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By now the entire city (the entire nation most likely) has either seen or heard about the nude pictures posted online of the Portland Trail Blazers' #1 draft pick Greg Oden. They were flat, tabloid style, Internet quality, mirror and cell pictures that garnered an immediate and outrageous reaction from fans, local and national media alike.

At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis. However, for those of us that were up early enough, one could practically hear Portland's collective hearts drop: another Greg Oden problem and another tragic circumstance to add to the list. Right after "Tragedy: 579,874,398,745,986: Brandon Roy sustains recurring and nagging injury-Sidelined Indefinitely" we can now add, "Tragedy: 579,874,398,745,987: Greg Oden has nude pics all over the Internet and beyond".

For many Blazer fans this is the last straw.

Roughly 5 seasons ago, Blazer's management recognized that if the Trail Blazers want to become a viable, competitive and successful basketball franchise again, they would have to repair the damaged relationship with the city and the fans. First order of business, fix the Blazer's tarnished reputation. By gutting the team and replacing the coaching staff, they made a pledge to the community that the Blazer's organization was ready and willing to reestablish the ever important bond between a loving but disillusioned fan base and wayward Blazer team. Through a series of calculated moves and a new commitment to draft and sign only those players with the highest moral quality and character, the Blazers reconciled with Portland and the era of "character and family" has been in full swing ever since.

The statement "it is all about character" isn't just something said often by Blazer GM Kevin Pritchard, it is a virtual creed. Fans cling to the notion that they can trust and love openly this Blazer squad whether the team wins or lose. It is no longer a question, even non-Blazer fans in Portland love these guys: the natural Brandon Roy, confident LaMarcus Aldridge, local Ime Udoka, take-less-money-because-I-just-really-love-it-here Joel Przybilla and Get Well Soon! Greg Oden. Considering this, it is not a stretch for me to imagine that many Blazer fans feel a sense of betrayal in light of this new "scandal". This wasn't supposed to happen, not with this team and not in the era of "Character and Family.

I have written before about the theory of media sensationalizion of sexuality and the trend to link overt sexuality or sexual displays within a consenting relationship to perversion and corrupt morality. In the instance of Greg Oden and his no longer private photos, evidence of the theory could not be more readily on display. Seemingly minutes after the photos were made public, Oden's character and morality were called into question. On the radio, on newspapers and even the Blazer beat, the unfortunate and embarrassing news was reported in the most outlandish and inappropriately negative light.

To fans, society and the grand scope of modern media I ask: What of character? Does taking an intimate photo and sending it to another consenting adult really constitute deficient morality or questionable character? To many, this is a sign that Oden just doesn't cut it on Pritchard's character-o-meter. To those that feel this way, Mr. Oden solemnly addressed you in a hastily assembled media presser this evening and he apologized profusely, perhaps unwittingly attempting to convey the depth of his personal humiliation and sadness. Taking and sending nude photos was stupid, careless and immature; but conveys a fundamental lack of character? I do not think so. It was a mistake; nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with this situation is not that Greg is somehow morally deficient, it is the perception that he is and the damage that perception could potentially wreak on his mental state and overall happiness in this town. He's young and made a stupid mistake, but to condemn his basketball career and peg him as a bad person is disingenuous at the least. I still contend he is a nice young man and naked pictures do not mean he is otherwise. In less than 24 hours since the pictures have surfaced he has apologized and reaffirmed to everyone who still may be wondering, that he is committed to the Blazer's team and his teammates. In the midst of a genuinely contrite apology made to Portland media members this evening, Greg noted that he has since learned that if one does not want pictures of one's self blasted on the Internet, one cannot share them with other people. This should be enough, let's move on Portland.

Sophia Brugato | Twitter: @sophiabiabia | s.brugato(at)gmail(dot)com

No Brandon, no problem right? Wrong.

Last night was a shining example of why we need Brandon Roy, especially down the stretch. The Blazers fought hard the whole game, guys were stepping their games up until the last few minutes when no one could make a field goal. Tired legs and too many minutes for veterans, led to a disappointing finish in the Rose Garden as New Orleans won 98 to 97.

Besides the first few minutes and the last few minutes, this was a pretty entertaining game. Marcus Thornton showed us what all the fuss was about, Chris Paul was his usual amazing self, and the Blazers fought their way back into a position to win. Then they let it slip away, again.

The game got pretty physical at times, Rudy was getting hit in the face repeatedly and a lot of calls both ways were making people upset, particularly David West. We should have capitalized on the Thornton flagrant foul on Rudy, but instead Chris Paul got mad and made sure New Orleans won this game.

Regarding the fouls on Rudy, why is Hornet fan so quick to call it a flop? I'm pretty sure if someone threw an elbow at me, I might be inclined to try to soften the blow by bouncing off it. The Thornton foul was so obviously intentional, but it seemed to incite a stereotypical "all Euro's flop" rant. I don't see it, and I hate flopping more than anything. Plus, even if Rudy is selling it a little, it's not his fault the league is now built this way. So much of the game has become about acting in the NBA, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Anyway, the Blazers will need to bounce back tomorrow night against division rival Utah. It is impreative Portland take care of business at home, especially with a Texas road trip looming. It is very possible the Blazers could go 0-4 this week and lose their position in the West. Now is the time to step up and take care of business. I think they can, just a matter of execution.

Box Score

Horrible start, no defense, Hornets had most of their points in the paint. LaMarcus was non-existent at times offensively. He needs to create more opportunities for himself. Allowing NO to go on a 10-1 run to win the game. Losing a home game, again. FAN VOTE: The Blazers are willing to give it to Bayless with 5 seconds left but no PT with 5 minutes left? What's up with that?	Juwan Howard was huge throughout, ties a season high with 16 points. Rudy tied a season high 7 rebounds, also scored 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting. Spread the ball around well, 28 total assists to NO's 20. FAN VOTE: Batum's return and impressive play in limited minutes.

OK, so how do we cover this? Then again, how do we not cover this? And yes, lack of coverage is what started this whole thing in the first place. (Hardee har har!)

Naked Greg is streaking all through the internet at the moment. It appears that he took the photos himself and sent them to someone and, well, you know the rest. They are out there. I will not link to them. It will be interesting to watch the fall out I guess. Another painful learning experience for Mr. Oden.

The real crime here is that someone had the audacity to take Greg's face and photoshop it onto my body. You people disgust me.

UPDATE: I should mention that the pictures involved in Oden's Weiner-gate could very well be fake. This is the internet. I have heard there is some possible tattoo disparity. I would try to verify this personally, but that would involve looking at those pictures again, which is not going to happen.

UPDATED UPDATE: Oden was a guest on Canzano's radio show and verified that the pictures are in fact real. He's sad, embarrassed, and sorry.

Tonight the Portland Trail Blazers(27-18) take on the New Orleans Hornets(23-20) at the Rose Garden. In preparation for the game I talked to Sarah, aka TickTock6 of the consistently awesome HornetsHype.com about the Blazers, the Hornets and what to look for in tonight's game.

You can find my answers to Sarah's questions at Hornets Hype.

Sophia: I think the Blazers will struggle trying to keep up with the Hornets if the pace is even a little more than what the Blazers are used to. Aside from this, what will be the most efficient plan of attack for the Hornets tonight in order to get a win?

Sarah: The Blazers and the Hornets used to be two teams that people assumed played a fast pace because they were young and up-and-coming, but in reality were among the slowest in the league last year. Has this changed? Well, the Hornets starting lineup is still slow. But they've added a zippy bench including Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton, and Julian Wright who get out and run. They've also been outperforming other teams' benches, which is a new look for Hornets fans who got used to a vast well of suck when Chris Paul was out of the game. I would like to see a fast start, a few plays run to get Emeka Okafor and Peja Stojakovic involved early, and the team to really try to hit the offensive boards. I would also like this game to NOT be played in New Orleans, where, inexplicably, the last two years straight Chris Paul has gone down with a major injury against the Blazers and they've gone on to fall apart. Oh, it's in Portland? Good.

Sophia: This has been an upside down, disappointing, exciting and ultimately unpredictable first half of the season season for both the Blazers and the Hornets. Can you talk about some of the positive things that have happened?

Sarah: The most positive thing is named Marcus Thornton. He's the Hornets surprise second rounder who's developing into an absolutely fearless spark plug off the bench. Recently he's been getting crunch time minutes and taking some of Devin Brown's minutes with the starters, leading fans to wonder if a switch to the starting lineup is in his near future. I cannot stress enough how much I love watching this kid play. Positive thing 1A is Darren Collison. He's super fast and has given the bench a new look. Finally, the Hornets have probably been in (and won) more close games than I daresay any team in the league. They've only blown the opposing team out twice. It's a heart attack to watch but it also means these guys are getting to be ice cold in crunch time.

Sophia: I like watching West and LA when the teams play. What match-up will you enjoy the most?

Sarah: The easy answer to this question used to be Tyson Chandler and Joel Przybilla, who used to get in a fight every time the teams played in Portland. Now, I don't know. Also, we might not see West and LA tonight if West's tweaked ankle (from Friday at Minnesota) is deemed not ready. He should play, though, because he was walking on it and I haven't heard that it's that serious.

Sophia: January has been a great month for the Hornets , after a pretty rocky start, what is the team doing differently now?

Sarah: They're playing the rookies, who Byron Scott refused to even dress. They're playing a little faster pace, especially off the bench. They're keeping games close, and winning them. They're actually winning on the road. (I think it was mid-December before they got their second road win, but now they have seven.)

Sophia: The Hornets are one of my favorite teams beside the Blazers in the league, my son idolizes Chris Paul. I feel like the Hornets are pretty endearing, do you have any idea why that is? (don't count San Antonio fans)

Sarah: They're a feisty, fun, good-looking bunch, and they have Chris Paul... who WOULDN'T like them? ;-) I should note here that I am actually a huge Brandon Roy fan and I used to like the Blazers before they became Public Enemy #3 (I have a list of teams that need to lose so the Hornets can move into the playoffs, and the Blazers are on it... sorry, Blazers!)

Joe Freeman reports that Nicolas Batum is expected to make his season debut tonight at home against the Hornets. This is great news, but I wonder if Nic can play center? Here's an excerpt:

Coach Nate McMillan said Batum will play between five and seven minutes a half and no more than 15 minutes. Batum said the anticipation of his return felt like he was playing in his first NBA game all over again.

"I'm excited," said Batum, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum on Oct. 30.

New Orleans Hornets coverage at Hornets 24/7, Hornets Central, At The Hive and Hornets Hype.

Overall Winner:

Reader Jason alerted us to this new Brandon Roy rap. Here's what he had to say...

So the all-star starters are set and once again the blazer's own Brandon Roy is absent from the list. Portland fans are pissed. Small market/injuries be damned, we still believe our own local dude is easily one of the most underrated players in the in the game. Period. Well enough is enough. So i guess in a campaign to earn ROY a little more national shine, local rapper Remy Rock has crafted a pretty kick ass theme song (a la Lil Wayne's Kobe Bryant) fittingly entitled Brandon Roy. After a friend showed it to me, I couldn't stop listening to it. Check it out.

Brandon Roy - Remy Rock: