I've been intrigued with Justin Harper's game since watching him in the NCAA tournament. So when I read that the Stampede took him with the third pick in the D-League draft I was very excited. He is a stretch four, that can really stroke the three. It never seemed like he got a chance in Orlando, and since we're in rebuild mode right now anyway, I would like to see him get that chance here in PDX. He certainly can't be any worse than Babbitt.

16 & 14 in 34 minutes tonight including the game clinching block and run out dunk. Regret may be a useless emotion, but it doesn't hurt to evaluate past decisions. Why on earth did we go against seemingly every analyst (and fan, for that matter) to reach for Nolan Smith above the Manimal? When they can get an NBA skill (rebounding) at #21, how on earth does a team talk itself out of it. I remember the rumors that we had an under the table agreement not to draft Faried as part of the Dre for Felly trade, but nothing ever surfaced. Or maybe it was another PA point guard crush? Sometimes it's silly to look at drafts in hindsight because often most of the league is wrong about a player. In this case, though, it seemed like everyone but the Blazers would have gone Faried over Smith. I would love to hear the inside story on what went down. Faried would have been so fun to cheer for in the Rose Garden. Especially on a rookie contract.

"It’s going good, it’s slow, obviously," Freeland said. "I’m just getting used to the game all in all. It’s completely different from what I’m used to back in Europe and it’s not an easy transition by all means. The pace of game is a lot faster, people are a lot stronger, but I’m getting there. Each practice I’m getting better and I’m just trying to put that into the games when I get the opportunity to play." Much more in the article.

悲伤的故事。吉姆•达勒姆, the lead play-by-play guy for ESPN radio (alongside Dr. Jack) died Sunday. Condolences to his family. He was a terrific broadcaster.

I like the opening of this story: "Wesley Matthews could only have looked more alone on an island if he’d been trying to crack open coconuts and build a raft. There was the clock running down in a tie game and here was James Harden – the NBA’s opening week version of a five-alarm fire — standing in front of him with the ball in his hands..."

Can someone tell me when this jersey was worn, if ever? I don't recall Magette ever playing for the Blazers OR those "throwback jerseys". Anyone have an alternate link?

Might be yet another unfounded rumor, but it is pretty interesting. It doesn't say when he was offered it (I'm curious that if he was offered, was it pre- or post-hiring Olshey) nor any other details. But it's still an interesting thing to ponder on. My two cents is that if he was offered the job, he probably turned it down because he doesn't want a rebuilding project. Also, can we now start the rumor mill that he's going to replace Mike Brown?

所有数据通过比赛11/3/12更新-His Value Added (VA) is #1. Sky high at 25.2 followed by Dion Waiters at a measly 9.3, Davis At 9.2 -EWA (Est. Wins Added) is #1 at 0.8 followed by Waiters and Davis at 0.3 - USG (Usage Rate) #1 at 25.2 followed by Valanciunas at 22.3, Waiters at 22.2 -#4 in Assist Ratio at 28.8 -#6 in TS% (True Shooting Percentage) at .573. This should be 5 because Kyle Singler (#1) has a ridiculous TS of 1.071. #2 is our own Meyers Leonard at .725 followed by Davis, Drummond and Barnes. Not including Singler. Only Barnes, Lillard and Jae Crowder (#8 TS%) are wing players shooting above .500. Dion Waiters (#10) a few hairs below at .495. Pretty sweet stats.

I was just messing around on the ESPN Trade Machine... and I ended up doing this trade which I think is pretty good for the blazers... but the weird part is that Milwaukee became way better by it... Something tells me Hollinger's analysis is a little fishy.