In today's Oregonian, Jason Quick reports: "Pritchard had known he eventually would trade Randolph since a prominent player on the team requested at the end of the season that the high-scoring but troubled forward be dealt." I have heard this story a couple of times before, but not in a way I could report. I'm sure you're wondering who that player is, right? I bet you can figure it out. I did, using this simple process: did the Blazers have any prominent players last year, especially when you rule out Zach Randolph himself? Maybe just one ... Or another way of thinking about it: Hmm ... if Jamaal Magloire asked Kevin Pritchard to trade somebody, would he? No. How about Ime Udoka? Go through the whole roster. I think you'll get 100% "no" except for possibly one "maybe" (and he wasn't prominent last year) and only one clear "yes."
In that same article, Quick writes about a shocking offer Pritchard reportedly got at the draft combine: "Sitting high in the stands at the Milk House arena where the marginal prospects scrimmaged -- far from the courtside seats Pritchard so preferred -- Pritchard that morning was approached by a general manager of a Western Conference power. With bright lights illuminating the court below, Pritchard sat in a darkened corner with the general manager. The general manager wanted the Blazers' No. 1 pick. And he was willing to offer a player that will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer." I have heard this story more than once too, and once again I think you can figure it out. "A Western Conference power?" What's that, like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio? You know we're not talking about Steve Nash 'cause the Suns' whole system only works with him. And at this point I'd say it's a stretch to call Dirk Nowitzki a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer. So ... you're a smart kid. You figure it out. If it's true, that's shocking, right? I heard this rumor more than once before the draft, but never in a way that makes me feel certain it's true. It could have been a rumor started in Portland to drive up the value of the top overall pick.
Bucks owner Herb Kohl is writing letters (writing letters? people still write letters?) trying to get Yi Jianlian to play for the Bucks. Meanwhile Yi is playing with the national team in Dallas, where ESPN's Marc Stein (Insider) says you can see the potential, but the present is mediocre -- as in one point and four fouls in his first three quarters, before a late flurry.
I'm sure you have already read Bill Simmons' draft diary, but in case you didn't: "Yi's interpreter-less interview with Stu Scott wins the ESPY for 'Best impersonation of Andre the Giant by a Chinese guy' and 'Biggest lock to be turned into a YouTube clip by at least 500 different people.' Although you have to admire him for doing it. I'm starting to come around on Yi -- the thought of him shoveling out his car in minus-10 degree weather in January while fighting back tears and screaming, 'Why????? Why?????' in Chinese is delightful for some reason. Too bad they'll trade him. If the Chinese government can torture Jack Bauer for two years, it can definitely break the Bucks." Here's that clip on YouTube.
Free agent: Larry Brown. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Marc Narducci reports: "The contract of Larry Brown, the Sixers' executive vice president for basketball operations, expired Saturday. When asked whether Brown would be back, King sidestepped the issue, saying he was still wading through the draft and setting up summer-league plans. Having someone with Brown's knowledge would be a benefit to any organization, but if the team starts slowly this season, speculation would begin about whether the Hall of Famer should replace coach Maurice Cheeks."
A thing of beauty many have pointed out: Ray Allen and Allan Ray are teammates. Also, Sebastian Telfair may have an opening in Boston. Now that Delonte West's departure has freed up some minutes, and Telfair has reportedly worked like a maniac, Celtic bigwigs are talking in conciliatory tones.
John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times: "Since taking the reins as Bulls operations chief a little more than four years ago, John Paxson has chosen Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha and Joakim Noah in the first round of the NBA draft. Here's the question: With the exception of Sefolosha, what do all the other players have in common? All have played in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament." I'd also point out: there's not a dud in the group.
In my last post I wondered aloud who would want Steve Francis at this point (assuming he's bought out). Answer: the Clippers. If it happened, he's be reunited with Cuttino Mobley, with whom Francis is famously close.
The book on Zach Randolph's character is, essentially, that he's not a "bad" guy -- but that he runs with some, and doesn't have the spine not to go along. Here's an account from a former classmate. Here's my point, though: Especially if you play with dangerous things (strippers, intoxicants, weapons, fast cars, and pit bulls have all been documented making at least cameos in Randolph's life) not being able to throw on the brakes to curb the worst impulses of those around you is, at some point, basically indistinguishable from being "bad."
Likely new Sun: Grant Hill. The Phoenix coaches always say they want to get tougher and scrappier, but then they always go out and get players who shy from contact -- which Hill does, at this point in his career.
Jeff Green, saying all the right things in a Percy Allen Seattle Times article: "'I may be the Big East Player of the Year, but that's the National Player of the Year standing over there,' he said, pointing at Durant. 'With the season that Kevin had, I understand. He's very marketable and he deserves all the credit he gets.' It would seem Green had better become accustomed to standing in Durant's shadow. 'I don't need the spotlight,' said Green, who described himself as laid-back and easy-going. 'I don't need it at all. I can go out and still play 40-plus minutes and do what I can to help my team to win. As long as my team wins.'"
SLAM's Alan Paul reports that Sun Yue, who has played in LA for two years with the Chinese ABA team, was asked how his "African-American slang" is coming. His response: "Sometimes when I don't understand I would ask them, they're very willing to explain to me too and I take notes. Practicing and using it repetitively helps me to remember those words better."
Denver's vice president of basketball operations and their free agent starting point guard met this weekend in the city where they both have homes: Portland.
The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson talks to Florida's Billy Donovan about Joakim Noah: "Donovan talks fondly of shared rides to and from airports with Noah, who always chose to ride with his head coach. Again, who does that? 'He'd get in my car and talk and talk and talk and ask questions,' Donovan said. 'After a tough loss, it might be 1 or 2 in the morning, and he'd be saying, 'Coach, you OK? Coach, we're going to be OK. Coach, don't be mad. We'll practice hard.'"
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