Summer Is The "Slow Time?"
posted: 8/6/2006 at 9:32 PM
I know the summer is supposed to be our slow time of the year, but as you know, there hasn't been much time off for anyone around the organization so far. This week will be more of the same, and no one is complaining. There has been so much happen in the last five weeks it's hard to remember it all.
I was actually at my 20-year high school reunion this weekend (feeling old) and actually heard this one several times; "well, it must be great having the summer off." My response was usually something like "who are you again?" Then, after the re-introduction, I tried to explain that while it may seem like we're doing nothing but playing golf (well, that's actually true for Rice) most of us are actually very busy and it's been a big summer for my team. So, in other words, I talked a lot of shop. These days that's very fun to do, so I didn't mind it. I talked about the draft, the draft-day trades, the re-signing of Joel Przybilla, the trade for Jamaal Magloire, and talked about the schedule that was just released.
Not only was I asked a lot about the team, and the off-season moves, but was also asked about things like ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. Internally, we usually get e-mails about news of big sponsor signings and big weeks for the ticket-sales department. I then realized that fans have a lot of interest in that stuff and that there probably isn't much news out there about this.
So, here are a few brief notes about some of the things on that side of the business that don't get talked about publically as much as they probably should.
Between ticket sales and sponsorship, last week was about 10 times bigger than the same week last summer. It was a huge week. The NW Ford Dealers signed a huge multi-year renewal, and also on board with big deals are G.I. Joe's, Standard TV and Appliance, Comcast, Allstate Insurance and Honey Bucket. I then asked about ticket takes, and learned that July was the biggest new sales month for the franchise since the trade for Scottie Pippen in the summer of 1999. If you recall, the team was coming off a trip to the Western Conference Finals. This is just all stuff that's happened very recently, and I'll try and update this kind of stuff from time to time.
Also on the radio show on Monday night, we're hopefully going to hook up with Dan Dickau. He was a part of the draft-day trade with Boston, and even though I interviewed him in Las Vegas when he came down to watch summer league, I wanted to get him on the radio show. We'll get an update on his surgically-repaired Achilles tendon, and talk about his return to the Blazers. Obviously, he's thrilled to be back home, and will have a great opportunity this season.
Courtside will air at its normal time, 6:05 on KXL 750 AM in the Portland area, and is also available at kxl.com if you're outside the listening area. As always, I'll post the interviews from the show, right here on this blog, a couple of hours after the show ends on Monday night.
Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan is a long way from home today. Sunday, Team USA touched down in Guangzhou, China, and Monday begins play in the China Basketball Challenge. McMillan is an assistant coach for this version of the "Dream Team." The team takes on China on Monday and Brazil on Wednesday. Last Thursday night, the U.S. team, ranked #1 in the world, beat Puerto Rico 114-69 in Las Vegas. The FIBA World Championships will be in Japan, and prelim play begins on the 19th. The Gold Medal game is set for September 3rd. If all goes well, of course, the U.S. will be playing in that game.
One last thing. With last week's news that the Phoenix Suns had signed Leandro Barbosa to a new 5-year, 33-million dollar deal, I was reminded how timing is everything in this league and how sometimes events that seem insignificant at the time can have huge ramifications on the future. I've mentioned this before, but I'm not sure if many fans realize how close Barbosa was to becoming a Trail Blazer last summer. Basically, if the trade of Shareef Abdur-Rahim to New Jersey hadn't fallen through at the last minute (the Nets said he flunked his physical) the Blazers would have used the second-round pick they would have gained in that trade, to trade to the Suns for Barbosa. The deal was basically done, and then everything fell apart when the Nets voided the Abdur-Rahim trade. He then signed a free-agent deal with Sacramento. In the end the situation worked out for the Blazers, and Barbosa. Obviously, Barbosa had a career year and got this huge contract. The Blazers, still needing a back-up point guard, signed Steve Blake instead. Blake had a terrific season, and the Blazers traded him for Jamaal Magloire last week. There are a lot of stories like this in the league from time to time, this is just reminder of how quickly things can change. A last-minute decision by the Nets, turned into Magloire in a Blazer uniform a year later.
** Earlier I reported Jamaal Magloire would be on Courtside Monday Night tonight, however due to scheduling conflicts Jamaal will not be able to be on tonight, but will be on in the near future.
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And that story you ended with won't stop there. At least it shouldn't. What we get out of Magloire and his contract will be the true prize of our signing of Steve Blake (other than his contributions to the team last season, of course).
Let's just hope that it is greater than the possible underdevelopment of Jack and Aldridge this season due to Blake's absence and Mags acquisition. This development, however positive in a sense of value, certainly creates lack of competition for JJ and PT for Aldridge. I'm hopeful our plan isn't so Whitsitt-esque where team chemistry, character, and development aren't factors in the quest to acquire good value in trades. Value is only tangible and useful if it has an application.
PS Mike, just because i'll let you off the hook for no commenting on the giant elephant in the room, doesn't mean it isn't there. The king has no clothes.
Just a comment about what is perceived as the "elephant in the rooom".
Paul Allen can view the Blazers in two, equally valid, ways. On one hand, the Trailblazers are a business he owns. He is currently losing money holding that business. On the other hand, the 'Blazers are his passion. He is spending money participating in a passion that brings him joy.
Both are valid realities. Paul Allen is in the enviable position of deciding which reality means the most to him.
It has been said, "The wise prudent decisions of our lives are made with our head. The geat, important decisions of our lives are made with our heart."
Jarrett will have a stellar year as long as we dont aquire Iverson, more than likely sparking memories of his running Georgia Tech like a well oiled machine. He reminds me of chauncey Billups. Whitsitt is gone, now we have "vulcans" and "suit and ties" 3 amigos who is down to two after Nash was ejected. Ticket sales are going to have a tremendous impact on whether or not to move the team, as well as RIP CITYs return to the NW. Thanks for the blogs Mike, at least somebodys got some time around there to do some stellar reporting.
Oh, I do have something. If any Blazers are interested in hiring an up and coming personal chef please, Look me up. Antonio Harvey's got nothing on me.
I like the direction in which the Blazers are heading. I agree that we have to get rid of Darius because he's made it obvious that he does not want to be here. I will miss Steve Blake and what he brought to the Blazers organization. He always worked hard and always wanted to win.
I love the Blazers and always will but if they plan on getting anywhere near .500 or making it to the playoffs, they need team chemistry more than anything. Bringing in new players and letting players go isn't always the greatest thing. We need to stick with a core of 5-6 players who can build chemistry with one another and make trades with players outside of that core group.
Stick to a core set of players? Of course "playing together" builds chemistry. But...If a team is losing (I wont say struggling because that is a temp. situation)...You Change the team. Is the problem Darius? Z-BO? The ball boy? C'mon now....Did we win when we traded Bonzi? Rasheed?
Over the last few years all I ever hear from people is "Character" issues about My team. Because of that...trades were made to appease the community. OK! EVERYONE APPEASED YET? Anyone who thinks Basketball Players are role-models is insane!Perhaps Mr. Allen should think first about talent and DRIVE! ATTITUDE in sports is everything! I for one am so sick of watching listless professionals walk up the court! Give me a player that will scratch and claw and bleed and fight over someone who gives community service.
Afterall...this is Basketball! Not a Missionary group.
If the player can do both...great! But Basketball should come first!!
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