Posted 08/02/2010 4:06 PM

Good list! Heck, even Sheed is coming back to Portland to live after retiring. Now if only our city can take the next step from keeping players happy once they get dealt here to attracting those players to want to come here on their own free will.

Posted 08/02/2010 6:00 PM

Posted By DHawes22 on 08/02/2010 1:14 PM
Here's a snippet from my latest blog post:

As is the case during the dog days of summer, trade talk and speculation take over the radio airwaves, burn up the message boards, and dominate the conversation around the water cooler, especially in a one-horse town such as Portland. The summer of 2010 has been no different with CP3 talk at a fever pitch, inquiries about Tony Parker being available making their rounds through the media, and the usual chatter about how to obtain the elusive, ‘Point Guard of the Future’, an urban legend around these parts ever since the great Terry Porter exited in ‘95. The sticking point for fans in acquiring such a player usually isn’t the players exiting in a trade; rather a fear the incoming player won’t enjoy Portland and will bolt for greener pastures at first chance.

First off, what player doesn’t want to play in a college atmosphere 41 games out of the year? Taking my red and black colored glasses off for a moment, outside of the Rose Garden, there are only a handful of teams, such as Boston, Golden State, and Utah, who can match the intensity and passion BlazerManiacs bring with them to the arena on a nightly basis. Players fall in love with the bond between the city and the fans of Portland. Everything from greeting a new player’s arrival at the airport to just saying “Hello” on the streets are examples of the fan affair here in the Rose City. To this day, I still truly believe it was the fans that were the biggest factor in Marcus Camby’s decision to re-sign with the Trail Blazers when they were loudly chanting his name after he put on a performance for the ages to seal our playoff fate. If you don’t think other players around the league take notice, then you’re only kidding yourself. The Rose Garden has a reputation as being one of the most hostile environments in the entire NBA and guys would much rather be on the other side of those cheers. 

CONTINUE READING>>>

Do you agree or disagree with the reasons listed? Or if you were a doubter before about being able to keep a star happy in Portland, were you swayed or do are you still inclined to believe Portland will never be able to keep the creme of the crop in town for too long?

In a short term case as would be Paul, I think we have to give considerable credit to the Blazer brain trust.  Obviously several conversations would take place between the two parties before any trade would be executed, giving Cho ample opportunity to decipher whether or not there is GENUINE interest exhibited by the player in question in BEING a Blazer. 
This, I would imagine, is part of his job.  So, we as fans have to place as much trust in this process as we do in the player himself.  Cho strikes me as someone who reads people well.  This team and it's collective character, did not happen over night, nor simply by chance. The players brought here were scrutinized as much for character as talent.  The word "fit" in Blazer context, means a great many things, not the least of which is willingness to be here for an extended amount of time.  I trust in Cho and in the process, to bring to our team ONLY such a player. 
Hawes, I couldn't agree with you more with regard to the RG and the powers of persuasion that exist within it's walls.  We don't offer the night life that other markets do...but, maybe that's a good thing.  We evidently, don't offer the shopping other places do.  Our freeways may often times be too crowded for racing, particularly with all of the updating common this time of year.  What Portland DOES offer however, is a rabid fan base committed to supporting it's team like no other in the league.  An owner who is as much a fan as anyone and committed to winning.  A small, intimate setting with which to both showcase your basketball prowess and raise a family...HOME
I'M NOT WORRIED AT ALL

Posted 08/02/2010 6:41 PM

Long gone are the days when I sat at courtside and watched the likes of Rick Adelman,Geoff Petrie, Jerry Sloan, Rudy Tomjonavich, Jerry West and countless others who deserve naming. All for 8 dollars. In this day of free agency and Prima Donna's much has changed. Even though I live in Fairbanks Alaska now I still try to make it to 2 games a year. Basketball has always been my first love of any sport. Oregon is a beautiful place with not too much of the rat race of other cities. Although I would not call it a "one horse" town more like a ten bike town 8+). I would call it a Basketball town with a fan base unlike any other. I remember when we won the NBA championship. The City shut down and had a street dance. I suppose if we had riots and burned cars we might have had more rings at this time but I prefer the dancing thing. Unfortunately in order to get that street dance back in Portland we have to cater to the Prima Donnas. No one stays at one spot forever now. They are as loyal to the fan base as they can possibly be until the next good deal comes along. GM Cho knows this, Paul  Allen knows this now. Deep down in our hearts we know this. So if we do manage to get Chris Paul for only 2 years I think it would be worth our while. Meanwhile the fan base has 2 years to work on him.

Posted 08/03/2010 11:17 AM

Good points guys...

I think being a 'small' big city can work in our favor for players who have been in the league longer than 5 years. They have already had their fare share of the nightlife and now most likely want to settle down with their significant other or family or just want to close that chapter of their lives. Portland is a great city to raise a family in and yet still offers just enough to do to keep guys happy. Some of the best golfing is out here in the state. You're only one hour away from the mountain, coast, or middle of nowhere.

Posted 08/03/2010 3:40 PM

hi

Posted 08/03/2010 5:13 PM

Amen, brother!

Posted 08/03/2010 8:30 PM

Posted By ClydeFrog on 08/02/2010 4:06 PM
Good list! Heck, even Sheed is coming back to Portland to live after retiring. Now if only our city can take the next step from keeping players happy once they get dealt here to attracting those players to want to come here on their own free will.

Easier said than done. As someone who lives far away, Portland doesn't really have that much of a reputation, until you really look into it. (That's not a dig, it just doesn't have a glamorous reputation) Word of mouth between players might be the best bet.

Posted 08/03/2010 9:37 PM

I dont think that the superstars dislike Portland, but more off just forget about  it. Growing up i saw Oregon as one of the useless states, the only thing you've ever givin me was the Salem Witch Trials, and The Crucible, which i hate that book. Mt. St. Helens isnt really a tourist attractor either, i think its just the down time. Portland has its Super Stars, BRoy who seems very Loyal, you got LaMarcus who seems will stay if everyone recognizes all the good he gives, not just his down-sides. Perhaps their needs to be more belief and embracment of not just the stars but the team as a whole, when they suck and when they rock, fans must bleed red/black/and white. Look at the Thunder, first time ever being in the Playoffs, every single fan wearing blue, thats the kind of amazing commitments that people, players notice. Look at Los Angeles, people here, love, and i mean F'ing LOVE the lakers, but garunteed, most of em dont even know anyone but Kobe.

Posted 08/04/2010 6:44 PM

Posted By TayC on 08/03/2010 9:37 PM
I dont think that the superstars dislike Portland, but more off just forget about  it. Growing up i saw Oregon as one of the useless states, the only thing you've ever givin me was the Salem Witch Trials, and The Crucible, which i hate that book. Mt. St. Helens isnt really a tourist attractor either, i think its just the down time. Portland has its Super Stars, BRoy who seems very Loyal, you got LaMarcus who seems will stay if everyone recognizes all the good he gives, not just his down-sides. Perhaps their needs to be more belief and embracment of not just the stars but the team as a whole, when they suck and when they rock, fans must bleed red/black/and white. Look at the Thunder, first time ever being in the Playoffs, every single fan wearing blue, thats the kind of amazing commitments that people, players notice. Look at Los Angeles, people here, love, and i mean F'ing LOVE the lakers, but garunteed, most of em dont even know anyone but Kobe.

The Salem you refer to is actually in Massachusetts
Mt. St. Helens is in Washington

Agree with your take on the Thunder dress code in their post season.  That was admittedly impressive

...and, I WOULD "look at Los Angeles" but I would have a difficult time seeing it thru all of the "F'ing" smog

Posted 08/04/2010 7:18 PM

Posted By BDawg on 08/04/2010 6:44 PM

Posted By TayC on 08/03/2010 9:37 PM
I dont think that the superstars dislike Portland, but more off just forget about  it. Growing up i saw Oregon as one of the useless states, the only thing you've ever givin me was the Salem Witch Trials, and The Crucible, which i hate that book. Mt. St. Helens isnt really a tourist attractor either, i think its just the down time. Portland has its Super Stars, BRoy who seems very Loyal, you got LaMarcus who seems will stay if everyone recognizes all the good he gives, not just his down-sides. Perhaps their needs to be more belief and embracment of not just the stars but the team as a whole, when they suck and when they rock, fans must bleed red/black/and white. Look at the Thunder, first time ever being in the Playoffs, every single fan wearing blue, thats the kind of amazing commitments that people, players notice. Look at Los Angeles, people here, love, and i mean F'ing LOVE the lakers, but garunteed, most of em dont even know anyone but Kobe.

The Salem you refer to is actually in Massachusetts
Mt. St. Helens is in Washington

Agree with your take on the Thunder dress code in their post season.  That was admittedly impressive

...and, I WOULD "look at Los Angeles" but I would have a difficult time seeing it thru all of the "F'ing" smog

hahaha.word.