Abdur-Rahim among Hawks traded
Blazers teammates insist Wallace is too valuable to trade
Blazers Acquire Two All-Stars From Atlanta
Since John Nash and I came here last summer, we pursued a plan that would take character into account with talent, create cap flexibility while continuing to put a competitive team on the court. The community has been very clear in their message and we are listening. As we pledged to our fans and customers back in August, we want to build a competitive team on the court and one in which the fans can also be proud of off the court. Today’s trade is a reflection of that commitment.
- Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson
Yes, Virginia, there may well be a God. If She does exist, She apparently has a devilish sense of humor. Poor 'Sheed...whatever did he do to deserve being banished to one of the most hopeless franchises in the NBA? Well, being a former DUMB@$$ AWARD wiener was certainly a good start.
After living in Portland for 15 years, I've been a huge Trailblazers fan. At the end of last season, though, I'd had enough of the "Jailblazers". I promised that if the franchise did not make a legitimate effort to get rid of the cancers on the team, then I was done with them. To their credit, management has made a concerted effort to prove to the community that the Trailblazers can once again be both successful and solid citizens. So far this year, the team has traded Headcase #2 (Bonzi Wells) to Memphis, and now Headcase #1 (Rasheed Wallace) to Atlanta.
Some may debate whether getting rid of Wallace is a good move if the Trailblazers hope to make the playoffs this year. From where I sit, I barely care if they make it. It would be a bonus, but my only desire for this season has been that the team make an effort to find players that are mature, worthy of respect, and come to work every day. Frankly, if they had achieved this, they could have gone 0-82 and I wouldn't care. This trade appears to be a huge step in the right direction. I'm not going to celebrate until I see some results, but I already like what I see. My hat goes off to John Nash and Steve Patterson for doing what they can to undo the "Jailblazer" legacy of Bob Whitsitt.
