Please nobody jinx the team by using the "P" word when it comes to this team until their at least 10 games over .500 and well past the All Star break. I'm enthusiastic and look forward to watching them because they have guys who can play consistent defense and make their baskets. They are so much better off without Zach Randolph and this recent streak has really brought that home to me. I heard that LaMarcus said his plantar fascitis is already feeling better with just two days rest so that's a good sign.

Really goofy headline in the O this morning..."Bringing a Full Cast for Another Big Show." LaMarcus out and Martel having to leave the game in the first half because of "flu-like symptoms". So two starters not being able to play is a "full cast"?

I hear Paul Allen wants to change the name of the Rose Garden.

Perhaps, Property for Lease?

I hear Paul Allen is thinking of selling naming rights to the Rose Quarter. I kind of like the name Rose Quarter. Too bad. Now we get something like Qualcomm stadium, or something of this sorts. Should have a party for this name maybe raise a few funds to maybe delay the name change. Maybe if Mr. Allen set up a save-the-name fund, even I would be willing to contribute a few bucks. Go Blazers, anyways!

Jack: Maybe the team read your December 5th blog declaring the "season officially over", and they got motivated to prove you wrong. They were 5 -12 then and are 10-12 now. Thanks for the inspiration.

So Jack, has your opinion of Travis Outlaw changed? The guy's playing like an MVP.

My opinion of Martel hasn't changed, he leaves in the first quarter and we still win. Obviously the Blazers didn't miss him heaving up 3s (and missing 80% of the time) from the baseline.

You can't say Outlaw is playing like an MVP. I mean, you can, but you should probably be approached with the same amount of caution as if you were supporting the BCS system.

Outlaw is playing like he should have been at least two years ago. He's got a hell of a lot of talent and has played well in the last couple of weeks, but unless he puts together an entire season, he won't likely change too many opinions beyond: "Well, that's better." In my humble opinion, of course.

You're right, Kevin. Similar to the hype surrounding Odem, unbridled Blazer enthusiasm should be tempered.

But, I still am a total Outlaw fan-boy.

Gotta go with DB above. October 24 you responded to a post, "Who's James Jones? And what team will he be on in March?" I think you probably know who he is now, and we can hope he remains a Blazer, but his value seems pretty certain.

Go Blazers!

DB2

Keep the "Rose Garden" name. Let us not forget that the taxpayers paid over $38 MILLION for site improvements, not counting the untold $MILLIONS in CoP staff planning time and all the other "soft costs".

At a probable $2M income per year to have Nike's name on the building, that would equate to at least 20 years that the taxpaying citizens of Portland should be honored for their contribution. "Rose Garden" is us!