Portland is making a change — Jamal Crawford, not Raymond Felton, will be the starting point guard for the Trail Blazers when they face off against the Spurs tonight, reports the Oregonian. So here’s your starting job, Mr. Crawford, enjoy trying to stop the hottest player in the league in Tony Parker. But the move isn’t a surprise. Felton is shooting a career low 37.1 percent so far this season, 22.9 percent from three, his assists are at a career low while his turnovers are at a career high, his PER is 10.5 (that of of a third-string guard) and he helped lead the Trail Blazers to a franchise low 7 points in the first quarter against the Lakers Monday night. Portland is struggling, Felton is struggling and coach Nate McMillan decided to shake things up.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Their make-over probably won’t stop with Rasheed Wallace.

Reports indicate the Los Angeles Lakers are speaking to the Portland Trail Blazers about Ray Felton, who is upset after losing his starting spot.

Face it: Derek Fisher is old and Steve Blake has struggled since signing with the purple-and-gold.

Coach Mike Brown would surely run Felton through pick-and-rolls like Mike D’Antoni did in New York last year. And the veteran table-setter would also fit Brown’s get-stops mentality on defense.

Best of all, Felton has the tenacity to stand up to Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant -without creating a Smush Parker type standoff.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

There’s a reason the Heat have continued to look to add a veteran big man to their roster. They attempted to sign both Kenyon Martin and Joel Przybilla but weren’t able to do so. A radio station in Miami reported the team worked out Rasheed Wallace last week. According to league executives, the Heat have been calling around to gauge demand for reserve big men as the trade deadline approaches.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Will the rich, the Miami Heat, get richer?

Reports indicate the reigning Eastern Conference champions are on the prowl for a reserve post. Chris Bosh is out the line-up and the Heat lost free agents Kenyon Martin and Joel Przybilla to the Clippers and Blazers.

Another big body would allow Bosh to man the more familiar high-post when he returns, while providing depth for an extended playoff run.

After all, the Heat will face a plethora of bigs come May and June during the NBA’s second-season. The question is who can they get before the quickly approaching trade deadline.  

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Clippers or any other team looking for scoring could also turn their attention to Portland's Jamal Crawford. With the Blazers (18-18) underachieving and the 12-year veteran having struggled to fit in this season, sources say he's available.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Jamal Crawford hasn’t fit with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Crawford, a former Sixth Man of the Year, is a scorer, while Blazers coach Nate McMillan likes defense. And Crawford is stuck playing point guard because McMillan is frustrated with Ray Felton, who is also on the trading block.

Then there’s Crawford’s contract. He inked a two-year, $10 million pact with the Blazers, however, the second year is a player’s option.

Crawford, unhappy with playing time, has made littlle secret of his desire to exercise that option and test the free agent market this summer.

So Blazers management may move Crawford to a contender and get an asset as part of an inevitable rebuilding project.

LaMarcus Aldridge aside, no player or coach is safe, which means the next few months should be awfully interesting in ‘Rip City’.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Lakers getting Beasley, Jamal Crawford to Minnesota and and Steve Blake to Portland is getting close, the News Mitch Lawrence reports.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: If reports are true, this three team deal will soon be official.

While not a blockbuster, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Portland Trail Blazers would all benefit from this swap of useful parts. Here is why:

1) The big winner would to be the Lakers. Beasley, a terrific scorer, would allow Metta World Peace to return to the bench.

2) Jamal Crawford would provide the Wolves with scoring and depth because Ricky Rubio is, of course, injured.

3) Blake, who has had two previous stints with the Blazers, would stablize the one-spot in Rip City.

Expect this deal to soon become official. All three teams will get a boost for the stretch drive.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Nets send Okur, Shawne Williams and a 2012 draft pick protected thru No. 3, sources tell Y! Nets trying to surround Deron Williams now.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Too little, too late.

The New Jersey Nets have acquired Gerald Wallace because they believe he’ll convince point guard Deron Williams to sign a multi-year extension.

Williams can opt-out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. The Nets, who are moving into a shiny billion dollar stadium in Brooklyn, have hitched their wagon to the star table-setter.

Wallace makes the Nets good, but not good enough for Williams.

D-Will wants a legit co-star  - like dare I say it, Dwight Howard who will play with Orlando for another year - to stay with the Nets long-term. Wallace, a fourth star on a contending team, isn’t of the same ilk as Howard.  

The Nets have a rapidly shrinking window to do something significant or Williams likely signs with his hometown Dallas Mavericks this summer.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

Blazers trade center Marcus Camby to Houston Rockets, a source tells Y!

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Portland is having a fire sale.

The Trail Blazers are rebuidling, so every peice - other than Nicholas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge - can be had for some combination of draft picks and expiring contracts.

Earlier in the day, Gerald Wallace was sent to the New Jersey Nets. Now Marcus Camby is a Houston Rocket. Expect Jamal Crawford and perhaps Ray Felton to have new homes by the end of the day, too.

Much of this can traced to Greg Oden's injury and Brandon Roy retiring. Without these two pieces, Rip City has decided to rebuild.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Nate McMillan has been fired by the Blazers, according to a source. McMillan has been the head coach of the Blazers since the 05-06 season.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Right or wrong, fair or not, Nate McMillan's time was up.

Reports out of Portland had the players tuning-out McMillan, which eventually happens to every coach. So the Blazers, who started rebuilding today with several trades, fired their longtime coach.

It's worth noting, McMillan held the Blazers together -even though Greg Oden has been a bust and Brandon Roy's career fell apart due to injuries.

McMilllan, an elite sideline boss, will get another gig this summer.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Greg Oden shares the fans' disappointment in the way his career has gone. The 7-foot center was limited to just 82 games by injuries after the Portland Trail Blazers took him over Kevin Durant with the first selection in the 2007 draft. Portland waived the former No. 1 overall pick Thursday after an injury-plagued five-year run in which he averaged just 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots. He recently underwent his third microfracture knee surgery, the second on his left knee, ending his season.
"He feels bad for Portland and the team, more than anything, more than he did for himself," Oden's agent, Mike Conley Sr., said Friday. "He felt he could have made an impact, and he knows they were counting on him."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Greg Oden doesn’t think his career is over even if the Portland Trail Blazers do.

Yesterday, the Blazers - who fired their coach and traded their starting center and small forward - waived Oden, the prep and college sensation they drafted first overall in 2007 ahead of superstar Kevin Durant.

Oden’s heart and effort could never be questioned. Sadly, his knees only allowed him to play 82 games over five seasons. So the Blazers, tired of the setbacks and disappointment, cut ties with the center yesterday.

Word is Oden will continue rehabbing his leg in his hometown of Indianapolis in hopes of making a comeback with the Pacers.

With a little luck, one of the most celebrated prospects in hoops history will change how his story ends.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: LaMarcus Aldridge continues to play at a high level -even though it has been a disastrous year for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Last night the post hit the game-winning shot in overtime against the world champion Dallas Mavericks.

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Eric Gordon is a fan of New Orleans, which should come as welcome news to, well, New Orleans fans. He loves the food, the laid-back vibe and the folks who support the last-place Hornets despite being given so many reasons to stay away. Bring up the coach (that's second-year man Monty Williams for you non-loyalists), and the 23-year-old shooting guard who will be a restricted free agent this summer makes it sound as if he never wants to leave.

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Broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns, John Bloom, tweeted: ``Jamal Crawford just told EJ on press row and Alvin Gentry on the sidelines that he needs to be here in Phoenix with  Blazer teammates nearby.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Talk about awkward.

Jamal Crawford has a team, contract, and role for 2012. He’s a combo guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. Sometimes he starts, sometimes he comes off the bench.

This minor detail didn’t prevent the Seattle native from marketing his services for 2013. Apparently, Crawford thinks he’d fit with the Phoenix Suns and told their coach, Alvin Gentry, as much.

Here’s the problem: the Blazers were playing the Suns when this happened.

In the middle of the game, Crawford, in front of his Blazer teammates and coaches, tried to sell himself to the Suns’ coach as a potential off-season signing.

Crawford, who signed with the Blazers this off-season, apparently will exercise his option on 2013, leave $5 million on the table, and become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Of course, players who sell themselves to one team while (literally) playing for another team typically come with a buyer’s beware tag.

Crawford may find being assertive has hurt his market value.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Kupchak is one of the Blazers' top targets in their quest to land an executive with experience running a franchise's basketball operations, sources told ESPN.com.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mitch Kupchak, things are weird with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The owner’s son, Jim Buss, is your boss despite having no experience as a basketball executive. The superstar, Kobe Bryant, is a raging Alpha Male who can’t accept that the team is better with Andrew Bynum as the top option. Speaking of Bynum, his lack of maturity is obvious.

And we haven’t even mentioned Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes, coach Mike Brown‘s offense, the press, or the rapid fan base that demand a championship every year.

Still, the Lakers quirks are nothing when compared to the mayhem of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers lost two of their top three players, Greg Oden and Brandon Roy, to injury. Long-time coach Nate McMillan was recently fired. The club is starting over.

Sadly, the on-court mess wouldn’t be the biggest challenge. That would be eccentric owner Paul Allen.

Remember, Allen fired executive Kevin Pritchard moments before the draft and casually told his former executive to stick around for the team's pick. The club spent months searching for Pritchard’s replacement. They supposedly had their man in Richie Cho, but fired him a year later for being too quiet.

There's a reason the Blazers haven't hired a replacement: no decent executive will take the gig. They don't want the mess, melodrama, and headache.

So Mitch, stick with the Lakers. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe's Breaking Down The NBA Blog regularly provides a snapshot of the best NBA stories you should be reading from the three dubyas. We call it Best of the Web ...

Yet another NBA player is discovering that technology can be your best friend and worst enemy at the same time. This time the affected party is Greg Oden. And while some past incidents involving players left us with vivid-- and disturbing-- mental imagery, Oden's situation eliminates that part of the process. There are pictures. And, according to Oden himself and in contradiction to speculation that the images were fakes, they are legitimate.

Gross.

Courtesy of the Oregonlive.com - “There was a point in the first half, and I was thinking 'You better not cry,''' Roy said. “I mean, serious. I mean, there was a moment where I felt really sorry for myself. Then I was like, nah, you can't be sorry for yourself. I'm a grown man, but there was a moment there that I felt sorry for myself. Especially when I think I can still help.'' Troubles a’brewin’ up in Portland Trailblazer land. What’s up with Brandon Roy these days?

So what does a seven-footer do when he's out for the season - again - with an injury that could hamper his long-term potential?  If you're Greg Oden, apparently you take and distribute MySpace-style photos of yourself in the mirror.  Nude.

Portland. You guys need a good night’s sleep. Sleep? You guys need an all expense paid trip to anywhere in the world preferably into Brandon Roy’s knees. No one can explain the pains that this franchise goes through. This is absolutely unexplainable. The Clippers have the karma because of David Sterling. Portland has a curse? Who did they screw over to get this dark voodoo? What was the organization in the past life? Were they the Raiders? Or Patriots? This is very unsettling for any outsider viewing what has transpired in Portland.

“Both teams played hard.” That’s the meme that Raw Sheed created that stuck through the minds of basketball junkies who needed laughs. It’s not quite the classic “Practice?” from Allen Iverson, but Rasheed was the master of basketball memes. He also brought the “Ball Don’t Lie” meme, too. When he has two memorable phrases dedicated to him, Rasheed Wallace transcended into immortality. Then again, Wallace has brought more entertainment than many NBA players through the years. He was almost like Terrell Owens and John McEnroe combined with a bald spot on the top of his head.

Here's hoping Allen does. And that the longest look is into Roy's eyes. Brandon's out," a league executive told me Monday. "Don't know the exact details, but everyone around the league knows it's way, way done. Paul and Bert (Kolde) are calling the shots on this one."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Oh how the mighty has fallen.

Not long ago Brandon Roy was heading up a basketball renaissance for the Portland Trail Blazers. Zach Randolph and The Jail Blazer era was out, while Roy, the perimeter version of Tim Duncan, was in.

And the basketball-mad Rose City rejoiced, qualifying for the playoffs with a young crew  that was almost as talented as the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Blazers, who knew Roy had knee troubles, went ahead and signed him to a lucrative six-year contract for the league maximum.

At the time, it was the right move.

Knee surgeries have hampered Roy’s play. He fell out of favour with the coaching staff, lost his starting position, and spouted off to the media about his minutes during last year’s playoff.
 
Some inspired play during those same playoffs won’t be enough to save him.

The Blazers will likely take advantage of the amnesty clause in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and cut ties with their one-time franchise face.

This will be especially painful for Roy, a Northwest native. The talented swing will dust himself off and salvage his career, though.

He just won’t do it earning max’ money. Welcome to the new and cost-effective NBA.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe is proud to welcome Marija Kero, better known to many of you as The Knicks Chick, to the team. Marija will be checking in with videoblogs covering everything from her beloved Knicks to Ron Artest's latest hair-related mishap. In her first piece, Marija shares her thoughts on Boston's bad temper, the surging Mavs and the ghosts of NYK past appearing in the postseason. 

When the dust settles after a fantasy draft, we kick ourselves in the teeth with our picks. Why did I draft this guy in the first place? Why did I reach? We ask ourselves that all the time. The guys on this list are inconsistent or gets injured a lot. Or both.

Blazers president Larry Miller has expressed a strong interest in former Golden State Warriors GM Chris Mullin, sources said. Mullin’s expected to talk with the Blazers too, sources said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chris Mullin’s career as an executive hasn’t been normal.

The sharpshooter revitalized the Golden State Warriors before getting stabbed in the back by Don Nelson, his former coach and the man he rescued from the sideline boss scrap heap.

Then Mullin was tabbed to take over the executive chair in New York from Donnie Walsh before dysfunctional owner James Dolan stepped-in. Walsh is out; Mullin won’t be leading the Knicks.

Now he’s linked to the Portland Trail Blazers, the organization that fired GM Kevin Pritchard moments before the 2010 NBA draft only to invite him to stay for the evening's festivities.

Pritchard’s replacement, Richie Cho, was pink-slipped after being on the job for less than a year. Cho was seen as too docile, low-key, and quiet.

Perhaps Mullin should pass on the Blazers‘ gig. Right now, they’re dysfunctional, and owner Paul Allen seems determined to meddle.

Life may be a little more normal in ESPN’s broadcast booth.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Carl Landry believes the Blazers would be a good fit for him and LaMarcus Aldridge is in agreement. “That’s big of him to speak out and I’m glad he spoke out and said he wants to play with us,” Aldridge told SLAMonline. “He’s a good player and I definitely feel like he can help us immediately.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Carl Landry is interested in Portland. And Portland, according to their newly anointed superstar, should have interest in Landry.

Landry and LaMarcus Aldridge have been throwing each other public bouquets, which has fuelled speculation the free agent will sign in ‘Rip City’ when the lockout ends.

While not a fan of players acting like general managers, Aldridge is right to suggest a fit.

Landry could start at center if Greg Oden’s injury woes continue. Or, he could come off the bench and back-up Aldridge and a healthy Oden.

Either way, Landry is a professional. He’ll fit in, work hard, and accept his role, while never rocking the boat for coach Nate McMillan.

All Landry, Aldridge, and Portland need is a collective bargaining agreement, so their interest can perhaps become something more substantial  -like a contract .

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"No," Aldridge said, when asked if there was reason for optimism. "Both sides are pretty (far) off right now. So it's going to be a while."

Aldridge, who is the Blazers' player representative in the NBA Player's Union, said he does not expect the season to start on time but does believe there will be a season eventually. That said, he is prepared to sit out all of 2011-12 if necessary.

"If that's what it takes to get a fair deal done, then yes," Aldridge said.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The lockout just became a little more complicated.

Most owners, as we know, have no issue sacrificing the season to get a Collective Bargaining Agreement that has a hard cap and a 50-50 split of Basketball Related Income.

Some players feel the same.

LaMarcus Aldridge, the talented power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, recently declared that he was willing to sit the entire year to get a 'fair deal'.

Thankfully, most players don't share his view. Aldridge is a union rep', so he has to spout the rhetoric. As a highly paid player, he has the resources to go several months without an income.

Most players making the mid-level exception and below will re-think their 'stance' and begin bargaining when they miss a pay cheque.

If the players don't show flexibility, if they don't step off Aldridge's hard-line, then the season is slready lost.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Police say Zach Randolph met a man dealing marijuana aboard a charter cruise ship in Portland on Friday and invited him to his mansion later in order to sell weed to the 20 or so guests at Randolph's after-cruise party.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Zach Randolph has a problem.

Yesterday, HoopsVibe News reported that Randolph was not directly involved in an assualt at his residence between 'The Hoop Posse' and a drug dealer.

Well, it turns out the power forward (allegedly) invited the man into his home to sell weed to guests after a boat cruise in Portland.

This changes things. There are now legal ramifications.

I have two thoughts. First, Randolph has to cut ties with the infamous entourage that keeps getting him in trouble. He’s no longer a rookie with the Trail Blazers. He’s a man, and should take greater responsibility for the company he keeps.

Second, if Randolph can’t cut ties then he should avoid The Rose City. Nothing good happens for him in Portland; fans, residents, and police don't like him and his friends.

Randolph has disposable income. He can live where he likes. Why not reside in another city and avoid the trappings of Portland?

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

According to Spanish media (Onda Madrid was the first one to report), Rudy Fernandez agreed to terms with Real Madrid for the next four seasons. The Spanish guard will return to NBA just for the season 2011-12 when lockout ends playing with Dallas Mavericks who acquired him via trade during in June.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: If there’s a 2011-12 season, it will be Rudy Fernandez’s last in the NBA.

Reports indicate the Spanish swing will fulfill the final year of his NBA contract with the world champion Dallas Mavericks and then begin a multi-year deal with Real Madrid.

Fernandez is plying his trade with the European power while the NBA is locked-out. He has an opt-out clause if owners and players finalize a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Is this a surprise?

Fernandez has been unhappy since landing in the NBA. Every few months there was some drama with the Portland Trail Blazers that became public knowledge.

It was too much, especially since Fernandez, while talented and valuable, was only a rotation player. The Blazers finally dealt their diva to the Mavs’ in late June.

Apparently, a starting spot on a championship contender wasn’t enough. Fernandez is leaving Team Cuban and the NBA for Europe.

Soon enough he’ll be complaining, though. It’s Fernandez’s nature. He only seems happy when he’s unhappy.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

If they're willing to pay $4-5 million a year, the pick clearly seems to be former Houston coach Rick Adelman, a candidate who meets all of Kahn's criteria for style of play, winning track record and the unspoken but important Kevin Love Factor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is a minor boondoggle by Minnesota Timberwolves standards, but a boondoggle nonetheless.

GM David Kahn has publicly stated owner Glen Taylor, who has never thrown money around, will dig deep into his pockets to pay the right coach.

Fat chance.

Can you see Taylor paying a top candidate $4-5 million annually for a minimum of three years, while also honouring the final $4 million owed to former coach Kurt Rambis?

So why would Kahn state that the Wolves would hire a pricey option like Rick Adelman, who enjoyed success with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and, most recently, the Houston Rockets?

Now the Wolves are stuck. If they hire a less expensive coach, for whatever reason, they’ll get criticized. If they hire an expensive coach, like Adelman, they’ll get criticized for wasting their limited resources on a bench-boss.

There’s one way Kahn, Taylor, and the Wolves can quiet the critics: start winning.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Rudy Fernandez could return to the offseason headlines more for speculation about where he's headed than where he is. [Fernandez], who joined the Dallas Mavericks in a draft night trade less than two weeks ago, has been offered a six-year contract from Real Madrid, sportando.net reported via Spanish sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo. The deal reportedly is worth $4.35 million per year and would make the 6-foot-6 Spanish shooting guard the highest-paid player in the history of the Spanish basketball league. Fernandez, who averaged 8.6 points on 37 percent shooting last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, was due to make $2.2 next season with Dallas under the collective bargaining agreement that expired late Thursday as the NBA lockout began.

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Wells, who spent some time in China before last playing professionally in Puerto Rico, was one of a few reclamation projects the Knicks had at the MSG Training Center late last week for a minicamp to get a look at some possible training camp invitees. With little to no money to spend this offseason (depending on the system in the next collective bargaining agreement), the Knicks have to be creative in finding talent to upgrade the roster.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Are the New York Knicks so desperate they’re considering a player who has been out of the NBA for three years? Or, are the Knicks being thorough by looking at a talented but troubled swing?

The player is Bonzi Wells. He had a cup of coffee with the Detroit Pistons; spent his formative years with the Jail Blazers; got suspended and banned from the arena by the Memphis Grizzlies; turned down $35 million from the Sacramento Kings; then somehow ended up plying his trade in China 

Along the way, Wells, fair or not, earned a reputation for being a bad seed. His off-the-court issues and fluctuating weight overshadowed his considerable skill and scoring ability.

Of course, Wells could play.

Former teammate Scottie Pippen once compared his ability to score, especially on the low block, to former star Mark Aguirre.

Word is Wells can still play. Even if he’s in his mid thirties. The former Ball State star has been scrimmaging and doing a little coaching on the side.

Perhaps Wells could help. Perhaps not. But the Knicks have nothing to lose and everything to gain with a workout.

--Oly Sandor.

Agree or disagree? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

A source familiar with the situation said Thursday that Portland figures it must deal with Brandon Roy's future if it's truly going to rejoin the league's contenders. Retirement for Roy is among the options they're considering.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It seems premature.

Not long ago, Brandon Roy was the face of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was an All-Star. He was a terrific scorer. And he was a role model in the community.

Roy, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, seemed a blessing for a basketball mad city that suffered through the ‘Jail Blazers’.

All appeared good. So the Blazers handed Roy the keys to the Rose Garden, signing him to a six- year deal for maximum money.

The good times didn’t last, though.

Roy’s knee injuries became serious. He missed significant time. When he returned his game changed. He was a part-time player earning a star’s salary.

Coach Nate McMillan gave Roy’s minutes to others and the situation became a national crisis when the two-guard spoke out publicly during the playoffs. 

The scandal inspired Roy. His play improved. And he single-handedly won a playoff game for the Blazers by dropping 16 points in the fourth quarter on the Dallas Mavericks.

When healthy, Roy can still play. This may not be enough for the Blazers. 

Bottom line: the Blazers have a choice. They can hope Roy’s play justifies the remaining four-years and $68 million on his contract.

Or, they can do some research and search for an escape clause, which would mean buying Roy out or pushing retirement.

This is risky. Suppose the Blazers approach Roy about ending their relationship. Once the process begins, there’s no turning back. Things could get ugly.

Who would contact Roy about a buyout? And who would negotiate the terms of this buyout?

After all, owner Paul Allen fired Richie Cho –even though, he hired him less than a year ago- because he didn’t feel chemistry with the GM.

There’s no timeline to hire a new front office Tsar. And no self-respecting executive would take the gig knowing they had to deal with Allen’s meddling and buyout Roy.

The Blazers should step back and think carefully before initiating discussions with Roy. This has the potential to end badly.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Portland Trail Blazers have dismissed general manager Rich Cho after less than a year on the job. A statement released by the Blazers said the team and Cho had "parted ways." Chad Buchanan, the team's director of college scouting, will serve as acting general manager.

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According to a well-placed source in the Blazers organization, an irritated Cho pushed for a suspension of three-time All-Star Brandon Roy for comments the guard made after Game 2 of Portland's eventual first-round playoff series loss to Dallas.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers was the main event. Ron Artest and Gerald Wallace turned out to be a nice undercard.

Of course, this wasn't the first time Artest and Wallace had locked horns. A few weeks earlier, these behemoths at the three-spot got tangled up and, as expected, the fireworks flew.

Click the videos below and watch Artest and Wallace duke it out -on two separate occasions. 

(Round 1: Artest and Wallace.)

(Round 2: Artest and Wallace.)

--Oly Sandor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Talk about a feel good story.

Without Greg Oden and a healthy Brandon Roy, the Portland Trail Blazers have still had a successful season and are well positioned for the playoffs.

Much of the credit goes to LaMarcus Aldridge, who seamlessly became a first option while Roy has struggled with knee troubles. Don’t sleep on the supporting cast, though.

Nicolas Batum, Wes Matthews, and Andre Miller have been superb. Watch the clip of Batum making like Robert Horry and ‘Big-Shot Bobbing’ the league-leading San Antonio Spurs to seal the victory for the Blazers.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Forget JaVale McGee’s over-the-top quest for a triple-double.

For all his tomfoolery, the Washington Wizards’ lanky post can play. For instance, check out his block on the Portland Trail Blazers’ Wes Matthews.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“Basically, you feel betrayed by somebody you love,’’ Wallace told the Observer before Saturday’s Blazers-Bobcats game. “I totally didn’t see it coming. I’d been there seven long years and then you feel like you’re not wanted anymore. That’s a bad situation to be in, especially for me, who committed so much to the organization. 

“I understand the situation – it’s a business and they’re looking to start all over. They wanted cap room, and I guess I was the logical answer for them trying to get draft picks.’’

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Gerald Wallace is right.

On the one hand, he should feel disappointed and, perhaps, ‘betrayed’ by the Charlotte Bobcats, who dealt him at the trade deadline for draft picks.

After all, Wallace was their heart and soul. The three-man was one of the Bobcats’ original players, and in Charlotte he matured from a raw athlete man into an established professional.

Best of all, Wallace was blue-collar. He never took a night off. He always played hard. Night-in, night-out, he left it all on the floor. No matter how bad his team and the talent around him were.

On the other hand, the NBA, like Wallace mentions, is a ‘business’. The Bobcats are bidding their time until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement levels the playing field, which means swapping expensive salaries for draft picks, prospects, and expiring contracts.

Team Jordan couldn’t afford the two years and $20 million remaining on Wallace’s  contract. So he was a goner.

There are plenty of positives, though. The Portland Trail Blazers, Wallace’s new team, are relevant. They have young talent: LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wes Mathews, and Brandon Roy (provided he recovers).

Of course, Paul Allen owns the Blazers, so the club has deep pockets and will spend to win.

Change is never easy; however, being ’betrayed’ by Charlotte and starting over with Portland may be best for Wallace.

--Oly Sandor.

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Charlotte's Gerald Wallace has been traded to Portland, according to sources. The Blazers had strongly been coveting an upgrade at the deadline. Portland will send Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham and two first round picks to the Bobcats in exchange for Wallace.

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"I don't really care, really,'' Miller said when asked in a FanHouse interview Wednesday whether his hope now is to remain in Portland rather than be traded. "You know what I'm saying? I would like to stay put, but it's a business and anything can happen.''

When asked if he believes there's a decent chance he'll be moved by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, Miller said, "Yeah. Yeah.'' "There's a chance,'' Miller said. "A lot of guys can get moved. Where? I don't know. At this point, hopefully it's not a team that's rebuilding. I wouldn't want to go back to like a Philly situation.''

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Yes, there's a chance Andre Miller could be traded before the February trade deadline.

Miller can still effectively handle the one-spot; he has a flexible contract, as the team holds an option on the 2012 season; and his current team, the Trail Blazers, could well go into rebuild move and auction off him and fellow vet’ Marcus Camby.

Just don’t expect Executive Richie Cho to wrap Miller in a bow and give him away. Portland’s new head suit has proven to be one cool, calm customer.

For instance, Cho refused to be bullied into trading Rudy Fernandez. He ignored Fernandez’s whining about playing time. He also ignored Fernandez’s agent, who also whined about, well, everything to the press.

Most importantly, he shrugged off Rip City nation, who called for Fernandez to immediately be banished back to Europe.

Cho has patiently waited for a deal that makes sense. In the meantime, Fernandez has started to perform and recently withdrew his trade demand.

Suddenly, Cho and Portland have the upper hand. They can keep Fernandez or trade him when they get an offer to their liking.

The same will happen with Miller. Cho will send the power point guard packing if he can get a contender to give up a blue-chip prospect and/or a draft pick.

Miller, however, could stay with Portland. After all, Cho is in the driver seat – the team can decide to exercise the option on the final year of his contract or cut him loose in July.

Bottom line: Miller’s immediate future is unknown. Whatever happens will be in the best interests of the Blazers, and not the player.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"Your agent," I said to Fernandez as I asked him about the news, "is poco loco, no?"

Fernandez laughed and said, "Yes, he can be. Thank you for asking me."  Then, he explained, "I want to be here. I'm having fun. I bought a home. I bought a car. I don't know what else I can do to prove I want to be here.

"I'm playing now, too." Mills leaned in and said: "I think he should leave." They cracked up, laughing, together. Fernandez wants to stay. He's happy. Which likely means he'll promptly be traded. Sports can be cruel like that. But as long as he's around, it's probably worth pointing out that Mills feels like the biggest reason Fernandez is finally comfortable again.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a blossoming ‘bromance’ (a bromance is a plutonic friendship between grown men).

Word is controversial Portland Trail Blazer Rudy Fernandez is now happy in Rip City, in large part, because of his friendship with reserve guard Patrick Mills.

These two hang at home in Portland. These two hang on the road. These two are tight.

In fact, the Fernandez-Mills ‘Bromance’ is apparently the main reason the Spanish swing has rescinded his trade demand and settled in Portland.

But the Trail Blazers are in transition. Franchise face Brandon Roy is having surgery on both knees and may never be the same player. Former first overall pick Greg Oden hasn’t played a game and his future is unknown.

The Trail Blazers, even with the injuries, could still secure the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, management may decide to rebuild and deal veterans Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, and Joel Pryzbilla at the trade deadline.

Fernandez could be part of the changes. Sure, he’s a strong shooter and exciting open court player. He’s also prone to extreme mood swings, and GM Richie Cho may feel it’s time to cut ties.

The Fernandez-Mills ‘bromance’ would then become a long-distance relationship.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s on.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge recently set the NBA ablaze with their alley-oops.

Our question is simple: who had the better catch-and-jam?

Do you prefer Blake-Zilla’s aerial antics against those miserable Minnesota Timberwolves? Or, did Aldridge’s poster-job of the Milwaukee Bucks catch your eye?

Watch both clips and get at us in the comment box below with thoughts?

(Blake-Zilla shows no mercy against the Wolves.)

(Aldridge soars against the Bucks.)

--Oly Sandor.

One team that would be an ideal fit for Love, Houston, has explored the possibility to the point of presenting trade scenarios to the Wolves. Those overtures, sources say, have been met with an icy response. Another team to keep an eye on with regard to Love is the Trail Blazers.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: For NBA stars, the Minnesota Timberwolves are Siberia.

Minnesota is cold. The Timberwolves have annual reservations at the league’s draft lottery in New Jersey. And the franchise has never recovered from wasting Kevin Garnett’s golden years.

Make no mistake about it, Kevin Love wants out of Minnesota. He knows their rebuilding efforts are failing. And he knows lottery-pick Ricky Rubio will stay in Europe until he gets a trade.

The Rockets would be an interesting fit. Love could platoon with center Yao Ming and international four-man Luis Scola.

The Blazers would also be interesting. Love is from Lake Oswego, an affluent Portland suburb. However, LaMarcus Aldridge is firmly entrenched at the four-spot. He could clash with Love –like former Timberwolf Al Jefferson.

Bottom line: look for Love to continue lobbying for a trade. Minnesota, also known as Siberia, is no place for an up-and-coming star.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"It's not a big deal," Oden said. "It's just something I wanted to do. It just kept going through my head that I have to change something."  Now, let's be clear. Nobody on the Blazers was willing to say that Oden's affection for the night life had become a concern. Nobody. And Oden insists, neither his partying nor drinking were ever out of control.

There are unmistakable signs that Oden is changing. As he trumpeted with his gap-toothed smile on Monday, "I'm proud to say that I've lost 30 pounds over the summer."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s on the wagon and off the Big Macs.

Today, Greg Oden told reporters he lost over 30 pounds by giving up the booze and late-night drive through. The hope is a lighter, leaner Oden won’t succumb to injuries and miss time during the season.

His change in lifestyle is surely motivated by money. Oden’s rookie contract will soon expire and he’s angling for an extension.

To get a new deal, he must stay healthy. This, of course, hasn't been easy for the young five-man. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

 Rudy Fernandez, according to a source, rejected a possible trade to New Orleans, where he could have played for former Blazers assistant Monty Williams, now the Hornets' coach.

 --Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune writes that the Trail Blazers may be getting closer to trading swingman Rudy Fernandez. Portland general manager Rich Cho is working to accommodate Fernandez's trade request behind the scenes."The first-year GM has some options, and I'm getting the feeling he might pull the trigger on something before camp," Eggers wrote.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Both sides need closure –and the sooner, the better.

For months, Rudy Fernandez and the Portland Trail Blazers have been at odds on how to part ways. Fernandez wants a trade to a team where he’ll get minutes, touches, and shots.

The Blazers also want to trade Fernandez. They, however, won’t give him away. And they want equal value for such an accurate shooter and athletic swing.

Unfortunately, Fernandez has been his own worst enemy. He has put the Blazers in an impossible situation by publicly lobbying for a trade. Teams have been low-balling GM Richie Cho, offering nothing near equal value.

But Cho has been patient. He hasn’t panicked. And according to Eggers, a deal is close to materializing. Perhaps potential suitors have improved their offers.

Something must happen because this tiff is beyond ugly. Hopefully, the Blazers get ‘fair compensation, so they and Fernandez finally move on.   

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

He's a great player," McMillan said. "He's a good player. A talented player. Very talented."He is in my notes for training camp. All right," the coach said when pressed for more.

Through his agent, Andy Miller, Fernandez told The Oregonian two weeks ago he intends to not report to training camp even though he has two years left on his contract.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Rudy Fernandez won’t be at the Portland Trail Blazers’ training camp. His coach, Nate McMillan, expects him to be there.

Call me crazy but something will give. It has to. And for the sake of all involved, hopefully it gives soon.

For months, we’ve heard about Fernandez’s unhappiness. He apparently sacrificed millions of dollars leaving his European pro side to ply his trade in Rip City.

And because of his ‘financial sacrifice’, he feels entitled to minutes, shots, and a leading role with an NBA team. At least, that’s what he’s telling foreign journalists.

If he doesn’t get his way, Fernandez and his agent have even mentioned breaking the final two years of his NBA contract and returning to Europe.

This, of course, puts the Blazers in an impossible position. The other 29 teams know Fernandez wants out. They smell opportunity and are offering little in a trade.

But the Blazers have to get something significant for Fernandez. Fans would never forgive rookie executive Rich Cho if he got back less than equal value.

So Cho must hold the line, stand firm, and pull a rabbit out of the hat in a trade.

Until such a situation presents itself, the standoff between Fernandez and the Blazers will continue. And it will only get even more unpleasant.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.