In response to the recent physical play employed by the Detroit Shock against the LA Sparks, the team has invited Darius Miles in for a work-out.  This makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons.

1.  Darius is a wussy.  He has no balls either.

2.  Darius would be the third WNBA player capable of dunking.  The other two players- Candance Parker and Lisa Leslie- who ironically play for the LA Sparks.  Ooooohhh.

3.  Darius is like most of the WNBA players already.  He frequents strip clubs and likes to look at naked women.

4.  Darius has hair that could pass for 98% of WNBA players.

5.  Darius looks like Flavor Flav's daddy or momma and that show is a lot more popular than the WNBA.

6.  Darius fits the "Expect Great" marketing campaign of the WNBA.  Although he slightly alters his slogan to Great Expectations (never lived up to).

7.  Darius could sign for the league minimum and still get his bank from the Portland Trail Blazers who- would rather pay him to leave than keep him around- like a divorce...

Good Luck Ms. Miles.

A marketing disaster with the worst campaign ever to begin for a professional sports organization.  Now fighting girls (including Mahorn)!  The league is turning into an absolute joke desperately needing a face lift.   It makes a person wonder whether the "off-season"- which is what the WNBA is to most because the real season is in Europe where they make the money, should receive a do-over.  Oh wait...  You can't just do-over the fan base.  I would like to take my daughters to see a game played by professional women athletes.  I would like them to see the confidence and purity in which they play the sport.  I do not want them to see commercials of professional women trashing their organization, then fighting.

Someone needs to get some ummm... BasketBALL's and rethink what should be done.  I would like to know the top three suggestions from the fan base (or lack thereof).

The talent level of the Portland Trailblazers is exciting to Portland.  But Rip City is equally excited about the culture being built by Kevin Pritchard that represents our city.  We not only have talent- but good, humble, respectful young men who take pride in their responsibilities to the community.  Our role models are blossoming while doing it with their personalities.  Here are a few reasons why Portland loves it's team.

1.  Brandon Roy: 4 years in college.  Rookie of the Year.  Humble.  All-Star in year two.  Stood up to the last remaining thugs of Jailblazer land.  Undisputed Team Captain.  Clean cut.

2.  Steve Blake: 4 years in college.  Won National Championship.  Proclaims both he and wife LOVE Portland and never wanted to leave for short stints in Buck-Land and Denver.  Role Player.  Clean cut.

3.  Joel Pryzbilla: turned down larger money to stay in Portland.  Likes team chemistry.  Hard worker.  Also states he/wife love Portland.  Rebounds.  Clean cut.

4.  Martel Webster: homeboy from Seattle.  Improves every year.  Humble.  Waves at kids across the street at Club Sport from practice facility.  Competitive.  Explosive.  Clean cut.

5.  Travis Outlaw: Improves every year.  Freakish athleticism.  Defender.  Quiet and humble but killer instinct.  Takes criticism well.  Has a do what's right for team attitude (moving from PF to SF).  Likes to fish.  Clean cut.

6.  LaMarcus Aldridge: Humble and hard worker.  Comedian- expresses personality.  Dedicated.  Consummate teammate.  Competitive.  Improves every year.  HUGE in body and presence as a cornerstone of team for years to come.  Representing USA select team.  Clean cut.

7.  Greg Oden: Open to public.  Comedian.  Went back to school.  Worked hard despite set back.  Proclaims love of Portland.  Cares what fans think.  Makes statements and stands by them.  Talked politics gracefully.  #1 Draft Pick.  Will be cornerstone for years to come.  Part II of twin towers Jr.  Clean cut.

8.  Rudy Fernandez: Spaniard with shooting touch.  Takes less money to join Blazers.  Eager to prove he belongs.  Representing country in Olympics.  Wants to compete.  Clean cut.

9.  Jerryd Bayless: Plays with chip on his shoulder.  Has young Kobe/CP3 killer competitive attitude.  Is willing to fill role of point guard/combo (in that order).  Already defers to proven players on team.  Interviews well.  Excited about being in Portland.  MVP of summer league.  Fearless.  Game face.  Hates losing.  Member of USA Select Team.  Clean cut.

10.  Channing Frye: understands & supports culture and team chemistry.  Never bad mouthed Knicks even though he could have.  Plays role well.  competitive.  Happy to be in Portland.  Clean cut.

11.  Nicholas Batum: lanky young potential.  Humble.  Fundamentally sound and coachable.  Great long term project.  Clean cut.

12.  Ike Diogu: role player ready to prove himself.  Good locker room guy.  Wants to make most of opportunity.  Clean cut.

13.  Sergio Rodriguez: Perseveres through tough transition.  Plays behind starters.  Listens and learns.  Talked positively about Blazers to Rudy Fernandez- said, "You'll be treated fairly and given a chance to play..."  Clean cut.

14.  Coach Nate: Long time fixture in Pacific Northwest.  Understands people and basketball.  Considered a teacher, mentor, coach who cares about the outcome.  Focused on rebuilding quickly.  Turned down extension saying, "We haven't done anything yet."  Good with media.  Personable.  Family man.  Clean cut.

15.  Kevin Pritchard: creator of the Pritch-Slap.  Wheeler and Dealer.  Culture and talent a must.  Doesn't sacrifice by taking good players with character issues.  Great B-Ball mind.  Not afraid to make tough decisions.  Clean cut.

16.  Paul Allen: richest owner in the NBA. 

Clean cut team with good chemistry and a passion for their jobs and communities.  Always improving without sacrificing integrity.  Good decision makers.  David Stern must just love this team and what our management is doing.  The people of Portland do.  The rest of the NBA knows that the Blazers are building "Special".  We will continue to be patient and love our team as long as they continue down the path of ownership and responsibility.  Love the game- let it show.  Enjoy the ride and each other.  Respect your community.  Stay humble.  Maintain that killer instinct of Roy and Bayless on the court- while smiling off of it.  Hate losing.  Don't ever accept a locker room killer.  Do this...  and remember you will reap the riches of a long, happy, profitable career- no matter how big the market.  We want you to be successful the right way.  We live this way in Portland and will not settle for anything less.

Go Rip City- do your thing...

Portland Trailblazers are starting to resemble a young San Antonio Spurs.  Let's take a quick look...

Greg Oden/Tim Duncan

Rudy Fernandez/Manu Ginobli

Jerryd Bayless/Tony Parker

Brandon Roy/Michael Finley

LaMarcus Aldridge/Kurt Thomas

I actually like the Blazers starting five here.  Plus, the young guns are sporting Batum, Priz, Martel, Outlaw, Blake, Batum, Frye and potentially Sergio or Petteri Koponen (who I really hope makes the team).  He's a 6'5" point guard from Finland who is showing in summer league play.  Keep in mind that Raef LaFrentz's salary comes off the books and we are in line to get the best available veteran free agent next year.  This team is super talented and could contend the way San Antonio has in the next decade.  Kevin Pritchard is "Pritch-Slapping" every GM in the league with stunning moves and a huge amount of picks stockpiled for trade bait.  Nate is the perfect coach to keep the YOUNGEST TEAM in the NBA moving forward towards the Larry O'Brien Trophy.  Geez, I have goosebumps.

Let me know if you think the similarities are there or I'm just rusting in the Pacific Northwest. 

Have you seen the WNBA's new marketing pitch?  The one where there are numerous players saying disparraging things about the WNBA- and then <dramatic pause> a little note saying "They wouldn't say that... Expect Great" line comes up.  I assume it's by the same group that did the Adidas impossible is nothing campaign and it misses by a long shot.  The commercials have been viewed in numerous settings and around numerous people.  The consensus is always the same- "why would they do that?" 

First- not many people outside of the sports world know who the stars of the league are.  It's not the NBA where cross-over, brand and appeal have endured as part of the local culture regardless of who is on the team.  Second, there are players in the NBA with one name that are brands in their own right.  Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, Dirk, Wade, Barkley, Bird, CP3, Duncan, etc.  As a marketing professional, I like the Expect Great part of the slogan, but my recommendation would be to start there and show highlights of the team, good crowds and fun atmoshpere.  Show the public why they should support and attend. 

It's a fledgling (yes still) league trying to gain momentum.  Having these talented women misquoted is just ridiculous and harmful to the WNBA.  As a player, I would not say the lines they were obviously given.  One of these professional ballers needs some ummm balls to say- I don't think this is a good idea.  I'm not putting my name on this.

Good Luck to the WBNA but don't EXPECT GREAT from your marketing plan.  Go to Youtube and see the WNBA: Expect Great Parody.