Portland’s Past Reveals Another Option

Source: Rip City Project by David MacKay

May 7, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) smiles before game two of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

As I watch the Spurs and Grizzlies duke it out in this year’s Western Conference Finals, I can’t help but mourn the Blazers we used to be. Like many of you, I have watched Portland struggle to rebuild year after year, and while I’m hopeful that we will one day succeed, our present-day story ends at the regular season. In fact, even in recent playoff years the Blazers have not advanced

C.J. McCollum could 'provide the offensive spark ... this team so desperately needs' (your Trail Blazers comments)

Source: Blazers Blog by Blazers Fans

Portland Trail Blazers fans discuss whether or not the team should draft Lehigh's C.J. McCollum with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

C.J. McCollum could 'provide the offensive spark ... this team so desperately needs' (your Trail Blazers comments)

Source: OregonLive.com by Blazers Fans

Portland Trail Blazers fans discuss whether or not the team should draft Lehigh's C.J. McCollum with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen is releasing a rock album on a major label (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In addition to recording his players' in-game conversations , New York Knicks owner James Dolan has been known to lay down some tracks in the studio as frontman of the "blues" band JD and the Straight Shot . While Dolan's band has only occasionally covered his work with the Knicks , it's safe to say that the majority of the band's fame comes from his off-stage associations. Nevertheless, when it comes to NBA owners with somewhat embarrassing musical careers, Dolan stands above all others. However, it looks like a new challenger has emerged. After years as a budding amateur guitarist and benefactor of various music-oriented causes, billionaire Microsoft cofounder and Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen will release his first album on August 6 via the Legacy Recordings imprint of Sony Music. From Randy Lewis for the Los Angeles Times (via Blazersedge ):

Holdahl: Fans Camp In Line For Nine Hours For Blazers G Damian Lillard's ROY Adidas Shoes

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Last week, we noted that Adidas was releasing a special "Real Deal" Rookie of the Year edition shoe for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.

Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com has a nice article from a limited release event for the shoes held at Portland's Compound Gallery on Thursday.

What took Lillard aback was seeing a line of people braving the wind and rain for as long as nine hours outside of Compound

Blazers Owner Paul Allen To Release "Everywhere At Once" Album With His Band, The Underthinkers

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times reported this week that Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen and his band, the Underthinkers, will be releasing his debut album "Everywhere at Once" in August.

Now he's assembled a debut album with his band, with a lot of help from other friends, including Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Joe Walsh, Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II and Neville Brothers scion Ivan Neville.

It's no mere vanity project for the 60-year-old billionaire -- all proceeds will go to

Beltram: Five Free Agency/Trade Targets For Blazers

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Ryan Beltram of the Eugene Daily News composes a list of five players the Portland Trail Blazers should target this summer, including New Orleans Pelicans center Robin Lopez and Milwaukee Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy.

Robin Lopez

He might not be as talented as his brother Brook, but Robin Lopez showed that given the minutes, he can provide high energy, shot-blocking and hustle. Anthony Davis missed time this season due to injury and as a result, Lopez was New Orleans' starting center for the majority of the season. A legitimate 7-footer, Lopez can provide the size Portland

Beltram: Five Free Agency Targets For Blazers

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Ryan Beltram of the Eugene Daily News composes a list of five players the Portland Trail Blazers should target this summer, including New Orleans Pelicans center Robin Lopez and Milwaukee Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy.

Robin Lopez

He might not be as talented as his brother Brook, but Robin Lopez showed that given the minutes, he can provide high energy, shot-blocking and hustle. Anthony Davis missed time this season due to injury and as a result, Lopez was New Orleans' starting center for the majority of the season. A legitimate 7-footer, Lopez can provide the size Portland

Raptors interested in Pacers GM Pritchard (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Toronto Raptors asked the Indiana Pacers for permission to interview general manager Kevin Pritchard for their head of basketball operations job, CBS Sports reported Friday.

NBA High-5: Dwight Howard's impending free agency already feeling like bad sequel

Source: OregonLive.com by Mike Tokito, The Oregonian

Plus, Mavericks eyeing former Blazers; Sacramento celebrates; Detroit power struggle? Celtics' future uncertain.

Blazers Owner Paul Allen Displays Restored Nazi German Rocket In Washington Museum

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen is making the most of his offseason. After recently selling a pair of blue curtains painting for $43.8 million, he has now purchased, restored and displayed a 46-foot tall V-2 rocket used by Nazi Germany in World War 2 at his Flying Heritage Museum in Everett, Washington.

Bill Sheets of the Herald Net reports that

Elhassan: Three Best Draft Fits For Blazers

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Amin Elhassan of ESPN.com (Insider) offers his thoughts on the three best fits for the Portland Trail Blazers, who will select No. 10 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (Chad Ford Big Board ranking: No. 2): McLemore would be an excellent complement to Lillard in the backcourt as a great shooter and athlete. His main criticism, lack of aggression, would not be an issue in Portland with other offensive options ahead of him like Lillard and Aldridge.

C.J. McCollum, Combo, Lehigh (No. 7): McCollum is undersized as a shooting

Blazer Report Cards: Wesley Matthews and Will Barton

Source: Rip City Project by Kevin Yeung

Mar 21, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Wesley Matthews (2) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls shooting guard Marco Belinelli (8) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

We continue handing out report cards at Rip City Project, after having given out an A and a B- to Damian Lillard and Eric Maynor respectively in the previous entry of the series. Up today are the other guards that were regularly deployed by the Blazers during the season, Wesley Matthews and Will Barton.

Wesley Matthews | #2 |

2013 NBA draft: Should the Portland Trail Blazers draft C.J. McCollum at No. 10? (poll)

Source: Blazers Blog by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

Intrigue is high around the 21-year-old C.J. McCollum, despite playing in just 12 games as a senior after breaking his left foot during a 59-55 loss at Virginia Commonwealth. Prior to his foot injury, the preseason All-American was leading the nation in scoring at 25.7 points per game.

Portland Trail Blazers 2013 NBA Draft: What the Experts Are Saying (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | With the NBA Draft Lottery complete and the Portland Trail Blazers locked into the tenth overall pick, here is a breakdown of who the experts have the Blazers selecting:

2013 NBA draft: Should the Portland Trail Blazers draft C.J. McCollum at No. 10? (poll)

Source: OregonLive.com by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

Intrigue is high around the 21-year-old C.J. McCollum, despite playing in just 12 games as a senior after breaking his left foot during a 59-55 loss at Virginia Commonwealth. Prior to his foot injury, the preseason All-American was leading the nation in scoring at 25.7 points per game.

Portland Trail Blazers Have Options With 2nd Round Picks

Source: Yardbarker

The Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of assets to improve their team this offseason. With the 10th pick in the first round of the draft, the front office will have the choice to add a young player with potential or trade the pick awa­y­­­ for an established player. However, the Blazers also have three second round picks, thanks to the Courtney Lee trade between Houston and Boston. These picks should not be overlooked. Because second round draft picks do not receive guaranteed contracts, the Blazers can gamble on raw talent before making a decision to add the player to the roster. Also, there is incredible value in second round players, as their contracts will pay around half a million a year. Blazers GM Neil Olshey did a fantastic job selecting Will Barton in the second round last year. Barton showed flashes of talent in the late stages of the season, and his ceiling is incredibly high. This season, Barton has the possibility of stepping up his game and giving the Blazer...

Players the Trail Blazers should target with #10 pick

Source: NWSportsBeat.com by Jason Hartzog

Lottery Results Are In

No surprises on Tuesday. As expected, the Portland Trail Blazers landed the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

A top-3 pick would have been a miracle for Portland. Not getting a top-3 pick isn’t the end of the world for the Blazers, though. Looking at the recent history of picks at number 10 can give fans hope.

Here is a look at who has been drafted with the 10th pick since the year 2000:

2000 – Keyon Dooling
2001 –

Blazer's Edge Mailbag: Dallas Trade, Summer Hope, Stars and Draftees

Source: Blazersedge by Dave

Mailbag time! For information on how to submit your question see the end of this post.

Dave,

Saw your post about moving up in the draft. Folks are saying Dallas wants to cut cap space to sign Dwight Howard. How about getting that 13 pick and then packaging it with the 10 to move up? That would get us somewhere, right?

Rob

First, I don't think the Blazers really want to move up in this draft. Ideally they'd prefer to move out in exchange for a helpful veteran. The goal of that post was to look at possible options, not to endorse the general course of action.

Second, the scenario you described sounds good on paper...very, very thin paper. It doesn't make much sense in

'Drafting Cody Zeller would mean giving up on Meyers Leonard' (your Trail Blazers comments)

Source: Blazers Blog by Blazers Fans

Portland Trail Blazers fans discuss whether or not to draft Cody Zeller with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

'Drafting Cody Zeller would mean giving up on Meyers Leonard' (your Trail Blazers comments)

Source: OregonLive.com by Blazers Fans

Portland Trail Blazers fans discuss whether or not to draft Cody Zeller with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

Best Moments from Damian Lillard's Rookie of the Year Season

Source: Bleacher Report

Having averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the 2012-13 season, it's no surprise that 22-year-old point guard Damian Lillard was named Rookie of the Year for the season. 

Yes, he had countless solid games. Yes, he proved himself worthy of a starting position on the Portland Trail Blazers squad. Let's take a look at five of Lillard's top moments in his debut season. 

Begin Slideshow

LaMarcus Aldridge Passed Over Again

Source: Rip City Project by David MacKay

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks to the media during a press conference at the Hilton Americas. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

LaMarcus Aldridge finished 3rd among vote receiving players that did not make an All-NBA team; just behind Stephen Curry and just ahead of Chris Bosh. While disappointed, I am not entirely surprised. One can argue for or against LaMarcus being a top 15 player with valid points on either side of the argument. On one hand, he is a spectacular jump shooter, on the other he lacks aggression. On that first hand,

Grizzlies coach focused on Spurs, not his contract (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Lionel Hollins has been more successful than any Grizzlies coach and will be a free agent after June 30.

Nate McMillan won't return to Team USA (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Blazers' former coach has been with Coach K since the beginning of his run leading the U.S.'s national team.

2013 NBA draft: Should the Portland Trail Blazers draft Cody Zeller at No. 10? (poll)

Source: Blazers Blog by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

We'll build up to next month's NBA draft by profiling prospects that will likely be available when the Blazers make their selection at No. 10, starting with Indiana sophomore Cody Zeller.

2013 NBA draft: Should the Portland Trail Blazers draft Cody Zeller at No. 10? (poll)

Source: OregonLive.com by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

We'll build up to next month's NBA draft by profiling prospects that will likely be available when the Blazers make their selection at No. 10, starting with Indiana sophomore Cody Zeller.

Spears: Former Blazers Coach Nate McMillan Will Not Return As USA Basketball Assistant

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports on Twitter that former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan will not return as an assistant coach for USA Basketball under Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.

Nate McMillan told Y! Sports he wont return to Coach K's bench with @usabasketball. "Be good for someone else to experience it," Nate said.

Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated reported earlier this week that Krzyzewski would return as the head coach after

Haynes: Agent For Blazers International F Kostas Papanikolaou Expects Trade

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports that George Sfairopoulos, agent for Portland Trail Blazers international forward Kostas Papanikolaou, doesn't believe his client is in the organization's plans for the 2013-14 season.

"As of now, we don't have any sign that leads us to believe that Kostas will go to Portland," Sfairopoulos told CSNNW.com. "Therefore, we believe that he will not be in the plans of the organization next season and probably will be traded."

Earlier this month,

NBA High-5: Nate McMillan reportedly in mix for Clippers job; did Frank Vogel err in Game 1?

Source: OregonLive.com by Mike Tokito, The Oregonian

Plus, a unique Celtics jersey; does Kevin Durant's tattoo have a typo? dissecting the All-NBA teams.

NBA Apparently Snubs Blazers UFA F Luke Babbitt From Taco Bell Big Box

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

The NBA and Taco Bell have apparently -- and inexplicably -- left Portland Trail Blazers forward Luke Babbitt off something called the "Western Conference Big Box." Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge does appear on one of the box's designs.

All told, 42 NBA players are included on the promotional items but Babbitt, widely regarded as the Chalupa King, is not pictured in any of the promotional artwork. What's the point of a nationwide advertising campaign if the league's leading Tex-Mex pitchman isn't involved?

"It feels good to give the fans Taco Bell," Babbitt said once, hopefully

Portland’s $11 Million Man

Source: Rip City Project by Jason Hortsch

January 15, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trailblazers forward Nicolas Batum (88) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 115-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Nicolas Batum. While he has always been an enigma to me, I’ll start by saying, yes, I am glad that he is on the Blazers. As I was sifting through his data, though, I took a look at his contract and was stunned to see that the Blazers paid him approximately $11 million this season, and are on the books for about the same amount each of the next three seasons. I had been aware that he

LeBron James tops All-NBA first team; LaMarcus Aldridge narrowly misses third team

Source: OregonLive.com by Oregonian Sports

Aldridge, the Blazers' All-Star forward, totals 62 points in the voting, behind third-team forwards David Lee (79 points) and Paul George (73 points).

Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge Left Off 2013 All-NBA Teams

Source: Blazersedge by Ben Golliver

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge was not named to one of the three 2012-13 All-NBA Teams, but he was listed in the "other players receiving votes" category, where he was joined by Blazers F/C J.J. Hickson.

The All-NBA teams are voted on by a media panel and take positions into account, with each team made up of two guards, two forwards and a center.

Aldridge was beaten out by First Team forwards LeBron James (Miami Heat) and Kevin Durant (Kevin Durant), Second Team forwards Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) and Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) and Third Team forwards David Lee (Golden State Warriors) and Paul George (Indiana Pacers). All six players represented 2013 playoff teams. Indeed, all

A huge NFL bust, NBA Draft Trivia, and some Pacers love

Source: Yardbarker

Hope everyone enjoyed the first edition yesterday of Midday Cup Check, the new staple of your must read daily content on the world of sports. Please feel free to comment on what you love and what you hate. This is for you the reader, my feelings won’t get hurt. Blowing Out the Candles Happy birthday Brian Campbell. The quick, good puck moving defensive, formerly of 1901 W Madison St. Chicago fans never warmed up to you despite helping the Blackhawks win a cup. Dude won the Lady Byng award for being the softest most gentlemanly player in the NHL with the Panthers. Charles Rogers, former Detroit Lions first round pick (2nd overall), failed to live up to expectations (to say the least). Too many failed drug tests and off the field arrests and his career was a bigger disappointment than than Reebok’s Dan vs Dave campaign in the 92′ Olympics. What a waste of talent. In case you were wondering, here’s some players that were drafted after Charles Rogers in the 03′ NFL draft: Andre Johnson...

Can the Blazers Move Up in the Draft?

Source: Blazersedge by Dave

Now that the Portland Trail Blazers have secured the #10 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft we can begin looking at their possibilities. Today we'll tackle one that seems popular, moving up in the draft order.

We're going to stay relatively value-neutral on whether the Blazers should look to move up in the draft and for whom they'd be moving. Feel free to discuss those things in the comment section. We'll tackle those questions another day ourselves. But for purposes of this post we're going to assume the Blazers do want to move up for somebody. What might that move look like? Could they actually pull it off?

What the Trail Blazers Have to

Can the Blazers Move Up in the Lottery?

Source: Blazersedge by Dave

Now that the Portland Trail Blazers have secured the #10 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft we can begin looking at their possibilities. Today we'll tackle one that seems popular, moving up in the draft order.

We're going to stay relatively value-neutral on whether the Blazers should look to move up in the draft and for whom they'd be moving. Feel free to discuss those things in the comment section. We'll tackle those questions another day ourselves. But for purposes of this post we're going to assume the Blazers do want to move up for somebody. What might that move look like? Could they actually pull it off?

What the Trail Blazers Have to

After LeBron James' last-second layup beats Pacers, Roy Hibbert vows not to sit quietly again (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Curiously left on the bench at the end of devastating OT loss to the Heat, All-Star center Roy Hibbert says his coach and the Heat will hear from him next time.

Why the Blazers Should Not Draft a Center

Source: Rip City Project by David MacKay

June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Meyers Leonard (Illinois) heads up to the stage after being introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Blazers are slated at the 10th pick in this year’s draft, and it’s time for them to think long and hard about how they want to use the selection. Many have speculated that Portland should take a center in order to fill the hole J.J. Hickson will leave when/if he departs in free agency. I am going to tell you, flat-out, that this is a bad idea.

First of

What should the Portland Trail Blazers do with the 10th pick in the 2013 NBA draft? (poll)

Source: Blazers Blog by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

We'll have a month to sift through the rumors and speculation to try to figure out what's going on inside Neil Olshey's mind leading up to the NBA draft on June 27. Before we begin, we want to know where you stand. What do you want to see the Blazers do with the No. 10 pick?

What should the Portland Trail Blazers do with the 10th pick in the 2013 NBA draft? (poll)

Source: OregonLive.com by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

We'll have a month to sift through the rumors and speculation to try to figure out what's going on inside Neil Olshey's mind leading up to the NBA draft on June 27. Before we begin, we want to know where you stand. What do you want to see the Blazers do with the No. 10 pick?

NBA draft order set, so who goes No. 1? (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on top of the NBA draft yet again, only this time there is no LeBron James waiting to save them. There may not even be a Kyrie Irving.

2013 NBA draft: What they're saying about the Trail Blazers and the No. 10 pick (links)

Source: Blazers Blog by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

There's plenty of time between now and the NBA draft (Thursday, June 27), so there will be plenty of speculation, rumors, mock drafts, guessing and second guessing at what Neil Olshey and the Blazers will do with their No. 10 pick. Here's the first run.

2013 NBA draft: What they're saying about the Trail Blazers and the No. 10 pick (links)

Source: OregonLive.com by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

There's plenty of time between now and the NBA draft (Thursday, June 27), so there will be plenty of speculation, rumors, mock drafts, guessing and second guessing at what Neil Olshey and the Blazers will do with their No. 10 pick. Here's the first run.

NBA High-5: Blazers, other teams looking to trade picks could face a buyer's market

Source: OregonLive.com by Mike Tokito, The Oregonian

Plus, Tony Allen's flop; Clippers eyeing Lionel Hollins? Maurice Cheeks in mix with Pistons; Kevin Love makes peace.

Blazer Report Cards: Damian Lillard and Eric Maynor

Source: Rip City Project by Kevin Yeung

April 17, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles past Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Here at Rip City Project, we will be releasing report cards for the Trail Blazers’ top rotational players over the next week or two. We’re going to lead off the series with two players Blazers fans have become very familiar with this season: point guards Damian Lillard and Eric Maynor.

Damian Lillard | #0 |

2013 NBA mock draft: A glance at potential picks for Trail Blazers at No. 10

Source: Blazers Blog by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

Rounding up the post-lottery mock drafts and who the pundits have the Portland Trail Blazers picking at No. 10.

2013 NBA mock draft: A glance at potential picks for Trail Blazers at No. 10

Source: OregonLive.com by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

Rounding up the post-lottery mock drafts and who the pundits have the Portland Trail Blazers picking at No. 10.

NBA Mock Draft: Version 3 (Rotoworld)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Version 3 of our NBA Mock Draft is here. The Cavaliers snuck into the No. 1 spot, the Magic get No. 2 and the Wizards moved up to No. 3.

Canzano: Here's hoping the Blazers jet with their No. 10 pick, and leave the Losers Lounge forever

Source: OregonLive.com by John Canzano, The Oregonian

The best news is that this feels like the best recent chance the organization has had of breaking a tragic draft-lottery cycle.