Have We Been Lulled?

A friend who goes by Schilly tells me that he thinks that:

Portland fans have been lulled into thinking Rookies can't produce for us...

and I agree with him. Here's the evidence to support his claim:

In the last 10 Years Portlands draft picks have either been late 1st round picks or HS players. Roy is different. He is a College Senior and a top 10 pick, and probably picked later than he should have been based on reports we have been hearing.

Going back:
2005 Webster (HS)
2005 Jack (late 1st rounder)
2004 Telfair (HS)
2004 Viktor (late 1st rounder)
2004 Sergei (late 1st rounder)
2003 Outlaw (late 1st rounderand HS)
2002 Wood (late 1st rounder)
2001 Randolph (late 1st rounder)
2000 Barckley (last in 1st round)
1999 No pick
1998 (pick traded)
1997 Kelvin Cato (mid round traded up to get)
1996 Jermain O'Neal (HS)

So in the last 10 years the only draft pick not either HS or late was Kelvin Cato.

He then goes on to compare rookie stats:

1996 O'neal: 4.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 0.2apg
1997 Cato: 3.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 0.3apg
1998 Bonzi: 35 minutes played
2000 Barckley: 38 minutes played
2001 Z-bo: 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 0.3apg
2002 Woods: 2.4ppg, 1rpg, 0.2apg
2003 Outlaw: 19 minutes played
2004 Telfair: 6.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 3.3apg
2005 Webster: 6.6ppg, 2.1rpg, .6apg
2005 Jack: 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.8apg

Jack is the most effective Rookie Portland has had in the last 10 years (similar #'s to telfair but took care of the ball better and was a better defender.)

Thanks, Schilly, great stuff.

I Think I'm In...

It's starting to look like I'll be offered the Sales Manager job, I hope I'm up for it. I've been doing Purchasing for so long, it'll take me a little while to get used to being the schmoozer instead of the schmoozee. Wish me luck!

After reading The DA's Memo explaining why no charges will be filed against Zach Randolph, I see no reason to change my position that Zach Randolph needs to go. This interesting question was posed by a friend:

Assuming that $1 = Zach's Talent Level, what's the least talent are you willing to take back to move Zach?

All things being equal, of course I'd want no less than $.90 in talent back for Zach. There are several factors that would make me willing to consider accepting a lesser talent in return, though. For example, for every year the incoming contract is shorter than Zach's, I'd accept a nickel less per year. Leadership and character could also be taken into account, and I'd accept up to as much as twenty cents less in talent in return for a significant upgrade in character. Could you imagine LaMarcus Aldridge learning the ropes from a guy like Grant Hill instead of Zach Randolph? I agree with SetScreens, who said it much better than I could:

IMO, Grant Hill would be the perfect deal. He's an expiring contract, which is fantastic; he's a huggable guy, which might pacify Canzano for what would inevitably be a season of losing; he could conceivably be persuaded to return for pennies on the dollar next season, as a mentor-type...

I am officially done hoping against hope for the redemption of Zach Randolph, and I want him off my team as soon as practical.

Travis Outlaw, at the 4? Mike Barrett has this story in his blog. I kind of like the idea of Travis at the 4 once in a while. It'll make for some interesting matchups, and Travis will be a little more free to improvise and use his instincts and his athletic ability to a greater degree than he will be at the 3. I wonder what other unorthodox lineups Nate has up his sleeve. At the very least, it'll be fun to watch.

I'll need to see it before I believe it. Juan Dixon dunking? According to Barrett, Juan's done that and more. Good stuff. I like Juan Dixon, I just hope that he has completely bought into Nate's game plan no matter how it affects his own role on the team.

I'll leave you with a question: Ian Furness leaves for Seattle (congrats, Ian, best of luck, and don't let the Interstate Bridge hit you in the ass on the way out of town), and suddenly 1080 has access to several Blazer players, coaches, and executives for a live broadcast... coincidence?

Eric Has Been Seduced By The Dark Side Of The Force!

Curse and damn you, Eric Marentette, for leaving us to work for the enemy. That being said, it sounds like a fantastic opportunity, and I'd have done the exact same thing. In fact, Eric, call me if you need an assistant. I wish you great success, even though your efforts being successful means that the planet (and the minds of youngsters) will be even further polluted with crap bearing the name of that ball-hogging-concierge-raping-wife-bribing-lavender-and-urine-stained future Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant. Keep in touch, my friend, and if you're in the area come Opening Night, the invitation to the game still stands. And if you can get tickets from your boss for me when they come up here to get spanked by the Blazers, I'd be more than happy to join you so that you can boo your boss vicariously through me.

By the way, best of luck as well to Casey Holdahl, who will be taking over Eric's blog on Oregonlive. You've got some big shoes to fill, Casey, I hope you're up to the task, for it is a daunting one. I have every confidence you'll do swimmingly. And if Eric chums on Opening Night, you are next in line to inherit his ticket, if you like.

Good stuff on the Blazers' website about Travis, LaMarcus, and Brandon working as crossing guards for the elementary schools. Things have changed since Rasheed Wallace spent most of his time on his cell phone and checking his pager when he was supposed to be handing out Christmas trees to the less fortunate. And I'll be surprised (and more than a little disappointed) if I see another Blazer tactless enough to wear huge diamonds in his ears (think Ruben Patterson) while handing out Christmas trees and food to the poor.

Still no time to edit and post the video from either trip. This is getting nuts, and I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel yet. Bear with me, folks, I'm trying. It's not like I've taken a job working as Darth Vader's PR advisor, like somebody I know...

Back And Busier Than Ever

I realize I'm sounding like a broken record, but I'll be buried for at least a couple more days. The trip to Seattle was a success, enough so that my name has now been added the list of candidates for the Sales Manager position. Wish me luck, and I'll get back as quickly as I can!

Crap!

I still haven't had a chance to blog my trip, I haven't been able to combine the time to blog with the access to the proper equipment. I promise I'll have the videos edited down, and the stories told before I leave for Seattle on Tuesday, come Hell or high water.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

My apologies to my few loyal readers. I just got back from Oakland very early yesterday morning. I got to see Coco Crisp's incredible catch on Monday night, and Curt Schilling's 3,000th career strikeout on Wednesday afternoon. Had a great time, and I have some pics and video that I intend to post as soon as I have the opportunity. I'll be in Seattle next week as a sales rep. I'm sure it'll be fun, but it'll also be a lot of work and it will severely limit my ability to go online. So the blog will probably be pretty slow over the next week or two, but I promise I'll post as often as I possibly can. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!