We all know there is a segment of Blazer "fans", who demand a scapegoat. Somebody on the team must be the antichrist and take the blame for everything that goes wrong. It used to be Sheed, then Zach. Last season, Jack auditioned for the part - but he was traded. So who is the new victim? Will it be Nate, or a player? If a player, which one do you think it will be? My prediction is Bayless. On the one hand, he is one of the more talented players on the team, and he will likely get significant playing time. OTOH, he is young and adjusting to a new role....which means there are bound to be rough patches. I would say the next most likely is LMA. I can easily see people resurrecting the Sheed argument - ie "He could be as good as Duncan or KG if he just worked harder!"
Hmm... this is a tough question. Team expectations are still reasonably low and all of the guys are so well-liked now. Of course, that didn't stop the Jack Attacks. Frye is a natural choice: soft and very inconsistent... but he blogs well and seems articulate, so that reduces the chances. I vote for Martell Webster. People will forget he's 21. They will see him as a veteran and expect this to be a "break-out" year, and if it doesn't happen then some fans will be blaming him for all that ails us. Ed O.
it's going to be bayless. a lot of blazer fans seem to be in love with rudy and when bayless is better(though i can see them both being very good role players this year) they will try to make up reasons bayless is hurting the team to justify pretending that rudy is better(why they'll do it though, i'll never know). aldridge is another decent bet though. expect the word "soft" to come up a lot from those people.
I think it's going to be Outlaw. I don't think he's going to be relied on as much for scoring this year as he was last, and it'll seem that he's "regressing" even if it's not true.
No one. we're gonna dominate. critics and random bandwagoners will put the blame on Jerryd Bayless for not passing the ball
Out on a limb prediction: Oden. If he struggles in his rookie year, there will be a growing faction of fans quick to label him a bust.
So many candidates, but we must channel the hate! Who wants to be a scapegoat? We'll soon see. I would not rule out Roy. barfo
* Martell Webster Webster may never live up to his 6th overall selection but he has to at least be consistent this year. He'll look great in one game and the next you wont even notice him on the court.
Steve Blake I think he is going to be the glue for this team, but if he doesn't, posters are going to calling for his head . . . and then to trade him after that.
I have to go with Nate. We all know there are going to be choruses ringing out to the hills demanding [flavor-of-the-week player] gets his minutes, and bitching about why [villified player X] is getting more run.
Outlaw. In spite of his sometimes scintillating performances, to me he is a [to a degree] a more athletic version of Zbo. Strengths: * Offense * Athleticism * Current Trade Value Weaknesses: * Offensive black hole * Defense (not as bad as Zach but not great) * Rebounding * BBall IQ Granted, I am obviously not a great Travis fan so my vote is tainted. Second choice - Raef. If he only he were healthy..... Gramps...
I don't think it will be Bayless and I think all the rookies will get a pass for a while. I could see Webster being the scapegoat if the team is struggling after 4-5 weeks though.
Pritchard, he put the team together. I also like to blame Microsoft for everything, but I happen to like Paul Allen as an owner. Okay, probably Nate.
