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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1982)
> Page 10 Portland Observer, April 29, 1982 PERS Assessing the Blazers by Ron Sykes For the first time in six years the T ra il Blazers had an early vacation having been bounced from the play offs due to a dismal season. Sure they won more games than they lost (42 -4 0) but isn’t the season really lost when you fail to make the play offs? This year P o rtlan d chose to stick w ith the players that they opened the season with. But in order to improve changes must be made. The Observer w ill now give its as sessment o f current Blazer person nel: The Blazers failed miserably in the im portant departm ents. They were a poor rebounding team, help is demanded here. Because o f poor overall team speed they were near the bottom in steals. Because o f their small line-up they led only the Artesians in blocked shots. Because Billy Ray Bates demonstrated again that he’s the greatest clutch player on the team w e'll start our analysis with him: A fte r that little mission was ac complished he turned that same ven- genance on the rest o f the N B A . clearly establishing himself as one o f the best small forwards in the game. N a tt shot a club record .576 from the field, was a tenacious rebounder and hard-nosed defensive player. N att proved to all that he could hit both inside and out. W hat a shame it w ould have been if Blazer brass had traded N a tt. C a lv in w ill d e fi nitely be included in all future Bla zer plans. Bates is the finest offensive m a chine on the roster. His talents far exceed his often mentioned w eak nesses. W h at Billy needs is more playing time and less jealousy from his teammates. Bobby Gross has on more than one occasion shown his open, petty resentment o f B illy . Billy Ray is a crowd pleaser, he’s a warm and open individual and can play the game. Some have criticized Bates for not passing o ff, choosing to solo in for another o f his thunderous dunks. But if Bates is guilty o f that, then Paxson is also just as guilty. Paxson absolutely refuses to give up the ball on any fast break. Bates does play for the crowd but so did Babe R u t h .. .fu n n y no one downed the Babe when he pointed to the right field stands then promptly hit on to that exact spot. Calvin Natt A fte r last season N att had some thing to prove. While the media was w riting him o ff, and rumors were flying that he was sure to be traded, Natt ignored it all and just went out and destroyed Bobby Gross and Rookie Jeff Lamp in training camp. H arp er should be put on the injured reserve list until he gains the necessary weight to play in the NBA at 6-10. Does have good speed, leap ing ab ility and can shoot the ball. His spot on the roster is precarious at best. & CAR TELEPHONES Jeff Lamp Jim Paxson Bob Gross Billy Ray Bates Mik« Harper Bob Gross hurt the team more than he helped. Gross’ insertion in the starting line-up caused Natt to be played out o f position. Bobby is not right for this team, he’ s arro g an t, jealous and o u t spoken when he should be quiet. H e’s unhappy in a bench position and for some strange reason believes he should start over C alvin N a tt. The fro n t o ffic e should rid them selves quickly o f Gross and his huge contract. Gross could possibly play two or three more years but hope fully not in Portland. H e ’s an intelligent player that moves well without the ball, but has little else to offer. Gross should go. Paxson had a good year for the Blazers and himself. His play was steady. His only problem is that he suffers from that “ disease.” A t this point in his career it is questionable whether J e ff is a big guard or a small forw ard. W hat is for sure though is Lam p was not a first round choice. Lam p was awed by the talent in the N B A . By sea son's end he had settled down some what and made a m inor co n trib u tion. Does not have anywhere near the talent o f a B illy Ray Bates. I f a l lowed to set up he can deliver from 20 feet on in. H e cannot guard the other small forwards; he is unwilling to mix it up inside. Is d efin itely a trade possibility. Paxson does a lot o f good things for the team, is a valuable asset, but plays far too many minutes. Every good team could use a player with Paxson’s skills. In reality Jim is not in the higher echelon o f N B A guards. He has been the victim o f media hype. Paxson would best be used in the same manner as say a Brian Winters or Chris Ford. Lacks speed, for which there’s no substitute. THE BEEPER PEOPLE. 713 S.W. 12th Street Call 224-BEEP for a free demonstration. ¿'¡MAT MALL 205 FISHERY 10115S.E, STARK* • 226-2260 Take Advantage Of These Super April Foolish Used Car Bargains. "S hop where the week never ends" "Parts & Service 7 Days A W eek" Mychal Thompson M ychal was the franchise. His steady work kept the Blazers above m ediocrity. Thom pson had 921 boards, 1,642 points adn 319 assists. Mychal proved day in and day out that he’s one o f the best whether he plays center or power forward. In any o f f season dealings M ychal should not be included. Mychal only needs to concentrate more on his de fensive play and rebounding. A t 6- 10, he’s exceptionally quick for a man his size. Thompson is the glue. Peter Verhoeven Started out w ith a bang. Once scoring 28 points against Seattle. But after one time around the league it was all over. Teams didn’t bother to defense him in the beginning. And what Portland once thought a plum quickly proved to be justa another fourth round selection. It is d o u btful i f Verhoeven is really an NBA calibre player. WE'RE HERETO HELP Darnell Valentine 1 Kelvin Raneey Ransey had a bad season. I f Port land is looking for trade bait then K elvin’s name should be at the top o f the list. Ransey, for reasons not known to us, seemingly never had his head in the game this year. Seemed to always be a step behind on defense, and his entire game was o ff . Is certainly a better shooter than the 46 per cent he shot for this year. Does need better shot selection. Also, could still need to drop several pounds. Ransey is by far the best passing guard on the team. Led Blazers w ith 555 assists. Perhaps a change here would be helpful. Jack Ramsay Jack played Paxson too much; d id n ’ t play B illy enough; was too optimistic on Gudmundsson; elect ed to stay w ith a fro n t line that couldn't produce, and is still a poor handler o f men, while continuing to be an excellent X ’ s and O ’ s man. W ill be a great coach, again, if he could somehow find another Bill W alton. jm * -. $4995 1981 Datsun 210 2 dr, hard to find automatic model with trunk reck, mag wheels + more. Stk no 31944. With terms available, only................. ...................................... $5395 1977 Datsun 200SX 2dr, extra sharp 5 spd with A M /F M , bucket seats + more. Stk no 32031___ $3695 | i $3195 | 1975 Plymouth Duster 2 dr. Lees than 50,000 miles on this sharp car, AT, PS, + more. Stk no 24022B ................................ $19951 1980 DATSU N 510 wagon, AT, air conditioning, A M /FM /C assette, squire package, low miles. Stk no 32040 ............... ............. .....r:.........$5698 Peter Gudmundsson Sim ply is not a player. 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"1982" W E N D E LL B R O W N Sales Representative WHAT: RON TO NK IN CHEVROLET-HONDA CO 122 N.E. 122nd Ave. OREGON'S BIGGEST PARTY WHEN: M A Y 12 WHERE: MARRIOTT HOTEL* TIME: 6PM -1A M 3 BANDS: WOODY HITE BAND 6:00-9:00 COUNTRY WESTERN 10:00-11:30 ROCK & ROLL 11:30-1:00 •MUST HAVE VALID 198? VOTER REGISTRATION CARO - IT'S YOUR TICKET i 1979 Ford M ustang 2dr Ghia Coupe. 4 cyl, AT, PS. A M /FM /C assette, sunroom & more. Stk no 32043A. O n ly .............................................................................. ... YOU! Expert consultation on your transportation needs on both new and used cars. I Came in like he would soon be the starter. Could be an excellent play maker, but Darnell still believes he’s a scorer. Really hurt the team down the stretch. A lways seems to look the other way when Bates is open. Should realize that when he passes and a team m ate scores he scores too. Could develop but if there’s a chance to better a draft position by trading D a rn e ll, then P o rtlan d should certainly move him. 1981 Datsun 310 2 dr hatchback, extra sharp front wheel drive car. Stk no 3278A. On sale f o r ................. ............................................................................ ..$3895 1978 Datsun 510 Wagon, automatic, radio, sport stripes & much more. A sharp wagon Stk no 3335A .'$3695 1976 Datsun Long Bed Pickup 4 spd canopy. Come and see this one you won t sav no r Stk no 20047A .................................................... $2495 O ' * ............................................................................................. Excellent Buys on Used Imports & Domestics & A J MALL 205 FISHERÌ 10115S.E. STARK • • 226-2260
