2021-22 College Bowl games and before
(See Updates at the bottom of the post) Olshey gone? (see bottom below).
To those many sports fans who have followed my coverage over the years this may be my last sports article. If you are curious, my reason will be answered before this article is complete. I will most likely continue to do the bowl predictions, just because I still have fun taking a shot at those season ending escapades. You will find out how I got started at this by going back to some of the earliest postings about the Blazers.
About three years ago I wrote that I believed the Blazers would bring a championship to Portland within two to three years. This was based upon favorable numerical indicators between the inherent team numerology, the players and coaching staff and administration.
With this season gone, the peak period has passed. That does not rule out a shot at the championship, but the prospects get dimmer for some time to come (especially if they stay with the same personnel). My optimism was also based upon the determination of Damian Lillard to bring the crown home to the city. His leadership did go a long way, and with hopes he will still get his dream.
Early on my indication was that Terry Stotts would be a good fit for the Blazers based upon numerical calculations. I believe he has been. He has encouraged a generally dignified approach to the game and a winning culture. I have also pointed out he appears to be a 47 and 35 kind of leader and not the one to bring a championship. It will be interesting to see if he comes back next year.
On other occasions I have referred to the probable influence of SSS and implored Terry Stotts on several occasions to play the talent (develop 10-12 players who add their special skill and keep the team fresh). That scenario would be fitting for the team numbers. It seems to have worked for the Nuggets.
The most exciting part of this season was when Lillard was injured and Stotts had 10 or 12 excited water bugs running all over the court playing together and enthusiastically enjoying the game (and winning!). What was the reward? As soon as Dame and Nurk returned, back to the predictable 8 or 9 man rotation, and back to the bench for the winners. The message to players: fear of rookies and distrust of the bench. The results: a tired core who runs out of steam in crunch time of the play offs. You would think after nine years, he might have tried something else!
Perhaps if Jody Allen loosens up the purse strings and spends 40 or 50 million $$$ over the luxury limit they can get two more all star caliber players next year and have a shot! Remains to be seen how much she shares her brother’s desire to win a championship with the Blazers. The numbers suggest there is a good chance the franchise will be sold before the end of the 2022-23 season.
My primary contribution to numerology is how it can be used to accelerate personal, psychological, spiritual and cosmic self growth. I have dabbled in sports and entertainment hoping to catch people’s attention to the greater potential that can come from study of numerology.
Overall, I did pretty darn well over all with my assessments. Yes, I have had my share of misses. Sometimes my team enthusiasm might have skewed my numerical wisdom. But, I look back fondly at my track record. The specific games where I predicted scores and player performance in advance of the games. Being one of the first to state that LaMarcus Aldridge would leave. Twice completely out performing ESPN, Las Vegas and 101 NBA prognosticators with preseason Blazers predictions. There are some more highlights, but at this point I have no energy to dig back and find them.
I was disappointed with the NBA and players to see the Association go political this season. It was sad to see so many mostly college educated people being taken in by the manipulation of the Hegelian dialectic and collectively throwing support to covert movements and socio-political agendas. The sport has become a business of billionaires, and sadly sometimes troublesome agendas of the elite.
There is a huge struggle for life and freedom occurring across the globe, and much more important issues for humanity to recognize. I enjoy a wholesome competition of sport, but am concerned with the distraction it can be when people get compulsive about the game and lose sight of the tragedy of what is happening around them.
I, too, have perhaps placed too much attention in the sport and will get back to giving more attention to those struggling souls who are awakening to the realization of the need to be more active in making positive change to the planet, rather than investing so much time and energy watching a game where five players run around a defined space bouncing a ball and tossing it into a measured circle.
2021-22 Suggestions No Chauncey Billups or Jason Kidd! A very successful young college coach, dynamic young flexible and innovative NBA assistant, or established NBA winning coach. First Team: 1. Dame 2. Powell 3. Free Agent all star caliber 4. RoCo & 5. Nurk. Second Team: 1 CJ 2. Ant 3. Zach 4. Melo & 5. Kanter. Third Team: 1. Trade, Rookie or Free Agent 2. Elleby 3. Little or Hol-Jeff 4. Leaf 5. Giles
(Note) This should not be seen as a demotion or complaint about CJ. It is a move that would substantially elevate their rotation and put him in line for 6th man of the year and maybe all star playing at this spot. If Ant and Zach improve and emerge, this could be one of the toughest second teams in the league.
Although I am not a fan of Olshey, I personally feel they do have a good roster, and that a more flexible coach could get a lot more mileage out of basically the same team (with at least one major all star caliber addition).
(Update 6-29-21) Having just watched the June 2021 Trail Blazers events, confirms my feeling that I no longer have any interest covering their future as I have over the past several years.
Maybe Terry Stotts could not win the big ones, but he did lend dignity and humanity to the club.
It should have been a red flag that Billups comes with limited experience from an organization that has been notoriously dysfunctional and sometimes toxic over the past three to five years. His court incident and accusations of 1997 do not help.
In the NBA Billups is regarded for being authoritative and direct. His numbers indicate a strong personality and much to do with issues of authority, prestige and power. This could lead to forceful leadership and a step closer to the top that the Blazers are seeking.
On the other hand, it could indicate growing issues with ego, control and smug arrogance (one similar to Olshey’s, but not as disguised) that detaches him from the fan base and best interests of the organization. This could lead to complete unraveling of the Trail Blazers organization.
One very possible bad case scenario is that ego, false pride and conformity to an institutional agenda image could well undermine the once family oriented and fan based Blazers organization. Numbers suggest that by the end of the 22-23 seasons the Blazers will very likely be sold. Neil Olshey will be gone, and despite his attempt at loyalty, Lillard will be gone along with a good part of the current roster.
(10/20/21 comment) Having said above, note on the opener. New season optimism, new staff, many new players. Same results. Get behind, work your butt off and lose. Too many of these and just like the last 9 years=tired at the end of the season, and get taken out early in the play offs.
(10/23/21 Comment) For his entire term at Portland the numericdal mantra for Terry Stottsa was play the talent!! Look at the bench scoring in the second game! Yea, it was clean up time, new coach got em in and got em playing. It looks like everyone scored. Billups has power numbers, and one hopes he can outlive his indiscretions. Losing an assistant coach to possible arrest does not help.
(11/6/21) Just in >>>> Canzano: Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey’s tired bully act should have been over long ago – oregonlive.com <<< Who mentioned his smugness, arrogance and probable departure months ago? See above. >>> On the other hand, it could indicate growing issues with ego, control and smug arrogance (one similar to Olshey’s, but not as disguised) that detaches him from the fan base and best interests of the organization. This could lead to complete unraveling of the Trail Blazers organization.
