Just because nobody else has mentioned it

[ChuckElias]

The NBA season kicked off last night. I'm not a huge NBA fan, but I follow the Celtics and watch a few games on TV. I don't commit hours to a fantasy team or anything, so I don't usually read the "season preview" articles that come out every year. But I like a particular writer for ESPN and this is what he had to say to Juulie and Mark Padgett. . .

If you're scoring at home, [the Portland Trailblazers] performed a basketball exorcism over the past two summers, building the team around likable young players (Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, Jarrett Jack, LaMarcus Aldridge) and nonthreatening white guys (Joel Przybilla, Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz). Only two bad apples remain: Darius Miles (M.I.A. and mulling microfracture surgery) and Zach Randolph (improbably rejuvenated). In fact, I think that should have been their 2007 marketing campaign: "The 2007 Blazers: Only two bad apples remain!"

But here's the thing, Blazers fans: You're going to miss the dysfunction. You're going to miss having an identity, even if that identity was a running joke that included the word "jail." You're going to miss waking up and reading stories like "One of our guys was berating people at a charity car wash yesterday," or having a buddy call you just to ask, "Guess who just got arrested with pot in his car?" You're going to miss wondering if two teammates are about to come to blows in the huddle, and you're definitely going to miss those wacky stories about pit-bull fights and guys trying to sneak marijuana through an airport security. Now you're just a fan of another NBA lottery team. You're nothing special. That's why you feel hollow inside. You're like Red after he gets out in "Shawshank" -- you can't make it on the outside. By December, you'll be rooting for Randolph to rob a gas station or something. Just remember we had this conversation.

This will also be the first NBA season in my lifetime without Red Auerbach around the Boston scene. Yes, there were a few seasons when he was pushed out by Coach Pitino, but he was always around. But not anymore. I don't know if his passing registers with people outside New England, but it's going to be a sad Opening Night for the Celtics tonight.

[Dan_ref]

And speaking of Portland...

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54499

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

And speaking of Portland...

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54499

Good one, Dan. The Onion so often is right on!

Chuck, I've never watch the Shawshank Redemption, so I wouldn't know if it feels like that or not. But I gotta say, this is the first season in a long time I've contemplated buying tickets, or acquiring them somewhere. I'm not sure that writer really understands Portland very well. There is a whole cadre of people here who might really respond to the Blazers being the nice guys that finish last. It'll be interesting to see how it works itself out.

[deecee]

nice guys -- bad guys -- last place will always get you the same treatment and for that matter so will first.

No one ever says "Man those champions were a$$es" -- a$$holes that win championships are called "intense competitors". So what are the real intense competitors called? role players.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by deecee

nice guys -- bad guys -- last place will always get you the same treatment and for that matter so will first.

No one ever says "Man those champions were a$$es" -- a$$holes that win championships are called "intense competitors". So what are the real intense competitors called? role players.

I've said that many times before...the Lakers won championships, but Kobe was an a$$...Detroit won a championship, but Sheed was and still is a first-rate a$$...

I would rather watch these Blazers play hard and win 30 games than the Blazers of recent years who whined on the court, whined in the press, and whined while doing their community service. Like Juulie, I will actually buy tickets and attend games this season - something I haven't done in quite a few years.

[Junker]

I don't watch much NBA, but Bill Simmons, a columnist on ESPN.com Page 2 wrote a pretty funny and interesting NBA preview that raves about how great the new "no complaining" rule is from a fan's perspective. I'll post the link if I get a minute, I'm trying to eat my lunch right now.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

...the Lakers won championships, but Kobe was an a$$...

Can you tell me what Kobe did that makes him an a$$?

If anything, we should feel sorry for Kobe. His upbringing may have caused him to have problems relating to people. It might not be he is an a$$, he might not know what to say to people.

Let me counter a few things before they are brought up.

1. If someone assumes the Kobe-Shaq feud was all Kobe's fault they are easily duped. Kobe and Buss realized Shaq needed to let Kobe be the man at this point in his career. Well, he did that in Miami and look how that turned out. Alonzo Mourning might have won finals MVP before Shaq! Also, Phil Jackson told Shaq he was a fat a$$ and his feelings got hurt. Pat Riley says the same thing and he loses weight. Shaq is a jolly big man and all, but in reality he may have some growing up to do.
2. If you believe the Colorado mess...

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

And speaking of Portland...

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54499

Actually, this would be the best thing that could happen around here. Maybe then we'd finally get that NHL team we deserve.

BTW - we took a poll at work this week to see who could name the most Blazer team members. The winner named three. Pretty much the attitude around here among basketball fans is that the Blazers could fall off the edge of the earth and no one would care.

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

This will also be the first NBA season in my lifetime without Red Auerbach around the Boston scene. Yes, there were a few seasons when he was pushed out by Coach Pitino, but he was always around. But not anymore. I don't know if his passing registers with people outside New England, but it's going to be a sad Opening Night for the Celtics tonight.

Even those who hated Red Auerbach respected him. He was a true giant of the game, and his legacy lives on. I hope he's having a spiritual victory cigar whereever he is now.

Rest in peace, Arnold.