Monday, August 11, 2003
I'm Also A Blazer Fan
And I am not ashamed to admit it.
I'm from Portland. The Blazers are the only big league team we have here. Of all my favorite teams in the four major sports, the Blazers are the only team I did not choose to be in that capacity. It's kind of a Malvolian thing: I had the Blazers thrust upon me. I chose to pledge allegiance to the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche). But I'm a Portlander. You're a Blazer fan if you're from here. And that's that.
There is no need to dwell on the Blazers' well-known troubles, both on and off the court. So I'll just say that if Kenyon Martin and Dikembe Mutombo can be had for the low, low price of Rasheed Wallace and Ruben Patterson, then...FOR THE LOVE OF SAM BOWIE, TAKE THE DEAL. Martin has potential and promise, and he's not yet at the top of his game. Plus, Mutombo can fill--easily--the spot vacated just today by Arvydas Sabonis, who announced he will not be playing in the NBA this year. On the other hand, Wallace has no more promise and his best game is pretty much here if it's not gone already, and it isn't enough. Not to mention, you get rid of two guys who have had their legal troubles in exchange for two respectable guys, the kind of guys this team, with John Nash and Steve Patterson now in charge, should be actively seeking. If the Nets are offering, take it. No question. It'll help you fulfill The Pledge you made to your fans, guys.
I'm from Portland. The Blazers are the only big league team we have here. Of all my favorite teams in the four major sports, the Blazers are the only team I did not choose to be in that capacity. It's kind of a Malvolian thing: I had the Blazers thrust upon me. I chose to pledge allegiance to the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche). But I'm a Portlander. You're a Blazer fan if you're from here. And that's that.
There is no need to dwell on the Blazers' well-known troubles, both on and off the court. So I'll just say that if Kenyon Martin and Dikembe Mutombo can be had for the low, low price of Rasheed Wallace and Ruben Patterson, then...FOR THE LOVE OF SAM BOWIE, TAKE THE DEAL. Martin has potential and promise, and he's not yet at the top of his game. Plus, Mutombo can fill--easily--the spot vacated just today by Arvydas Sabonis, who announced he will not be playing in the NBA this year. On the other hand, Wallace has no more promise and his best game is pretty much here if it's not gone already, and it isn't enough. Not to mention, you get rid of two guys who have had their legal troubles in exchange for two respectable guys, the kind of guys this team, with John Nash and Steve Patterson now in charge, should be actively seeking. If the Nets are offering, take it. No question. It'll help you fulfill The Pledge you made to your fans, guys.
