What's the opposite of a Jail Blazer?
Another honor for Blazer star (as announcer Mark Mason would say) Buh-randon Uh-roy. He just came in third in the balloting for the NBA's Joe Dumars Trophy. This award is given to the player who reflects the ideals of sportsmanship: ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity. This year's winner was Grant Hill from Phoenix (the first time someone has won twice), and Shane Battier of Houston was second.
A previous winner: fella by the name of Terrell Brandon.
| Posted at 2:35 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
On the radio this week, the beat writers from The O suggested the Blazers may try trading for Battier. What they need is a Brian Grant.
Posted by Chris Snethen | April 27, 2008 7:49 AM
When I think of the Blazers during the Drexler years, I remember that I felt cheated that the NBA season was really just a way to figure out who would lose to the Bulls in the Finals.
But it was okay. We had, without a doubt, the classiest group of true gentlemen that ever wore bball uni's, so even though it would have been neat to have some championships, having Clyde's team was definitely a comfort. If it weren't for that arrogant MJ, the 90's would have been a Drexler dynasty.
If we can just work back toward having a team of fine-playing gentlemen, that would be a start. I think we have a start here.
Championships would be nice, of course. Maybe this time we can get us one or two of those.
Posted by Samuel John Klein | April 27, 2008 9:00 AM
Hmmm...I dunno. Have we checked into BRoy's 'bereavement leaves'??
I like Battier. We don't need another F. We need PG help in the event that we don't get Rudy Fernandez over here.
Posted by Sebastian | April 27, 2008 9:23 AM
Let's go back to the 2005 NBA draft. Portland has pick #3 and Nash/Patterson do some fancy trading down in the draft for Martell Webster.
Utah uses the #3 pick to take... Deron Williams, now one of the best PGs in the league.
New Orleans follows at #4 with Chris Paul, who looks like he may go on to be the greatest PG of all time.
Roy and Paul in the back court... We'd be watching Blazer playoffs right now.
Posted by Ted | April 27, 2008 11:48 AM
Nash/Patterson do some fancy trading down in the draft for Martell Webster.
That was an owner move, I'd bet.
Posted by Jack Bog | April 27, 2008 11:50 AM
Thank you Ted for fulfilling the role of "Bucket of Water Contrarian" that is necessary after all Blazer posts.
Everyone has heard the Paul or Williams thing a thousand times. Guess what? It happens every draft, usually to a number of teams. Every franchise has a ledger's worth of reget and wisdom from past drafts. Are you going to hold it against the Blazers? No, so get over it.
Posted by TKrueg | April 27, 2008 1:30 PM
That was an owner move, I'd bet.
It sure smelled like one at the time. I have this vision of Paul Allen wandering his house on Mercer Island, wearing Kleenex boxes on his feet, and watching Martel Webster highlights on KOMO. It would be interesting to see if the Blazers could have drafted Paul and still have been in position to deal for Roy in 2006. Or if the ping pong balls had fallen a little different that year and the Blazers had ended up with Bargnani instead of Aldridge.
Too many variables. I like this team. Oden's going to make them even better. They do need a PG. How about this guy?
Posted by Chris Snethen | April 27, 2008 2:52 PM
Chris- They tried to get Jose Calderon before the trading deadline but the deal fell through... Pritchard really likes his game, and he'd be an upgrade over Sergio to be sure. Perhaps a better lure to get Rudy Fernandez over here ASAP too...
Posted by TKrueg | April 27, 2008 4:17 PM