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Is it ever too early to start scoreboard watching? It's only February and we're not even at the All-Star Break yet, and I find myself paying even closer attention to the nightly scores as they come in. Sometimes you're even forced to root for the Lakers if it means they could help out a team the Blazers are competing with for a play-off spot!
- Seems like the Carmelo situation is a high stakes game of liar's poker right now. The Nuggets seem to know they can't keep him long-term, but they still might end up not dealing him before the trade deadline. But maybe that's just what they want the Knicks to think so maybe New York ups the ante in terms of what they're willing to give up for Anthony. And maybe a mystery team will emerge to either help facilitate the deal, or perhaps to swoop in and take a gamble that Carmelo may want to stay with them beyond this season. Who's going to blink first?
- I realize you can see some strange commercials when watching late night TV, but how is Jerry Springer doing a spot for a Portland jewelry store? There must be a story behind that!
- A fan asked me the other day if I have an alliteration for every letter of the alphabet. I told him "no", but I do have some letters that provide more than one. Remember these are the words I use to describe an opposing head coach when forced to call a time out during a Blazers' run in a game. They are all supposed to indicate some form of frustration, anger, or the like. For instance, "aghast, annoyed, and appalled", "bewildered, befuddled, and bemused", "confused, concerned, and confounded", "dejected, deflated, and demoralized", "jilted, jaded, and jolted", "mystified, mesmerized, and mortified", and "staggered, stunned, and stupefied", just to name a few. I'm always open to suggestions if you think you can come up with one that has merit.
- I know I'm biased, but there can't be a better PERSON in the role of an NBA head coach than the guy we have right here in Portland, Nate McMillan. A quality individual at all times, and the kind of guy that's easy to root for. The rest of the NBA world seems to hold him in higher esteem than some folks around here, true Blazers' fans not included of course.
- I appreciate the TV sitcom, "Batman" more now than I did as a kid, and I liked it a heckuva lot then!
- For so many reasons, the NBA is the best sport for a play-by-play announcer. Football plays just once a week and most of your time is spent in preparing for a game, rather than calling the game itself. Baseball plays every day and the season is so long. Off days are so rare you never really have a chance to get a breather. Hockey has a similar schedule to basketball, but most of the excitement in calling a game is derived from the shots that almost become a goal. And don't get me started with all the European names that you'd have to know on the fly. So basketball becomes #1. You never play more than 2 nights in a row so you don't get worn down. There's plenty of scoring in every game. And the sport features the best athletes in the world, and you might see something on a given night that you may never see again!
- I have two friends that can't watch black and white TV or black and white movies. Think of all the historic programs they'll never get to enjoy, unless they can get them all colorized. But then they aren't truly authentic, are they?
- Tom Thibodeau waited 21 years to become an NBA head coach for the first time. That's a long time to be patient for a dream job. But it sure looks like he's a good fit in Chicago, where he's helped raise the level of the Bulls' play more than Vinny Del Negro ever did the last 2 seasons.
- Speaking of Del Negro, word on the street is he got the Clippers' head coaching job in large part because owner Donald Sterling's wife thought he was better looking than the other top candidate, Dwane Casey. That can't be true, can it? Then again, it is the Clippers so it certainly could be, and we couldn't be surprised if it is, could we?
- Really looking forward to seeing Eric Clapton in concert at the Rose Garden on the 28th. He may be in his 60's, but show me a better rock/blues guitarist alive than Slowhand.
I could go on, but my off day is almost ending. We'll do it again soon!