2008 Woodie Awards
New Direction: New direction for Struggling franchise
Sam Summers
Issue date: 1/11/08 Section: Big Red Sports
When Oregonians used to hear news about their professional basketball team in the recent past typically it was bad news. We have all heard about the drag racing, drug usage and run-ins with the police. Those stories have tarnished the image of a once-proud organization that had boasted stars like Clyde "The Glide" Drexler and Bill Walton who had made the Blazers perennial contenders in the Northwest Division of the NBA. What turned around the waning franchise? A new staff, a new commitment and a change in lineup.
Along with the new general manager, fans have the promise of re-commitment from the owner along with a better pedigree of players helping the Blazers in their rise to the top of the Northwest Division in early January 2008. Nate McMillan and his assistants have worked tirelessly with the young Portland team and helped them play up to their potential. The New GM Kevin Pritchard has been brilliant during the draft in Oregonian eyes. He has brought players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy who have been key in the basketball renaissance in Portland. When number one draft pick Greg Oden joins the team after his knee heals from micro-fracture surgery a new dimension will be added to the team. Owner Paul Allen should be given credit for installing McMillan and his staff, buying the Rose Garden and shelling out the money for the stars that are now playing for the Blazers.
With all the new changes, the Blazers began the year with a strong record at home. After opening the season with three straight losses on the road and four straight home wins the Blazers have accumulated a record of 21-13 to tie the Denver Nuggets atop the Northwest Division. In the middle of that run the Blazers had a 13 game winning streak from Dec. 3 until Dec. 30. Although the Blazers have a long road yet to travel this year, they have laid the foundation for. In January the Blazers continue to play hard led by Roy, Aldridge, Travis Outlaw and others. As long as the Blazers continue their home successes winning on the road will come. This is a young team that is finding out it has the potential to contend for the National Basketball Association Championship.•
Along with the new general manager, fans have the promise of re-commitment from the owner along with a better pedigree of players helping the Blazers in their rise to the top of the Northwest Division in early January 2008. Nate McMillan and his assistants have worked tirelessly with the young Portland team and helped them play up to their potential. The New GM Kevin Pritchard has been brilliant during the draft in Oregonian eyes. He has brought players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy who have been key in the basketball renaissance in Portland. When number one draft pick Greg Oden joins the team after his knee heals from micro-fracture surgery a new dimension will be added to the team. Owner Paul Allen should be given credit for installing McMillan and his staff, buying the Rose Garden and shelling out the money for the stars that are now playing for the Blazers.
With all the new changes, the Blazers began the year with a strong record at home. After opening the season with three straight losses on the road and four straight home wins the Blazers have accumulated a record of 21-13 to tie the Denver Nuggets atop the Northwest Division. In the middle of that run the Blazers had a 13 game winning streak from Dec. 3 until Dec. 30. Although the Blazers have a long road yet to travel this year, they have laid the foundation for. In January the Blazers continue to play hard led by Roy, Aldridge, Travis Outlaw and others. As long as the Blazers continue their home successes winning on the road will come. This is a young team that is finding out it has the potential to contend for the National Basketball Association Championship.•
Be the first to comment on this story