Team France Fights Adversity and Remains Undefeated
Before the FIBA World Championship started, the French National Team's odds of fishishing in the Top 3 were against them. They have an absent Tony Parker, an injured Rodrigue Beaubois, and an overweight Boris Diaw. Just like our local NBA team, Team France didn't let these issues slow them down. Their heart and hustle payed off with an impressive win against the highly favored Spain team 72-66. With Mickael Gelabale stepping up with 16pts and Blazer Player Nicolas Batum added 14pts and 2blks himself, France showed a perfect example of playing hard and leaving everything out on the floor. On one play during that game, Batum had the ball on the top of the circle, then he drove to the lane for a thunderous one-handed tomahalk slam. When France faced Team Canada, Batum lead his team with 24pts while France defeated Canada 68-63. Team France is now standing undefeated (3-0) and it seems like they're improving game-by-game. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to bet against this team finishing on the podium.
Batum's One-handed Slam!
Rudy Shoots Himself in Foot
After Rudy Fernandez's rookie season, there was a poll that showed 98 percent of Blazers fans want Rudy to stay on the team. But in the past month all of that fan support has turned upside-down. In the past two weeks it was obvious that Trail Blazer Rudy Fernandez went public about his demand to be traded. But that resulted in a $25,000 fine by the NBA. It all started last spring when Rudy expressed how Nate McMillan's system doesn't work out for him (Rudy) and he is better off moving back to Spain. Now Rudy's agent , Andy Miller, said that Rudy wants Blazers' General Manager, Rich Cho, to make a deal that will send Rudy to either Chicago, Boston, or New York. Rich Cho understands Rudy's situation and he doesn't want to trade Rudy for the "sake of trading" and he would like to make a trade that will improve the team. Andy Miller expressed that if a deal is not done, then Rudy doesn't have any desire to show up at training camp Late September. Rudy's absence at practice will result in further fines for the Spaniard. But if Cho can't get a deal done before training camp, he said that ending Rudy's two-year contract is not an option. With that, Rudy won't be able to play overseas until his contract with the team is up. Even if Rudy shows up to training camp, I think his desire and motivation to play will fall to new depths and he will have to rot on the bench like the vasciline eater Stephon Marbury. I'll say this, if Rudy Fernandez ever suits up in a Blazers uniform, he will recieve a Hedo Turkoglu-esc homecoming.
After Rudy's rookie season and half of last season, he was one of my favorite players on the team. But in a game last Feburary, I noticed that Rudy's desire has diminished
Rudy Fernandez's Reverse Ally-Oop Slam FIBA
Greg Oden Is "On Schedule"
Blazers General Manager Rich Cho appeared on 1080 the Fan earlier this week. When Cho was asked about Greg's timeline, he left us Blazers fans guessing. Cho said that Greg is showing a lot of effort in his rehab and he's on path to a full recovery. Then Cho was asked a question along the lines of "Since Greg is on pace, can we expect him to play in the season opener?" And Cho responded, "No, I didn't say that." Then Cho expressed that if Greg doesn't suit up on opening night, then that doesn't mean he is not on schedule with his recovery. Later Cho was asked about Joel Przybilla's recovery and Cho didn't hesitate to say that Joel should be playing by November-December. I understand that the whole Blazers staff don't want to raise any expectations on the big man, but do you think they should at least give us Blazers fans a peace of mind on our franchise center? After the interview I was left with a bunch of questions. How come Cho refused to give us a timeline on Greg's return but he didn't hesitate to give us Joel's? Is Joel's recovery ahead of Greg's? Does that mean that Greg won't suit up until January? When will Greg be able to participate in 5-on-5 workouts? What are the chances that Greg will suit up on opening night? Like everyone else in the media, I would like to know when Greg will be able to play again. I don't see that as raising expectations for him. I believe that a timeline for recovery is a realistic goal that a player shoots for and if he doesn't want to release that goal to the fans, then it shows that all of the bubble wrap that the organization has applied to Greg has weekend him mentally. Lets hope he doesn't hide from in-game pressure situations.
I'm not going to lie, I'm a big Greg Oden fan and I know Greg can be an all-star calliber player. In the two weeks that led up to his injury, Greg was averaging over 16pts, 10 rebs, and 2.8blks a game. If Greg plays 73 games this year I think he will have a huge impact on the team. I'd say he's capable of putting up numbers of around 11.1pts, 9.4rebs, and 2.8blks per game. That's not much to ask for a former #1 draft pick. Since I'm a season ticket holder, I hope Greg will be ready to put on a show on opening night.
- GO BLAZERS
Greg Oden Mix Video
