ODEN'S RAINY RALLY

Off season rally leaves much to be desired; Mr. Rip City introduces the Main Act, Greg Oden, to drenched fans at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Oden and his family arrived cheaply yet in style on MAX to a drum line and thousands of cheering fans shortly after 12pm on Friday June 29th. Many faces could be seen peering down into Portland's living room from the surrounding buildings as Greg Oden, Coach McMillan and GM Kevin Pritchard each gave short speeches. This was the first Blazer rally I had been to since freshman year of high school; a buddy and I skipped had afternoon classes for the playoff gathering. Fan enthusiasm is the only thing that carried Oden's welcoming party as the Blazer's presentation lacked creativity and energy. Oden seemed sincere and a low key kind if guy if not very tired.

IF ONLY:

1) The Blazers had spent as much effort on the rally as they did on cranking out the merchandise

2) Bust-a-Bucket had been played on the main PA system then Buck goes and gives Oden #52

3) More free stuff was given away but I did get a cool Nike poster!

THE ORIGINAL #52'S SONG

In Other News:
On draft day the Trail Blazers Googled 'NBA + Desperate' pressed the 'I'm feeling Lucky' button, found Isiah Thomas's cell number and moments later traded Randoph to the Leauge's newest social experiment. Paul Allen will most likely buyout trade tool Steve 'Sad Face on Draft Day' Francis's contract. Nicknamed 'The Franchise' the best thing he has done in the NBA is help the Portland Trail Blazers get rid of Z Bo. One thought, think of how often Randolph found trouble in little 'ol Portland, Orygun and then look at this equation; Zach Randolph + NYK( NY Media Scrutiny)(7 Deadly Sins accessibility) / Isiah Thomas's Brain Cells= countless hours of laughing until I cry. Did that even make sense? This is going to be GREAT to watch. With all the contract buy outs the Blazers have gone through over the years considering the millions of dollars, why couldn't everyone at the Greg Oden rally got like a $1000 gift card to Nordstrom?