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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.
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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 * -.
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1981 Datsun 210
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1980 DATSU N 510
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Peter Gudmundsson
Sim ply is not a player. N o need
wasting ink in saying anything
more.
Frank Peters
Committee for Governor
3 8 5 S.W. Yamhill
Portland, OR 9 7 2 0 4
223-5005
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1979 Datsun 210
Wagon, AT, Radio, Roof
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Stk no 32057.....................................................
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1972 Datsun P ickup4^ ,4^ ,rear A
bumper, a good little pickup priced right. Stk no 28012A .. $1795
1976 Datsun F-10 Wagon, less than 46,000
actual miles, radio, 4 spd, extra clean and nice. Stk no
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1978 Datsun Pickup Extra clean and
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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 .................
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1978 Datsun 510
Wagon, automatic, radio,
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