Leave a Comment

Rudy Fernandez rocks the Blazers red
NBA Noise — Portland Trail Blazers fans got their first look at the highly-touted Spaniard, Rudy Fernandez, in a red Blazers uniform. The photo shoot was sans anything politcally incorrect, but one picture is inexplainable. He has his name Fernandez posted across his shoulders, and then his first and last name under his numbers. Anyone have any idea what's up with that? ...

Monday Bullets
ESPN.com - TrueHoop — More news that Monta Ellis apparently lied about the cause of his injury. If the team and the player want to make as big a deal of this as possible, they could not be playing it any better. This slow trickle of information has kept it in the headlines day after day. A quick admission would have led for a day and a half tops. Later today, I'm going to speak to a group of people. It's a beautiful day. I was on the fence about wearing shorts. They are much more comfortable, right? But does it send the message that you are just way too casual? In the end, I opted for pants. I didn't feel great about it, until I caught wind of the whole ...

Monday Bullets
ESPN.com - TrueHoop — Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni talks to 3 Shades of Blue's Chip Crain. Crain asks about word that Iavaroni was a "devil's advocate" as the team discussed trading Mike Miller and Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo on draft night. Iavaroni doesn't deny it, but makes clear he is high on Mayo. He also ends up implying there might be some health concerns about Love: "The number one reason for being a devil's advocate was Mike Miller's a pretty good player. I really like him as a person. I thought he embodied what we are trying to do here. It was not I don't like O.J. Mayo. I think that's what happens when you start getting into this. People say that you ...

Rudy Will Put Points On Your Face
The Fan's Attic — The NBA season can't get here soon enough, but we'll have to make do with Trailblazer training camp opening on Tuesday. This is a much anticipated season in Rip City with newcomers Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Bayless and Greg Oden finally taking the court for the Blazers. Last season's surprising 41-41 record has expectations and excitement high. To whet fan appetites, Monday was a media day for Portland and Rudy Fernandez has laid down the gauntlet for his fellow countryman, Pau Gasol. On who he's looking forward to playing against the most: "Pau. I've never played against him, only on the same team. I want to put points on ...

The Optimist's Blazer Preview
Deceptively Quick — Being a Blazer fan right now is comparable to knowing you've won Powerball, before the numbers are drawn. You know what you are going to buy, you know your life is about to be very sweet, you just have to wait a little bit. ...

NBA Two-a-Days: Portland Trailblazers
The Big Lead — Oh yeah. Gonna be a fun year in Portland. If we opt for the NBA ticket, it’ll be strictly for the team that was known as the Jailblazers just three years ago. If there’s a more titillating young starting five in the league, please notifty us: Oden (20), Aldridge (23), Outlaw (24), Roy (24), and Blake (28). [Aside: A few people have tried to say Oden got dunked on last night by the Kings' Kevin Martin. Not sure. Obviously he'll get posterized a few times this year, but that one's iffy. You want posterized, go here and here.] Obviously health will be a factor (Oden’s one year at Ohio ...

NBA Preseason: Ten Rookies To Watch
FanIQ Blog — Rookies in the NBA always make the biggest impact of any of the major professional sports. This year’s crop of rookies is one of the deepest and star studded classes of rookies in recent years. From Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, and OJ Mayo to International stars like Rudy Fernandez. With tipoff tomorrow night, FanIQ continues to give our NBA previews. ...

Dear Rip City, Stop thinking about Oden. I can help.
Deceptively Quick — There was a time when thinking about Oden was a widely accepted way of improving one's mood. Thinking of the man now doesn't quite have the same effect. I think at this time it would be appropriate for Kevin Pritchard to address the public on the dangers of Odenizing. Serious negative health consequences are a real possibility. We need to issue a moratorium on all Odenizing until he becomes the dominant force we have been hoping for. Oden's latest injury (he is out 2-4 weeks, in case you've been living under a sagenite pseudomorph) was also terrible with its potential to cause a Rip City panic. I admit, Oden going down so soon, at a time when the ...

Hornets Review/Blazers Preview
Fanster's Suns Community — Hornets Review Well, any team that has 24 turn-over’s is probably not going to win. Also, anytime Rasual Butler hit’s two huge three’s from the corner in the fourth quarter usually means that team has luck on their side. Even so, Peja was terrific, Paul was his usual great self, and West hit some big shots from outside. But again, 24 turn-over’s is not going to translate into any wins. However, I was pleased with Goran Dragic’s play and Diaw was more aggressive on offense so that was a plus. Barnes played more like he did in pre-season. Unfortunately so did Lopez…three fouls in 90 seconds. I wish Shaq played ...

A Little Reminder to Dwight Howard...
Blaze of Love — If this happens again tonight, I may just...just...declare an official man-crush on Sir Rudy Fernandez.

The Finishers
JoeSportsFan.com — Wizards Bullets 1-7 During Sunday’s Cowboys vs. Redskins game, the generally incoherent John Madden said of running back Marion Barber, “He may be the best finisher in the NFL.” Then he added something about Brett Farve and Tinactin and yelled the word “Boom!” Indeed, Barber’s a beast at crunch time, and Madden’s comment got me thinking about the overwhelming desire by most athletes to start games, when in fact, what’s ultimately more important is who’s playing at the end. The finishers win and lose games. In the NFL, starting is not such an ...

Rockets Versus Mavericks; Bulls Versus Blazers NBA Live Thread
FanIQ Blog — Quite a compelling night of NBA action tonight, well, that is if you forget about the Mavericks. Anyway, in Game 1 tonight of ESPN's doubleheader we've got the Mavs going up against the Rockets. Ron Artest has been pretty calm this year so far, but any time he's on TV there's plenty of reason to watch. I'd also watch this game because there's a 95% chance that either Yao or T-Mac will suffer yet another season killing injury. As for the Mavericks, whatever, they suck. ...

Blazers get Turkoglu'd!
Deceptively Quick — I had no intention of being prophetic when I attached the above picture to the Pre-pregame earlier today. But it happened, yes, Portland became the latest team to get Turkoglu'd. An exciting contest tonight, all the way up until the last minute and a half or so. The Blazers ruined a night that saw electric play from Roy, Aldridge, Rudy, and Przybilla when they suddenly became baffled by a double-team-Roy defense that they see pretty much every game. Meh. Side note: Apparently Rudy Fernandez is determined to create a highlight reel ...

ROY Race: Quarter Report
SLAM Online — by Earl K. Sneed With one of the best rookie classes in recent memory, it is a privilege that I bring to you these Rookie Rankings. First and foremost, contrary to other rankings you may see across the wire, these “rooks” will be judged by their individual performances, as well as their team’s success. So, if you are a 20-point scorer on a 20-win team, like Kevin Durant was a season ago, you very likely could be docked from serious consideration come season’s end. Follow along now as we track the best that the ‘08 class has to offer. 1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls Pros: The ...

Don't Vote Rudy
Deceptively Quick — I know that you are excited by the idea of a Blazer in the dunk contest. I am on record agreeing with you on that. But I beg you, do not vote for Rudy to be included in this event. Unless he has some sort of hidden ability we are not aware of, the man does not belong. Yes, I know he finishes a lot of alley oops. Yes, I know he did this to Dwight Howard. I am not putting forth the argument that the man is not athletic. I'm just saying that he is probably not NBA Dunk Contest athletic. Have you honestly ever seen Rudy reach a level of elevation on a dunk that is not ...

Slam Dunk Contest Field Set ... Almost
FanHouse — by Tom Ziller Filed under: Bucks, Grizzlies, Knicks, Magic, Mavericks, Trail Blazers, NBA All-Star Game, ThunderThree-quarters of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest field has been set, and the confirmed are familiar faces: reigning champ Dwight Howard, former champ Nate Robinson and underwhelming 2008 competitor Rudy Gay. For the fourth slot, the league is holding a fan vote between three rookies: Joe Alexander, Russell Westbrook and Rudy Fernandez. There is no way Rudy loses this, between his rabid Portland base and the legions of ...

Ѕирнете по ходниците во Феникс, Руди vs Двајт и Не баш “зелен“ Оукленд
NBA Macedonia — Сакате да ѕирнете во соблекувалната на Феникс? Мислам, виртуелнатa соблекувална на Феникс? Иако не освоија ништо изминативе пет сезони Санси станаа еден од најзабавните и најинтересни тимови во лигата. За тоа голема заслуга имаше и Бркот со неговиот лежерен стил на работа, но и ликови како Нешти, кој се пронајде себеси во Аризона по престојот во Далас. На линкот на врвот ја имате виртуелната соблекувална на Санси, уште една од неколкуте оригинални идеи кои излегоа од Феникс последниве години. Кликајте и шетајте се низ просториите на Санси, има доста за гледање. Покрај тоа, Феникс ја лансираше и кампањата за ол-стар гласови за Амари, ...

Challenging Dwight Howard: why Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, and Anthony Randolph should be on Slam Dunk ballot
HoopsVibe NBA Blog — Challenging Dwight Howard: why Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, and Anthony Randolph should be on Slam Dunk ballot [image] Last year, Dwight Howard brought the Slam Dunk Contest back. Recently, the All-Star Weekend s flagship event had fallen off because new school contestants lacked the showmanship of their more senior peers. After all, nobody could touch the aerial antics of Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Dee Brown, and Kenny Sky Walker. Until Howard. ...

Dunk Contest Needs Better Dunkers, Judges
The Sporting Blog — Not sure why I'm so incensed about All-Star Weekend already, but about this year's dunk contest: This will be the worst since the infamous "wheel of fortune" contest of 2002. First, I hate the field. Dwight Howard's sticker dunk was classic, and he would've changed history with a 12-foot goal. The Superman "dunk"? The cape was corny, and while Howard indeed defied gravity by getting perpendicular to the hoop, the finish was garbage. I guess it was a crowd-pleaser, but come on, do costumes really count as innovation? The sticker dunk similarly banked on the big man's sheer jumping ability, but with a ...

Gotta Love The NBA
Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline — The Lakers/Spurs Game tonight was without a doubt one of the best regular season games I have seen in a long long time. Once again Kobe dominated the 4th quarter hitting a few clutch 3's including a fadeaway 3 from the corner to spark a Lakers rally. After being down 100-89 with about four minutes left, LA gained the lead 111-109 with 12 seconds remaining on another Bryant triple. But the Spurs would have the last laugh. Roger Mason Jr. drilled a crazy and-1 jumper with 10 seconds left to win the game for San Antonio. Where would the Spurs be without this guy? Unfortunately, the refs screwed up a traveling call on Trevor Ariza ...

Rudy Fernandez wins dunk contest entry, will be crushed in competition
Deceptively Quick — We all saw this coming, but word is out that Rudy Fernandez won the vote and will be competing in the NBA dunk contest. I am now trying to decide between two theories on the motivations of the people who actually voted for Rudy: 1) They are such big fans that they are delusional about his chances in this competition. Or 2) A significant amount of people want to see Rudy get embarrassed and so have voted him into a contest that he does not belong in as a joke. (This isn't what happened, but would be hilarious, shout-out to China!) While I cringe thinking about what Rudy's dunks will look like when compared with those ...

NBA Top Ten Jan. 26, 2009
Basketball Exchange — Many things to talk about today, but I'm going with the video first, of the NBA's TV Top 10 for Jan. 26th. Let's get this party started! #10 - I'm more surprised Carl Landry gets on the NBA Top 10. Ho-hum. #9 - Now we're talkin'. ...

FWP: All-Star Edition
A Pudge is a Sandwich — Fearless Weekend Predictions is a weekly column running on Friday afternoons where our resident soothsayer (or whoever we can get) locks down what will transpire in the coming 72 hours. It’s better to get these out before the 7-year is open.  The crystal ball gets cloudy. Who doesn’t love the NBA’s All-Star ...

NBA All-Star Saturday Night Open Thread
Third Quarter Collapse — Featuring: Haier Shooting Stars Playstation Skills Challenge Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout Sprite Slam Dunk February 14th, 2009 U.S. Airways Center ...

David Stern is very conscious of his legacy
It's Just Sports — If there's one thing that made NBA commissioner David Stern upset over All-Star Weekend, it would have to be the announcers' and league's inability to properly name the mysterious "Martin" that Rudy Fernandez honored during the dunk contest. ...