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ABM · 10-19-2006, 10:33 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15321476/

**sa1177** · 10-19-2006, 10:54 AM

Can't say I agree with all of it but this part was pretty dead on...

Quote:

And then Zach Randolph showed up a half hour late for the team's preseason opener.

You shake your head and wonder how this is even possible. It's your biggest day at work. Everything has been pointing toward this debut. Is there any way you'd be late?

Seriously ZBo WTF are you doing?

Boob-No-More · 10-19-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Smith

Heck, I remember the Trail Blazers winning a few games to open the season last year and local media seeing playoffs and team officials smilingly knowingly.

Great, yet another mediot who makes up crap to fit his preconceived agenda. Anybody here remember the "local media seeing playoffs" at the beginning of last season when the Blazers got off to the blistering 6-16 start? Anybody here remember any positive comments about the Blazers by the local media last season? Anybody remember seeing Steve Patterson or John Nash smile once last season? I don't recall either of them smiling period, let alone "smilingly knowingly".

Some idiots in the media just won't let the "Jailblazers" image die. Never mind that most other teams in the league have players with more legal problems than the Blazers. Seriously, have the Blazers ever had anyone suspended for 73 games for any reason, or even 30 games or 25 games? That's what Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal got for getting into a brawl with fans in Detroit. Have the Blazers ever had anyone shoot off a gun when getting into a fight at a nightclub? Again, Stephen Jackson. Yet, our team is the Jailblazers.

Yeah, the Blazers have had their share of knuckleheaded behavior in the past, but so have almost every other team in the league. During the off season, Zach Randolph pays a couple women for a private sex show (not my idea of wholesome family entertainment, but evidently not against the law) and is not even charged with a crime - he's got to go, he's bringing down the team and the whole city of Portland. Kobe Bryant is charged with rape, his trial is a huge distraction to his team while they are contending for a championship - yet the Lakers elect to keep him to build around for the future and trade Shaq. Where are the cries of Jail Lakers from the media. Where is the sense of moral disgust over Bryant's behavior. Even if he didn't commit rape (a very big "if" in my book), he still had cheap sex with a total stranger - and he's a married man, cheating on his wife. Yes, Zach's behavior is immature, irresponsible and at times disgusting. Yet, it pales compared to Bryant's "indiscretion". The double standard makes me sick, and it's lazy "journalists" like Sam Smith that perpetuate it. Bad, even illegal, behavior is spread thoughout the league. The Blazers don't hold a monoploy on it. Yet, the media would have us believe otherwise.

BNM

Boob-No-More · 10-19-2006, 11:18 AM

P.S. I'm not excusing Zach's behavior, just disgusted by the double standard and inaccuracies.

Spoolie Gee · 10-19-2006, 11:25 AM

I dislike Z Bo as much as anyone but I dislike columnist that make up "facts" even more.

Utherhimo · 10-19-2006, 11:55 AM

seems like we are the only team that does wrong the others are just brushed off

Ed O · 10-19-2006, 12:15 PM

Does anyone REALLY think that Zach showing up 30 minutes later than expected for a preseason game is giving the NBA a bad name?

Seriously?

Ed O.

Ed O · 10-19-2006, 12:20 PM

More from me:

Why compare Miles to Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, or Magic Johnson? Does every player have to have the same fire as those guys to be useful to a team?

Why was acquiring Zach a mistake? Would the team have been better off getting a guy who can't play? Why was acquiring Miles a mistake? Would the team have been better off keeping McInnis?

The mistake was made when the team gave them too much money (as I said at the time). The mistake was made when the team was torn down around them and they were expected to lead when they'd never been in that position before.

I like it when Smith sticks to making **** up about trades than when he acts like he knows what's best for teams.

Ed O.

**sa1177** · 10-19-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed O

Does anyone REALLY think that Zach showing up 30 minutes later than expected for a preseason game is giving the NBA a bad name?

Seriously?

Ed O.

Anyone who pays a guy 13million a year who can't even make it to work on time looks like a fool in my book. That being said I then look at the NBA's policies regarding guaranteed contracts and wonder what the hell they are thinking. So in terms of financial management it would be my oppinion that stuff like this does make the NBA look bad.

**crandc** · 10-19-2006, 12:57 PM

BNM, 95% of what you said was totally right on.
One thing was wrong.
I was at the game in Sacramento last December 26 when the Blazers blew out the Kings, and after the game Mike Rice was slapping hands and saying "playoffs, baby!". I suppose he counts as local media. And early one when the team was 3-3 and for that day was first in the Northwest, Paul Allen pointed to the standings at the Rose Garden.
You are right on everything else. A Blazer getting a traffic ticket is a Jail Blazer who disgraces the NBA and needs to be dumped. Pacers shooting off guns, Lakers charged with rape, they are all just cases of boys will be boys.

ABM · 10-19-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crandc

A Blazer getting a traffic ticket is a Jail Blazer who disgraces the NBA and needs to be dumped. Pacers shooting off guns, Lakers charged with rape, they are all just cases of boys will be boys.

Perhaps THIS will help put your mind at ease?

Quote:

Indiana Pacers

I've taken a liking to the term "Jailpazers" for the Pacers. After the Malice at the Palace a couple years ago, Stephen Jackson is single-handedly trying to bring down the franchise. Jamaal Tinsley was involved in the shooting at Club Rio as well, and the Pazers have become the laughing stock of the league. Many people think it's time for Larry Bird to step down, but I'm not sure I'm there yet. What I am sure of is I will not be drafting Jackson this year, as he has near-future court dates in both Detroit and Indy, and could end up in jail sooner than later.

Danny Granger is a great value pick right now, and Marquis Daniels could have huge value for owners who won't have to spend more than a late-round pick to get him. He could end up starting at shooting guard all year for the Pazers.

And as for comparisons between the Jailpazers and Jailblazers, if memory serves me correctly, the Blazers' players usually just did stupid things that only jeopardized themselves, whereas the Pazers are running around slugging fans and having wild-west shootouts at strip clubs. Not that it matters in fantasy hoops, but the Pazers are really in a bad place, especially when you consider it wasn't long ago they were battling the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

BTW, here's what that same guy says about the Blazers:

Quote:

Portland Trailblazers

Zach Randolph was fined by the team for arriving to the Rose Garden more than 30 minutes late for Wednesday's exhibition opener against Seattle. Coach Nate McMillan said he requires players to be at the arena 90 minutes before tipoff, but Randolph arrived 55 minutes before the 7 p.m. start. "It has been taken care of," McMillan said. Randolph started and scored 20 points, but still hasn't learned. He was tardy last season to five shootarounds the morning of a game, but if he's allowed to start when he's late, there's really no reason for him to show up on time.

Jarrett Jack appears to be the starting point guard in Portland and should make for a solid second fantasy point guard, and rookie Brandon Roy, although his role hasn't been declared, is worth a mid-round selection. Don't bother with Darius Miles this year. Yeah, he could end up having value, but he's not worth the headache.

Jamaal Magloire and Joel Przybilla should both be drafted, but it's yet to be determined which one will have the most fantasy value. My gut tells me it's Magloire, who could average a double-double this season.

**Oldmangrouch** · 10-19-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crandc

You are right on everything else. A Blazer getting a traffic ticket is a Jail Blazer who disgraces the NBA and needs to be dumped. Pacers shooting off guns, Lakers charged with rape, they are all just cases of boys will be boys.

SI recently ran an interesting column contrasting media/fan views of the NBA and the NFL.

His bottom line conclusion: both the media and the public have a massive double standard. They are far more tolerant of football players who screw up. Furthermore, people blame the *player*, not the team/league.

The author is honest enough to admit that race is a major factor in the difference.......an admission that no doubt got him crucified.

Even within the NBA, you can see this double standard at play. EG: in Philly, a "troubled" player like Iverson is embraced, while in Portland a traffic ticket results in seething rage.

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