Event Kerry Eggers live here in the forum, Dec. 10th, 7-8pm! Answering your questions about the Blazers!

[Kerry Eggers]

Kerry, are you a little surprised that none of the Jail Blazers have gotten into serious trouble since their careers have been over? Seems like for the most part they've faded away.

Not really. JR Rider got some jail time after his career ended, but most of the players have done pretty well. Keep in mind, that group wasn't all just a bunch of hooligans. You had guys like Steve Kerr, Chris Dudley, Brian Grant, Jermaine O'Neal, Steve Smith and Arvydas Sabonis, among many others. Most of them had pretty good resources and a head start toward staying out of trouble once they were retired.

 

[Kerry Eggers]

Were you surprised by any of those guys declining to speak or was that pretty much expected going into the process?

I was surprised by a few of the guys, like Stoudamire and Pippen. I felt I had good relationships with both. Keep in mind, I used a ton of stuff in the book from what they said during the time they were playing. Scottie, in particular, was frank and open -- a great interview. But surprised that Whitsitt, Rider and Wallace wouldn't talk? Not hardly.

 

[Kerry Eggers]

Why did the Blazers turn their back on rural Oregon? They used to be (less than 10 years ago) very involved in the Central Oregon community, played pre-season games in Redmond, were promoted in local media...

They are pretty much unknown around here now.

It's all about money. There are fewer preseason games now and they want all the home games at Moda Center, where they can make the most money. They still do a caravan around the state with auxiliary people, but not players. That day has long since passed.

 

[ripcityboy]

What is your opinion on the team's ownership status? Do you think it will be a quick sale or will it take a longer period of time for possible ownership groups to be identified?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Why do you think that Bob Whitsitt hasn't been a GM again for a NBA team?

 

[Chris Craig]

Looking at the Jailblazers and the Blazers now: The Jailblazer era had a lot of behavioral issues and bad character, but tons of skill and talent. They were contenders for several years in the early 2000's. The current iteration of Blazers are wholesome in character and well behaved both on and off the court, but are young and lack experience. There is talent in Dame and CJ for sure, but the teams overall talent is lacking comparatively. They are not the contenders the jailblazers were. So this is my question. Does having a contending talent filled championship worthy team come at the price of bad behaviors?

 

[Chris Craig]

The early 2000's team carried the moniker of the Jailblazers, what should the current iteration of the Blazers be dubbed?

 

[Kerry Eggers]

What is your opinion on the team's ownership status? Do you think it will be a quick sale or will it take a longer period of time for possible ownership groups to be identified?

The team will definitely be sold. I'm not sure what to expect in terms of period of time. My guess is it would happen before next season, but it could take longer.

 

[Kerry Eggers]

Why do you think that Bob Whitsitt hasn't been a GM again for a NBA team?

I would only be guessing. Bob was a pretty smart guy who surely wasn't the easiest guy to get along with. He also had some health issues along the way.

 

[tlongII]

The press coverage of Heimlich was not fair to him. So many members of the media used terms like "convicted" and "felon" that simply weren't true. Heimlich went undrafted not because major league clubs questioned his character or worried that he would cause them trouble. They simply didn't want the bad publicity his signing would generate. That's a shame.

I agree with you completely. I feel so bad for the kid.

 

[TBpup]

It seems like the local media is pretty soft when asking Coach Stotts or Neil Olshey questions. If there is one that is even moderately tough, a follow up question rarely seems to happen when the question isn't answered.

Are some writers fearful of being put off or somehow silenced?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If you were to try to identify the genesis of the jail blazer era, what would you zero in on? A single granular event, or more a confluence of circumstances?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Hey Kerry, what's the easiest way for local fans to get your book?

 

[Kerry Eggers]

Looking at the Jailblazers and the Blazers now: The Jailblazer era had a lot of behavioral issues and bad character, but tons of skill and talent. They were contenders for several years in the early 2000's. The current iteration of Blazers are wholesome in character and well behaved both on and off the court, but are young and lack experience. There is talent in Dame and CJ for sure, but the teams overall talent is lacking comparatively. They are not the contenders the jailblazers were. So this is my question. Does having a contending talent filled championship worthy team come at the price of bad behaviors?

I don't believe so. The Warriors have Draymond Green, who can be disruptive at times, but there are so many good personalities around him to buffer any problems. The championship Bulls teams had Rodman (for awhile) but Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Paxson et al. to keep him in check. Character counts, and chemistry counts, and as long as the players compete their asses off, you can win with it, and have a better chance to win because of it.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I don't believe so. The Warriors have Draymond Green, who can be disruptive at times, but there are so many good personalities around him to buffer any problems. The championship Bulls teams had Rodman (for awhile) but Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Paxson et al. to keep him in check. Character counts, and chemistry counts, and as long as the players compete their asses off, you can win with it, and have a better chance to win because of it.

Do you think the Blazers are missing or could use a Draymond or Rodman type of player on the team? We really haven't had an enforcer type of player on the team since Pryzbilla.

 

[hoopsjock]

What was your reaction when you heard that there was going to be a documentary about the JailBlazers? Did you contribute at all to that?

 

[tlongII]

Do you think the Blazers are missing or could use a Draymond or Rodman type of player on the team? We really haven't had an enforcer type of player on the team since Pryzbilla.

I’ll take this one!

The answer is yes.

You’re welcome.

 

[Chris Craig]

Was the Rasheed Wallace trade a Blazers effort to herald the end of the Jailblazers era?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If you were to pick a current NBA player who would best fit in with the old Jail Blazer squad, who would it be?

 

[Chris Craig]

Do you think the Blazers are missing or could use a Draymond or Rodman type of player on the team? We really haven't had an enforcer type of player on the team since Pryzbilla.

Collins?

 

[Kerry Eggers]

Hey Kerry, what's the easiest way for local fans to get your book?

I know bookstores are low on copies, and Skyhorse Publishing has ordered a second print run, but that won't help replenish supply for at least a few weeks. Powells and Barnes & Noble outlets are supposed to have the book. Broadway Books and Annie Bloom's have had the book. And Amazon had the book, though I was told it's now on back order. I'm at the mercy of my publishing company and the bookstores, unfortunately.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Collins?

The other team has to actually be intimidated by them though. Have you seen Zach?

 

[Chris Craig]

The other team has to actually be intimidated by them though. Have you seen Zach?

Hence the question mark

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I really like this concept. Sly, we must do again.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Kerry's gotta have the best messages to likes ratio in the history of the internet right now.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

What was Ha Seung-Jin like? He seemed to have enjoyed himself in Portland.

 

[Kerry Eggers]

It seems like the local media is pretty soft when asking Coach Stotts or Neil Olshey questions. If there is one that is even moderately tough, a follow up question rarely seems to happen when the question isn't answered.

Are some writers fearful of being put off or somehow silenced?

Certainly not with Terry. I'm assuming you're talking about post-game. I feel like he is asked tough questions when they are appropriate. Terry has a good rapport with the media, so I think it works pretty well most of the time. As for Olshey, there are just no chances to ask him questions, at least from a local scribe.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I really like this concept. Sly, we must do again.

Hopefully Mr Eggers will speak kindly of his evening spent with internet nerds and recommend this to others.

 

[Kerry Eggers]

What was Ha Seung-Jin like? He seemed to have enjoyed himself in Portland.

Can't recall ever talking with the Korean giant, so I don't know

 

[Kerry Eggers]

If you were to try to identify the genesis of the jail blazer era, what would you zero in on? A single granular event, or more a confluence of circumstances?

The seed for the era was planted with the Carlesimo/Strickland friction of 1994-95, but it began in earnest when the Blazers acquired Rider and Wallace in 1996-97. As for the exact genesis, Rider had several incidents that first year that kicked up enough dust to get it started, as I've detailed in the book.