Jan 19 2009
The Lost Blazers
This Wednesday, Trail Post’s favorite television show of all time returns to the air. After going through the last few seasons again in preparation for the newest episodes, are started noticing some almost disturbing parallels between characters on Lost and players and personnel throughout the Blazers’ history.
Greg Oden - Jack
When Greg Oden came to Portland he was hailed as a savior, as the man that would turn things around and help the team escape mediocrity. Of course, the expectations got to him when he failed, and he’s been mired in a funk ever since. You could say some of the same about Jack. When he realized that he failed by leaving the island, he became mired in a pill-fueled funk. Also, both of them have lots of experience in the O.R.
LaMarcus Aldridge - Kate
When LaMarcus Aldridge was drafted, he was expected to be the centerpiece of the team, much how when the Lost writers created Kate, she was expected to be the main character. However, stronger supporting cast members have usurped their importance. Both seem disappointing, but really put in solid work by any account. At the same time, both work hard to shed a reputation of softness.
Brandon Roy - Desmond
Brandon is our Constant. Like Desmond, he sees the future, as he knows what plays develop before they even happen.
Channing Frye - Hurley
Big and somewhat useless, they’re giant nerds that just like to hang out. Everyone loves them. Still, they have their big moments (Channing’s games against Denver last year, Hurley driving the Dharma van). As a footnote, Channing Frye once ate a gallon of ranch dressing in one sitting.
Steve Blake - Locke
John Locke spent his whole life before the island drifting from place to place, job to job. When he got to the island, he was found to be important and a leader. His skill set perfectly matched the situation he was in, and he decided to make the place his home. Steve Blake drifted around the NBA until he found the Blazers, a team that could use an experienced PG that could distribute and hit open threes. He soon decided that he would make Portland his home. And Steve Blake throws hunting knives in his spare time.
Travis Outlaw - Sayid
During Sayid Jarrah’s time in the Republican Guard during the first Gulf War, he tortured many innocent people. The same could be said for what Travis does to Blazer fans.
Nicolas Batum - Jin
They put a yeoman’s work, doing the little things that don’t show up to everyone, whether it’s Batum’s long-armed defense, or it’s Jin constantly catching fish for everyone. They do this despite not speaking the same language of anyone around them.
Martell Webster - Walt
Webster, like Walt is a kid who is supposed to be special, and was taken early with this in mind. Along with that, both have been absent for long periods of times. During these absences they show up mysteriously to help people, whether it’s pushing a car out of the snow or helping Locke get out of mass grave after he was shot. Walt, like Webster, can control birds with his mind.
Sergio Rodriguez - Bernard
Sergio is pretty worthless without his counterpart, much like former dentist Bernard. Left to their own devices, they wander off and work on their own projects to little or no success. Both can hit big shots when in a team setting, such as the time Bernard blew up the Others with a gun shot.
Rudy Fernandez - Rose
Both are role players that come up big in key moments. Rose always puts together strong performances, and you wonder why she doesn’t get more time. Both are linked to hapless characters.
Joel Przybilla - Mr. Friendly
Friendly’s been on the island for years, and he’s willing to do absolutely anything you ask of him. Joel has been with the team for years, and does the job that no one else will do. Interestingly enough, wearing a fake beard and raggedy clothing has been part of Przybilla’s pregame ritual since his days at Minnesota.
Raef LaFrentz - Arzt
Leslie’s most famous for blowing up in spectacular fashion at the end of season one. Much like him, Raef will make his biggest splash when he finally leaves the team.
Jerryd Bayless - Aaron
During the series, Aaron was born on the island, and was nearly abducted quite a few times, until he finally was taken off of the island by Kate. Much like Aaron, Jerryd Bayless has been coveted everywhere, and we definitely do not want to let him go due to his implied importance in the future.
Kevin Pritchard - Ben
Both are masterminds that act in ways that some consider megalomania. Ben angles for new people to come to the island, and his word is considered the final one in any matter. Pritchard cons other GMs to get his way, leaving a trail of assistant GMs in Denver which hate him. When they’re crossed, they can both be dangerous to the people around them. Other GMs hear whispers before Pritchard calls them with trade proposals.
Paul Allen - Charles Widmore
One’s a shadowy billionaire that does things for reasons no one understands besides himself and claims ownership to islands and the other is a character on Lost.
Shavlik Randolph - Paolo
Wait, this dude was on the show?
Darius Miles - Mikhail
Like Mikhail, Darius seemed dead so many times, but still, he kept on coming back just as strong as before.
Our Cap Space - Charlie
Killed by Mikhail.
Nate McMillan - Jacob
Jacob is the overwhelming power on the Island, and the leaders of the island’s groups listen to him. He has strange and byzantine plans that never make much sense. The last sentence also applies to Nate’s strategy in regards to subbing.
Rasheed Wallace - Sawyer
Universally reviled at the beginning of the series, Sawyer became a beloved leader due to a change of location after he was kidnapped to the Hydra. One could say the same for Rasheed’s tenure in Portland and his redemption in Detroit. Along with that, both are the most quotable in their respective milieus (Sawyer, mysterious islands, Sheed, the NBA) and can always be counted on to bring levity to a dour situation.
Anyway. The season premiere is Wednesday at 9. Yes, that’s during the Cleveland game.
