Dave Knows Portland

Portland Tribune header image mystery

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I was perusing the local rags this morning when I was struck by something odd at PortlandTribune.com: The homepage header contains a photo of Charles Barkley in his old Phoenix Suns uniform.

This is the main homepage and news header, not the sports section header. Clicking on his image does nothing. (In fact the header is not linked to anything; it should at least take you back to the homepage). A quick glance at news headlines reveals no clues as to why he would be there. (I thought maybe Phil had written something curmudgeonly about Barkley. Nope.)

Nothing obvious turned up in the sports section either. At least not in the headlines.

I searched the site for “Charles”. Barkley’s name doesn’t appear in any headlines on the site.

Ah, but what’s this? Kerry Egger’s column from Friday is titled Never too old to chase dream. Bingo! Egger dreamed about playing pickup basketball on a team with Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dwight Jaynes (?!?!?). Kerry Eggers really misses playing pickup basketball. I guess. This column is another mystery altogether. But at least we’ve probably discovered this particular connection between The Portland Tribune and the image of Charles Barkley.

Kevin Allman and Matt Davis might be onto something . . . or maybe the mysterious Charles Barkley image was placed there purposely to drag obsessives like me through the site to drum up more page views. It’s a mystery.

Slugs and boxed wine: How I spent my Grand Floral Parade weekend

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Spruce Run mapCamping close to town with no reservations was no problem. In fact no more than 3 of the 30+ campsites at Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground were occupied all weekend. The rain, the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, and Fleet Week were all going on in Portland. These are all good reasons to get out of town, though the rain followed us.

Mile73.comDespite the weather, we enjoyed the trip and really enjoyed the shower when we got home Sunday. To read all about the rain and the boxed wine visit Heather’s Mile73.com and read A Quarter Tank of $4.49 Gas: Chapter Seven.

Portlander Erik Spoelstra new coach of the Miami Heat

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Former U of P and Jesuit High School star point guard, Erik Spoelstra, is taking over for Pat Riley in Miami.

Via Will Manso’s Sports Blog:

Local 10 News is the first to learn that Pat Riley has stepped down as Head Coach of the Miami Heat. Riley is set to make the official announcement at a press conference on Monday afternoon. As expected, he will remain as the Heat’s President.

Meantime, Riley will also announce that Erik Spoelstra will replace him as Head Coach. Spoelstra has always been highly regarded by Riley, and he has groomed Spoelstra for 13 years for this day. The 37-year old Portland native has certainly paid his dues. He started as a Video Coordinator with Miami in 1995, and has worked his way up to Director of Scouting. Riley sees him as a younger version of himself, and the players respect him.

Read the story here.

Some observations from a Blazer win

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  • The guys who sang the national anthem appeared to be high on something, my guess is coke. And the lead guy is not a very good singer. (The best national anthem so far this year was performed by Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt.)
  • Stephen Jackson really is crazy. Great player though, just not last night. Think Ruben Patterson with an outside shot.
  • Brandon Roy is unstoppable. You have to defend him straight up because, in any direction at any time, he can spin or twirl or step out and shoot or make the great pass. I would dread having to guard him.
  • Baron Davis is unstoppable. Like a Jarret Jack with the shoulders of Karl Malone.
  • Speaking of Jarret Jack, he’s my favorite Blazer. For a guard, he’s a solid (45%), if not spectacular, shooter, who tailors his game, whether his shot is falling or not, to the current needs of the team. Last night, it wasn’t falling (2-8 on the night), but he epitomized smart, unselfish play, dishing out 6 assists (most, if not all, in the second half). Other nights he epitomizes tough nosed play or hustle play; whatever the team needs. He’s also got that sour grimace that tells you he means business.
  • Przybilla’s sieve-like hands were un-sieve-like last night; best game I’ve seen him play since opening night. His one assist, a beautiful give and go and give to Roy, made my day.