Greetings. As a long time "lurker" dating back to BBF, I decided to finally register in order to air a few things I have notice that just drive me bonkers as a fan. 1.) If something happens that you do not like, it does not mean the end of the world. That being the case, is it really necessary for fans to be pulled in such an emotional swing with every Blazer move or non move? Blazer management felt that Hedo could help and did what they could to sign him. Hedo made a choice to go else where. The management group didn't get done what they set out as their number one priority, but The Portland Trail Blazers did not become a worse team for their failed attempt at signing Hedo. Blair was passed on by several teams all the way to the 37th pick. If Portland made such the drastic error in passing him three times, then so did several other teams. If the management group didn't feel comfortable drafting Blair, then it didn't matter if it was at 22 or 35 or 55, he wasn't their guy. He had a good opening summer league game and the chants of Pritchard making a mistake came back. IT IS SUMMER LEAGUE! And a good game (or even career) doesn't change the fact that he wasn't the target for 30 teams in the first round, or six teams in the second. People still complaining about this are probably the same people mad that we didn't draft the stash. How did that want turn out? Management in any company will make mistakes, or missteps. Often however, the mistakes or missteps that are thought to be catastrophic to the lower level employees or consumer is not what it appears to be. Some times in life their are smart people or people who hold more knowledge than you. To think you know every move that happens behind closed conference rooms is ignorant. Which brings up... 2.) Roy's contact is being negotiated. I am sure with most of us being adult (I question the age and mental function of a few) I am sure we have all bought cars. No to equate Roy to any old car, but the analogy works the same. Say he is a $50,000 BMW. You go to the dealer, and you do not just say, "here's a check for sticker price, have a good day." No! You negotiate. It may take the whole day. You may even walk out of the dealership frustrated. But if you want that car you come back, and you start negotiating again. If you get the BMW you want for $45,000 great. If you really want that BMW and you can't negotiate a better price, it may be a tough choice, but if your desire is high enough you pay the full retail price, it might just take a little longer to feel comfortable doing so. There may be several gives and takes before an agreed set of terms is reached. Each side try's to get the best value for their product. The dealer (agent) being the holder of the desired commodity (Roy), and the consumer (in this case the Blazers) and what they are want to pay for the desired commodity. Some times the desire to obtain trumps the desire to save. Some times it doesn't. Either way, we have no clue, unless we are in that negotiation. 3.) Not every young player is going to play great every night. Hell, not every player is going to play great every night. Swing from one extreme reaction to another is not necessary. It is however a sign that the person is either young, emotionally immature, not an fan of the sport but a fan of the adrenaline caused, or acting. It seems a lot is tolerated here, and that is a good thing, but at a certain point enough is enough. It gets old and turns people off. 4.) If you do not enjoy watching and being a fan of Blazer basketball, may I suggest you take up another sport or team. I think I got most of my chest, and hope the summer brings great things to the Blazers, Roy, LMA, and us fans. P.S. I thought Bayless did great tonight with his seven assists, and only two other players who could score. Give it time, he's still only twenty.
Welcome! I love the passion. I'll love having someone like you around (as long as you agree with me!).
Welcome to the board! All well said. I'm happy that another sound-minded individual is joining into the fray! Just a warning... They'll drive you nuts! You just gotta learn to live w/ it. No matter how many well thought out, well written posts you make about people being calm, there WILL be those who step out to the ledge everytime anything negative happens. I can't blame them, at least they're passionate about our team -- sometimes maybe just a little too passionate. All the same, w/out any nutjobs, it'd be a little too boring around here, so they do provide SOMETHING.
It is one thing to be passionate. It is another to be full of crap. But I understand. Thanks for the welcome.
I currently own a German automobile - and they are not as easy to upset as some claim. A lot better than my past British and Italian ones - and I suspect a lot better than the Italian I just purchased and hope to drive from Seattle later this week... But, to be honest, when you do upset them - they are not cheap to fix...
Thanks for posting this. Fewer mood swings and quick judgments are good for any forum! As for the car analogy: It's worth considering that this is a VERY rare car. Like only 10-20 of them in the world. And other people, at some point, would love to buy that car at full price. And the "salesman" can afford to think about other potential buyers, especially if he gets annoyed at you. I think those facts probably influence how much dicking around with haggling you want to do if you really, really want the car.
Oh I agree, totally, but it wasn't the point. The point is if you feel as though it is in your best interest to try, you try. If there is only a select few available, that means there is only a select few who can purchase. What harm does it do to act fiscally responsible. When all is said and done, I do not think Roy will be mad at what has transpired and will be paid accordingly.
pretty much. Roy will retire a Blazer unless some extraordinary happens that I cannot foresee. He will sign a multi-year extension this summer with the Blazers I'm about as sure of that as I am of anything in the future. Welcome aboard and repped.
