In a move that appears uncharacteristically smart, the Blazers have named Kevin Pritchard, their relatively new personnel guy, as their general manager. Now if the people in Seattle will just stay out of the way for a while, we might be talking the beginnings of a reconciliation.
Of course, the Blazer hand is forever heavy. The e-mail announcement I got of the new appointment comes with a request to shoot in a hundred bucks deposit on a season ticket. Keep yer pants on, Paul.
Comments (9)
HA! I called it back on March 1st when you lamented Patterson's departure:
I'd bet that Pritchard will get the GM title by the end of the month.
What do I win?
On second thought, scratch that - I think we all win with this selection...
I'm holding the celebration until the arena deal is fixed, the relationship with the numbskulls in the Emerald City is clarified, and we go through a spring and summer with nothing too lame taking place. Although if they shipped Zach out, I'd be tempted to call right away.
Wins will only damage the Blazers at this point. The more losses will mean more lottery balls come May. With Pritchard drafting I have a high confidence level that he will take the best available player. Randolph won't be traded yet, Mid-season next year at the soones, there are no takers..
It's sad but true that a loss is better than a win right now. Zach clearly needs to go, and I'm tired of arguing why. The Pritchard signing is great though, it's about time and PHEW!
"We might be talking the beginnings of a reconciliation"? C'mon, Jack, be fair. The reconciliation began when the team started dumping talented but troubled guys in favor of rebuilding. At this point, I think the reconciliation is actually close to complete. Just need to dump Darius, do our best to trade Zach, and (I agree with you) clarify the Seattle issues. But otherwise, the team has done pretty much everything possible to dig out of its hole and show us it means business when it says it wants to regain our love.
Wins are better than losses, I agree, at this point. That said, I don't see B Roy buying into tanking a season, and he's our leader not of the future, but of today. So I highly doubt that a tank-job is on. And that, in and of itself, says something for the restored character of the franchise.
I don't think it's a tank job either, I just think there's a lot of negative forces at work right now. I think many of those forces could be fixed with the removal of Zach but there's still a few lurking problems that have nothing to do with him. Jarret's tendency to pout when things get rough, Outlaw and Webster's inconsistency, Joel's all-around status, serious lack of interior defense, etc.
There should come a time not far away when losing at home to the worst team in the league is simply unacceptable but that's still a ways off.
"Pritchard, 39, becomes the youngest general manager in the NBA, bringing with him skills that are wide-ranging, if not unique, to the position.
He has made an effort to connect to the Blazers fan base, admitting that he scans and anonymously responds to Blazer chat rooms on the Internet."
From 'Rusty' this morning:
""We might be talking the beginnings of a reconciliation"? C'mon, Jack, be fair. The reconciliation began when the team started dumping talented but troubled guys in favor of rebuilding. At this point, I think the reconciliation is actually close to complete. Just need to dump Darius, do our best to trade Zach, and (I agree with you) clarify the Seattle issues. But otherwise, the team has done pretty much everything possible to dig out of its hole and show us it means business when it says it wants to regain our love.
Wins are better than losses, I agree, at this point. That said, I don't see B Roy buying into tanking a season, and he's our leader not of the future, but of today. So I highly doubt that a tank-job is on. And that, in and of itself, says something for the restored character of the franchise."
-hmmmm....
In any case, good news! I'd love to cheer the home team once again. I can even remember going to the BP gas station every week as a kid in the early 90's to collect the 'collectable' team posters. Still have them in a box too with my Rip City sign I made my parents keep in the window long after the seasons were finished. Its been many years, and will probably be a few more before we get another Blazer Rap album, (unless Zack has a studio for his 'hoops fam') but I'm hopeful and excited about the new players and with a few more major tweaks (c'mon drop Zach already!) my ass will be back in their seats.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
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L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
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Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
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Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
Rudyard Kipling - Kim
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Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
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Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
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Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
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Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
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Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
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William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 29
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (9)
HA! I called it back on March 1st when you lamented Patterson's departure:
I'd bet that Pritchard will get the GM title by the end of the month.
What do I win?
On second thought, scratch that - I think we all win with this selection...
Posted by BetsyBetsy | March 29, 2007 8:06 PM
I'm holding the celebration until the arena deal is fixed, the relationship with the numbskulls in the Emerald City is clarified, and we go through a spring and summer with nothing too lame taking place. Although if they shipped Zach out, I'd be tempted to call right away.
Posted by Jack Bog | March 29, 2007 9:10 PM
Another loss tonight to the worst team in the league. How many losses in a row is that with Randolph on the floor? Pull the trigger, Kevin.
Posted by Jack Bog | March 29, 2007 10:56 PM
Wins will only damage the Blazers at this point. The more losses will mean more lottery balls come May. With Pritchard drafting I have a high confidence level that he will take the best available player. Randolph won't be traded yet, Mid-season next year at the soones, there are no takers..
Posted by Jim | March 30, 2007 7:47 AM
It's sad but true that a loss is better than a win right now. Zach clearly needs to go, and I'm tired of arguing why. The Pritchard signing is great though, it's about time and PHEW!
Posted by Chris | March 30, 2007 7:52 AM
"We might be talking the beginnings of a reconciliation"? C'mon, Jack, be fair. The reconciliation began when the team started dumping talented but troubled guys in favor of rebuilding. At this point, I think the reconciliation is actually close to complete. Just need to dump Darius, do our best to trade Zach, and (I agree with you) clarify the Seattle issues. But otherwise, the team has done pretty much everything possible to dig out of its hole and show us it means business when it says it wants to regain our love.
Wins are better than losses, I agree, at this point. That said, I don't see B Roy buying into tanking a season, and he's our leader not of the future, but of today. So I highly doubt that a tank-job is on. And that, in and of itself, says something for the restored character of the franchise.
Posted by Rusty | March 30, 2007 8:44 AM
Wins will only damage the Blazers at this point.
Perhaps that explains why Dickau was still playing during key moments late in the game.
Posted by Miles | March 30, 2007 8:49 AM
I don't think it's a tank job either, I just think there's a lot of negative forces at work right now. I think many of those forces could be fixed with the removal of Zach but there's still a few lurking problems that have nothing to do with him. Jarret's tendency to pout when things get rough, Outlaw and Webster's inconsistency, Joel's all-around status, serious lack of interior defense, etc.
There should come a time not far away when losing at home to the worst team in the league is simply unacceptable but that's still a ways off.
Posted by Chris | March 30, 2007 2:50 PM
From today's Oregonian:
"Pritchard, 39, becomes the youngest general manager in the NBA, bringing with him skills that are wide-ranging, if not unique, to the position.
He has made an effort to connect to the Blazers fan base, admitting that he scans and anonymously responds to Blazer chat rooms on the Internet."
From 'Rusty' this morning:
""We might be talking the beginnings of a reconciliation"? C'mon, Jack, be fair. The reconciliation began when the team started dumping talented but troubled guys in favor of rebuilding. At this point, I think the reconciliation is actually close to complete. Just need to dump Darius, do our best to trade Zach, and (I agree with you) clarify the Seattle issues. But otherwise, the team has done pretty much everything possible to dig out of its hole and show us it means business when it says it wants to regain our love.
Wins are better than losses, I agree, at this point. That said, I don't see B Roy buying into tanking a season, and he's our leader not of the future, but of today. So I highly doubt that a tank-job is on. And that, in and of itself, says something for the restored character of the franchise."
-hmmmm....
In any case, good news! I'd love to cheer the home team once again. I can even remember going to the BP gas station every week as a kid in the early 90's to collect the 'collectable' team posters. Still have them in a box too with my Rip City sign I made my parents keep in the window long after the seasons were finished. Its been many years, and will probably be a few more before we get another Blazer Rap album, (unless Zack has a studio for his 'hoops fam') but I'm hopeful and excited about the new players and with a few more major tweaks (c'mon drop Zach already!) my ass will be back in their seats.
Posted by MarkDaMan | March 30, 2007 8:27 PM