My all time favorite Blazer. I hope he is smart with his money, takes this as a chance to enjoy his family, and finds success in whatever he decides to do going forward. Nice guy too, brought the youth league team I coach by (friend with a connection helped me out) and he made every one of those kids feel like a million bucks.
So, does he walk away with all of the money from his max contract or just some portion of it? 80-something million dollars would go a long way to easing the pain of leaving the game this early in his career.
The Blazers traded for him on draft night knowing there were grave concerns with both of his knees coming out of the UW. That said, Brandon is/was the panacea needed to usher in a new era with the team. He delivered some amazing moments and I enjoyed his time in town.
It is rare where you can expense out a few bucks and watch one the very best on earth do what they do and love. BRoy was a savior when the Blazers needed one and I wish him the very best in the next phase.
As far as the money goes, the contract was too risky for the league's insurance mechanism to insure. It is my understanding that the team purchased secondary insurance that covers a percentage of the contract. The "good" side is that after April 2012, his contract is still owed to him in full, but it will not count against the team's cap.
One more thing, the radio people just said that Oden suffered a "set-back" and he may be out for the season.
I am actually quite sad to see this occur. Could not happen to a nicer, more talented guy.
How does this affect the legacies of Kevin Pritchard and the guys who scout for the Trailblazer's front office?
Coupled with Odom, do they have a thing for gambling on players with a history of injuries? Are they as smart as the league average? Are they just Paul Allen's boys and therefore their record of picking winners and losers does not mean as much as making Paul Allen feel good?
Oden out for another season?! Man, he is making Sam Bowie look like John Stockton.
If I was in Paul Allen's front office, I would lead the faction for amnestying Oden. Why pay 9 million for a guy who is gonna ride the pine pony? Sure Bill Simmons and every other commentator say, "Chances are he'll play a full season." At this point I am not sure he will and how much has Paul Allen given to him already? $30 million between his rookie contract and this year.
It's going to be hard for me to get interested in pro basketball until February at the earliest. And the Blazers? Another mediocre year, at best, ahead.
That's a good picture of Brandon because it shows one of my favorite parts to his game: The super-smooth, but not show-offy, left hand lay-in after darting through the lane. Such an efficient, but artistic approach.
As for this season, I'm into it. When the cold rain is falling I'll be watching the Blazers down in my man cave. Frankly, I enjoyed the Mavericks run to the championship as much as the good old days, and I'm psyched to see how the year shapes up.
In a stretch of bad news that would shrivel Chuck Norris's nut sack, we have just experienced an unbelievably bad day: Brandon, Oden, and LaMarcus all with somber news.
I've always thought people were silly when they let their emotions run wild when it comes to pro athletes, however I am truly depressed that Roy is retiring under these circumstances. He is worthy of a mancrush. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
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
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14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
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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
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Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
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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
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Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
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La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
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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
The Occasional Book
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
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
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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
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
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: 21
At this date last year: 52
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 (19)
My all time favorite Blazer. I hope he is smart with his money, takes this as a chance to enjoy his family, and finds success in whatever he decides to do going forward. Nice guy too, brought the youth league team I coach by (friend with a connection helped me out) and he made every one of those kids feel like a million bucks.
Posted by NEPguy | December 9, 2011 3:27 PM
He was a game changer on a team that badly needed one.
Posted by Jack Bog | December 9, 2011 3:36 PM
So, does he walk away with all of the money from his max contract or just some portion of it? 80-something million dollars would go a long way to easing the pain of leaving the game this early in his career.
Posted by reader | December 9, 2011 3:52 PM
The Blazers traded for him on draft night knowing there were grave concerns with both of his knees coming out of the UW. That said, Brandon is/was the panacea needed to usher in a new era with the team. He delivered some amazing moments and I enjoyed his time in town.
It is rare where you can expense out a few bucks and watch one the very best on earth do what they do and love. BRoy was a savior when the Blazers needed one and I wish him the very best in the next phase.
As far as the money goes, the contract was too risky for the league's insurance mechanism to insure. It is my understanding that the team purchased secondary insurance that covers a percentage of the contract. The "good" side is that after April 2012, his contract is still owed to him in full, but it will not count against the team's cap.
One more thing, the radio people just said that Oden suffered a "set-back" and he may be out for the season.
Posted by Z | December 9, 2011 4:23 PM
I am actually quite sad to see this occur. Could not happen to a nicer, more talented guy.
How does this affect the legacies of Kevin Pritchard and the guys who scout for the Trailblazer's front office?
Coupled with Odom, do they have a thing for gambling on players with a history of injuries? Are they as smart as the league average? Are they just Paul Allen's boys and therefore their record of picking winners and losers does not mean as much as making Paul Allen feel good?
Posted by Killiana1a | December 9, 2011 4:51 PM
Correction: Oden. Sorry, I got my Lakers on my mind and boy am I glad that the Paul deal, at the moment, has not gone through.
LAL are giving up too much to get a PG with a bum knee.
Posted by Killiana1a | December 9, 2011 4:53 PM
Oden possibly out for season now...http://www.kgw.com/sports/Blazers-Oden-suffers-setback-may-not-play-135353318.html
Posted by NoPoGuy | December 9, 2011 4:53 PM
Oden out for another season?! Man, he is making Sam Bowie look like John Stockton.
If I was in Paul Allen's front office, I would lead the faction for amnestying Oden. Why pay 9 million for a guy who is gonna ride the pine pony? Sure Bill Simmons and every other commentator say, "Chances are he'll play a full season." At this point I am not sure he will and how much has Paul Allen given to him already? $30 million between his rookie contract and this year.
Posted by Killiana1a | December 9, 2011 5:02 PM
It's not a real season of NBA ball until GO snaps his patella and goes down for another year.
Posted by reader | December 9, 2011 5:04 PM
There are those who believe that Greg Oden has Marfan Syndrome, which would account for his chronic bad knees and aged facial appearance.
http://sportstzu.blogspot.com/2009/12/cause-of-greg-odens-demise.html
Posted by Killiana1a | December 9, 2011 5:11 PM
A sad day for the Blazers. He was a fine player, and a gentleman, and came at a time when the organization needed both.
Posted by HMLA-267 | December 9, 2011 5:48 PM
Who really gives a whoop anymore?
Posted by Dave Rogoway | December 9, 2011 7:31 PM
Dave: A lot of people.
Posted by andy | December 9, 2011 8:16 PM
It's going to be hard for me to get interested in pro basketball until February at the earliest. And the Blazers? Another mediocre year, at best, ahead.
Posted by Jack Bog | December 9, 2011 8:33 PM
That's a good picture of Brandon because it shows one of my favorite parts to his game: The super-smooth, but not show-offy, left hand lay-in after darting through the lane. Such an efficient, but artistic approach.
As for this season, I'm into it. When the cold rain is falling I'll be watching the Blazers down in my man cave. Frankly, I enjoyed the Mavericks run to the championship as much as the good old days, and I'm psyched to see how the year shapes up.
In a stretch of bad news that would shrivel Chuck Norris's nut sack, we have just experienced an unbelievably bad day: Brandon, Oden, and LaMarcus all with somber news.
I can't walk away now. Go Blazers.
Posted by Bill McDonald | December 9, 2011 10:26 PM
What NEPGuy said.
I've always thought people were silly when they let their emotions run wild when it comes to pro athletes, however I am truly depressed that Roy is retiring under these circumstances. He is worthy of a mancrush. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Posted by Chris | December 10, 2011 12:06 AM
Aw, gee!
Posted by cros | December 10, 2011 7:20 AM
What Jack said......
Wake me in Feb.
Yawn....
And then: "What? Is that all the Blazers can do? More yawn..."
Posted by Harry | December 11, 2011 7:11 AM
Since when did the Blazers get Air Jordan?
Posted by Erik H. | December 11, 2011 8:50 AM