Oregonian article

here's another submission I hope to get published. I doubt they'll do so
b/c I singled out Canzano, but if you care to check it out....

When Rasheed left, there weren't any tears. Many fans had spoken up,
expressing their discontent. Rasheed was the bad boy, the guy people loved
to hate. The man who no longer put fans in the stands. Trading Rasheed was
to be a means to an end. A decisive decision that would help the Blazers
chemistry, get them some wins, possibly in the playoffs, and put fans in the
stands.

Alas, last night, the Rose Garden had over 20,000 in attendance. How's that
for irony?

Why the sudden interest in Rasheed? Is it because we'd hoped the Blazers
would kick his butt all over the court? Did they think we actually had a
chance to win the game? Probably not. Some fans showed up because Rasheed
gave the Blazers 8 years and this was their way of seeing what they'd missed
out on. For others, it was a chance to say goodbye. Maybe purchasing a
ticket was a way to even thank Rasheed for his time in Portland. Obviously
for many others, it was a chance to boo him and hope; hope for a win, or
hope Rasheed would play lousy, thus they could get some closure for this
"cancer to the team". But that didn't happen.

Tonight he didn't overwhelm the Blazers, rather he played like a team
player. He had 13 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in a complete
team effort. The Pistons manhandled Portland and showed them the difference
between a contender and a pretender.

This serves Portland right. A kick where it counts. Rasheed comes in and
shoots 50% from the floor and his team lays a hurting on the Blazers. Fans
and writers were licking their chops, hoping for just the opposite outcome.
One can only speculate what's going through the mind of Canzano right about
now.

Detroit is 38-25, third best team in the east, and 18-15 on the road. A
record the Blazers can only dream about.

The Blazers scored a paltry 68 against a team that stresses defense. Ben
Wallace was an animal. He grabbed 19 boards, had 4 blocks and 4 steals. He
showed Zach Randolph how the Power Forward position is meant to be played.
A defensive giant. They type of guy other players have nightmares about.
The type of player Portland needs.

This game was a statement, not just by Rasheed to show the fans what they're
missing, but by the Pistons as a whole to give Portland fans a glimpse of
reality. Fact is, Portland doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Portland
has some talented players, but they find themselves in familiar territory:
A team without an identity.

What does the future hold? Only one can speculate, but Rasheed and the
Pistons showed fans tonight that the Blazers have no choice but to look
towards the future.

So now the questions are plentiful. First and foremost, are you happy? The
point of trading Rasheed was to help chemistry. Parting with Rasheed was
supposed to be positive. The Blazers were supposed to get more wins,
possibly make the playoffs, and more so have some optimism for the future.
For far too long, many Portland fans and writers have been lobbying for a
trade of Rasheed. They got their wish. Now what?

Maybe it's time the Blazers go back to the drawing board and chalk up a new
strategy. Maybe it's time to start thinking for themselves about what's
best for the team instead of listening to writers and fans who only think
they know what's best. Fans want a winning team. It doesn't matter if the
guys who win those games don't have good character. The Rose Garden wasn't
selling any more tickets after Sheed and Bonzi left, they only sold more
after they came back. Go figure.

>"toad" papatoad DeleteThis @mrstoad.com
>This game was a statement, not just by Rasheed to show the fans what they're
>missing, but by the Pistons as a whole to give Portland fans a glimpse of
>reality. Fact is, Portland doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

Well the Trailblazers have been in the playoffs every year for the last 20+
years running (I think it is 22 years, not sure). It not the end of the world
if they don't make it this year AFTER A STREAK LIKE THAT.

Portland
>has some talented players, but they find themselves in familiar territory:
>A team without an identity.
>
>What does the future hold? Only one can speculate, but Rasheed and the
>Pistons showed fans tonight that the Blazers have no choice but to look
>towards the future.

Its all good, got Z-Bo Zack Randolph coming up, Dan Dickau is doing good as a
back up, may be able to replace mighty mouse Damon Stoudamire some day. Also
got other young players too like Qyntel Woods and Travis Outlaw... I don't see
the future as a problem for the Trailblazers.

>
>So now the questions are plentiful. First and foremost, are you happy? The
>point of trading Rasheed was to help chemistry. Parting with Rasheed was
>supposed to be positive.

It has been. More fans are showing up at the Rose Garden, more fans are
watching the games on TV and listening on the radio since Wells and especially
Wallace have been traded. (Also Whitsett is gone!) And I think they got some
alright players from that trade with the Hawks.

The Blazers are finally, finally taking the fans seriously and changing
stuff... I am jumping back on the band-wagon!! I definately am going to attend
some games now... and I haven't been in to Blazer game in years... back when
they had Sabas, Kenny Anderson, and Jermaine O'neal (damn that was a good team
that year too and I like all those players.)

The Blazers were supposed to get more wins,
>possibly make the playoffs, and more so have some optimism for the future.
>For far too long, many Portland fans and writers have been lobbying for a
>trade of Rasheed. They got their wish. Now what?

Well I'm not gonna be that upset if Cheeks gets canned if.

>
>Maybe it's time the Blazers go back to the drawing board and chalk up a new
>strategy. Maybe it's time to start thinking for themselves about what's
>best for the team instead of listening to writers and fans who only think
>they know what's best. Fans want a winning team. It doesn't matter if the
>guys who win those games don't have good character. The Rose Garden wasn't
>selling any more tickets after Sheed and Bonzi left, they only sold more
>after they came back. Go figure.

Huh? I read right after Wallace was traded and the Blazers went on that 5-game
winning streak that attendance went up. Maybe later I will post a link. Oh
well its not that big a deal to me I am just glad that Wallace and especially
Wells are gone.

I know that some of the other players have had problems (Stoudamire with weed,
other dudes driving without drivers liscenses and registrations) but I can
forgive little stuff like that.