THE BLAZERS: 5 BOOMER THUMBS UP, 5 THUMBS DOWN

Also Appearing On Oregon Sports News.

THUMBS UP

1. Paul Allen.

We’ve seen how other computer billionaires handle their teams.

Mr. Allen is no Steve Ballmer? That’s good because Ballmer’s more than one of a kind. He’s one of a different kind.

If computer guys didn’t like the nerd label, or didn’t before they got rich, this guy shows why.

Hey Steve, catch your Zoomba class before a Clippers’ game, not during.

Besides, our Paul’s got a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl participant ring, and the last team standing in the old NW NBA.

Best of all, he likes his team president and general manager enough to keep us from having to learn new people.

2. Moda Center.

You can call it whatever you want and it’ll still be the Rose Garden.

This all-world facility shines like a Portland beacon from I-5.

Even if you never go there for a Blazer game, or Disney On Ice, or Monster Trucks, you’ve got to love the bug shape with the shell top roof.

It’s a civic anchor holding down the inner NE.

As a thing of wonder you can see it from the rise of SW Broadway and Jefferson. Even the cultured crowd can take a peak.

It feels like a place for great things to happen.

3. Players To Cheer For.

If you like the humble underdog you’ve got LaMarcus.

If you like the knife in the heart assassin, Damian Lillard.

If you like continental flair, Nic Batum.

If you like The Simpsons, Robin Lopez.

If you like hard core competition, Wesley Matthews.

4. Tough Guys.

Who would you rather fight, Steve Blake or Thomas Robinson?

One looks like a ground and pound guy you might land a few punches on, but once you hit the mat you’d be tapping.

The other looks like he’d connect with you and you’d hit the ground unconscious.

Neither of the two are people to tangle with. NBA manners only go so far, then you’re on your own in the octagon.

5. Stability.

Who doesn’t like the idea of a championship window opening and staying open.

A second round playoff window even sounds good.

With guys coming in and sticking around long enough to rewrite the Blazer record books like LA, continuity is a given.

What is it about small market teams like Sacramento, Milwaukee, and Minnesota that smear Portland?

Do any of them get the sort of love Portland gets for being Portland?

Once enough stars understand that living here is good for them, their family, and friends, the championship window opens wider.

THUMBS DOWN

1. Settling For Good Enough.

The Blazers are not the San Antonio Spurs. Neither is anyone else.

There’s something about the business side of a sports organization that gets news when a team wins. And wins. And wins some more.

That’s the Spurs.

The Blazers try. And try. And try some more. They get out of the first round and it’s a celebration.

We’re supposed to be happy to have a franchise when Seattle showed how easy they can go away.

We’re even happier when Seattle didn’t get the Kings to relocate. At least the Blazers weren’t in the mix.

2. That Leg Thing.

People act like Portland’s the only place big men come to break a leg.

Given the history of Greg Oden and Sam Bowie it’s no surprise. But Mychal Thompson broke his before he got here so you can’t add him to the bunch.

LaMarcus has good legs. The man runs the court like he’s on fire.

Meyers Leonard looks good.

Clyde Drexler had the legs to jump to the top of the All-Time Blazer list even though he abandoned Rip City and ran off to his native Houston at the end.

Paul Allen’s got no leg complaint. Neither should you.

3. Nic Batum.

He led his French team to great heights.

He delivered a signature low blow to a Spanish opponent during a loss.

Why won’t he do the same thing here?

Don’t blame his wrist.

Nic looks like a guy you want handling the ball like Scottie Pippin.

If Nic had played with Jordan, or Drexler, or Kobe, he’d be a household name.

Our resident Frenchman can do it all but he needs help.

The Blazers need to go WWII and liberate Nic from his private battles.

4. Jail Blazers.

It was a catchy name once, then got tired.

If those teams had won a title we’d have memorized the players.

Instead we remember the events like the I-5 stop after a Seattle game with Rasheed and Mighty Mouse toking up in a Hummer.

We remember Rasheed’s towel in the face to Sabonis after Sabas accidentally smacked him during a playoff game.

We remember Trader Bob talking about team chemistry with, “I’m no scientist.”

A title is always nice, even when the guys are sketchy. We lucked out.

5. Allowing Rasheed Wallace Inside.

Who was the hobo in the dingy sweats watching a game recently?

Rasheed ‘Cut The Check’ Wallace.

Rasheed ‘Ball Don’t Lie’ Wallace.

Rasheed ‘Both Teams Played Hard’ Wallace.

The guy had enough game for three people. He could show Nic Batum how to handle things.

But who hasn’t had enough? Did he come back to show his ring from his 2004 Detroit title?

What else could it be? Fan friendly? No. Team loyal? No. Loves him some Portland? Doubtful.

When ex-players show disdain for their teammates, the city, and the game, why not find something else to do if you ever come back to town?

But it’s Portland. That’s how things are in Portland.