Hooped Up

If you’re Rudy Fernandez, then look away! The Trail Blazers have reportedly struck a deal with Hedo Turkoglu.

Hedo Turkoglu has reached an agreement in principle to join the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources.

Although a verbal commitment may be announced sooner, the terms of the contract cannot be finalized until Wednesday when the NBA informs teams what the 2009-10 salary cap will be. The Orlando Magic’s recent trade for Vince Carter, who has a large salary and plays small forward — which is Turkoglu’s position — made it highly unlikely Turkoglu would be back in Orlando.

This signing won’t put the Blazers over the top in the west, but it will make for a very deep and youthful team. Then again, the Blazers already kinda had that going on without Turkoglu too.

Via ESPN

Portland Trail Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard contacted Lon Babby late last night, to begin discussion about adding his client Hedo Turkoglu to his roster. However, Rudy Fernandez ain’t happy about that.

“Kevin Pritchard and [assistant general manager] Tom Penn called me at the earliest possible moment and expressed enthusiasm for engaging in discussions about Hedo becoming a Trail Blazer,” Babby told the Oregonian. “We have begun that process.”

After Fernandez hear the Blazers were interested in adding Turkoglu who plays the same position as him, rumours of him going back to Europe (for more money) surfaced and Portland could have some problems on their hands if Turkoglu and Fernandez are wearing the same jersey.

What’s a GM to  do?

Via The Oregonian + ESPN

Of course, Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard will make a trade. We’re talking about the general manager who once pulled off an NBA-record six deals on a single day. And we’re looking at a franchise that knows now more than ever that it needs to dramatically improve, quickly grow or decide to make a deal, and raise the talent level in three positions if it wants to play deeper in the playoffs. So we’ve arrived at another Blazersmoment in which the off-season breakfast burrito should be — and is — taking a backseat to the basketball. Could Pritchard be after what he’s coveted for years — New Orleans’ point guard Chris Paul? Or Memphis’ Michael Conley? Or is Pritchard simply trying to work his way into the top five of the draft again?

The Oregonian

After Devin Harris hit this crazy game winner from half court against the 76ers, I don’t think a week has passed by without somebody heaving and hitting an insane long distance shot. Hell, even Jimmy Kimmel is hitting shots that belong on the small school bus.

Watch as Greg Oden nails a shot from beyond 3/4 quarters court for a group of kids without breaking a sweat - or anything else.

I wonder if any of these kids go to school with any of Oden’s great grand children in Portland?

H/T to Hooped Up reader Isaac

Last night, Portland beat up Phoenix something fierce 129 - 120 and ended the Suns six game win streak. A big part of that had to do with the play of one Rudy Fernandez, who shot 80% from the field, 83% from the arc and finished with 23 points. Judging by the way he hits this fadeaway, gets a steal, and hits a three to end the third quarter, Rudy was kinda feelin’ it last night.

This years race for rookie of the year, is going to be a tight one!

I just know the Lakers and Blazers will meet up in the second round of the western conference playoffs and I can’t wait! The Lakers can’t beat the Blazers at home, Kobe Bryant has a way of ruining dreams and now Brandon Roy is pissed.

Something has got to give.

“I wasn’t as mad until I seen Trevor’s reaction to the foul,” said Brandon Roy after Portland’s win.

“That’s what sparked everybody. That’s a tough foul, but don’t start acting tough after you draw a hard foul like that. That’s what I was more upset about, more than the foul. That’s the maddest I got in a while,” Roy added.

“I usually try and keep a cool head about it, but he (Ariza) started bucking about it and I was upset because my guy is laying there on the ground and you’re talking trash. I was pretty upset about it.”

The Lakers haven’t won a game in Portland since 2005 and they gotta go back one more time in April before the playoffs. With all the tension added from last nights drama, the next time these teams lock horns it should be spectacular — and kinda bloody! 

Via Sports Illustrated

The LA Lakers just can’t beat the Blazers in Portland and the frustration is starting to show. Unfortunately, Rudy Fernandez felt the brunt of that frustration last night at the hands of Trevor Ariza and could miss some time. 

A delirious sellout crowd watched as the Blazers built leads as large as 30 points against the NBA’s best team, but for roughly 10 minutes at the end of the third quarter they stood silent as Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez lay motionless on the court after Trevor Ariza fouled him from behind on a fast-break layup. Fernandez left the arena in a neck brace on a stretcher, and Ariza was ejected. ‘We played hard for him,’ said Brandon Roy, who led all scorers with 27 points. Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he was told Fernandez would be OK, and that he had full movement of his extremities. Late Monday, the team said Fernandez suffered a soft-tissue injury to his upper right chest. He remained in an area hospital overnight and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s home game against Dallas.

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Greg Oden isn’t a happy camper these days and he’s had enough like Jennifer Lopez in that movie where she beats up that dude that was beating her up.

Note to self, remind Rhianna to rent this film and buy Graham crackers and chocolate at the market.

“These days, when Greg Oden seeks solace, he usually heads to a restaurant and looks for a table with a view and a seat for only himself. Continue »

The Blazers will get some of that old familiar Greg Oden feeling for at least 7 - 10 days. At this point, I’m only shocked when Greg Oden is healthy.

“The Blazers, after evaluating their starting center earlier in the day, announced Monday evening that Oden will miss another seven to 10 days because of his lingering left knee issues. Oden, who chipped his knee cap when he banged knees with Golden State’s Corey Maggette Feb. 12 in Oakland, has missed the Blazers’ last seven games.

According to the Blazers’ latest timeline, Oden will miss between four and six more games, which includes pivotal matchups against playoff contenders Denver, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers. If he sits out the maximum 10 days, Oden will return just before the team’s five-game East Coast trip later this month.”

I’d hate to say they Blazers need to trade Oden the first chance they get but, I guess I just did.

Via Oregon Live

The Bulls, Kings and Blazers played lets make a deal today and seven players ended up with new jerseys and addresses.

“The Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings have reached tentative agreement on a trade sending Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons to the Kings for Brad Miller and John Salmons, front-office sources said on Wednesday.

The Kings would then turn around and ship Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazersfor forward Ike Diogu and cash considerations.”

Another year goes by and the throwback jersey collection of Drew Gooden grows — with more Drew Gooden jerseys.

Via ESPN