Trying to decide which Trailblazer rookie, Dante Cunningham or Jeff Pendergraph, the new Brandon Roy bobble head (pictured above) resembles most. One thing’s for sure, it looks nothing like Roy . . .

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I have a confession to make. Despite being a season ticket holder, I have not attended or watched a single preseason game this year. I have no idea what the new guys (other than Juwan Howard and Andre Miller) even look like.

But the tradition here is to make a prediction as to the team’s success in the upcoming season. This year I have little on which to base my prediction, except for my knowledge of last year’s team and the two aforementioned veterans, that Martell is back, Batum is no longer a rookie, and Oden is looking strong and confident.

Two years ago, I was spot on at 41-41. Last year I predicted 49 wins, five short of their eventual accomplishment. At the time my prediction seemed optimistic, as most prognosticators predicted the Blazers would win a handful more games than the season before. Batum, Rudy Fernandez, and really even Greg Oden, as you may recall, were relatively unknown commodities. As the season progressed I saw the error of my conservative guessing ways, and offered my mea culpa, and a scolding to pessimists, in a blog post: Never underestimate the Trail Blazers.

So I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not going to underestimate this team. My brother Steve has predicted an optimistic 59 wins. I’m going to go even further out on a limb: My prediction is 63 wins and 19 losses. Yup, they’ll tie the best record ever for the Trailblazers franchise, set by the 1990-91 team.

Go Blazers!

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Here are some of his preseason thoughts and predictions on the 2009-2010 Portland Trailblazers season:

Last year’s Portland Trailblazer season was pretty amazing. 54 wins, 4th seed in the tough Western Conference. I’m usually an eternal optimist as far as the Blazers go, but last season even exceeded my expectations. They are all unselfish team players, have a phenomenal bench, and an underrated superstar in Brandon Roy. This is going to be Greg Oden’s year, I’m telling you! My prediction: 59 wins and a Northwest division championship.

Read the rest: Obligatory Blazers preseason post

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Western Conference First Round – Trailblazers vs. Suns

Games 7: TBD

Listed below is the entire 2009-2010 Portland Trailblazers regular season schedule. Check NBA.com for the rest of the teams’ schedules.

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Ever wish you could watch pro basketball after the Trailblazers’ season ends?

Well stop wondering and wishing, and let me introduce you to the Oregon Waves, of the International Basketball League.

The team’s home arena is The Hoop YMCA (9685 SW Harvest Court) in Beaverton. Tonight at 7:15pm the Waves tip off against the Snohomish County Explosion in the home, and season, opener. Tickets are only $8 for adults, $5 for kids.

God Shammgod, the Providence star who played briefly in the NBA for the Wizards (1997-8), returns to Portland for a second year. Last year he played for the defunct Portland Chinooks. Teammates include Tigard High and OSU product David Lucas, who has led the IBL in scoring the last two years with an average of 37 points per game, former U of O player David Jackson, Western Oregon’s Robert Day, three year OSU starter Lamar Hurd, and Portland State’s Hasan Arthuree.

Visit the team’s website for a complete schedule, information about season tickets, merchandise, and roster (which consists primarily of local products).

Update: The Oregonian’s Paul Buker gives us a glimpse into the world of IBL basketball: Former college players hope to use spring basketball league as a stepping stone to bigger things.

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I’m a season ticket holder for both teams, and so a part of me was relieved I didn’t have to decide between a Saturday game 7 at the Rose Garden and a second match up in 3 days against Carolina at PGE Park. But as I contemplated the possibly developing dilemma earlier this week, I found myself leaning towards attending the Timbers match over a Blazer game 7 playoff game, even if it rains. The realization struck me that I do have a hierarchy of favorite teams, and the Timbers are at the top.

But in 2011, when the Timbers make their MLS debut, I anticipate severe scheduling conflicts, as the Blazers are destined to win the NBA championship that year (even less optimistic/prescient fans will have to concede the Blazers are likely to advance past the first round fairly regularly for the next several years). I have decided I will skip an early season Timbers match for a Blazer NBA finals game, but for a 2nd round game? The conference finals?

I’ll cross that bridge in 2011.

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Back in October, before the 2008-2009 season began, I guessed that the Trail Blazers would go 49-33. At the time I felt my prediction was too conservative, but very few people were predicting a 50 win season, and with the Western Conference’s parity in the top half it seemed reasonably optimistic to hope for a 7th or 8th seed. I had correctly predicted a 41-41 record the previous season.

Clearly I underestimated the Trail Blazers this year. And I’m not the only one who’s glad to be wrong.

A few commenters on my October post also made their predictions. Let’s see how prescient, or not, they were . . .

• Some character named Mizzzzzz scoffed: almost 50 wins? here’s hoping! I suspect about 44 wins-38 losses.
• Drew was slightly more optimistic, I think they would win at least 47 games, but then he commented again but they won’t make the playoffs because the west is too strong. Just saying I’m not dissing my favorite team
• Diane came the closest, with I think they’ll win at least 52.

I hope Mr. Mizzzzzz is enjoying his heaping serving of crow. And Drew, be more optimistic! Diane wins the Dave Knows Trail Blazers record prediction contest this year – Congrats!

My prediction for round 1 is Blazers in 7.

I’ve seen optimistic predictions that the Blazers will win the series in 6, but I give Houston more credit than that. I expect Aaron Brooks (a Duck) and Von Wafer (former Blazer) to play well in Portland. They might be the catalyst for Houston taking a game in Portland. And Yao’s tough to defend – we’ll see how the refs call things. I do fully expect Artest to do something stupid, like get kicked out of a game or get a suspension; whatever he does Blazers, don’t leave the bench!

So anyway.

Go Blazers!

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In a recent post Batum writes about All-Star weekend. He shares his experience doing color commentary for the Rookie Sophomore game on Canal+, partying with Steve Nash, setting world records, and more. But despite my best efforts learning French, I’m glad that Oregonlive.com’s Tim Brown has translated the post for us at the Blazer Blog.

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Celebrate for a few days (I recommend your first legal alcoholic beverage be an Oregon beer!), and then treat yourself to a double double, and oh, say 4 blocks against the Bullets Wizards Saturday!

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