Portland Trailblazers GM, John Nash was on Courtside first tonight to clear up the entire Oregonian fiasco. Nash is very angry with the Oregonian's back peddling and excuse making. He went on to say that he has never dealt with a local media that is so bad and misinformed, maybe it can be blamed on lack of competition. Nash Never said that Iavaroni was going to be coach or even that Nate McMillan was a candidate. The Oregonian used a source close to Iavaroni, a source that John Canzano provided. The source that Quick used was weak and misinformed. Nash is pissed that the Oregonian is blaming Blazer management for the crap printed-- It is the Oregonian's fault for getting shoddy sources.

     The Oregonian has passed up some great stories while they have been trying to cover their butts on this whole fiasco. Andrew Bynam came in and had a Great work out and the Oregonian didn't even bother to interview him. There are lots of great stories to be had but, Nash is ignored most of the time. Nash emailed Canzano a dozen times last week and Canzano seemingly ignored Nash. Charlotte is very interested in the 3rd pick, but aren't yet willing to pay the price that Nash wants, Nash does not want future first round picks. Nash also said that Wright had a good workout and expects him to be taken somewhere in the middle of the first round.

     Iavaroni's agent was a guest on Courtside after Nash and said that there was no truth at all to his client being offered the job or even being close to being offered the job in the hiring process. He went on to say that whoever JC and Quick used as a source was a VERY weak source. He was very upset that he was never contacted to verify the signing of his client as coach of the Blazers. He said that Quick was taking swings in the dark and that he completely missed. Iavaroni's agent is also Grgurich’s agent, and he said that Grgs does not plan on leaving the Blazers (to his knowledge) and is under contract for one more year.

     Frank Hughes was on next and went on to site instances of when the Oregonian was wrong this season in reporting stories that ended up being dead wrong, such as saying that Cheeks would finish out the year coaching. Most likely Bogut will go first, because he can contribute right away whereas Marvin will not. Terry Porter really wants Bogut.

     Paul Allen was up next and said this (Mccants, Nate Robinson, Webster) is one of the better workouts he’s seen. He thought Nate was unbelievable. He gets real excited about the draft. He likes to get a chance to talk to the players and find out who they are. He was also very impressed with Martel Webster’s maturity, and thinks all 3 players, Mccants, Webster, Robinson could really help the Blazers. Kept saying they made a LOT of shots.

     They are working on the coaching vacancy but it has taken a back seat to the draft. Will they have a coach by the draft? Since he’s been owner he hasn’t had a pick this high, so they are working extra hard. Ideally he’d like to have a coach before the draft but it’s not necessary. He says that we are Retooling, not rebuilding. He thinks this draft is very important and that they could fill in a lot of holes just out of the draft. How would the lockout affect the blazers? Whenever you are developing young players, a lockout can really slow them down.

-OdomLOL & PHATGUYSRULE