

Okay, I have no love for the Sonics, but with their move to OKC the Blazers are in the unenviable position of being the most geographically isolated team in the NBA (when you look through the lens of division pairings)...which translates into what appears to be a league leading 21 BTB's this season. After getting spanked on the back end of one of the particularly heinous Home&Away concepts (1 of 9 this season the Blazers get royally screwed on) it's hard to understand why the scheduling is so out of balance. If you don't believe me, look at the NW Division...the Blazers play the most BTB's (OKC only plays 14) and is second only to Minnesota in H&A. The Lakers, by contrast (whom I realize are not in our division), play 15 BTB's, and 9 H&A....2 of which have first or second night "away" games against the Clippers!!! (I think they only leave the state on 3 H&A's). To be fair, some of the East Coast teams play more H&A's, but with compressed travel distances between cities I'm sure most Blazer players would gladly trade.

I know, a geeky rant...but every time Mike&Mike say how well the Blazers do on BTBs I'm left to wonder why that's a point of pride (instead of unrest). Weren't we the most injured team in the league last season? Can't believe a more rigorous schedule doesn't contribute on some levels.