Donaghy: it would be "very, very difficult" for the Blazers to win a championship

Donaghy is the Jose Canseco of the NBA. The only problem is there is no scientific testing to prove him correct.

 

Even before the (second and third) injuries, Oden was being jobbed by the refs, essentially handicapped so he *couldn't* become dominant. If he was playing in New York or Boston, do you really think he'd be so foul prone?

 

There is only one thing that can break it open. That is if some more of "them" got caught. I wonder if we will ever know what the FBI found out when they were investigating this. I know some government docs get released to the public, but I am unsure if these results will ever be made public.

 

I have no doubt that the big name stars get preferential treatment and that it impacts the outcome of games. That said, I wouldn't trust anything a weasel like Donaghy says. He flat out says that he hates Stern and I'm certain that he means it. At this point, I think he'd say anything that would kick dirt on the NBA. And not only that, but he's going around the country saying this crap to promote the sales of his book. The weasel is doing exactly what he's always done, looking out for his own chances to make a buck.

BTW, I'd find the small market argument a lot more compelling if it weren't for the titles that the Spurs have racked up. Small market and a boring team to boot.

 

At the same time, Dwight Howard is constantly in foul trouble. He makes many of the same mistakes today, that Greg was making. They are consistent in their calls. I guess that works out, unless you don't consider Howard one of their "darlings".

 

I wish the NBA would do away with superstar calls. Frick, I don't care if Brandon fouls out as a result. Give me a game that a foul on the 15th guy is the same as a foul on the first guy.

 

Beat me to it. He was being handcuffed tremendously.

San Antonio as a small market has been addressed before:

1. San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the country.
2. They had (have) players that draw international audiences.

The boring part I can't dispute, though.

 

I like the guys who think fouling out should be removed from the game, period. Fouling in general is enough of a penalty, especially when you go over the team limit in a quarter, that it shouldn't matter who fouled.

 

I'd be fine with a 2 shots and the ball penalty after the 6th foul. If a ticky-tack 7th foul is called in a close game, it would only confirm my distrust of the NBA, at least in terms of being "fair".

 

This. Well said.

 

They also need to eliminate the "technical foul". With the advent of the flagrant foul rules, the "T" has become nothing more than a toy for vindictive or ego happy refs.

 

San Antonio is an extremely small market and they've won 4 titles in the last 11 years. Also- Cleveland is a small market so why does the NBA want them in the Finals? Because they have a star? Does that mean the league will want us in the Finals if Oden becomes a star?

 

By the way, LeBron can't get his team over the hump. Does that make him 2nd tier?

 

If congress can get involved with Baseball and the steroid issue, couldn't the same thing be done for the unfair advantages the refs/Stern give certain teams/situations? I mean, if Donaghy is right, do his claims warrant an official investigation? I guess the only huge difference is that steroids are illegal. I don't know, I just want some thing to be done about this. It's so fucking unfair to the hundreds of thousands of people that spend money on blazer tickets, food at the RG and gear. It would be different if the NBA came out and said "we're WWE wresting." They brand themselves as a competitive-based league. They're lying. As consumers is there any thing we can do other than not giving them our business? I'm so upset about this. I sincerely am not sure if I can follow the NBA anymore, and it breaks my heart. I've been a die hard Blazer fan as far back as I can remember. I've put so much energy, time and money in to this organization with the hopes that one day I would be able to enjoy a Championship in my adult life. If it's all for not, then I see no point in continuing on as a fan.

 

Portland has a larger surrounding population. Portland's TV market is ranked 22nd in size. San Antonio is 37th.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/09/10/nielsen-local-television-market-universe-estimates/5037

 

While I would love to see a deep investigation done, I'm afraid it would change very little. So many calls are subjective and so many rules so convoluted that basically any call could be argued as correct.

Noted. However, what about the international draw of Parker and Ginobili?

 

Rudy's a huge draw in Europe. Batum is coming on.

 

Wait for Roy to get healthy and you might make a run.

So far you haven't done anything yet due to age/injury.