Back in the late 1960's, a Portlander we all know as Harry Glickman and his buddies threw around the idea of bringing an NBA franchise to the Rose City. This is back in the day of the ABA, and anyone who has seen the movie "Semi-Pro" knows EXACTLY where the rest of this story goes.
We all know the NBA to be the sports league with the most street and music appeal. More numbers of non-sports fans watch the NBA than the NFL or even the MLB. Even back in the 60's the NBA was very concerned about the appeal of its teams, and so no bullshit-hippie team from Portland was going to hotbox its way in to the league, and win. From day one, Portland was terrible. Not even first round draft picks, Rookies of the year, and even a college legend would be allowed to help a team in a citywhere it always rained, where everyone smoke pot and went to concerts naked all summer and had weird non-catholic religions, and that was far, far from New York or Philliadelphia to even think about winning an NBA Championship. But, in 1977, in their first winning season ever, the Portland Trail Blazers shocked the World by demolishing far more favored opponents, inculding Julius Erving and the 76'ers, en-route to their first and only NBA Championship.
Since that day in 1977, the National Basketball Association has tried, in my opinion to do everything possible to let Portland be as good as they wanted to be, save for ever winning an NBA Championship again. Bill Waltons' injury in 1978, prevented a major dynasty before the NBA knew what to to about Portland, but his no-doubt coincidental trade demand to one of the 3 biggest franchises at the time of his injury is interesting.
My evidence as folllows.
In 1983, Portland selects Clyde Drexler with the 13th pick, and another Portland dynasty looked nearly inevitable. However, the very next year, a man named David Stern is named the new NBA Commissioner and in the draft that year, Portland, in a stunning move, takes Sam Bowie instead of the final piece to it's 10-year-in-a-row championship run, Michael Jordan. Also taken by teams other than Portland in that draft were Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. Stern 1 - Portland 0.
Portland was very, very good through the 80's, and made it to the NBA Finals again in 1990, only to be thwarted by the so called "Bad Boys" of Detroit, one of David Sterns' favorite teams. Portland had the best record in the NBA the next year, but was cut down in the Conference Finals by the "Showtime" LA Lakers, also one of the NBA's most beloved teams, who were subsequently whipped by Jordan and the Bulls, who were David Sterns' dream since becoming Commissioner, a dynasty in a major american city market. In 1992, David Sterns' bastard love-child Michael Jordan got his second ring by pasting Sterns' favorite whipping post, the Portland Trail Blazers, on live national television.
In 1995, the world turned on the Blazers again, by letting Drexler leave for Houston, another major market, for their second championship in a row. Once again, David Stern won. He also got a second chance with Jordan in his return and second three peat. In David Sterns' first 15 years, he had 4 different two-time defending championship teams.
By 1999, David Stern and his love for the Hip-Hop scene bad-boys ad Hollywood celebs (even though he says he is against it, tell me he doesn't love that Jigga, Jack, Timbaland and Spike are front and center on live TV all the time) has gotten in the way of all logic on how to run a true league like the NFL, where the parity is stupid crazy, and lets a goon named Shaquille O'Neal physically beat the shit out of the Blazers in the 2000 Conference Finals to prevent Portland from its very obvious run towards the Championship. You know this story too, the Lakers won 3 in a row, just another Stern Dynasty for a big market team with fans who just have a lot of money, a lot of power and way too much time.
After 2003, the much troubled Blazers ended their record 21 year playoff run and were forced by many hands to completely re-design their team, trading or cutting nearly everyone and creating a new team. During the time the Blazers were not in the Playoffs, the NBA enjoyed many boring Spurs Championships in a Stern attempt to distract the world from the "Jail Blazers" by somehow getting NBA refs to become involved in gambling, thus letting San Antonio, a seemingly very clean cut fundamental team (who also swept Portland in 1999 en-route to a Championship) to win 3 more Championships.
But Portland found a way to get back at the NBA. The lottery. By 2007, Kevin Pritchard, a man much like Glickman in his love for the city, and the game, found a way to make Portland a contender again and, won the Draft Lottery's #1 spot over the much favored and large market Boston Celtics. Once again, the NBA and David Stern had to find a way to keep Portland down.
Answer? Andy Belvin touched on this the other night. I am a huge Portland fan, but I am also a realist, and I understand the game, and I understand that the officiating through the 1st round of this years' playoffs has been dissapointing. I understand refs give special treatment to All-Star players, so how the FUCK do you explain Brandon Roy getting punked in the face multiple times on the way to the hole with no call? Or, how do you call an offensive foul on a man who gets under-cut by a moving defender? Is or is not Brandon Roy an All-Star? How can you stop a man who is nearly averaging 32 points a game in the playoffs?
David Stern will find a way.
And as long as he does, the Portland Trail Blazers will have to be smarter and faster than the system to win an NBA Championship, just like in 1977.
Is it a curse, or is it conspiracy? Only time will tell.
RIP CITY BABY!!! GO BLAZERS!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Live Blog: Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick
It's 6-5 Federer in the third set, and it's very late. I'm going to bed. I'm sure Federer will close this out. Roddick gets mad at stupid things, then Federer goes on a huge run and puts him down when he makes short runs. Too bad. Damn crazy yank!
Live Blog: Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick
Federer took a hard fought second set to make it 6-2, 7-5, and Andy Roddick is keeping it close, and it's 3-3 in the third set right now. Turning out to be a better match than the announcers are calling it, since they all love Federer.
If Roddick can keep his service points up, this could go extra sets, but I think Federer has the skill set to wear Roddick down and take longer volleys that Roddick cannot even fathom.
If Roddick can keep his service points up, this could go extra sets, but I think Federer has the skill set to wear Roddick down and take longer volleys that Roddick cannot even fathom.
Live Blog: Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick
with Roddick up 4-3, each player is dominating serve like a beast. Roddick can't run and flow with Federer, because he is a moron and Federer is an artist. But Federer can't hang with Roddicks' 140 mph serves, and he has 9 aces to Federers' 3.
Live Blog: Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick
Roddick has somehow taken a 2-1 lead in the second set. I'm not saying it's a comeback, but I hope he can continue this run because, I really don't want to go to sleep yet.
Federer seems to keep cool all the time, we will see if he comes back after the break and takes back the next two games to get a lead.
Federer seems to keep cool all the time, we will see if he comes back after the break and takes back the next two games to get a lead.
Live Blog: Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick
This is my first live blog ever. Damn I love the internet. This is from the Australian Open Mens Semifinals (yes thats tennis, yes I watch tennis I watch and love many many sports so screw you).
At the end of the first set, it's Federer 6-2.
Andy Roddick is super pissed at the officials right now for not replaying a point, the second in a row Federer won on a challenge, and it seemed to help him for a few points, but Federer quickly put him down like the little bitch that Roddick is.
I gotta say I though Andy woukld hold his own here and make it a good game. Hopefully he can put that behind him and pull out a set to get back in this, or he is toast.
At the end of the first set, it's Federer 6-2.
Andy Roddick is super pissed at the officials right now for not replaying a point, the second in a row Federer won on a challenge, and it seemed to help him for a few points, but Federer quickly put him down like the little bitch that Roddick is.
I gotta say I though Andy woukld hold his own here and make it a good game. Hopefully he can put that behind him and pull out a set to get back in this, or he is toast.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
What would YOU do?
Some of the coolest, strong willed, yet most stubborn people I know have had some of the most messed up stuff happen to them in the last 4 months. I gotta tell you the truth, over the last few days, I haven't always been so sure that I am safe from the bad luck floating around lately.
My best friend since 1997, Andrew Preston, gets a brain tumor, has surgery, and is now facing a few months(?) of pill chemotherapy to get rid of his cancer. Although it is not a very aggressive cancer, and is not growing, it is the cancer none the less, and it is in a part of the brain that is inoperable, making stress and nervousness a very real feeling for Andy, and for his family, and for me his friend worried about his future in the world. So far, he is kicking ass, and getting better and better, but nothing is for sure forever.
I have not had a lot of experience with deadly diseases, which is good, but to have something like that happen to your best friend at the age of 25, you get scared a little. I hate hospitals, and seeing people in pain in general, and I still went to see Andy a few times because he is my friend, and I love him and don't want him to go away before we kick the ass that needs to be kicked.
Now I face the reality of actually looking into the face of a man that was, unlike Andy, given an ultimatum.
My boss, general manager of the Full Sail Brew Pub has been diagnosed with a very rare cancer with a low rate of survivors. However, a very rare surgery awaits Robert Carpenter in Boston in two weeks that can hopefully save his life. Without this very special and very, very, VERY expensive surgery that is rarely performed in the United States, he is not expected to live another whole year.
Other than my Grandpa Krenz, and Grandma Patrick, I have never talked to someone who I knew was facing death. Obviously their cases, Andys' case and Roberts' case are different, but to see, work and talk with someone you know may not be around soon is very scary, at least to me. Especially when their attitude is one that makes you believe. I have full faith in the doctors who will work on Robert, as I did with the people working on Andy, however, the feelings going through my body and mind are still skewed to the point that I am pretty much numb at this point, and when I say numb, I really mean it.
All the people I work with are still feeling that shock factor with Robert that I have already gone through with Andy, and that makes me feel bad because I have nearly run out of emotion. I mean, shit, I am pretty much rambling right now in this blog. I have run out of things to say like "this sucks" or "this is crazy and I am sad" or whatever. There is just nothing.
What happens when a human runs out of emotion to show? What happens when you have used all the compassion in your body to the point that there is none to give even to yourself? People talk about being numb with feelings, but I think I am even farther than that.
I have reached a point where stress, fear, vulnerablility and all emotions have run into eachother head-on, leaving nothing alive. Depression is an afterthought. I have been depressed for two years, and have been stretched to the end of that and beyond. I wish there was a book, a google search or something to help me out where I don't feel so anxious, so scared, so weak in my human body at this moment.
What is left to do when you've cried so much there is no more sadness?
The most crazy part of all of the last few months is that now, my cousin Josh and his wife Devon ahve had their first child, Adelle, which is awesome. A new member to the family in the midst of all this chaos gives me that glimmer of hope and happiness, but also leaves me very confused as to what to feel about the future. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. That is the way of things. What we don't know is how to feel, or what to think. I am trying to figure out which one of these feelings to cling to without abandoning everyone, and keeping my own life in order. The point of insanity is never far off...
So what do I do? I need a fucking hug............
My best friend since 1997, Andrew Preston, gets a brain tumor, has surgery, and is now facing a few months(?) of pill chemotherapy to get rid of his cancer. Although it is not a very aggressive cancer, and is not growing, it is the cancer none the less, and it is in a part of the brain that is inoperable, making stress and nervousness a very real feeling for Andy, and for his family, and for me his friend worried about his future in the world. So far, he is kicking ass, and getting better and better, but nothing is for sure forever.
I have not had a lot of experience with deadly diseases, which is good, but to have something like that happen to your best friend at the age of 25, you get scared a little. I hate hospitals, and seeing people in pain in general, and I still went to see Andy a few times because he is my friend, and I love him and don't want him to go away before we kick the ass that needs to be kicked.
Now I face the reality of actually looking into the face of a man that was, unlike Andy, given an ultimatum.
My boss, general manager of the Full Sail Brew Pub has been diagnosed with a very rare cancer with a low rate of survivors. However, a very rare surgery awaits Robert Carpenter in Boston in two weeks that can hopefully save his life. Without this very special and very, very, VERY expensive surgery that is rarely performed in the United States, he is not expected to live another whole year.
Other than my Grandpa Krenz, and Grandma Patrick, I have never talked to someone who I knew was facing death. Obviously their cases, Andys' case and Roberts' case are different, but to see, work and talk with someone you know may not be around soon is very scary, at least to me. Especially when their attitude is one that makes you believe. I have full faith in the doctors who will work on Robert, as I did with the people working on Andy, however, the feelings going through my body and mind are still skewed to the point that I am pretty much numb at this point, and when I say numb, I really mean it.
All the people I work with are still feeling that shock factor with Robert that I have already gone through with Andy, and that makes me feel bad because I have nearly run out of emotion. I mean, shit, I am pretty much rambling right now in this blog. I have run out of things to say like "this sucks" or "this is crazy and I am sad" or whatever. There is just nothing.
What happens when a human runs out of emotion to show? What happens when you have used all the compassion in your body to the point that there is none to give even to yourself? People talk about being numb with feelings, but I think I am even farther than that.
I have reached a point where stress, fear, vulnerablility and all emotions have run into eachother head-on, leaving nothing alive. Depression is an afterthought. I have been depressed for two years, and have been stretched to the end of that and beyond. I wish there was a book, a google search or something to help me out where I don't feel so anxious, so scared, so weak in my human body at this moment.
What is left to do when you've cried so much there is no more sadness?
The most crazy part of all of the last few months is that now, my cousin Josh and his wife Devon ahve had their first child, Adelle, which is awesome. A new member to the family in the midst of all this chaos gives me that glimmer of hope and happiness, but also leaves me very confused as to what to feel about the future. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. That is the way of things. What we don't know is how to feel, or what to think. I am trying to figure out which one of these feelings to cling to without abandoning everyone, and keeping my own life in order. The point of insanity is never far off...
So what do I do? I need a fucking hug............
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