have so much to look forward to and the and the anticipated improvement
MB,
One of my favorite moments was that Utah game at home in January, after they ended our streak. I remember Brandon getting knocked to the floor pretty hard and he had to leave. He tried to play but it was just too hard for him.
Then as the third quarter started, Martell Webster lit up the rose garden. I think he had 20 something points in that quarter but I just remember seeing Brandon on the bench with a huge smile on his face and the bench going crazy with each shot Martell hit. What a great year!
There are way too many favorite moments but I can try to list a few!
-Travis' winning shot with 0.9 seconds left against Atlanta (and his post-game interview with Rebecca...could it have been any cuter?)
-Brandon Roy's amazing All Star appearance
-LA's improvement with each and every game (how many 20+ games did he end with???)
-The moments that you could see James Jones was about to sink another 3 pointer
-Martell Webster's awesome dunk in the LA game at home
-Travis' back-to-back BEHIND the back dunks in our last home game
-The benches reaction to Travis' dunks. It was priceless.
-Winning two at home against LA and the stunned Laker's reactions.
Here is to the most fun season this town has witnessed in years! I love the excitement that our boys brought to each and every game. They really make me proud to be a Blazer fan. I am literally counting down the days until next season, I love my boys. Go Blazers!
Hey what the deal with D. Miles....Last I heard things were coming along nicely then suddenly they announced a career ending injury.
I have a 5 tie between many of my favorite moments.
My first favorite moment is the day Greg Oden was drafted. Seeing the fans rush the court made me realize Blazermania is finally back.
Another one was when Travis hit that bank to win the game in Memphis for their first road win.
A third would be seeing Brandon get his first triple double, and also to go a long with that, his performance in the all star game.
He deserved both of those.
My fourth is when James Jones had his first real minutes and nailed all those threes.
My fifth is when Martell got mad and hit 24 points in the third quarter.
I think that the best part of the season wasn't how anybody played, its the way that the players acted. We havn't had a team where nobody was arrested for a long time, and im glad to see that now.
# 1 - Roy's lefty layup past Bosh.
# 2 - Przybilla's 26 rebound game.
# 3 - Martell's 24 points in one quarter.
# 4 - The win over the 76ers, last in the win streak.
# 5 - Winning twice against the Lakers.
Even though we did not make it in the playoffs it was excellent seeing the improvement of the team and I gotta tell ya our time for blazers to win the champ is upon us in the near future
Fav moment of the season.
Beating the Lakers twice at home,
The second one was the best.
Worst moment, having to listen to Mike Rice refer to Greg Oden as Greg ODOM. During that second home Laker Game..
Second Fav moment,
Hearing that we got ride of Darius Miles.
It is far past due that we stop giving false hope to fans by leading them along with the promise of him coming back. It was obvious that he did not fit in with the new crowd a few years ago.
As for his knee , he can thank Mo Cheeks for playing him at center for the entire game, during his First game back after rehab.
Hey mike, what a great year, thanks for all you've done, i know people say it in almost every post but its true, u really do go above and beyond.
As for my favorite moment, wow, so many to choose from, you could point to almost every game and pick out some amazing bit of basketball. But putting aside all the individual plays, all the big wins, I think my favorite moment was the big picture. The fact that we are no longer chillin in the basement of the NBA. We exceeded expectations and have a team on the floor that everyone can get behind AND still get good basketball. The Return of Rip City, and watching my young Blazers making a statement, whether you wanted to hear it or not. Thats what I loved most about this season, turning heads
Favorite moments:
In general, having a team of young men that I totally respect and that I feel good about taking my kids to their games.
Travis' last second basket to win the game against Atlanta on Jan 21.
Watching LaMarcus improve thru the season, and seeing in the last few weeks what Channing can do.
Sitting near a bunch of Laker fans at the last home game against the Lakers, and before the game, listening to them talk trash about the Blazers. Then watching as they got utterly and totally quiet in the last 3 quarters of the game.
Watching a replay of the Lakers game the following day, and hearing Mike's response to the crowds chants of "Kobe sucks...." Mike #1 said, "That's the crowd pulling down Kobe's cape a little bit." Mike #2 replied, "They're not chanting, "MVP." Hilarious!
Travis' backwards dunks at the last home game, and the bench's reactions. Great fun! And the standing ovations as the players were taken out of the game in the last 3 minutes.
It is so much fun to have such a great bunch of guys to support!
The Christmas Day game. Blazers in red; Sonics in green; and Greg Oden reading The Night Before Christmas. Way too much fun.
I was lucky to see 3 of the best games of the season:
1. The comeback against the Sixers and Outlaws poster dunk. You know Rip City is back when you give high-fives to strangers.
2. Beating the Lakers
3. Beating the Mavericks
I missed the Utah game when Webster went off in the 3rd quarter.
Just a great season for fans.
My favorite moment: 32 consecutive sellouts this season, feeling like I did when I was a kid watching drexler and rip city. All the energy that the team brought back to portland made it the best season in quite some time for me.
Even though you are everyone's friend, I enjoy your work, probably for that reason. You tend to get the inside scoop from the insiders that trust you and relay what you can to us. It's a valuable bridge for the fans. And you are just as excited as we are about the future. The lottery party video was priceless and probably the most memorable event. I still can't believe the way it played out.
Thanks MB.
I just wanted to first off thank the players for a great season and playing their hearts out night in and night out. I live in New Jersey and have always been a long time Blazers fan and always make sure to catch there games when they play the nets and knicks. Both games were priceless this year and finally brought a great feeling back to me about my blazers. (also there were a lot of blazer fans at the nets game cheering on the team)
My favorite part of the season was when the blazers went on there 13 game winning streak and started getting talked about on TNT and ESPN for their great play, instead of the nonsense in the past.
Lets enjoy it BLAZER FANS, the POWER HOUSE is on the rise. GO BLAZERS, GREAT SEASON!!!
WOW! What a roller coaster season. As a life-long Blazer fan (I was actually born just a couple of weeks before the Blazers won the NBA Championship in 1977), I can honestly say that the 2007-08 season tested my emotional stability more than any season in team history. Regarding the 2007-08 season's ups and downs, I guess I could go back to the draft lottery. Actually, my excitement for the 2007 draft was enhanced by the team's future with the likes of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw...I could go on and on about the talented youth core, but I assume all fans had a "feeling" about this team even before the draft lottery results were announced. The re-building process of a professional sports franchise can be a double-edged sword: on one hand the unexpected begs many questions and breeds uncertainty; on the other hand the unexpected yields pleasant surprises and a new sense of purpose, optimsm, and potential-the sky is the limit. So, when it was announced that my beloved Blazers held the first pick of the 2007 draft I rejoiced with those paying attention, and made it a point to inform anyone living under a rock in the state of Oregon-with an obnoxious level of enthusiam. At this point in my post, I must concede that I have to seperate the 2007-08 season into pre-season and regular season for the purpose of analyzing the highs and lows.
Obviously, this pre-season's high is the Greg Oden/draft situation; and perhaps equally as obvious for a pre-season low would be the announcement of Greg Oden's microfracture surgery. This brings me to the real meat-and-potatoes of the NBA season: the games. There are so many ups to choose from, I must discuss that later. As far as the low for the season, it would have to be coming down to earth after an impressive month of December that included a 13-game winning streak by the 3rd youngest team to ever play an NBA game. When the streak ended I was initially a bit upset, but time reminded me of what the streak meant. The league took notice of this very talented team, and the team learned what it is like to win-a lot! For such a young team with a bright future a brief stint of success exposed the players and staff to varying methods of winning-specifically, using any combination of the seemingly endless offensive weapons the Blazers learned what it takes to win as a TEAM! The team concept is something that is increasingly difficult to achieve in the NBA. The fact that such a young team is receptive to this concept is frightening to others in the league, and the fact that the league is taking note of this team is the high point for me as a Blazer fan (this season, and every season).
There is a lot of individual achievements that reflect well on the club, but no achievement is greater than the one the team can achieve together, and that is what I am looking forward to next season, and many seasons to come. My only concern is that success won't come fast enough for some players, and they may become disgruntled. As long as Nate continues to promote this college-like intensity and atmosphere, Blazer fans like myself will have something to brag about, finally again! The future is so bright, let's hope we don't end up going blind. Thanks to Paul Allen, the Blazer's front office, coaching staff, players, and fans for a great season! Let's step it up a notch or two next year and really get people talking!
Mike,
Thank you so much for all the updates this year. My favorite part of the season has to be the Toronto game (the first of the Monster 7 game Eastern Road Trip that the league so graciously gifted the youngest team with back to backs and against several days rested teams) . Now, im sure you are wondering why the hell i would consider a game that was lost in double overtime as my favorite moment. Well, it wasnt so much the game, or Travis hitting the 3 with 2 secs left in regulation and getting fouled...hitting that free throw which i honestly figured he would miss, or Brandon hitting the three to tie it in the first OT. It was the situation. My grandfather had a heartattack (sp?) and was in surgery at OSHU...my 2 brothers, grandmother, and myself were anxiously awaiting the results of his surgery when someone turned the game on in this waiting room. Everyone there in the waiting room (probably 25 or so people including my family) crowded around the little TV set...and watched that game. I thought I was gonna go into cardiac arrest a couple of times, as did my grandmother. When Travis hit that shot...we all jumped up and down trying not to yell too loud as people were obviously sleeping and then we heard the echo from a waiting room down the hall of cheers for Travis. Although the Blazers lost the game (my grandfather made it through a tripple bypass and is completely recovered now...) I was ecstatic that fans were so passionate again. Here we are at OHSU watchin the Blazers. That is when i realized how special this season is, for the organization of course but mostly for the fan. Who would have cared a couple years ago...fans do now and that is my favorite part of this season. The fans knowing its okay to love this team again.
Loved watching the team's progress despite the loss of GO. Hated the whole Comcast affair and that STILL no resolution for satellite viewers - feels like extortion to change carriers. Sad watching CP3 just tearing the Mavs apart as a top flight PG and knowing we could have had him and that it's not likely we could get him or Derron in the future if their teams continue to play well. Enjoyed beating LA, Detroit, Denver, Utah, Dallas on our home court. Looking forward to ahnilitating them on their court in the future... Wondering if Nate is our championship coach (Finally, he put Joel back in the games in the second half for "D" but why so long to figure it out!?)
Go Blazers!
I had been a great season eventhought Blazers did make the playoff. Blazers two biggest improvement need for this off-season will be SF, then PG. I felt the Blazers need a scoring SF with slashing, shooting and rebounding abilities and a PG that can distribute the ball (pass first PG) more than scoring. In regard to the current role players on the roster, I believe we should keep Frye (need scoring on 2nd unit with Przybilla’s defending) and Rodriguez (distributing the ball on fastbreak).
After some researching and analyzing of the players, I came to this conclusion that Portland needs to look at acquiring these players in the off-season to make them an automatic contender (or best starting five) for next season in addition to our current roster. Here are the players to get in most preferred order. Assuming we can get the top players for SF and PG from this list. Can you imagine these starting five and bench players for the Portland Trail Blazers? They are going to win a lot of games.
STARTER:
Center- Oden
Forward- Aldridge & Maggette
Guard- Roy & Miller
BENCH:
Center- Przybilla,
Forward- Frye, Outlaw, Webster
Guard- Fernadenz, Blake, Rodriguez
SF:
Corey Maggette (LA Clippers)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 70 65 35.7 458-1000 .458 78-203 .384 553-681 .812 1.1 4.5 5.6 1.01 .10 2.79 3.00 2.7 22.1
Danny Granger (Pacers)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 80 80 36.0 537-1205 .446 171-423 .404 322-378 .852 1.2 4.9 6.1 1.19 1.05 2.14 3.63 2.1 19.6
Mike Dunleavy (Pacers)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 82 82 36.0 532-1117 .476 165-389 .424 336-403 .834 0.7 4.5 5.2 1.05 .38 2.32 2.54 3.5 19.1
PG:
Andre Miller (76ers)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 82 82 36.7 569-1156 .492 3-34 .088 257-333 .772 1.2 2.8 4.0 1.28 .07 2.51 2.21 6.9 17.0
Jose Calderon (Raptors)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 82 56 30.3 367-707 .519 79-184 .429 109-120 .908 0.4 2.5 2.9 1.06 .07 1.54 1.63 8.3 11.2
Raymond Felton (Bobcats)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 79 79 37.7 412-997 .413 56-200 .280 260-325 .800 0.5 2.5 3.0 1.22 .15 2.70 2.33 7.4 14.4
Mo Williams (Bucks)
G GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS
Season 66 66 36.5 441-919 .480 89-231 .385 166-194 .856 0.6 2.9 3.5 1.18 .15 2.76 2.85 6.3 17.2
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