In the early 1840’s William Overton saw great potential for a piece of land that was called “the clearing,” halfway between Oregon City and Fort Vancouver, but he lacked the funds that were required to file a land claim. He struck a bargain with a partner by the name of Asa Lovejoy, of Boston, Mass.: for 25 cents he would share the 640 acres he had claimed. Overton later sold his part of the claim to Francis W. Pettigrove of Portland Maine. Now both Pettigrove and Lovejoy wanted to name the new city after their respective hometowns, which was to be decided with a coin toss. Pettigrove won in a best two out of three contest. So therefore the city was to be named Portland, forever linking the two cities.
To go along with the naming of Portland, Oregon, there is a more recent link between the two cities. Kevin Pritchard, the Portland Trail Blazers General Manager since the start of the 2007 season, has been very aggressive during his tenure as the leader of the team. His aggressiveness started even as a interim manager of the team in 2005, when he took over of a bad team after the firing of Maurice Cheeks. He spent the remainder of the season as manager evaluating talent, and in that off-season advised then-GM John Nash to select Chris Paul with the 3rd overall selection in that particular upcoming draft, but was overruled by Nash and his partners, as the team eventually traded the pick to the Utah Jazz (which they used to take Deron Williams). In the 2006 off-season, Nash was fired (probably after the team saw Paul win rookie of the year), allowing Pritchard to move on up the ladder. The team not only promoted him to the Assistant GM position, but gave him full control to orchestrate their 2006 draft, a draft in which he was very busy. He traded the teams’ fourth overall selection, Tyrus Thomas, along with Victor Khryapa to the Bulls for the 2nd overall pick, LaMarcus Aldridge, who is now a prominent part of the current team. Pritchard wasn’t done though, as he then traded the 7th overall pick (they traded Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff to Boston for the pick prior to the draft) which they used on Randy Foye to the Timberwolves for Brandon Roy (who won rookie of the year that upcoming season). Both Aldridge and Roy are currently center-pieces for the teams future, and have already gained a lot of notoriety around the league for their outstanding play in their two years in the NBA. In 2007 Steve Patterson was fired, allowing the Blazers to give the reigns to the GM position to Pritchard. He didn’t stop his aggressive play, as he not only picked Greg Oden with the top pick in the 2007 draft, but made two more significant deals. He traded Zach Randolph, who had overstayed his welcome with the team, to the Knicks and acquired James Jones, and the 24th pick in the draft, Rudy Fernandez (who is now going to be another big part of the teams’ future) for cash in a separate deal with the Suns. Every one of these moves have been very good decisions by Pritchard thanks to his aggressiveness and determination to make this team better.
Now the Blazers are the youngest team in the league, and even though their players are immensely talented, that could be a bad thing if the team wants to go deep in the playoffs as soon as next season. The good thing about the lack of experience is that from here on the players will only gain experience with every game they play, especially incoming players like Oden, Jerryd Bayless and Fernandez.
The sports are different, but MLB’s General Managers have the same task: improve the team the way you see fit, and build towards the future. This is where the Portland-Boston connection comes in with Red Sox GM, Theo Epstein. He, like Pritchard, is very aggressive when it comes to making the team better. In the 2003 off-season Boston made a huge run at one of the games best players, Alex Rodriguez. Major League Baseball wouldn’t allow the trade to be completed, but it was his aggressive mindset allowed the trade to be a possibility. His determination to get the players he saw fit continued in 2006 off-season when he spent an obscene amount of money 52 million dollars just to talk to Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, whom they eventually signed for 50+ more million dollars. This is how Pritchard and Epstein are connected. They have the ability to look at every possibility to make their respective teams better whether it be by trade or free agency.
What allows Epstein to be aggressive is the amount of money at is disposal. The Blazers payroll for this past season was $57.6 million dollars compared to $133 million dollars for the Red Sox. The payrolls are drastically different, but so are the yearly salaries for the players in the two sports. Though the roster size is in baseball’s favor, 40-15, the teams go about making moves in similar ways, because of the amount of money each team has available. In spite of the difference in salaries and roster size, both the Blazers and Red Sox have the same opportunities to trade for high paid players, and be aggressive in their own ways, primarily because of the difference between yearly player salaries between sports.
One thing that helps Epstein is that he has a farm system, something Pritchard and the NBA do not. Though having a farm system for the Red Sox is a luxury, it is also tough to maintain.It has produced players such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson, Clay Buccholz, Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon, all of whom have played critical roles towards the teams’ success. A farm system for Epstein is the equivilant to draft picks for Pritchard. Some successful players in the minor leagues are trading chips for big name players in baseball, just like some draft picks are trading chips for big name players in basketball. Though Pritchard doesn’t have the advantage of having a minor league team, nonetheless four like Boston, he, and his team, still find a way to make bold trades, like the one recently to acquire Jerryd Bayless.
Pritchard’s agressiveness is shown in the trading of draft picks (they traded all five in this years’ draft) to get the right players for his team while Epstein’s aggressiveness is shown by paying high dollar for players that fit. Though the way they go by being aggressive is different, their primary goal is making their teams better not only for the present, but for the future as well.
The connection between the two cities started with Pettigrove and Lovejoy, but because of the aggressive style of Kevin Pritchard and Theo Epstein in modern time, the link continues.
As I chronicled in a previous post, I assumed Michael Beasley, with his incredible offensive upside, would go during the top two selections, ultimately battling with Derrick Rose for the top spot. Well I was wrong, as it seems that Rose has wrapped up the top position, while Miami is looking elsewhere than Beasley. Not only do they not want Beasley they would rather trade the pick altogether to move down in the draft to take a point guard. Many teams, such as Memphis, holder of the fifth pick, are quite interested in taking over the #2 spot. The problem with that particular scenario is that Miami’s asking price is way too high for the Grizzlies taste, as Memphis does not want to give up guard Mike Conley in any trade.
Portland, once again has been busy making noise as they have made it known that they would like to move up, most likely into the 3-6 range, where they could grab a point guard, specifically either Jerryd Bayless or O.J. Mayo. They have the great advantage of having a major influx of young players as well as 3 second round picks. Seemingly enough, if they put the right pieces together, to get into the top 5 position.There have also been talks between the Nets, who own the rights to the 10th pick, in a trade that would bring the that pick as well as shooting guard Richard Jefferson to Portland. This is where the second round picks and the privilege to trade Jarrett Jack or Steve Blake and Joel Pryzbilla come in, picks and players that could be included in this proposed deal. This particular trade might not go through as it is just speculation at this point but to have this type of leeway to make these kind of inquiries is a great thing to possess. With the way Kevin Pritchard and the Blazers have been invlovled in the trade market on draft night in previous years you can’t count them out of making a big splash to bolster an already remarkably talented team.
The Blazers and GM Kevin Pritchard are once again very aggressive when it comes to the NBA Draft, this time acquiring the 27th pick from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for cash considerations. This extra pick in the first round, to go with the 13th overall selection, will bolster an already dangerous up and coming, young, talented team. The question is who do they take with these two picks. The Blazers have talked about trading the 13th to move up in the draft (because they have an abundance of young talent that could entice some teams), possibly far enough up to take the coveted versatile Joe Alexander, a player that Pritchard is enamored with. Alexander is a player that could help fill one of the Blazers few needs, as they don’t have a consistent shooting guard/small forward at their disposal with the roster that they currently have.
By obtaining the other first round pick the Blazers now have a chance to get a small forward or maybe another center. There has already been talk about them taking Memphis guard Chris Douglas Roberts with the 27th if he falls that far, or if not, taking another big man to bolster an already strong front-line (they have a healthy Oden, Lamarcus Aldridge and Joel Pryzbilla at the power forward/center position), possibly Ante Tomic, a overseas standout.
With the news of Rudy Fernandez joining their squad, a point guard that would be a consensus top-5 pick if he was in this draft, the Blazers don’t really need anything other than a shooter. They, now with Fernandez, have 3 solid point guards, the others being Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake. Portland has some leverage to either trade one of either Jack or Blake, or stand pat and have incredible depth at that position. The big problem I see is that they have so much young talent, they almost have too much. Their starting five will look something like this: Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Lamarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, and one of either Travis Outlaw or Martell Webster. A very good one, one that will surely contend this year. With this setup though, what kind of minutes will players like either Outlaw or Webster get, as well as players like Jack, Blake, Pryzbilla, not to mention their two current first rounders. This is why I can see the Blazers trading one of their now bench-bound point guards just because they are stacked at that, and nearly every other position.
With how aggressive the Blazers have been in past years, I can’t see them not making a move. Great depth like they currently have is a asset that every team in the NBA would love to have. They have two point guards that most likely won’t start that could start, or have a big impact, on nearly every other franchise, as well as a very dependable center in Pryzbilla that will now also be sent to the bench. If they take a center with either the 13th or 27th pick I could see Pryzbilla being moved, because the Blazers need someone who can backup Oden effectively.
Even though their is a lot of excitement surrounding Oden and Fernandez, and rightfully so, they will still be first year players, and for a young team like Portland it will be vital to have sound backups. Of the two backup guards I would, if I was Pritchard, find a simple deal to trade Jack because he isn’t proven, nor has he been very consistent in his current tenure with the team. Blake is the player that has been solid for the Blazers during his two stints with the team. He is very smart and could be a very good sixth man. He plays well beyond his years and is still young, 28, and could provide a good sounding block for Fernandez.
I don’t know what the team will decide to do with their two first round picks as well a few players on their roster, but I do know that the Blazers will send out a squad that will be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
Ever since the World Series year of 2004, Manny Ramirez has taken a liking to facing Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina. He showed why today, hitting a solo homer to get the scoring started in the fourth, then a crucial 2-run double in a 3 run sixth inning, helping the Red Sox to a 4-3 victory. Josh Beckett, the Red Sox ace, got his first win of the year, throwing 6 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5. He cruised through the Yankee order until the sixth inning where he ran into some trouble. New York’s backup catcher and shortstop, Jose Molina and Alberto Gonzalez, started off the inning with singles. After Johnny Damon bunt them over to 2nd and 3rd, Melky Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game. With two out Josh Beckett had a chance to get out of the jam, but a wild pitch to Bobby Abreu allowed Gonzalez to race home from third giving the Yankees the lead.
That lead wouldn’t last long as the Red Sox came right back in the bottom of the inning. After Julio Lugo grounded out, Jacoby Ellsbury got the rally started with a single. Dustin Pedroia followed with a double of the green monster, giving Boston two runners in scoring position with just one out. David Ortiz could break out of his horrid slump ( 3-40 .o75 BA at the time), foul tipping the third strike into Molina’s glove for the 3rd strike, leaving Manny to try and put the Sox back on top. With first base open, Joe Girardi, the Yankees manager, discussed the strategy with Mussina about what to do about the upcoming hitter Ramirez. Instead of putting Manny on and deal with Kevin Youkilis, Mussina decided to pitch to deal with the Red Sox slugger. It paid off big time for Boston as Ramirez whacked the first pitch into the right field gap to give Boston the 3-2 lead. Kevin Youkilis followed with a rbi single to extend Boston’s margin.
New York’s second baseman, Robinson Cano, got one run right back in the top of the seventh off of Beckett, hitting an rbi double with two outs, driving in Jorge Posada who had reached on a single. With the game 4-3 in Boston’s favor, Beckett was taken out, giving way to Manny Delcarmen to face Jose Molina. Delcarmen made quick work of Molina, striking him out to keep the Sox lead intact.
After a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Boston, the Yankees put a scare into Boston in the top of the eighth. Hideki Okajima got Alberto Gonzalez to ground out and Johnny Damon to line-out to right fielder J.D. Drew on a great diving catch to start the inning. He then ran into some trouble, walking Melky Cabrera on 4 straight pitches, giving the Yankees life. Bobby Abreu followed with a single and forced Red Sox manager to bring in closer Jonathan Papelbon. As he was just about to face Alex Rodriguez, it started to pour, delaying the game for over 2 hours. Once play resumed Papelbon struck out Rodriguez on three pitches, overpowering him to end the threat. Papelbon closed it out in the top of the ninth, striking out the first two batters, Jason Giambi and jorge Posada, and getting Robinson Cano to ground out, ending the game.
Jacoby Ellsbury, batting lead off, had two hits, a stolen base, a run scored, as well as a great diving catch on Jose Molina’s sacrifice fly, to give the Red Sox a spark. David Ortiz, however continued his struggles at the plate, going 0-4 ( 3-43, .070 BA) in the game. Youkilis and Pedroia each had 2 hits as the Red Sox will go for the series win when Daisuke Matsusaka takes the mound Sunday night.
Despite LaMarcus Aldridge being out with an injury, and Brandon Roy injuring his groin in the first half, the Portland Trail Blazers easily defeated the shorthanded Washington Wizards, 102-82. Martell Webster picked up the slack left by the absences of the Blazers stars by scoring 23 points, including hitting 4 of the teams’ 10 threes. Portland led from the opening tip and shot an extremely effective 49% from the field for the game. Travis Outlaw paced the Blazers behind Webster with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Despite lacking Roy for the final two periods, Portland continued their dominance over the lackluster Wizards. The Blazers led 52-41 at halftime, and increased that lead to 23 points, 80-77, late in the third quarter with good defense and efficient shooting. Martell Webster led the Blazers in that third period with 10 points to help the team win the game before the 4th quarter started. Jarrett Jack chipped in 17 points and 6 of the Blazers 28 assists. Though Joel Pryzbilla scored only 6 points, he was an important contributor to the outcome by grabbing 17 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive.
The Washington Wizards, who are waiting the arrival of star Gilbert Arenas back from injury, were abysmal throughout the game. They shot only 35 percent and though the only had 7 turnovers, all of them proved costly, leading to 20 points for the Blazers. Caron Butler led Washington with 19 points, but only shot 6-20 from the field. Guard Antonio Daniels scored 14 points and added 8 assists behind Butler, but the team didn’t get much other positive production.
Brandon Roy continued to show the Minnesota Timberwolves why they shouldn’t have traded him on draft night in 2006, by scoring 27 points to lead the Blazers to a 103-96 victory Tuesday night. Roy also added 9 assists and took over the game late during a game changing 12-2 run to finish off theTimberwolves. The Timberwolves went cold from the field late after a fast start to the game. They shot around 55 percent throughout the game but couldn’t come up with a big bucket late. Al Jefferson, Minnesota’s lone star, scored 12 of his 20 points in the 4th, but didn’t get much help from his teammates when it counted. The player Minnesota traded for Roy, Randy Foye had a great all around game, 9 points 8 assists and 7 rebounds, but he couldn’t take the reigns late, as Roy did effortlessly. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers behind Roy with 20 points, for a team that outscored their opponent by 9 in the 4th quarter. Roy struggled with his shot early in the game but took over for his team in the 4th, being more agressive by taking the ball to the hoop. James Jones drained 3 threes , finishing with 13 points off the bench. Brandon Roy scored 5 points and dished an assist during the closing run for the Blazers who ended their 12-2 run on a three by James Jones to increase their lead to 99-90 with 1:20 left. Al Jefferson had a tough time throughout the game getting a good look at the basket with the Blazers throwing agressive double teams at whenever he touched the ball. Rashad McCants scored 18 points off the bench to lead the Timberwolves behind Jefferson. Martell Webster continued playing consisitent basketball, posting 13 points, his 3 game in double figures this month.
Brandon Roy led the Blazers with 27 points, 8 in the overtime period, to beat the hapless New York Knicks on Saturday night, 120-114 in overtime. The Knicks were playing without Zach Randolph and Eddie Curry but kept up with the Blazers to send the game to overtime on two of Nate Robinson’s career high 45 points with two seconds left to give the Knicks a glimmer of hope. The Blazers, though, took advantage of the Knicks lackluster defense throughout the game and overtime to pull away in the end. The Blazers took control of the game early breaking out to a 36-24 lead after one quarter behind LaMarcus Aldridge’s advantage inside. The Knicks thinness at the power forward and center position proved itself during the game leading to the Blazers getting many wide open shots and many points in the paint. The Blazers took advantage of ill-advised shots by the Knicks in regulation and overtime to help them to victory on the road. Nate Robinson, a Washington native, single handedly kept his team in the game, making big shot after big shot to get the game into overtime. LaMarcus Aldridge quieted down after his efficient first quarter but ended up with 22 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Blazers behind Roy. He, as well as Roy had many big baskets in the overtime to put the game out of reach for the Knicks. Though many other Blazers contributed to the Blazers win, in regulation, they weren’t needed in overtime, with Roy and Aldridge combining for all 12 points in overtime. The Knicks first quarter play brought out the boo birds, but Nate Robinson quieted the New York “fans” for the rest of the game with his explosiveness, quelling every Blazers run with a basket of his own. They didn’t seem to show much chemistry during that 1st quarter, taking too many quick shots that led to many fast-break situations for the Blazers. After the Blazers built their 12 point lead after one, it was the Knicks turn to build a run of their own. Quentin Richardson, who scored 20 points, and many other Knicks contributed to the Knicks 2nd quarter run to cut the Blazers lead to 56-51 at half. In the end, the Blazers prevailed with a balanced scoring attack with Steve Blake and Martell Webster each contributing 15 points to the Aldridge and Roy show. Oregon Ducks native, Freddie Jones posted 17 points for the Knicks, a team that didn’t have any kind of balanced attack, posting only 3 players in double figures. Steve Blake also had 10 assists and Joel Pryzbilla grabbed 15 rebounds for a team that has put together more wins than they had all of last year.
LaMarcus Aldridge added to his already impressive night by hitting the game winning baseline jumper with 2.4 seconds left to lead the Blazers to a 103-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Aldridge ended up with 29 points, on 14-20 shooting, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Brandon Roy also had a nice all around game with 20 points and 10 assists to lead two crucial comebacks in the second half to hold off the shorthanded Bucks, who were playing without guard Mo Williams and forward Yi Jianlian. Martell Webster sparked a 16-2 run midway through the 4th quarter by making a layup to cut the lead to 89-83, then Aldridge finished the comeback by making a jumper to put the Blazers ahead 95-91 with 2:11 to go. Bucks guard Michael Redd countered the Blazers run with 7 straight points to make it a one point game 99-98, in favor of the Blazers. After Martell Webster made a jumper to increase the Blazers lead to three, Redd came right back with another jumper, to cut the lead to one once again. After the Blazers missed on their next possession, Michael Redd got fouled on a drive to the rim with 21 seconds left with a chance to put the Bucks up one. He made only one of two free throws to tie the game to set up LaMarcus’s game winner. Redd finished with 25 points, and Desmond Mason added 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead a Milwaukee team that couldn’t get the stops they needed down the stretch. The Blazers got major contributions form Martell Webster and Steve Blake who scored 17 and 21 points respectively. Steve Blake played a major role in the Blazers comeback in the closing minutes by hitting a couple big shots to help the Blazers to victory. The Blazers shot 54% from the field for the game, 60% in the second half, by getting many open looks for Roy and Aldridge. The Bucks also played very efficiently, shooting 49% for the game, producing 6 players in double figures. Even though the Bucks shot well that couldn’t counter with the defensive intensity needed to get the Blazers out of rhythm. The Blazers proved too much for the Bucks when it counted late in the 4th quarter.
The Portland Trail Blazers are trying to make a push at the last playoff spot, but this pivotal game didn’t help their chances. The Blazers continued to run out of games to make a move for the playoffs with a 110-104 loss to the streaking Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Once again Brandon Roy wasn’t enough as the fast paced Warriors proved too much for the inexperienced Blazers. Stephen Jackson and Monte Ellis lit up the Blazers with 29 and 22 points respectively as the Blazers had no answer down the stretch for the Warriors run n’ gun style of play. Brandon Roy led the Blazers with 26 points and Travis Outlaw chipped in 17 off the bench for the turnover riddled Blazers who committed 15 to give the Warriors extra chances to stretch their lead. During crucial points in the second half the Blazers were out hussled for loose balls leading to easy scores for the Warriors. The Blazers were also non-existent on the glass, allowing Golden State to collect 14 offensive rebounds which resulted into easy put-backs. Stephen Jackson also had 9 rebounds and Monte Ellis completed his all around game with 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Jarrett Jack tied the game at 93 on a driving lay-up and a free-throw but the Warriors kept their intensity on the offensive boards, getting extra possessions to quell the Blazers comeback. The Warriors then stretched their lead to 103-96 on one of Stephen Jackson’s 6 threes with 4:56 left, then made another three to put the game in the boks 108-102 with 1:31 to deflate the Blazers rally. Baron Davis added 18 points and 5 assists for the Warriors who have won 4 of 5 on this home stand and 7 of their last 10 games to solidify their position as 8th in the Western Conference.
The Portland Trail Blazers brought back the healthy, efficient team they had during their incredible runs through December and January to beat the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers 119-111. The Blazers used that efficiency that we saw so much during the 17 of 18 stretch earlier this year to dish out 29 assists and produce 5 players with 15 points or more. Jarrett Jack had another fine performance with 21 points 5 rebounds and 10 assists, and Steve Blake made the most of his 15 points by draining 5 threes to pace the Blazers. Along with their offense, their defense was also stifling, especially during the 4th quarter where they used a 10-0 run late to pull away from a 107 all tie while forcing the Lakers to take a lot of forced shots. Brandon Roy came back form his ankle injury that kept him out the past two games and showed no effects of the injury to pour in 20 points and 12 assists. Lamarcus Aldridge was the Leading scorer in the game for the Blazers with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Though James Jones scored only 8 points, his presence was felt by spreading out the Lakers defense to give the Blazers some open baskets. The team of old showed why they were the revelation of the league earlier this year with their unselfish play and their ability to close out the 4th quarter. Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic hit a three with 2:53 left to tie the game at 107 but the Lakers would not score again until the game was out of reach. Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge each made 2 free throws and Travis Outlaw, who finished with 18 points, hit a jumper to put the Blazers up by six. The Blazers then continued to make their free throws to finish up the pivotal run to victory. The most important aspect of that deciding run was that Kobe Bryant, the lethal Lakers guard, was held scoreless. The win also ended the Lakers 10 game win streak where they went roughshod over every team that was in their way. During that stretch they displayed the one-two combination of Kobe and new acquisition Pau Gasol that has terrified every other team in the NBA. But this game was not the time for the Lakers to put on a show. Though Kobe scored 33 points, he was a non-factor in the 4th quarter, and Pau Gasol was completely shut down by Lamarcus Aldridge and Joel Pryzbilla posting only 15 points on 4-10 shooting, to help the Blazers go on their run to bring BlazerMania back to town.
