ON THE FENCE by ST

Just got the word the Blazers have officially sent Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake and a million and a half in cash to the Clippers for Marcus Camby. No question this team needed some help inside with the injuries to Joel Priz & Oden, but did they give up too much? The key word here "inconsistency". Outlaw can be a bit frustrating, but when healthy, at crunch time, he gives them a terrific 2nd option behind Brandon Roy. He's really the only other guy who can take the ball off the inbound and create a good shot. Hopefully Jerryd Bayless will grow into that role. No question it's a limited risk move as Camby's contract expires after this season and he is 36 years old. Let's not forget he helped UMass make the national finals before falling to Kentucky way back in 1996! Blake turns 30 in 10 days, also a member of a great college hoop team, the 2002 National Champion Maryland Terps. At times he seems like a perfect fit for this team, at others I see him as a defensive liability, but he's unselfish and a really solid team oriented guy. I'm kind of intrigued by GM Kevin Pritchard's angle here and until proven otherwise, he gets my benefit of the doubt. He's not willing to mortgage the future with a true blockbuster because he's made some many great moves in putting this team together, but he's also unwilling to just chuck this season due to some bad injuries. I do think this puts more heat on Bayless to become a more productive guard in all aspects, in particular his ball distribution. All in all, I'd say I'm on board with this deal. Obviously everything is contingent on the return to full health by Brandon Roy. Look forward to your thoughts on this when the bell sounds for SportsTalk at 3pm.
Was kind of disappointed in a comment by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken recently. He was asked about electing guys to the Hall suspected of or guilty of steroid use. He kind of tap danced and played the "no judgement" card. He's really heavily involved in youth baseball and this was an opportunity for him to take a substantial stand and he blew it. He needed to show some stones instead of walk the union party line!
Remember to join us tomorrow at The O'Bar on the Commons. It's off of MLK by turning on Kinsrow or from the other side, off Garden Way.
Here's your shot at Duck Men's hoop tickets for this weekend's games. The winner gets to pick Stanford on Thursday or Cal on Saturday. E-mail the correct answer to stevetannen@live.com to get in the drawing. If you've won a prize within the last 30 days, you are not eligible.
We know the Ducks finished last in the Pac 10 last year. Prior to that, when was the last time the U of O men hoopers ran 10th in conference?