LeBron James in Portland Today! Announces World Tour.

Well, he was here yesterday and is leaving today...

LeBron was in town to visit with the big wigs at Nike to work more on his new shoe (Nike Air Max LeBron VII) and a world tour to promote it.

The tour will be a pretty major event which you should definitely think about attending if one of the tour stops happens to be in your city. He's definitely working that Asian market on this tour as he's obviously recognized that the popularity in China is crucial on his journey to be a billionaire.

Here is the presser from Nike:

LeBron James and Nike Team Up for World Tour Spanning 10 Cities Throughout U.S., China, Europe

Lionsgate Partners for the U.S. Tour with James’ Film, More Than a Game

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today announced a World Tour featuring NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James that will span three continents over two months focusing on empowering youth, community service, grassroots basketball activities, and basketball innovation through the introduction of the Nike Air Max LeBron VII.

James’ World Tour will operate in conjunction with the promotional tour for the Lionsgate film, More Than a Game, which traces James’ journey through adolescence both on and off the court with his teammates from Saint Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. Lionsgate is expecting to release the film in theaters on October 2nd, with an expansion on October 9th, and a wider expansion on October 16th.

Nike will introduce James’ next signature performance shoe, the Nike Air Max LeBron VII, in advance of the World Tour which begins in Chicago on August 11.

From Chicago, the World Tour moves onto Washington, D.C. (August 13) and James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio (August 21); Beijing (August 24), Shenyang (August 26), and Shanghai (August 28) in China; and Paris (Sept 1-3) and London (September 4-5). The Tour returns to the U.S. in New York (September 20) before concluding in Los Angeles (September 26).

“More than a Game will enable kids all around the world to learn that they can achieve their dreams and goals through hard work and perseverance, not just in basketball but in whatever they decide to do in life,” said LeBron James. “We can all give back and make a difference in many different ways which I hope to convey and lead by example.”

Community Involvement

In each market, Nike and James will issue a call to action among youth to change their lives while improving their neighborhoods. Nike Basketball aims to engage and mobilize young men and women to serve their community through sport and create a positive change in their own backyards.

In addition to this community effort, James will attend Nike-hosted basketball skills clinics and celebrations where residents can unwind and have fun with James. Participants will be able to play basketball, develop their basketball skills, and learn more about Nike’s new padded base layer called Nike Pro Combat and SPARQ Training (Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, Quickness), all in an interactive environment.

Artist Series

As part of the community celebrations, James will be presented with an exclusive pair of Nike Air Max LeBron VIIs featuring a city-inspired design created by a local artist.

Nike is collaborating with ten artists, each from a different city along the World Tour, to create unique designs for the Nike Air Max LeBron VII. James will receive a pair from each artist representing each city, creating a 10-pair collection that will be auctioned after the World Tour with proceeds going to support James’ global community service initiatives.

The artists, who will present James with their creation, were encouraged to push the creative envelope and bring the cities’ special characteristics to life on the shoe.

While the artist-renditions of the Nike Air Max LeBron VII will not be available at retail, Nike is proud to release 123 limited-edition pairs of the Nike Air Max LeBron VII in each tour city. Each of the 123 pairs will feature an image from the More Than A Game film inset on the lateral side of the shoe near the heel. Each city will feature a different image.

Tour Schedule

Chicago, Aug. 11
Washington, D.C., Aug. 13
Akron, Aug. 21
Beijing, Aug. 24
Shenyang, Aug. 26
Shanghai, Aug. 28
Paris, Sept. 2-3
London, Sept. 4-5
New York City, Sept. 20
Los Angeles, Sept. 26

Details will be available as the LeBron James World Tour kicks off in August. Fans will be able to follow the tour from beginning to end on www.nikebasketball.com.

Hopefully one of you runs into him today before he checks out of the PDX.  Too bad he isn't a Twitter machine like our friend Shaq.

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Blazers Offered Lamar Odom $40 Million?

In random news of the day, ESPN is reporting that the Blazers, on Tuesday, offered Lamar Odom 5 years and $40 million which he declined.  It appears Odom will resign with the Los Angeles Lakers for just 4 years and $33 million instead.

Odom's destination for the 2009-10 season had remained in doubt after the Lakers pulled an initial offer of a reported $27 million guaranteed over three years off the table. As the other franchises with significant salary cap space spent their money elsewhere, the Miami Heat emerged as a serious contender for Odom's services. On Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers also got into the mix, offering a five-year, $40 million deal, according to a source close to Odom.

The interesting point in that paragraph is the "source close to Odom" which probably means it's completely false.  Where did this offer come from?  Who were the Blazers about to shed to bring in Odom?  At almost $8 million a year, they'd have to somehow get rid of Blake/Outlaw or Blake/Webster to drop back under the cap.

We'll go out on a leafy limb here and say that this report is complete garbage.

**Update**

And the uber professional team of writers over at ESPN has now revised their story by removing Portland from the conversation.

One source close to Odom told ESPN that the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday joined the bidding with a potential five-year, $40 million offer. Yet lodging such a bid also would have required Portland to trade a player likely Travis Outlaw -- to a team with salary-cap space like Oklahoma City, thereby creating the cap space to make such an offer after the Blazers' recent signing of free-agent guard Andre Miller.

"It's not true," Odom's agent Jeff Schwartz said Thursday night. "I've had no discussions this week with the Blazers about Lamar."

Stay classy ESPN.

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You Know It's a Slow Day in the NBA When...

The free agent signing of Ike Diogu tops ESPN's NBA news page...

(Click image for big boy version.)

I love ESPN's take as "...after swapping Tyson Chandler for Emeka Okafor, added further to their frontcourt by signing free-agent forward Ike Diogu..."  Seriously?  Ike Diogu isn't adding to anything except hot tub and soul glow sales.

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Portland Trail Blazers 2009-10 Preseason Schedule

The announcement of "your" Portland Trail Blazers 2009-10 preseason schedule is a sign that the season is just around the damn corner. Seriously, if it could only get here sooner...I'm not sure how much more trade spam and speculation can we handle?

That said, this is pretty funny.  Poor Seattle basketball fans...

2009-10 Portland Trail Blazers Preseason Schedule

Day	Date	Opponent	Time(PT)	Venue
Tuesday	6-Oct	Sacramento	7 p.m.	Rose Garden
Wednesday	7-Oct	@ Sacramento	7 p.m.	Arco Arena
Friday	9-Oct	@ L.A. Clippers	7:30 p.m.	Staples Center
Wednesday	14-Oct	Phoenix	7 p.m.	Memorial Coliseum
Thursday	15-Oct	@ Utah	7 p.m.	EnergySolutions Arena
Sunday	18-Oct	Denver	6 p.m.	Rose Garden
Tuesday	20-Oct	Utah	7 p.m.	Rose Garden
Thursday	22-Oct	@ Phoenix	7 p.m.	G.M. Place (Vancouver)

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Blaze of Glory - 7/29/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• John Feinstein weighing in on Bowie vs. Jordan vs. Olajuwon.  [TrueHoop]
• Andre Miller press conference with McMillan.  [Behind the Beat]
  
• How The Addition of Andre Miller Improves the Blazers.  [Pacers Pulse]
• Miller says he is after the critics again.  Good news for Portland.  [Philly.com]
• My former blog is the latest to join the Greg Oden "bust" wagon.  [Le Basketbawl]
• New Brandon Roy commercial?  [Bust a Bucket]
• A Blazers blog comes out of the closet..err. [Deceptively Quick]
  

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2009-10 Blazer Dancers Team Announced!

On Saturday, the finalists for next year's Blazer Dancers squad took to the stage at the Winningstad Theater, performing in front of family and friends to decide who would make the 16 lady team for the 2009-10 season.  After all 35 finalists had a chance to dance, they would have to wait until Sunday afternoon at the Rose Garden to see if they were one of the top 16.  (Full write up here)

We're sad to see a few of our favorites not on the squad this year; namely Marissa and Ione.  Marissa even left us a little Tweet this morning reminding everyone that this would be the first time in almost a decade that neither would be with the BD's...sad.

@marissaivana: Yes this is the 1st yr in nearly a DECADE that my sis or I are not dancing for the blazers. Wonderful memories by it's just time to MOVE ON

There are still plenty of favorites from last year including Cristi, Caitlin, and Taren, plus a whole slew of newbies.

And don't forget that Comcast SportsNet was on hand to film the whole shindig and should be popping out another Blazer Dancers show for us all to oogle over in the coming months.

Here they are!

In alphabetical order:  Amy, Caitlin, CaMicha, Christel, Cristi, Eri, Kimberly, Mari, Mary Ellen, Melissa, Michelle, Rea, Taren, Tina, Vanessa and Veronica.

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

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LaMarcus Aldridge Takes over Chelsea vs. Club America Match

Yesterday, Chelsea FC and Club America faced off in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium for a World Football Challenge Match featuring some super expensive...grass.  And now you probably want to know how this is Portland Trail Blazers related, right?

Well...your boy LaMarcus Aldridge was in attendance swappin' jerseys!  Who knew LA was such a footie fan?

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Blaze of Glory - 7/27/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• Oden is ready "to be everything that everybody thought".  [HoopsWorld]
• Casey has more on Greg's big USA weekend.  [Center Court]
• And then GO celebrated his weekend in Vegas.  [Las Vegas Sun]
• OK, one more Oden in Vegas article.  [American Chronicle]
  
• Who's benefiting from this Andre Miller deal?  [Blazers Edge]
• Zach Randolph has matured.  Hah!  [Deceptively Quick]
• Coup's "knee jerk" reaction to the Andre Miller signing.  [Rip City Project]
• Jaynes weighs in on the new look of the roster.  [Dwight Jaynes]
• Oden an All-Star next season?  [DIME]
  

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Andre Miller and Blazers Make it All Official

The press release from the team is now available announcing Andre Miller as the newest Portland Trail Blazers point guard...

TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN ANDRE MILLER

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Andre Miller to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are excited to add a player of the caliber and character of Andre Miller," said Pritchard. "He is one of the league's ironmen who brings a wealth of veteran leadership to our team and is a great fit for our young and improving roster."

Miller (6-2, 205, Utah) holds career averages of 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.38 steals in 815 games (768 starts) during his 10 NBA seasons with Cleveland, L.A. Clippers, Denver and Philadelphia.

"I'm really excited for this opportunity with the Trail Blazers and look forward to working with my new team," said Miller.  "I hope to provide veteran leadership to a young talented nucleus and help Portland take the next step in the pursuit of a championship."

Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Miller is tied for the 16th highest assists average (7.4) in NBA history and is currently fourth among active players. He has also played in 530 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Miller has missed just three games in his career.

Miller, 33, has 174 career double-doubles and averaged one for Cleveland in 2001-02 (16.5 ppg, 10.9 apg) while leading the NBA in assists that season.

During the 2008-09 season, Miller averaged 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.33 steals and shot 47.3 percent from the floor in 82 games (all starts). He ranked 14th in the NBA in assists, 15th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.68) and tied for 15th in steals. Miller recorded 12 double-doubles last season, including two triple-doubles.

Miller averaged 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.17 steals in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. He has career postseason averages of 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.30 steals in 27 games (all starts).

Welcome to Portland Dre.

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Blazers Offer Andre Miller 3 Year $21 Million Deal

And via ESPN, here is the news that we've all been waiting for...

The Portland Trail Blazers have offered point guard Andre Miller a three-year contract with a team option for a third year, a source close to the process said Friday.

The contract would be worth $21 million, with $14 million guaranteed and $7 million included as a team option, the source said.

Miller had been balking at signing the 76ers' one-year offer, and the Blazers were one of only two teams with the money to give him more than the mid-level exception.

Jason Quick drops the same knowledge...

The Trail Blazers have agreed to sign point guard Andre Miller to a multi-year contract, according to the player's agent.

"We're closing in on a deal, we should have one shortly,'' agent Andy Miller told The Oregonian shortly before noon.

Philly.com with the east coast edition...

Andre Miller's agent, Andy Miller, has confirmed that within 24 hours Andre Miller will be a Portland Trailblazer.

Andy Miller said the two parties are "finalizing" the deal today and it should become official within 24 hours. His client, who has been the 76ers starting point guard for the last 2-1/2 seasons, will receive a deal that one source said was "an improvement" over the deal the Sixers were offering, which was reportedly in the 1-year/$6 million range.

David Aldridge with NBA.com weighs in...

The Portland Trail Blazers have broken through in free agency, agreeing on Friday to a multi-year deal with free agent point guard Andre Miller, formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a source.

The Blazers already had been twice spurned in their attempts to land a high-profile guard this summer. The Blazers have been looking to upgrade at point guard but didn't get very far in talks with Dallas guard Jason Kidd (who re-signed with the Mavericks) or Phoenix's Steve Nash (who agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension with the Suns on Monday).

Mr. Marc Spears with Yahoo Sports...

Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard cautioned that “nothing is done yet.” But a source close to Miller said he has decided to take the offer and will sign with the Blazers.

Miller will give the Trail Blazers a veteran point guard to help steady their young roster.

“He’s got great savvy and leadership,” Pritchard said from Team USA’s practice on Friday. “We like him as a player for sure.”

Your thoughts?

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Carlos Arroyo on Portland's List? Maybe.

According to Hoops World, the Blazers spoke with Carlos Arroyo and his agent last week in Las Vegas while the summer league team was getting crushed by a bunch of nobodies.  Apparently he wants a 2 year deal and a starting job if he's going to return to the NBA

Arroyo  – who played overseas last season for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel – and his agent Leon Rose want Carlos to return to the NBA in a starting role and are asking for two-year deal, but the source believes Portland doesn't see Arroyo as a fit for the Blazers in that capacity.

Prior to playing in the Israeli League, Arroyo played for Toronto, Denver, Utah, Detroit and Orlando before signing a three-year deal last summer with Maccabi, where he earned roughly $2.5 million. His best season as a pro came in 2003-04 with the Jazz where Arroyo started 71 games and averaged 12.6 points and 5 assists in 28.3 minutes per game.

I'm not really sure why Arroyo thinks he is anywhere near starting NBA PG territory, but kids are always free to dream.  The Blake/Bayless tandem is a much more exciting and solid option than adding a guy that couldn't hack it in the NBA his first time around. 

Carlos Arroyo stat page.

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Oden Looking "Spry" - Durant Showered with Praise

Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were named in the same article today and not once did anyone mention the fact that they were from the same draft or try compare them in any sense.  It's great that the media has finally moved on from that same ol' argument, but this article also proves once again that Kevin Durant was the best player in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski singled out Durant and showered him with praise following the first day of a three-day mini-camp for a group of 20 young players trying to make the senior national team.

Durant was the most dominant player on the floor in the team's 12-minute scrimmage after the squad spent the bulk of Thursday's practice working on drills. Friday's practice was expected to be more focused on scrimmaging.

"Everyone who was watching from our group said you could tell that Durant was a little bit on a mission -- and that's good for them to see that, it picks everybody up," Krzyzewski said. "He's that versatility guy, and the other thing is he's a shooter, and with the way we were playing defense for most of the Olympics, with his length, he could be a heck of a defender.

"So he's really at the head of the list for me," Krzyzewski said.

Talk about some pretty strong words there from one of the greatest basketball minds of our time.  I keep imaging how those words would feel right now if Durant were wearing black and red the other 8 months of the year...(kidding!)

Oh yeah, and Greg was mentioned in about a half sentence...

...and several team insiders said they were surprised how spry Greg Oden looked.

Good for Greg!  Anytime someone is characterized as being "spry" I get all giddy.  "Spry" just screams 3-time NBA Champion!  Doesn't it?

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Laker Girls Auditions 2009 - Video

We reminded you last Friday that the Blazer Dancers auditions were taking place and to no surprise, it looks like many other NBA dance squads are auditioning for their 2009 teams as well.  A league-wide fan favorite team has always been the Laker Girls and this video is a nice reminder of "why."

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Blazers Open Up Talks with Andre Miller

After what many would consider a horrific start to this off-season, the Blazers have now taken their money and opened their eyes to the Sixers' Andre Miller.  Many have speculated about Portland's level of interest in Miller for months, but nothing has actually come out until now.

David Aldridge is on this one...

Twice spurned in their attempts to sign a high-profile free agent this summer, the Portland Trail Blazers are jumping back into the fray, opening discussions with the agent for Philadelphia 76ers free-agent point guard Andre Miller, according to sources. A deal is not imminent, but there has been progress made toward resolving Miller's status, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

The Blazers have been looking to upgrade at point guard but didn't get very far in talks with Dallas guard Jason Kidd (who re-signed with the Mavericks) or Phoenix's Steve Nash (who agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension with the Suns on Monday). Portland was not looking hard at Miller because the Blazers thought they needed to add someone to the roster with more perimeter shooting skills than the 33-year-old. But with $7.7 million in cap room and a dwindling number of free agents available, Miller may be Portland's last best chance to bring in a veteran player that can help its young core.

The Andre Miller bandwagon is a hard buggy to jump on.  Bringing in a point guard that can't shoot and is quickly aging is something the Blazers are actually considering?  I guess Bayless' performance in summer league was not quite up to par, eh?

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Jerryd Bayless Pulls Out of Team USA Mini-Camp

It looks like Jerryd Bayless has dropped from the team USA mini-camp leaving Greg Oden as the only Blazer remaining. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge pulled out last week which didn't come as a surprise to many, but this is definitely unfortunate for Bayless. After a lukewarm summer league, he needed to face off against some top-notch talent to see how he is progressing. 

Bayless spoken word from Marc Spears of Yahoo:

@SpearsNBAYahoo: bayless out of usa camp due to wrist injury javelle mcghee

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Nate McMillan Back with Team USA

It looks like the exact same coaching staff from the 2008 USA Olympic team will return and look to repeat through the 2012 games.  So what does that mean?  That Sir Nate McMillan is back!

Press release:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 21, 2009) - They're back! The 2006-08 USA Basketball Men's National Team coaching staff of head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University), and assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mike D'Antoni (New York Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Portland Trail Blazers), a staff that led the American men to gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a three year record of 36-1, will return intact to lead the USA Basketball Men's National Team program in 2010-2012.

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo officially announced today that Basketball Hall of Fame mentor Krzyzewski will return as head coach of the USA Basketball Men's National Team program for 2010-2012, and that Boeheim, D'Antoni and McMillan were returning as USA assistant coaches. The coaching selections were approved by USA Basketball's Board of Directors and are pending final approval by the USOC Board of Directors.

"I'm honored to come back and be a part of our nation's basketball team for a second time," said McMillan. "Mr. Colangelo and Coach K have put together a great coaching staff, and I know those guys are just as hungry as I am to grow the U.S. program and work towards winning the World Championship and another gold medal. Working with USA Basketball has been a terrific experience for me."

Over the course of 2010-2012, USA Men's National Teams will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England).

"When you have a good thing going you don't mess with it. We accomplished a great deal last quadrennium and we want to keep the ball rolling in the right direction," said Colangelo, who served as the Managing Director of the 2005-2008 USA Basketball Men's National Team program.

"Mike and the staff did an incredible job last quad and he is more than entitled to have another run at it. I've said it over and over, he was the right guy at the right time and that is still true."

"It was a huge honor to be selected as the USA National Team coach the first time. It is still a huge honor. The experience of being the head coach of the USA National Team for three summers was the best experience I've ever had in coaching" said Krzyzewski. "The upcoming three years will be a new experience and hopefully, it will be as rewarding. I am really looking forward to representing our country at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and at hopefully the 2012 Olympics in London. Also, the chance to work with Jerry Colangelo a second time is such a unique opportunity and one that I am looking forward to taking full advantage of.

"It is amazing that Jim, Mike and Nate would do this again. For the past three years, we've handled the staff as if we're all co-coaches. That is how we'll handle it again. We've all taken ownership, we've loved being together and most of all, we've loved representing our country. What a great statement for continuity that our coaching staff will remain in place until 2012."

USA Basketball announced on June 25 that 25 top rising NBA players had accepted invitations from to participate in the 2009 USA Basketball Men's National Team mini-camp that will be conducted July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev. USA Basketball also previously announced that the coaching staff for the mini-camp would be Toronto Raptors head coach Jay Triano, Utah Jazz assistant coach Tyrone Corbin, Detroit Pistons assistant Dave Cowens, former New Orleans Hornets assistant Kenny Gattison, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Jerry Sichting.

The July USA Basketball Men's National Team mini-camp will feature practice sessions on July 23 and July 24 at Valley High School, and the mini-camp will be capped by the USA Basketball Showcase, a Blue-White intra-squad game, on Saturday, July 25, 8 p.m. (PDT) at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 USA Basketball Showcase, with seats priced at $10 to $75. Tickets can be purchased through www.UNLVtickets.com or 702-739-FANS.

USA Basketball initiated its historic men's national team program in 2005 and capped the 2005-2008 quad competitions with a magnificent gold medal run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

USA Basketball's National Team program during the three-year period between 2006 and 2008 compiled a striking 36-1 overall win-loss record and just as importantly reestablished the USA team and its members as positive ambassadors for the United States and the sport.

The USA squad culminated the quadrennium by finishing 8-0 to reclaim the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the USA's first gold in a major international competition since 2000. The USA National Team also won gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship with a 10-0 record to qualify the U.S. men for the 2008 Olympic Games. In the program's first year, the U.S. captured the bronze medal with an 8-1 record at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Since first fielding a USA Basketball team of legendary NBA stars in 1992, USA Basketball senior national teams comprised of NBA players have claimed gold medals in 10 of 13 major international basketball competitions, while compiling an impressive 100-7 overall record (.935 winning percentage) in those international competitions and a record of 33-1 (.971 winning percentage) in exhibition games.

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Blaze of Glory - 7/21/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• It's always sunny in Portland?  [Hardwood Paroxysm]
• Great article from Freeman on Bayless' summer league.  [Behind the Beat]
  
• Will the Blazers actually become that "dynasty"?  [Bleacher Report]
• Who's going to back up Blake?  [Swamigp's Sports Blog] 
• Roy not at Olympic camp even with 5 year deal?  Agreed.  [Dwight Jaynes]
• Oh and in case you didn't know, Aldridge also pulled out.  [USA Today]
  
• I still can't believe that Portland would want Lamar Odom.  [Fanhouse]

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Blazer Dancer Auditions Reminder! This Weekend!

A quick reminder that the 2009-10 Blazer Dancer auditions are taking place this weekend!

Time:  July 18 and 19 - Registration at 8:30AM
Place:  University of Portland Chiles Center

When you show up, make sure you bring a head and full body shot.  Feel free to send those to us as well.  (hah)

More info including forms here.
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Travis Outlaw to Memphis Denied?

Interesting Tweet sent out by @DraftExpress just a couple of hours ago that's worth mentioning.  Who knows how much truth there is to it or how much background knowledge those guys actually have, but it definitely stirs the pot.

DraftExpress: Memphis Grizzlies not happy Utah matched Millsap. They had a trade in place for Travis Outlaw for a draft pick contingent on that.

As we figured all along, the Blazers have had all kinds of back-end deals going on while this Millsap thing was stuck in limbo.

And Travis Outlaw on the way out of Portland...still not sure this will EVER happen.  One can only dream.

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Blaze of Glory - 7/17/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• Was last year's trade deadline miss the real issue for the Blazers?  [NBA.com]
• Think about this one before you jump out of your amateur seat.  [Bleacher Report]
  
• All strategy behind Portland's offer to Milsap?  [True Hoop]
  
• MB talks about the changing times in Vegas.  [Mike Barrett]
• A nice piece on the gem found in the 2nd round, Dante Cunningham.  [Center Court]
  
• Remember Mr. Taurean Green?  At least his hair right?  [Deceptively Quick]
• Roseburg just felt some Jerome Kersey-ness.  [NR Today]
• Dwight Jaynes pointing out the obvious.  [Dwight Jaynes]
  

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After Milsap, What's Next for Portland?

After the Utah Jazz officially match the offer on Paul Milsap from the Portland Trail Blazers today, it seems like the team will have to head back to the drawing board.  Obviously they made this deal to do one of two things:  sign Paul Milsap or force a division rival to have to worry about really shaking things up to stay near the top of the salary cap.  Either way, they've made at least one of their goals happen, but what happens in the next couple of months could really make or break this season.

Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge

I'm not going to start worrying about the extensions of these two players as the organization, Kevin Pritchard, and Paul Allen would be complete morons to not give them whatever they need to be happy here. While this waiting period has been extremely frustrating, I'm going to give the team the benefit of the doubt in hopes that this all works out sooner than later.  I'm just hoping that Pritchard isn't putting off their deals while he's out shopping for free agents and trades when he could be using his two stars to leverage these deals.

Who's Left?

Lamar Odom.  Ray Felton.  David Lee.  Andre Miller.  Ramon Sessions.  Do you really want to see any of those guys in a Blazers uniform?  Aside from Felton and maybe Sessions, I would have to say "no" to all of them.  Odom will forever be a "Laker" to me or just a guy that's potentially cancerous in a locker room.  Lee is a starting F/C in this league and asking him to go backup for this team just doesn't seem like a good fit, especially at his price tag.  And Miller is just too damn old...oh and he can't shoot for sh*t.  Felton would make sense, but at what cost?

Just Wait for a Mid-Season Splash?

As the economy hovers around "not-so-good" and the trade deadline creeps upon the league, teams are going to look at shedding big contracts.  If the Blazers stand still during this free agent signing period, keep the team they have, and continue to improve, a mid-season deal could be just what they need.  You talk about bargaining power?  Upwards of $8 million dollars would surely give them just that when the winter of 2009 rolls around.

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Utah Jazz to Match Paul Milsap Offer

It looks like Portland has lost out on another player during this off-season free agent period.  According to sources close to the situation, Utah plans on matching the "toxic" offer that Portland laid out for Milsap almost one week ago.

The quick RealGM story...

The Utah Jazz will match the Portland Trailblazers' offer sheet to restricted free agent Paul Millsap, a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells senior writer Ken Berger.

The offer, said to be at four years for $32 million, lays the groundwork for the Jazz to trade forward Carlos Boozer.

"Another one bites the dust"?  So where does Portland and Kevin Pritchard go from here?  As the rest of the elite teams in the league keep getting better, the Blazers are stuck with the exact same, round 1 losing team, of last year.  And on top of that, the team has "reportedly" pissed off its superstar.

It was also nice of Sean May to work out for Portland, but is he really the off-season splash Portland needs?  Hinrich officially out of the question?  If New York is going to get Andre Miller for a measly $5 million, why isn't Portland after him?  Lamar Odom not cancerous enough to ponder?

I'll be interested to see where we all go from here.  So far, things aren't looking bright and KP is going to hear it from the trolls on every messageboard and local FM sports radio station.  However, the one thing we need to all be reminded of is that the cap space the Blazers will have without a move this off-season, could turn into a mid-season blockbuster to push them over the top.

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Richard Jefferson Wedding Not Happening? Kesha Ni'cole Nichols Pics!

I know that this is completely non-Blazer related news but it's exactly the stuff we like to talk about.  Apparently, Richard Jefferson, the newest Spur, left his hottie little bride and former New Jersey Nets dancer at the altar this weekend just before their Manhattan wedding.  The NY Post is obviously all over this one...

Former New Jersey Net star Richard Jefferson bailed on his stunning fiancée -- pulling the plug on his posh Manhattan wedding at the 11th hour without even alerting some of the guests, The Post has learned.

The cold-footed forward's decision to ditch onetime Nets dancer Kesha Ni'Cole Nichols was so last-minute that some of his oblivious friends had already shown up last Saturday at the swank Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle for the $2 million wedding that never happened.

It was just a week or so ago that Jefferson was on the Dan Patrick show talking about the wedding and how it would be a small affair.  In fact, Patrick kept drilling him on whether or not he'd be inviting his new teammates and former teammates, but never once did Jefferson let on that this thing was about to come tumbling down.

Poor Kesha...now how about some pictures of her?

 

  

 

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Kevin Pritchard Interview - Talks Milsap and Roy

(H/T Meagher over at Oregon Live.)

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Blaze of Glory - 7/13/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• Ad-Woj really hates Kevin Pritchard.  I mean really hates him.  [Yahoo Sports]
  
• Canzano decided to piss fans off for the weekend.  We found it funny.  [John Canzano]
• And then Dave broke it all down because...he likes to?  [Blazers Edge]
• Greg Jayne nails that biz to the wall in the last paragraph.  [Columbian]
• RCP is in Vegas covering Summer League.  Lucky suckers.  [Rip City Project]
• JB weighs in (finally, hah) on the Milsap ordeal.  [Deceptively Quick]
• And is Utah really still interested in matching that offer?  [Deseret News]
  

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Blazers Offer Paul Millsap 4 Year Deal - Hinrich Deal Dead?

For now, it looks like the deal for Kirk Hinrich is dead but the Blazers have gone another direction in offering Paul Millsap a 4 year deal.  Chris Broussard is on it:

The Portland Trail Blazers have offered Utah Jazz free agent Paul Millsap a four-year contract worth between $32 million and $36 million, according to league sources.

The offer includes a hefty signing bonus that will make it difficult for Utah to match. The Jazz will be presented with the offer Saturday and have seven days to match because Millsap is a restricted free agent.

I think we can speculate a little that the Blazers are expecting the Jazz to match this front loaded offer which will then pressure them into trading Carlos Boozer which could eventually land the Blazers Hinrich whom many feel has been the target all along.

The Utah Jazz have a week to match the offer.

Your thoughts?

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Bulls Want Bayless in Hinrich Deal

The latest update to the Jazz/Bulls/Blazers 3-way was just announced and it's a doozy (via ESPN).  I'm actually not sure where I stand on this one especially with only having pondered it for about 10 minutes.  Scroll right to the last sentence in the first paragraph and I'm betting your jaw will drop:

One source close to the process on Friday identified two main obstacles to the aforementioned three-way deal. Concerned about the quality of its backcourt rotation if it has to surrender Hinrich with Thomas after losing Ben Gordon in free agency, Chicago would insist that the Blazers surrender young guard Jerryd Bayless, which Portland is reluctant to do.

If it can't get Bayless, Chicago might still be willing to substitute Tim Thomas for Tyrus Thomas in the deal, but sources say Utah would likely balk if Tyrus Thomas is not included.

The question is:  is Hinrich worth trading away last year's lottery pick?

Seriously, I have no idea.  Jerryd Bayless is one hell of a talent, but at the same time, is he ever going to be a point guard?  He's always been slapped into that title, but has he truly ever been one?  The guy can score, jump out of the f-ing building and defend, but can he run a team?  So far the answer to that question is "no."  Will he be able to in the next 2-3 years?  And is the Portland front office willing to wait that long to find out?  I guess the answer to those questions is when we find out the conclusion of this trade proposal.

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Brandon Bass Headed to the Orlando Magic

The big dog teams in the NBA just keep getting better by the minute and "your" Portland Trail Blazers seem to be standing in a freezer.

NBA.com is reporting that one of the last and decent remaining NBA free agents is headed out of Dallas and into Orlando:

The Orlando Magic are trying to keep up in the arms race in the competitive Eastern Conference, agreeing to terms on Friday with free agent forward Brandon Bass on a four-year deal believed to be worth $18 million.

The 23-year-old Bass was one of the most coveted big men in this year's free agency class, having been a valuable role player off the bench for the Mavericks the past two seasons. He played in 81 games for Dallas last year, averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19 minutes a night. The Mavericks tried to keep him, but Dallas' commitment to Magic free agent center Marcin Gortat to an offer sheet made money scarce. New Orleans, Bass's first team, and Cleveland also were working to sign him.

Please take a minute to read that again:  4 years and $18 million.  Can you get a better bargain on a young and rising backup forward?  Blazers could have easily offered the kid $20 million and we'd all be incredibly satisfied.  (Especially the guys at Bust a Bucket who are weeping today.)

I guess someone better start pushing a little harder on either the Milsap or Hinrich deal or this is going to be one hell of a disappointing off-season.

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Blaze of Glory - 7/10/09

The Blaze of Glory is your almost-daily link list of Blazer blog ridiculousness and other random Blazers info. If you ever want your Blazer blog featured, make sure to drop us a line unless your name is Dwight Jaynes. (Kidding!)

• Blazers are just being "selective" right now.  [Portland Tribune]
  
• Patty Mills broke his foot...damn, already?  [NBA.com]
• Channing headed back to his young hood!  [Yahoo Sports]
• Trade with Utah-Chicago-Portland still in the works?  [Fanhouse]
• Canzano fueling the Roy vs. KP fire.  [John Canzano]
  
• DJ giving his thoughts on the idea of Paul Allen breaking even.  [Dwight Jaynes]
• Hey!  Darius Miles is available again!  [Inside Hoops]
  

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Blazer Dancer Kassi and the PG Bachelorette Party

Well men, you can now take one Blazer Dancer off of your list.  Kassi (aka Kass aka Kasserole) just polished off a warm little bachelorette party with her fellow dancers in what appears to be somewhere a hell of a lot more tropical than the greater Portland area.

The festivities seem fairly PG and included karaoke, cooking, eating and plenty of bunny ears.  For our own amusement, we'll just assume that the strip club and after party pictures are better kept out of public eyes.

(Bride to Be)

 

  

  

 

By the way, congrats to Kassi...looks like you tie the knot 4 days before the Blaze of Love crew!

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Blazer Dancers Auditions 2009-10 - July 18-19

Ladies, your opportunity to become a Blazer Dancer next season is just around the corner.  Actually, it's next Saturday and Sunday!  Remember last year's auditions included that fantastic series on Comcast SportsNet.  We definitely have our fingers crossed for season 2...

Check out the Blazers website for audition details.

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Blazers, Pritchard and an Off-season Mess

Just weeks before the draft, many of us found ourselves ecstatic at the thought of one, maybe even two major off-season moves containing the missing pieces that this young team needed to take the next step towards returning a trophy back to the city of Portland.  And as the draft passed with some minor juggling of positioning, everything started to fall apart.  Quickly.

An Uneventful Draft

Obviously this was one of the weaker drafts in recent years, but when the rumors of veteran point guards are tossed around on a daily basis and all the Blazers end up with is another European kid we'll likely never see, it's hard to look at this year's draft as a success.  With a young core, and a ton of valuable trade market pieces, I would have liked to have seen something.  Anything.

The Hedo Moment

Then the free agent talking period opened up and the Blazers' front office made it quite obvious who they wanted.  They lined up dinner dates, field trips, and tours all during the nicest weather weekend Portland has seen in years.  Only they overlooked one major red flag; the guy they just brought to town to try and "woo" over, didn't bother to bring his wife who had been rumored for days to be after a truly "international" city.  Like Toronto.

Bye Bye Free Agents

After the Hedo-flop, it then became apparent that Portland's front office had put everything it had in acquiring the Turk.  So when that went south, the team was basically SOL as the rest of the top free agents had all agreed to terms with other top teams.  The Lakers, Mavericks and Spurs in theory, are all better now than they were last year.  And where is Portland?

Milsap or Bass is it?

Yes, you read that right.  At this point, the two remaining free agents worth anything are Brandon Bass and Paul Milsap.  Slim pickin' eh?  Both would be a nice backup to Aldridge but are either really worth the $6-8 million Portland would have to pay to snatch them away from other teams?  Can this get any worse?  Yes it can.

Roy/Aldridge Worries?

Now, I can deal with losing Hedo and any other top free agent that the Blazers may have missed out on, but what I can't seem to shake, is the blurb in the Jason Quick article released late last night.  If what he's saying is in any way true about Pritchard vs. Roy/Aldridge, then we should all be headed straight to a bar to load up on whiskey, cigarettes and fried food to drown our sorrows. 

The logical part of me is saying, "Jason Quick is full of sh*t.  Why would Portland offer old man Turkoglu 5 years and not give their own best player at least the same lengthy contract?"  On the other hand I'm thinking, "Maybe he's not understanding at all and really, Roy just wants a 3 year deal which he can max out later (a la LBJ/D-Wade), but the Blazers want him locked in for 5?"  Who knows, but that was definitley not the wake up call I needed on a cloudy Thursday morning.

Seriously, what the hell is going on?  Has this turned into the off-season of horror?

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