Odds

This is a thoroughly unscientific piece of research, but after Greg Oden's season-ending microfracture surgery on Thursday, the oddsmakers have made some changes as to how likely the Blazers are to win the Finals.

Previous to yesterday, you could get about 50/1 odds on either Seattle or Portland to win the Finals. However, at newbodog.com this morning, the Sonics are still listed at 50/1, while the Blazers have dropped to 65/1.

The crazy thing is, the Blazers are still better than the Sonics, even without Oden, right? Yes, they've lost Zach Randolph and now Oden, but they've got Brandon Roy back in what should be an even better season, Jarrett Jack, and improving LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, a healthy Raef LaFrentz (I kid), and, well, I just see the Blazers winning more games this season than a Sonic team that features two rookies and a bunch of other guys. Maybe the oddsmakers expect more from Kevin Durant than me, but I just can't see the Sonics winning more games than Portland this season, injuries aside.

Oden Out for Year

Unbelievable. According to multiple sources (here's one of them), Greg Oden is out for the year after having exploratory surgery on his knee in Vancouver on Thursday. I'm not sure if they meant Vancouver, BC or Vancouver, WA, but I'm assuming it's the Washington one, since the line-up for health care in BC would mean that Oden would get his surgery sometime next March.

More to come later, but, wow, that sucks for Portland.

Thanks to Frank for the tip in the comments section.

Locked On Jazz

As previously mentioned in Gary Washburn's blog at the PI, David Locke has relocated to Salt Lake City, taking over the pre- and post-game Jazz shows as well as hosting a sports radio show on KJZZ (and, yes, I agree that KJZZ sounds like something you'd by at a sex shop for $7.99).

Here's Locke's take on returning to SLC, including paying homage to the wonderful Jazz franchise.

You know, if I was running the Sonics, I think my first two questions to potential broadcasters would be:

1. Do you now or have you ever before rooted for the Portland Trail Blazers?
2. Do you now or have you ever before rooted for the Utah Jazz?

A yes to either question would be grounds for a non-hire, at least to me.