Recent content by Public Defender

It's kind of a fine line in a situation like that... where you've been allowed access somewhere that the public isn't, but you're in there as a representative of the media, whose job it is to report back to the public. On the other hand, since Haynes' future stories are going to depend a lot on...

Yeah, I think you re-sign Matthews, but ideally, you wait until late in the summer to see how he's healing - or you make it short duration (like two years, as suggested above). It's tough, because Matthews developed into a really good defensive SG, a solid three-point shooter, and a great glue...

The only possible downside to this move (for Aldridge) is if he gets seriously injured next season. Knock wood that doesn't happen. Seriously, if he stays healthy, Aldridge can sign an even bigger contract to stay in Portland long-term. He can also explore his options in another year, and see...

He's not even the worst defending starting PG the Blazers have had in the last ten years. That'd be Sebastian Telfair. The Blazers' history of having poor defense at that position is unfortunately, quite long. With the exception of Greg Anthony and Scottie Pippen (who covered up Damon...

I've been wondering if it's partly the loss of Mathews. He always seemed like the mentally toughest guy on the team, and without him, the Blazers just aren't the fighters they were. Lillard has some of that, but not like Mathews.

So do you "blow it up" - let Aldridge walk or sign-and-trade him, deal Lillard, tank, etc. Or, do you build a new team starting with Lillard and Aldridge as a foundation? I would re-sign Aldridge, as I think he's probably the most talented player the Blazers could hope to sign. I'd keep Damian...

Yes, but I think the reason the Grizzlies don't take bad shots, and the Blazers do, is because of defense. Memphis has a really good defense and the Blazers seem to feel like they have to take the first shot that presents itself because they're not sure they're going to get a better chance...

From ESPN's Baxter Holmes... "The Grizzlies are simply a bad matchup for the Trail Blazers, nothing more." From Oregonlive.com's Jason Quick: "As evident by Allen's solemn walk Saturday, this has been a foundation rattling defeat." Which is it? I think the national guy actually has a...

There were a few frustrating (bad) calls, but I agree, that's not why the Blazers lost. The Blazers lost because Houston played better from the time Portland was up 4 in OT, through the end... though even still, the Rockets needed a broken-play 3 to pull it out. I had a bad feeling about...

Re: ROUND 1, GAME 2: BLAZERS @ ROCKETS - 4/23/14, WEDNESDAY, 6:30 PM (PST), TNT & KG Maybe this has been mentioned somewhere on these 57 pages (!!) of comments, but I think a big factor here is that Terry Stotts has been coaching in the NBA - and in the NBA playoffs - for years. Kevin McHale...

Thought I'd made some kind of a prediction. This is from July. Uncanny!

My expectations at the start of the season were for the team to make the playoffs, with a 6-8 seed, with the knowledge they'd likely get bounced in the first round. Then, after that incredible start - knowing that the team would come back to earth - I was hoping for that 4th seed, to get...

Another thing that's a total joke in the NBA right now is the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. I can't tell if they're tanking, or really that bad. In either case, I think there are probably only 5-6 teams that deserve to make the playoffs out of the East. That's why I think the...

From the Blazers 109-100 win in San Antonio, the "notes" section of the write-up... Reading this another way, did Robinson break Bonner's nose? Not that I wish injury on any player, but that's pretty Lucas-esque.

I would hope for 2-2, with the first two games presenting the best possibilities. San Antonio is a good matchup for the Blazers. Aldridge has done well against Duncan in recent years, and there's not really another big advantage in the Spurs' favor... other than Popovich, arguably (not a...