This is Why I Love Basketball

March Madness+Trade Deadline=Best basketball day of the year so far. Not only did the Blazers trade away four players, they acquired one bust, one point guard in need of coaching and playing time, (hopefully) a top pick in the upcoming draft, fired Nate McMillan, and waived Greg Oden. Wait what??? Ok so the Blazers took on $4 million in salary from the Gerald Wallace trade, but saved $3 million in salary in the Marcus Camby deal. As mentioned in the previous post, trading Gerald gives Nic Batum more deserved playing time and frees up cash to then sign Batum this offseason. Killing two birds with one stone. I'm not that excited about the new Mehmet Okur and Shawne (prob going to be bought out) Williams era, but the Nets were so kind to throw in a protected (top 3) 1st round pick. What does that mean you ask? The Blazers in the best case scenario would get the 4th pick. So the team managed to reel in a high first round pick, shed some future salary, and give a rising star more playing time. I approve.

I believe the Marcus Camby trade was basically all about salary dumping. Marcus was the glue to the Blazer D and earned the famous "Marcus Camby" chant at the Rose Garden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt3p2Q9khaY

At least my friends and I can still carry on his legacy of the backhand high five. Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn are on the move to the northwest. Thabeet was the #2 pick in the 09 draft ahead of James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, and Brandon Jennings. Also taken #6 in that draft, drumroll please, Jonny Flynn! Woohoo! In making these trades the Blazers basically threw in the towel for this year and are looking to the future. So basically what Raymond Felton decided to do 4 months ago. Apparently the Blazers called EVERY TEAM about trading Felton and NOBODY wanted him. Jamal Crawford was off to Minnesota in a three team deal, but management didn't want to take back a washed up Derek Fisher and his $3.4 mill player option next season. Good call in my book. In other trade news the Warriors managed to turn Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown into Andrew Bogut (out for the year), a late first round pick, and 3 years and $30 million of a over the hill Richard Jefferson. Cut to Warriors fans sobbing.

Meanwhile March Madness was quite underwhelming. Only a few games came down to the wire and mostly top seeds got the job done today. This writer picked every game correctly except for VCU over Wichita State. Damn you 12 seed!!!! Until tomorrow....

Owen Reutlinger