Arvydas Sabonis Suffers A Heart Attack

Former Portland Trailblazers big man Arvydas Sabonis suffered a heart attack in his native country of Lithuania while playing basketball. He was rushed to the hospital and is believed to be in stable condition.

The Trailblazers issued a press release confirming Sabonis’ status.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have confirmed that Arvydas Sabonis has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack in his native Lithuania,” the statement read. “His condition is believed to be non-life threatening. Our thoughts are with Arvydas and his family at this time. We wish him well in a speedy recovery.”

Shaquille O’Neal once joked that Sabonis was one of the centers he made retire from the NBA. I thought his basketball playing days were over once he retired from the NBA. Sabonis was an effective player although he came to the NBA when he was on the downside of his playing career. Truth is Sabonis was a beast when he played over in Europe and would’ve given plenty of opposing big men trouble had he decided to come to the NBA after he was drafted in 1986.

He played seven seasons with the Blazers and posted career NBA averages of 12.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. In Europe, he was named player of the year eight times and won a gold medal while representing the Soviet Union at the 1988 Olympics.

Gerald Wallace…FBI

Federal agents usually don’t show up at a basketball practice unless something highly illegal is going on or it’s in a movie. So it was a surprise when they showed up at a recent Portland Trailblazers practice. I would’ve understood that about 7 years ago.

They weren’t there to investigate anything, they were there to do a bit of recruiting, even though they claim n ot to be hiring right now. They were recruiting Gerald Wallace to become a part of the bureau. Of course after his playing days are over. I don’t think Wallace would like the pay cut he would get after banking $10.5 million this season.

Wallace had stated that he would like to be an FBI agent once his playing days are over.

Agents gave him a hat, sweatshirt, and an honorary badge and told him to keep the bureau in mind when his playing days are over.

Marcus Camby Might Retire If He’s Traded

With the trade deadline looming some teams are looking to shed some money off their books for some younger, cheaper talent. Recently it seems some veterans aren’t looking to move from their current surroundings. Chauncey Billups said that he would take a buyout if he’s traded from Denver. Portland’s Marcus Camby has done him one better. According to sources, Camby says he’ll contemplate retirement if he’s traded.

“Marcus has made plenty of money in his career, and at this stage would not be keen to move to a rebuilding situation,’’ the source said. “If he is traded, he would likely contemplate retirement.’’

When it gets late in someone’s career, sometimes a player is comfortable in their surroundings and don’t want to move their family all over again. I think this is the case with Camby. He likes playing in Portland and maybe he likes the city.

“He really wants to stay in Portland, it’s his No. 1 choice,’’his agent Rick Kaplan said. “It was incredibly important to him when he signed his extension and moved his family that he stay in Portland. I think by now he understands it’s a business, but that’s where he wants to be.’’

I’m sure Portland wouldn’t trade him unless they got fair value of course. But he wants to be there. Right now for Camby it’s not about money and it’s not about trying to find the best oppurtunity to win a championship. It’s about him and his family being in a place that’s comfortable for them. Besides, it wouldn’t be in the Blazers’ best interest to trade him since they’re not too strong at the center position. But you never know.

Roy Says He’s Ready To Return

Brandon Roy wants to return to the basketball court. I say he should shut it down. Portland Trailblazers head coach Nate McMillan says he wants to see Roy in practice before he ok’s the decision. I say there is no decision. Roy has to stop trying to br courageous and chalk this season up as a loss. But what do I know, I just watch sports.

Roy was dragging around on one leg like Horace Pinker before he went on the shelf, what makes you think it’ll be any different after a few games. He’s practically bone on bone which is even more reason he should sit out the rest of the season. Remember when he returned against Phoenix in game four of their first round playoff series, which was rushed. Now he wants to make another quick comeback. Take it easy, sit down and take a break young man. This is your career you’re putting at stake.

“I can’t really predict the future, but right now they (the knees) feel good,” Roy said. “The biggest thing is once I start playing I have to keep them at a level where I feel good about going out there and helping this team.”

Those knees are shot and hanging by a thread. The best thing Roy can do is let the season play on without him. The Blazers are 16-10 without Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge has flourished with the offense going through him. Roy has already pouted about Andre Miller, how would he feel not being the focal point of the offense? Roy’s heart, pride, and ego won’t allow him to sit out the rest of the season, maybe his head and McMillan will tell him otherwise.

If Blazers stay healthy they could be elite

I’m not saying the Portland Trailblazers are on the cusp of an NBA championship in the next few years.They are on the right track on getting back to where the franchise was a threat during their heyday in the 90s.They are stocked with talent from the starters to the bench.The big problem they have is staying healthy.If they could stay healthy I feel this team could be truly special and become a dominant force in th Western Conference for years to come.Brandon Roy is the unquestioned leader of this team.Lamarcus Aldridge is very solid number two option behind Roy.They still have to shore up the point guard spot,but they are well stocked at small forward and shooting guard.I’m not ready to give up on Greg Oden just yet,but it seems anytime he hits the floor he gets hurt.Listen Blazer fans,Oden wasn’t going to be the savior of the franchise and never will be.I also don’t think he will be a stiff,which so many “true” NBA centers turn out to be.If he can stay fully healthy, along with some of his teammates,he could be a dominant defensive force,a strong rebounder and if he can convert about 4 or 5 putbacks he could be a very solid player.If this team isn’t ravaged by injury,ego,and free agency they could be the next dominant team out West.