StumpTownSports

More Canzano... I admit, in part to see if my first response from Canzano was just the computer generated response it appeared, I emailed him back asking about Darius Miles and whether there was even a whisper of a rumor about what the plan is for him. Somewhat to my surprise, Canzano responded. He said: "They're having real issues. Nobody wants him." Not exactly the answer I had hoped for, but pretty much what I expected. Who would want him? But more importantly, I have to give Canzano credit for answering my emails. I have to say after this experience and previous experiences with Jason Quick, also of the Oregonian, those guys are pretty responsive. I don't always, or even often, agree with them, but at least they return their emails.

I just got an email back from Canzano. I have printed the entire text word for word below. I think he makes some really good points and while I didn't see anything to make me change my position, he did give us all some good things to think about. What I like most about this email is that even though he is an important writer for Oregon's most important paper, there is no way this was written by an intern or generated autmatically. "Thanks for the note. I appreciate it. JC" Seriously though, I appreciated him taking the time to at least give some response to the ramblings of some random fan.

Today, John Canzano, a sports writer for the Oregonian wrote an article suggesting that the Blazers should trade for Allen Iverson. I think this is, to say the least, a terrible idea. So, I wrote to Canzano about it. Below is the email I sent him. I will post any response I get here. Good morning John. I'm a long-time Blazer fan and NBA junkie. I read and listen to you fairly regularly, but today you got my attention a little bit more than usual. Maybe, that was the only intent. Maybe, you noticed how much run stories on possible AI trades get on line and thought you would toss it out there to get people talking and, of course, talking about your article. I couldn't fault you for that, but in case you actually meant what you said, let me throw a few things at you in response. I'm sure you get a lot of emails, but if you can find the time to respond, I would appreciate it. First, Philly would not do this deal. John Hollinger on ESPN threw out 5 scenarios that work better...

I never want to live in New York City. I just don’t think I could stand the local sports fans and sports media. Not only are they the most obnoxious in the country, there is no one even close. I know this is a well established fact, so I’m only bringing it up because this business over A-Rod is so ridiculous. NY fans are now booing him on a regular basis. The second best player in the major leagues….booing him. Why? Because of some scandal? Because of steroids? Because he spoke out against the team or the city or the fans? Because he’s a bad teammate? No, no, no and no. They are booing him because he’s had a bad week. He’s made a bunch of bad errors and been pretty awful at the plat for a whole week. Never mind that he was player of the month in May or that his on base percentage and OPS are first among 3rd basemen in the AL, his 21 HRs are second, his RBI are first, just like his base on balls. Nah, forget all that, forget he’s the reigning league MVP or that he’s a goo...

Landis and Bonds and other news. Here is my reaction to some of what’s going on in the sports world right now: 1. Is it possible that Landis’ collapse in the Tour de Lance was staged by OLN? I was just starting to care a bit about the tour because, as I’ve mentioned, I love the idea of yet another American providing some much needed humility to the French, when suddenly, he takes both hands off the handlebars and wraps them firmly around his neck and squeezes until he goes from first to more than 8 minutes off the lead. In an instant, slight but mounting interest completely evaporated. Then, dude went nuts. Not only did he win the next stage, but he crushed the competition Lance style making back all but 30 seconds on the leader. I have been amused the past several years at how much the Tour was a foregone conclusion after a certain point. Lance would get, sometimes a small lead of only a few seconds, in the mountains and everyone would declare him the ...

Just thinking about a few things that I thought I would toss out there with a nod to the excellent Peter King who writes a must-read article called Monday Morning Quarterback for CNN/SI that no football fan should miss during the season. He always includes 10 things he thinks he thinks about football, so here are 10 things I think I think about sports. Also, check my other blogs later for 10 things I think I think about in general and about entertainment. 1. I think Brandon Roy has me really excited. Putting up big numbers in summer league is meaningless, but the scouting reports are not. Word is that Roy is nearly unstoppable going to the rim, is a good enough passer and leader to play point and has been shooting a gaudy 66%. I doubt he’ll get the minutes to get rookie of the year, but I’m still betting he turns out to be the best player of this year’s draft crop. 2. I think I couldn’t have been prouder of my 5 year old son Gibson when he asked me why people liked Allen Iverson...

March Madness is coming Not often you get to talk about March Madness in July, but with the announcement that Portland would host the first two rounds of the greatest sporting event on the planet in 2008, suddenly college hoops is about the best thing going right now. Let's just say that it will take a lot to keep me away from those games. I'm already seriously considering trying to make it up to Spokane this spring to check out some NCAA tourney action with my buddy Clint, but to have them at home would just be great. That said, I can't leave this subject without commenting on how stupid and lame the NCAA is. In case you didn't hear, Portland only got to host the tourney because it agreed to cancel its popular "sports action" lottery game which allowed you to legally bet on NFL games while making a donation to our State's coffers. I didn't play sports action much because I prefer non sanctioned betting with friends where the all important bragging rig...

NBA News and Notes I was going to call this “Random unrelated thoughts about the NBA”, but it just doesn’t have that polished journalistic feel that I’m going for with this site even though it is clearly a more descriptive and accurate title. First some comments on the draft: 1. I loved Portland’s draft. I remember the last time I said or wrote those words about a Trailblazer draft it was….oh wait, never. Now to be fair, I’m not saying they’ve never had a good draft, just not one I can remember, which for practical purposes is pretty much the same thing. I liked last year’s draft except for the whole missing out on Chris Paul thing. I lived through the Damon Stoudamire era, so I was not thrilled when the Blazers put their franchise in the hands of a sub 6 foot guard who couldn’t defend or shoot from the outside. Apparently, the thinking was that if you want to find a pass first point guard, you just take one who can’t shoot and isn’t big enough to create his own shot. This sor...