After 41 years, Seattle will be without a pro basketball franchise. Clay Bennett got his way and will be moving the Seattle team to Oklahoma City (although he will do it $45 million poorer). The team moves but the colors, logo and records stay in Seattle so that a new team will be able to pick up where the Sonics left off (think the Cleveland Browns after they became the Ravens).
I feel sorry for the fans in Seattle. I would kill myself if the Blazers were ever moved. But I can't say that I am all that disappointed. Other than being close to each other, I don't really feel a big sense of rivalry with the Sonics. For as long as I can remember either we have been good and they have sucked, they have been good and we have sucked or we have both sucked. There has never been a time when we have both been great.
My favorite rivalries are with the Lakers and the Jazz. Most of the reason is because of our playoff matchups with them. I don't remember being matched up against the Sonics in the playoffs.
I do feel sorry for the Seattle fans. And for their sake I hope Seattle lands another team.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Ducks 2008 Schedule and Early Predictions
8/30 vs. Washington
9/6 vs. Utah State
9/13 at Purdue
9/20 vs. Boise State
9/27 at Washington State
10/4 at USC
10/11 vs. UCLA
10/25 at Arizona State
11/1 at California
11/8 vs. Stanford
11/15 vs. Arizona
11/29 at Oregon State
The first two games should be wins. Yes, UW is on the upswing. But not in Autzen Stadium and not on Opening Day. If we lose to Utah St. I will jump off the Freemont Bridge... Seriously.
The Purdue game is interesting to me. We should beat them. We are the better team. But strange things happen early on, especially on the road. I say Oregon prevails but I'm a little nervous.
I don't know what to think of Boise St. They have been good for a while so I can't discount them like alot of other people have. I say Oregon takes it. It's a kinda big game at Autzen and I think the Ducks respond the right way.
Damn Palouse. The Cougs aren't very good but it is in Pullman. I say the Ducks win big anyway.
The Big One. The game at USC could define our season. I would like to be brave enough to pick the Ducks but I don't think Pete Carroll lets his guys forget the result of the game at Autzen. USC in a close game.
Neuweasel's return to Autzen ought to be fun. With the crowd rowdier than usual, and memories of a shutout, the Ducks crush the smirk off Rick's face.
Another game that could define the season. If we can some how get out of LA with a win, this game could be for the Pac10 and the Rose Bowl. Ducks have played well against ASU the last three years and I think the streak hits 4 against the Sun Devils in a very competetive game.
Ahh, the Golden Bears of Cal. After stealing the game at Autzen last year the Bears have won two in a row vs. Oregon. But this year the luck shifts to the Ducks as they march into Berkeley and beat Cal by a comfortable margin.
Oregon remembers how the Cardinal surprised them in the first half of last years game. Stanford can't compete with the Ducks, get run out of town.
Revenge a year in the making. The crowd will want blood. Not just for last years game but for the beatdown the Wildcats put on the Ducks at Autzen in 2006. Ducks in a big way.
Another revenge game. The 112th Civil War. The Beavers came into Autzen and broke the decade long home field advantage with a double overtime W. Oregon comes more than ready to steal back the home field. Ducks in a close one.
So, I predict a record of 11-1, with a shot at 12-0 if the planets align. 10-2 seems very possible, too. Worst case scenario for me is 7-5 with losses against Purdue or Boise St. (if we lose to Purdue we beat Boise the next week), Washington St., USC, ASU, OSU.
There you go. Feel free to agree with me or tell me I'm an idiot in the comments.
- - - J.J.
9/6 vs. Utah State
9/13 at Purdue
9/20 vs. Boise State
9/27 at Washington State
10/4 at USC
10/11 vs. UCLA
10/25 at Arizona State
11/1 at California
11/8 vs. Stanford
11/15 vs. Arizona
11/29 at Oregon State
The first two games should be wins. Yes, UW is on the upswing. But not in Autzen Stadium and not on Opening Day. If we lose to Utah St. I will jump off the Freemont Bridge... Seriously.
The Purdue game is interesting to me. We should beat them. We are the better team. But strange things happen early on, especially on the road. I say Oregon prevails but I'm a little nervous.
I don't know what to think of Boise St. They have been good for a while so I can't discount them like alot of other people have. I say Oregon takes it. It's a kinda big game at Autzen and I think the Ducks respond the right way.
Damn Palouse. The Cougs aren't very good but it is in Pullman. I say the Ducks win big anyway.
The Big One. The game at USC could define our season. I would like to be brave enough to pick the Ducks but I don't think Pete Carroll lets his guys forget the result of the game at Autzen. USC in a close game.
Neuweasel's return to Autzen ought to be fun. With the crowd rowdier than usual, and memories of a shutout, the Ducks crush the smirk off Rick's face.
Another game that could define the season. If we can some how get out of LA with a win, this game could be for the Pac10 and the Rose Bowl. Ducks have played well against ASU the last three years and I think the streak hits 4 against the Sun Devils in a very competetive game.
Ahh, the Golden Bears of Cal. After stealing the game at Autzen last year the Bears have won two in a row vs. Oregon. But this year the luck shifts to the Ducks as they march into Berkeley and beat Cal by a comfortable margin.
Oregon remembers how the Cardinal surprised them in the first half of last years game. Stanford can't compete with the Ducks, get run out of town.
Revenge a year in the making. The crowd will want blood. Not just for last years game but for the beatdown the Wildcats put on the Ducks at Autzen in 2006. Ducks in a big way.
Another revenge game. The 112th Civil War. The Beavers came into Autzen and broke the decade long home field advantage with a double overtime W. Oregon comes more than ready to steal back the home field. Ducks in a close one.
So, I predict a record of 11-1, with a shot at 12-0 if the planets align. 10-2 seems very possible, too. Worst case scenario for me is 7-5 with losses against Purdue or Boise St. (if we lose to Purdue we beat Boise the next week), Washington St., USC, ASU, OSU.
There you go. Feel free to agree with me or tell me I'm an idiot in the comments.
- - - J.J.
CFB Preseason Ranking Roundup
It's never to early to talk about college football. With 59 days left before the Ducks kickoff the season against the Huskies of UW, lets see who ranks the Ducks and where:
ESPN's Mark Schlabach has the Ducks at #21. He wonders about the QB situation (don't we all). His top 5 are: Georgia, Ohio St., OU, USC, and Florida.
SI's Stewart Mandel has the Ducks at #20. Likes our strong defense.
Top 5: Georgia, Ohio St., USC, Missouri, LSU.
Athlon Sports has the Ducks at #19.
Top 5: Florida, Ohio St., OU, USC, Georgia.
Sporting News' Matt hayes has the Ducks at #14. He had the Ducks at #18 before Spring practice but moved them up four spots after.
Top 5: Georgia, Ohio St., USC, OU, Missouri.
Lindy's Sports has the Ducks at#21. They alert everyone that "Gang Green is back in Eugene".
Top 5: Georgia, USC, Ohio St., OU, Missouri.
Scout.com has the Ducks at #16. They claim there is silver lining to the Dixon injury - Roper got some experience. Hmm, a shot at a National Title and Heisman or freshman QB getting 4 games under his belt?!?
Top 5: Ohio St., Georgia, OU, Florida, USC.
So, you have the Ducks as high as #14 and as low as #21. I'll take that, especially when we don't know who are QB will be. I think this will be an exciting year. Nothing like last year but exciting nonetheless. If we can remain healthy and get whoever is at QB off to a quick start I think we'll surprise a lot of teams.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach has the Ducks at #21. He wonders about the QB situation (don't we all). His top 5 are: Georgia, Ohio St., OU, USC, and Florida.
SI's Stewart Mandel has the Ducks at #20. Likes our strong defense.
Top 5: Georgia, Ohio St., USC, Missouri, LSU.
Athlon Sports has the Ducks at #19.
Top 5: Florida, Ohio St., OU, USC, Georgia.
Sporting News' Matt hayes has the Ducks at #14. He had the Ducks at #18 before Spring practice but moved them up four spots after.
Top 5: Georgia, Ohio St., USC, OU, Missouri.
Lindy's Sports has the Ducks at#21. They alert everyone that "Gang Green is back in Eugene".
Top 5: Georgia, USC, Ohio St., OU, Missouri.
Scout.com has the Ducks at #16. They claim there is silver lining to the Dixon injury - Roper got some experience. Hmm, a shot at a National Title and Heisman or freshman QB getting 4 games under his belt?!?
Top 5: Ohio St., Georgia, OU, Florida, USC.
So, you have the Ducks as high as #14 and as low as #21. I'll take that, especially when we don't know who are QB will be. I think this will be an exciting year. Nothing like last year but exciting nonetheless. If we can remain healthy and get whoever is at QB off to a quick start I think we'll surprise a lot of teams.
Blazers Sign Rudy Fernandez
Well, it finally happened. After a year of speculation and dreaming, Blazer fans finally got their guy. Spain's Rudy Fernandez has reached an agreement to sign with the Blazers. The guard is a highly sought after player. The Blazers acquired Fernandez from the Suns in a draft day trade in 2007. Fernandez is a member of the Spanish National team and the MVP of the Spanish ACB League, where he averaged 21.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals last year.
This is awesome news. We have known for a couple of weeks that Rudy would be coming over this year but it is good to see it actually happening. Rudy brings a lot to the Blazers. He should complement the team very well.
Welcome to Portland, Rudy. You are gonna love it.
This is awesome news. We have known for a couple of weeks that Rudy would be coming over this year but it is good to see it actually happening. Rudy brings a lot to the Blazers. He should complement the team very well.
Welcome to Portland, Rudy. You are gonna love it.
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