part 1 discusses the conundrum that the jazz face on millsap. comparing him to west might be an overreach, though it does seem thart millsap has lots of upside lef considering his work ethic and desire to get better.

Wow.

TheAssociated Pressreports... ---------------------------- For the first time since the lockout began on July 1, NBA players are going to be welcomed back to their team facilities, said league spokesman Tim Frank. The league sent a memo to clubs Tuesday announcing the move, plus giving teams permission to begin speaking with agents at 9 a.m. Wednesday — though deals cannot yet be offered, and no contracts can be signed before Dec. 9. Teams may host "voluntary player workouts" and physicals. Training camps will not open until Dec. 9. ----------------------------Update: Kerry Eggersof thePortland Tribunereportsthat "3-4" Blazers are expected to show up this week.ed: updated text, bumped to front page

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden showed up onESPN'sbroadcast of Tuesday night's college basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Duke University Blue Devils in Columbus, OH. Oden spent one season at Ohio State before being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Oden is currently a restricted free agent. On Monday, we noted there was asplit decisionregarding where he ranks on the lists of top free agents. On Tuesday,Chris MannixofSI.comchimed in, ranking Oden the No. 18 free agent on the market. Also on Tuesday, longtime NBA writerJackie MacMullantoldWEEI.comthatshe believesthe Boston Celtics might have interest in Oden. ------------------------------- I doubt you overpay for him. You maybe overpay a little, but I doubt you throw big, big bucks at him and my guess is Portland would match no matter what. But he’s just a guy to throw out there because if he could at all be healthy, he’d really help you.” -------------------------------Image credit: @Jose3030-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter

将开拓者打在圣诞节吗?约翰-霍林格thinks so. "I'll guess the two added Xmas games are Grizzlies-Thunder and Blazers-Spurs"

On Monday night, at the bottom ofthis post, I listed a few free agents that might be available for a Mid-Level Exception or a Mini-Mid-Level-Exception depending on whether or not the Portland Trail Blazers decide to use the Amnesty Clause on guard Brandon Roy. Here's themaster list of all free agentscompiled byTom ZilleratSBNation.com. Dig in and pinpoint the newest member(s) of the Blazers. Remember: the Blazers will not be able to sign any free agent for more than $5 million per year because they are over the salary cap. We may have already answered this elsewhere, but many people are asking whether or not the Blazers could add players that other teams cut via the Amnesty Clause. It's very unlikely. All waived players will enter a blind bidding pool with teams that are under the cap getting first crack at making bids. The Blazers, even if they Amnesty Roy, will not be under the cap and thus would need a player to receive no bids before they could take a shot. Also, if they Amnesty Roy they are prohibited from re-signing him. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter

I posted this because its interesting that Howard is on the market and might come west. I dont know if we have any chance at getting him. Anyways, the Lakers will likely get Howard, but they arent getting both him and CP3 no matter what the rumor mill says.

According to the Spanish newspaper El Correo, Batum asked his agents to get the Blazers permission to play his last game (or games). Agents went back to Batum advising him to not play more games.

This goes out to Brandon Roy. Hope it helps everyone cope.