ODEN IS COMING TO TOWN

I apologize I've been away for so long, but so much has happened I just didn't know where to begin!

I was able to attend the Blazer Draft Party at the RoseGarden and it was one of the best experiences in my lifetime! I took my season ticket holder information to the Garden and I was given a bracelet where I was able to save 25% on Merchandise during the Draft, and even a deal on food and drink! I even shot some hoops on the court! It was really a great time!

The actual draft was incredible, the fact that the Blazers were going to Draft Oden was made public the evening before the draft even though everyone disputed the claim.

After taking Oden with the first pick! (definately what the majority of Portland wanted) the blazers made moves to attain two additional picks in the first round. They selected Rudy Fernandez in one move, and Petteri Koponen with the other. The Blazers then drafted both McRoberts from Duke and T. Green out of Florida. Other players were selected in the draft but they were moved in seperate deals.

The blockbuster trade of the night would have to be when the TrailBlazers traded Zach Randolph and his Max Contract to the Knicks along with Freddy Jones and Dan Dickau in exchange for Steve Francis and Channing Frye although the move to get Francis was more about evening out the trade than anything, as Francis will likely be bought out and will never where a Blazer Uniform. The move will net us nearly 30 million in two years when Francis Contract will be up. In two years such stars as Lebron James and Carmello Anthony will be Free Agents nice timing if you ask me!

I'll be on again soon sharing pictures, from the draft day party! I was sitting in the front row of the press conferance hours after the draft when Kevin P. and Nate M. flew back from NYC. So the pictures will be worth the wait!

Maybe we don't take Oden or Durrant?

Just think about it... what if? It's obvious that taking either Oden or Durrant won't make us a championship team overnight. Either choice will be young, and inexperienced and a "WANT" as opposed to a need. We have Zack at 24 and 10 along with Aldridge and his consistant play and blocks with only 22 minutes a game.

What we need is a veteran leader, a player to mesh with our already impactful core of youth. Just imagine Paul Gasol and the #4 pick.... for our number #1?

Just imagine giving our #1 to Boston in exchange for Pierre Pierce and the #5 overall pick? how can we seriously not be tempted?

Read more on these ideas here:
http://trailblazers.realgm.com/articles/123/20070522/just_one_minute_on_ordering_that_oden_blazers_jersey/

30 Days, 30 Teams; Portland Draft Preview

This is a great article showing the draft history of Portland since 2000 and the draft of Eric Barkley with the 28th overall pick. After the debacle of Quintell Woods, the team has made wise choices with the exception of Sebastian Telfair, luckily the GM made a great deal with Boston giving up Telfair in last years draft in order to secure the pick that brought Brandon Roy to town.

http://trailblazers.realgm.com/articles/125/20070524/30_teams_30_days_portland_draft_preview/

Greg Oden Video

I was visiting some more sights today, trying to find out more information on the Big Man out of Ohio State, in the process I came across a video on youtube that I thought would be great to share! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xEtSZof7zk The video is from Gregs Senior year in the Mcdonalds All-American game, he played with his right wrist taped, the same he later was forced to have surgery on before starting his collegiant career. When you watch the video you'll see a few plays he made on Kevin Durrant!! Look I'm not saying one guy is better than the other, we all know I'd be happy to see either dawn the Rose City's name!

Brandon Roy is officially Portlands lucky rabbits foot from now on! I found this pic on the web of Brandon holding the Memorabelia from the draft.

Rip City is Back!

Okay it's been a few days since the draft lottery, but Portland is still a buzz! I was on YouTube today and came across a few videos, one of the draft lottery party, the other titled "kevin pritchard unplugged" they were both great! I have the links here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thTIYCXcx90

I've watched each of these videos a few times and I'm sure I'll watch each of them a few more times before I'm done!

Roy helps Blazers land the #1 overall pick!

How sweet was life to day for Portland Trailblazer fans?!! If you haven't heard the news yet, the blazers overcame all the odds in the world in what some are calling the biggest shocker of all time in NBA Draft Lottery History. Portland had a 5.3% chance at getting the #1 over all pick, and the same odds at getting the #2 pick. Based on the law of averages, Portland was expected to get the #6 pick, do to there season win/loss record.

The three teams that made it to the "final 3" were the Seattle Supersonics, who had Lenny Wilkins on the stage, the Atlanta Hawks and Dominique Wilkins, followed by the Portland Trailblazers and Brandon Roy.

I'll tell you this I haven't been this excited in a long time... okay who am I kidding I was a little excited to say the least last season when the Blazers were able to grab LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Sergio Rodriguez and young European phenom Joel Freeman. This years draft will eclipse even those feelings, Greg Oden will most certainly be dawning the Black, Red, White of the Blazers next season!!

Watching the excitement on Brandons face as he realized that Portland would be getting the #1 pick was priceless, I can't wait to see the draft. Portland also has 4 second round picks, attained during the draft last year in the deals that saw Telfair, and Kriapa leave town. Today was an amazing day to be a Blazer fan. I myself capped the day off by calling Jonathan my local ticket man, and I purchased season tickets (half season) to the blazers in 07-08! I'll be sitting in the Blue section Row E for 22 games next season!!

More to come as the draft nears, keep the faith portland...