Petteri Koponen Watch: Improved Edition

So did you notice that H.T. came through with a much improved Petteri Koponen watch over my last one that showed up on Bust a Bucket? Check it out here.

In other news, I've heard a lot about how much potential Victor Claver has. Size, skill, athleticism, blah blah. How come we aren't hearing about the swag? The below video doesn't show Claver doing a whole lot of things that will help win NBA games, but it does offer a glimpse at the man's swagger. It appears to be phenomenal. I suppose I should start paying more attention right about now.

Zach Randolph Watch: Hey, he lost weight, that means something right? Edition

We took great joy in poking fun at the optimistic Randolph article that came out of Memphis a while back. The enthusiasm is still going strong, check out this observation from a recent Grizz workout:

Randolph looked fit, forcefully pushing his power forward counterparts with a frame that’s dropped 18 pounds.

Sound familiar? When Zach was having his issues in Portland we were treated to two Z-Bo articles every off-season. First, we got the Zach has finally matured article. Then, we got the Zach has finally gotten fit article. Believe me Memphis, so far the pattern is following the same path it did in Portland, New York, and LA.

Something to remember about any But he's in shape now! press is that these are, how do you say, PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES. If a player looking fit is noticeable enough to be reported then you likely have a problem. (The exception being if they are coming back from injury.) If I were in Memphis I would be more worried about why my power forward was overweight to begin with.

Taurean Green Watch: Learning is fundamental edition

The last time we heard from former Blazer and forever DeceptivelyQuick favorite Taurean Green he was headed to Greece. Nothing has changed on that front that we're aware of, although apparently his new team is on the verge of bankruptcy and may have to fold. (Green must play! BAIL OUT!)

A little tidbit I recently learned was that Taurean's Dad, Sidney Green, has been brought in by the Bulls to coach their big men. I've ranted about the unfairness of the "too short" label attached to Taurean, but the fact that his Father is 6'9 and played power forward in the League makes his small stature seem even more unfortunate.

That is all.

Petteri Koponen Watch: Enter Scoonie Penn edition

The entire thing is up over at Bust a Bucket. To enable your laziness, I've also listed the basic points below.

- Virtus starting point guard, Andre Collins, got hurt

- They decided to play a couple pre-season games without signing another point. Koponen played inconsistently

- They signed point guard Scoonie Penn to take the helm

Those who robbed Cliff Robinson shall be punished

Details are up over at Bust a Bucket on the sentencing of the folks who decided to rob Cliff Robinson.

I'd just like to take this space to go over how awesome and random the list of stolen stuff is:

- Five bass guitars (these are the only items listed in every report of the incident, which amuses me)

-Several off-road vehicles

-A motorcycle

-Custom-made go-kart

-Custom Calloway clubs

-White quad off-road vehicle

-Tall white mountain bike

-Three ATVs

-$1,200 Gucci purse

-Dozens of designer shoes

I want to hang out with this man.

Oh, and about the Cats incident from the other day. Sorry.

Jarron Collins going camping with Blazers

This is news, right? At least he doesn't have YouTube highlights composed entirely of him getting dunked on. Jarron Collins: Not Greg Ostertag!

Missing on Hedo looking good already

Probably nothing, but word is that Turkoglu is wiped out from a deep NBA playoff run chased with a stint on the national team. His stats for team Turkey in Eurobasket were pretty flat, to the point where his GM is answering questions about his condition before preseason has even started:

"International play has always been more of a team game, less individual, so statistics are less of an indication than what he actually contributed," Colangelo said. "I watched him play, and would say he effectively deferred to others on his team, as he was often the target of defensive schemes.

"Having said that," Colangelo added, "he did appear physically and emotionally tired when I saw him last week, which is understandable given his late June NBA final appearance and mid-July training for the Euro championship."

This could be nothing. Hedo could simply be a tad exhausted and ready to bounce back after a little rest. Then again, being tired before the NBA season even starts doesn't sound like a good thing.

(Assist TrueHoop.)

JR Rider Watch: Um, arrests probably won't help edition

We were pretty pumped about JR Rider's comeback attempt. The thing is, we sort of forgot that JR Rider is JR Rider:

The Bad Boy image continues even though his playing days have been long over. Rider was arrested in Ahwatukee last Wednesday after the police got a call about a family fight.

Rider was taken into custody after an outstanding felony warrant was found on his record.

It looks like the chances that the Nets were going to invite Rider to training camp just went from slim to none. We remain hopeful that JR will stay out of jail long enough to sign a contract with someone. Anyone, really.

(Assist Ben from BlazersEdge via Twitter. Hockey assist Sham Sports.)

Delonte West is Antonio Banderas from Desperado

This was an homage to that character, right? Keep in mind he was riding a motorcycle when he was pulled over:

West was actually carrying three guns: a Beretta 9mm in his waistband, a Ruger .357 strapped to his leg and a shotgun in a guitar case slung over his back, said Maj. Andy Ellis, a spokesman for the Prince George's County Police Department. ... Ellis said it was unclear where West was going and why he was armed.

This my friends. I can't even. Oh my.

So...Desperado. Good nickname for our man? Only nickname for our man?

Petteri Koponen Watch: The first day of the rest of my life edition

H.T. and The Finnagler make their debut over at Bust a Bucket. Is the World ready?

Knicks sign Sun Yue

Thank God.

As an advocate for more novelty in basketball I am very pleased at the news that the Knicks have signed point guard Sun Yue:

The Knicks, searching for more size in the backcourt, have signed Sun Yue, a 6-foot-9 point guard, to a partly guaranteed contract, his agent, Charles Bonsignore, said. Sun spent last season as a reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted him in the second round in 2007.

I'm not sure what kind of opportunity Sun will have to actually contribute on this season. The partially guaranteedness of his contract seems to be a good sign that he will at least make the opening-night roster.

His size, athleticism, and skills are reason enough for Sun Yue to earn a spot on your radar. He really has shown signs that he can play. I'm surprised that he has only popped up around these parts once before.

Oh, just for fun, here are some highlights from another one of my favorite Chinese players, Chen Jianghua:



(Assist HoopsHype.)

So now I love Twitter.

Yep, I'm now one of those people who always asks others to follow them on Twitter. By the way, follow me on Twitter!

Also, I put something new up over at Bust a Bucket.

That is all. Oh Wait! Deep Space Nine bloopers! Ha!

JR Rider Watch: Comeback! Edition

Another day, another report of an awesome player trying to launch a comeback. This time it's former Blazer great and fan favorite J.R. Rider, who at age 38 might have just realized that his legacy consists of the Eastbay Funk Dunk and wasted talent. Apparently he has an offer from a team in Europe and is actually maybe possibly being invited to the Nets training camp:

The New Jersey Nets are considering inviting Rider to preseason camp, Lee said, even though that team said it doesn't see Rider competing for a roster spot.

It is times like these that really make me wish I owned an IBL team.



(Assist SLAM.)

Huge News: Greg Ostertag Scrimmaging With The Blazers

This article gives us the latest on contract negotiations with LaMarcus Aldridge, then gets to the really important stuff. By this I mean that Greg Ostertag has been in Portland scrimmaging with the team. Awesome.

Notes: The Blazers continue to hold auditions for free agent big men, as power forward Melvin Ely and center Greg Ostertag took part in scrimmages this week at the team's practice facility in Tualatin.

Let us take this opportunity to review some of Mr. Ostertag's work:



UPDATE: How did I miss this? Blaze of Love breaks it down beautifully.

How bored are you? Are you willing to listen to unfounded Steve Blake speculation?

I-Robot can't be happy with Andre Miller's arrival. He busted his ass and was the perfect fit for this team last season, and this is his reward? Nate can say all the nice things he wants, but we all know who the starting point guard is.

Perhaps Blake can take some comfort in knowing that someone is still talking about him for what he can do as opposed to what he cannot. From the Sun Sentinal of Blake's home state of Florida:

The Heat has been interested before, and Blake (pictured at left) had been intrigued by those overtures.

With Andre Miller cast as the Blazers' prized offseason free-agent addition, and with Jerryd Bayless somewhat a Blazers' face of the future, Blake could wind up as the odd man out in Portland.

And that doesn't even get into Brandon Roy's ability to handle, or Rudy Fernandez's desire for greater minutes.

The issue is what a team as deep as the Blazers could possibly want from a roster as limited as the Heat's. They certainly wouldn't want another guard, such as Daequan Cook, would they?

But also keep in mind that the trade exception the Heat holds from last February's Jermaine O'Neal trade means Blake's $4 million expiring contract can be had while sending less in return to Portland, which therefore could create a trade exception of its own.

Debate, if you want, whether Blake would be the defensive stopper the Heat could use, or even the creative scorer it lacks at the position, but he would undoubtedly upgrade this backcourt while getting him back to his Hollywood (yes, the one in Broward County) roots.

I was kind of surprised that Blake's supposedly unavoidable future role reduction is widely acknowledged enough to register outside of Portland. And no, the Heat don't have anything Portland wants.

(Assist HoopsHype.)

OK Fine. I'm on Twitter.

I have resisted Twitter with all my strength, but it was ultimately all for nothing. (Which I guess is fine since I forgot why I was boycotting Twitter in the first place.) I broke down because an account is required to view the account of blog favorite Akeem Scott. I'm telling myself that I won't start actually tweeting, but we all know this is a slippery slope. For the record, this is me. This is a shameless imposter.

Also, I just posted something over at Bust a Bucket if you are searching for Blazer summer scraps.