Peace Out Channing Frye!

Blazer GM Kevin Pritchard announced today that they will not be making a qualifying offer to now free agent, power forward, Channing Frye. As said in this article from Blazers Behind the Beat:

Channing Frye's two-year stint with the Trail Blazers officially ended Monday when general manager Kevin Pritchard said the team has decided not to make a qualifying offer to the 26-year-old free agent power forward.

The move allows Frye to become an unrestricted free agent, and prevents the Blazers from having the right to match an offer from another team. The Blazers had until midnight on Tuesday to make a $4.6 million qualifying offer to Frye, who made $3.1 million last season.

"We are going to open up some cap space,'' Pritchard said. "But we are very thankful for what Channing did and has done. He has been terrific for us.''

It was an expected move as the Blazers prepare to become a major player in the summer's free agent market. Without Frye on the roster, the Blazers salary is around $50.5 million, which figures to be around $7 million under the projected salary cap, which will be announced on July 7.

"I've had a great time in Portland and I appreciate the fans for their support,'' Frye wrote in an email. "It's a business and it's time for me to be somewhere where I can contribute. I wish the team the best of luck.''

After being acquired from New York in a draft-day trade for Zach Randolph in 2007, Frye became a popular player, albeit mostly in part-time roles. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in his first season, hitting 48.8 percent of his shots. His greatest impact that season was filling in for an injured LaMarcus Aldridge for five games in December, which helped ignite the team's memorable 13-game winning streak. Included in that stretch was a crucial 20-point, 9-rebound performance at Denver when he hit 10-of-13 shots.

Last season Frye was slowed by a September surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle. He rushed back in time to play on opening night, but later lamented that he should have taken more time to heal. He finished the season averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds.

It's all too bad, Channing Frye was an amazing guy and super nice, one of the few Blazer players I've ever met and he genuinely loved Portland not just the team but the city as well. If you haven't already be sure to check out his official website he gives reviews and talks about some amazing spots in Portland that he has been able to visit and restaurants, including Buffalo Gap which even has an entree named after him "Channing's Fries" (they're DELICIOUS). It's sad to see him go but we here at BNB wish him luck to whichever team he will play for next and hope he comes back to visit, I'm always up for some Por Que No Channing! Always!!

Aldridge, Bayless, Oden and Roy to Take Part in USA Mini Camp

Four of our guys will be attending the USA Men's National Team Mini Camp in Las Vegas! Here's some more details from LA's official website:

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Jerryd Bayless, center Greg Oden and guard Brandon Roy are set to participate in the 2009 USA Men’s National Team mini-camp July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev. The selections were announced by USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo today.

The mini-camp will feature practice sessions on July 23 and July 24 before the showcase event, an intra-squad scrimmage, held on Saturday, July 25.

Aldridge and Bayless were members of the 2008 USA Basketball Select Team that trained with the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, winners of the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Oden was selected as a member of the 2007-08 USA Basketball National Team program.

The USA Basketball Men’s National Team will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Portland’s four representatives out of 25 selections for the mini-camp are more than any other team in the NBA.

Nice work fellas! It's really great knowing the Blazers have more representatives at the camp than any other NBA team, shows we really got some mad talent out here! BNB wishes our guys the best as they prepare for this camp and hopefully we'll see some of our guys sportin' USA jerseys in the 2012 games!

It's Draft Day!!

So much going on today with the 2009 NBA draft!! First off let's take a look at the press release for the Sergio Rodriguez trade posted on Blazer's Edge:

TRAIL BLAZERS ACQUIRE DRAFT RIGHTS TO FORWARD JEFF PENDERGRAPH

Portland sends Sergio Rodriguez, draft rights to Jon Brockman and cash considerations to Kings



PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to forward Jeff Pendergraph (31st overall pick) from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Sergio Rodriguez, the draft rights to forward Jon Brockman (38th overall pick) and cash considerations, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

"Sergio was a big part of our turnaround and we'd like to thank him for his contributions to the Trail Blazers over the last three years. We wish him all the best going forward," said Pritchard. "We're excited to add a player like Jeff, who is a four-year starter, hard worker and has a strong athletic presence inside. We feel he can help this team."

Pendergraph, 22, played four seasons at Arizona State, where he finished with career averages of 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.04 blocked shots and a 58.0 percent shooting percentage.

The 6-9, 240-pound forward set school records for games played (126) and started (120) and his 1,588 points are sixth best all-time.

As a senior, Pendergraph averaged 14.5 points and was named to the Pac-10's First Team. His 66.0 percent shooting percentage led the nation.

Rodriguez, 23, averaged 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 12.4 minutes over three seasons with the Trail Blazers. Portland originally acquired the draft rights to the Spanish guard from Phoenix for cash considerations in a 2006 draft day trade.a

Sad day indeed as the original Spanish Armada is over, we wish you luck in Sacramento Sergio!! BUT a new Spanish Armada is on the rise with Blazer's 22 pick Victor Claver from Spain, hopefully Rudy takes Victor out to Pata Negra for some celebratory tapas!!

As stated in the press release above, the Blazers traded the 38th pick for the 31st and drafted Jeff Pendergraph, a forward from Arizona.

At the 33rd pick Portland picked up Dante Cunningham from Villanova

At the 55th pick Portland selected Patrick Mills, a guard from St. Mary's.

I think it's fair to say that the Blazers' GM Kevin Pritchard did some good work tonight, Patrick Mills was a possible late draft steal for Portland so next season is looking bright!!

Martell Webster is BACK!

That's right, remember him? Our friends over at Blazers Edge have posted some videos reminding all of us in Blazer Nation that Webster is back and ready to get back in the game!

This first video shows Martell practicing some shots in the training facility this morning:



This second video has Webster talking about his health and progress:



Interesting stuff, I for one am really excited to have Martell back on the court again!

For more be sure to check out Blazer's Edge!!

Top 10 Plays of the 2008-2009 Season

List Courtesy of I Am A Trail Blazers Fan:

# 10 - LaMarcus Aldridge Dunks over Eric Dampier

What an amazing moment!! LA showed everyone he isn't a softy, especially Dampier who probably went home cryin to his mommy over this dunk:

Check it Out HERE


# 9 - Steve Blake's 14 First Quarter Assists

Sure, made baskets and dunks are flashy but being able to get your team mates involved by making good plays and working together is priceless. Blake showed just this with his amazing feat of 14 assists in the first quarter alone:

HERE


# 8 - Brandon Roy Posterizes Cheik Samb

Brandon Roy, is an amazing player known for many things but posterizing dunks aren't one of them. Up to this point in this game, the Blazers were trailing the Clippers but Roy's impressive dunk turned the game around resulting in a Portland win:

HERE


# 7 - Jerryd Bayless Dunks Baseline

The Trail Blazers were playing the third game of a four-game Eastern Conference road trip against the New Jersey Nets on January 15. Steve Blake, Portland's starting point guard, was unable to play after injuring his shoulder the night before in a game against the 76ers. With the bench one guard short, Jerryd Bayless had an opportunity to play extended, meaningful minutes for the first time in his professional career, and he made the most of it.

The Blazers lead 92-89 with 3:20 to play. Brandon Roy swung the ball to LaMarcus Aldridge, who found Bayless open on the baseline. Devin Harris tried to recover to the ball, but his attempt was late, allowing Bayless a clear lane to the rim. With a clear path to the basket, Bayless elevated and cocked back for a powerful two-handed dunk over Bobby Simmons, who committed a foul in the process.

The Blazers went on to a 105-99 victory, with Bayless tallying a career-high 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

Nuff Said:

HERE

# 6 - Rudy to Roy Alley-Oop

The alley-oop, a great spectacle of team work and timing. Rudy Fernandez and Brandon Roy bewtowed this spectacle upon Blazer Nation Jan 10 against Golden State. It was Roy's first game back after a hamstring injury and he had some work to do!! Needless to say, this play got it done:

HERE

# 5 - Rudy's Between the Legs Pass to Przybilla

Rudy is definitely known for his crazyness, intenity and flair on the court. He showed this off by turning a simple pick and roll agains the Orlando Magic into something much more at the expense of Superman himself, Dwight Howard:

HERE

# 4 - Nicolas Batum Dunks on Pau Gasol

I think this sums it up : January 4, 2009 and the Trail Blazers are at the Staples Center to take on the Lakers. The Trail Blazers are up 18-11 with 4:52 to play in the first quarter. Laker guard Derek Fisher throws an errant pass that almost goes out of bounds at midcourt. Trevor Ariza keeps the ball from going out of play, but in doing so, passes the ball straight to a LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge drives to the paint where he's picked up by Pau Gasol. Aldridge spins at the free throw lines, passing the ball to a streaking Nicolas Batum. Batum elevates, extends and throws down a one-handed jam over the top of the 6-11 Gasol.

HERE

# 3 - Roy Scores 52 vs. the Suns

Yes. This actually happened. Roy finished this game 14-of-27 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free throw line, helping the Blazers break the losing streak by defeating Phoenix 124-119.

HERE

# 2 - Rudy Fernandez's Five Points in 1.7 Seconds

Yeah, this happened too. Sounds crazy right? Not for our man, Rudy Fernandez. March 26 at the Rose Garden. Rudy Fernandez takes a charge with 6 seconds to go in the third quarter. The ball is inbounded to Sergio Rodriguez, who drives the lane, drawing three defenders. Rudy cuts baseline in front of Sergio, who looks the opposite direction to throw off the defense. Sergio then bounces a no-look to Rudy, whose momentum is taking him away from the basket. He handles the pass and throws in a tough fadeaway jumper, a great play in it's own right, with 1.7 second in the quarter. But as he's running back on defense, Rudy reads Jason Richardson's eyes and notices he's about to throw a lazy pass into Goran Dragic. Rudy sprints toward Dragic, beating him to the pass, with just enough time get up a three as time expires. 1.7 seconds, 5 points scored.

HERE

The # 1 play of 08-09 will be announced soon!! Keep checking back here and over at IAmATrailBlazersFan.com whcih you should sign up for if you haven't!!

Anna

Lakers Get It Done in Orlando *OT*

My assumption that the Magic still had some firepower left in them to take game 5 and send it back to LA was wrong. Kobe and the Lakers were hungry for that championship and fought hard to close it out and get those rings. Their hunger proved too much for the Magic who began to get more and more frustrated as the game wore on. The Lakers won it 99-86 and took home the franchise's 15th championship and Kobe "King Kobra" Bryant secured his spot in NBA history by obtaining his 4th championship and this time without Shaq. He was also awarded the MVP of the Finals award. Kobe definitely deserved this award seeing as how he was averaging 32 points a game. Not to mention, Laker coach Phil Jackson also secured his spot in history breaking the record for most NBA Championships as a coach with 10!

CONGRATS are in order for Phil Jackson and his Lakers and the Orlando Magic who overcame everyone's expectations and had one of the franchise's best seasons to date. CONGRATS ALL AROUND! *Let's just hope our Blazers can shock that smile off Kobe's face and take it all the way to finals next year. 2010 baby!*

Here's a cool article on Yahoo! about Kobe finally stepping out of Shaq's shadow: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=dw-kobetitle061409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Anna

Finals Madness *OT*

Do I believe in Magic? Will Kobe clinch championship #4?

Those are very good questions. I am writing this blog while watching Game 5 of this intense series which has seen two overtimes in a row and I honestly don't know who to go with right now...Magic came out in this game fired up and ready to go but seem to be fading now at the half. LA wants this BADLY you can see it in Kobe "The Kobra" Bryant's scowl and Ariza's hustle. (PS & BTW I call Kobe Bryant the kobra, I know, I know his nickname is the Black Mumba cause of his quickness...and I guess cause he's black? but come on y'all doesn't Kobra seem like perfect? I mean there is a King Kobra too....anyway). I'm gonna say: Magic takes game 5 barely, possibly in overtime and LA comes back in game 6 to close the series in LA.

What do you think?

(when a post has *OT* in the title that means it's off topic from Blazer talk)

Anna

The beginning of the BNB!

Hey Blazer Nation!

I'm starting this blog because I am a HUGE Portland Trail Blazer fan and I want to do my part to contribute to Blazer Nation and keep fellow fans updated on what our boys are up to! I'll provide news involving the players, the team and the organization and provide comments on big stories within the NBA in general, such as these CRAZY playoff series and finals!! (Magic or LA? that's for another post at another time).

Tell your friends, get the word out and support Blazer Nation Blog!!

ALSO you can follow me on Twitter for updates on BNB: https://twitter.com/_Blazer_Nation_

Anna
BNB founder :)