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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mark L. Hopkins: Ranking the Obama administration 10 things to know for Monday BLM eyes first phase of Jack-Ash non-motorized trail Since You Asked: Noise issues may have changed Ashland streets Snapshots in time Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Body found in creek north of Central Point Emergency services, Feb. 8 Emergency Services, Feb. 9 Man stabbed by wife during argument in Medford Saturday The Sovereign Among Us Politics and Elections Mark L. Hopkins: Ranking the Obama administration Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Walden sets town halls on Friday Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Education Sharing black culture SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Environment Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Jackson County won't set up wolf kill compensation program Commercial users can get rid of pesticide waste for free Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills State News Letter says Kitzhaber official fired after Hayes criticism Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' Willamette football player pleads not guilty to manslaughter 'In God We Trust' leads to Klamath County debate Bill calls for relocation of Washington state wolves Nation - World Obituaries Helmut "Harry" Podlech Alson "Al" Velma "Ruth" Thornton Trudy Butler Jean Yvonne Baumer Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Young, Oregon dominate Washington State Plum, Washington overwhelms Oregon Blazers take charge late in Houston Spartans come up short on road Perfect Fit Varsity 541 College Sports Young, Oregon dominate Washington State Plum, Washington overwhelms Oregon Perfect Fit No. 7 OSU downs WSU Beavers defeat Cal Poly, 26-10 Pro Sports Blazers take charge late in Houston Spartans come up short on road Great day for Day Mavericks rally, down Blazers in OT With Davis hurt, Bulls rout Pels Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Silvio Calabi: Range Rover Sport, the off-road GT Erickson layoffs land hard in Jackson County People in Business Blog: Stay Calm Erickson announces 150 layoffs, mostly in Oregon Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar People In Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Mark L. Hopkins: Ranking the Obama administration Letters to the Editor, Feb. 9 Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you George Will: Education is the business of the states Dana Milbank: Ashton Carter likely to break hawks' hearts Editorials Our View: Call for resignation is premature Other Views: Overhaul the national firefighting budget Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Our View: Our growing disagreement with science Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 9 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 8 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 5 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Lifestyle Latest stories Gail Ciampa: Eggplant ‘parm’ just like Mom used to make Kitchen Call: Let them eat (chocolate) cake Silvio Calabi: Range Rover Sport, the off-road GT Day Trippin': Green Springs Inn offers a tranquil getaway — and great food Home Help: Repurposing garage doors into stunning walls with a view Food Gail Ciampa: Eggplant ‘parm’ just like Mom used to make Kitchen Call: Let them eat (chocolate) cake Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Community blog: Cupcakes can be good for sweetheart's heart Home and Garden Home Help: Repurposing garage doors into stunning walls with a view Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Health Community blog: Simple Solutions Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Hiking Biking Faith RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Live Music in Local Clubs Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Theater 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Music Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Passing of Time' Live Music in Local Clubs Charles Guy & Linda Powers play Belle Fiore Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label Dining Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Snapshots in time ... Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you ... Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 9 ... Snapshots in time ... Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you ... Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 9 ... NBA Expectations high for stable Trail Blazers They are coming off 54-win playoff season last year Comment By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Sep. 29, 2014 @ 6:04 pm By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Sep. 29, 2014 @ 6:04 pm » Social News PORTLAND — Among the themes for the Portland Trail Blazers this season is to embrace the idea they belong with the elite teams in the West. The Blazers exceeded expectations last year by winning 54 games and advancing to the second round of the playoffs, where they fell to the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers return nearly the entire roster from that team, including All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, and fellow starters Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez. The team addressed needs in the offseason with the acquisition of center Chris Kaman and the return of guard Steve Blake. Portland’s stability is a big reason why most onlookers don’t see last season as a fluke. Now the Blazers need to believe that, too. “There are clearly high expectations and we need to start acting like an elite basketball team and I think the guys get that,” general manager Neil Olshey said. Lillard echoed the sentiment on Monday when the Blazers held their annual media day before the start of training camp. “People expect us to be a good team because of what happened last year,” Lillard said. “We need to expect that of ourselves.” The Blazers exercised their fourth-year option on Lillard, who made the All-Star team his second year in the league last season. Lillard averaged 20.7 points and 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds. His celebrity really took off because of The Shot — his last-second 3-pointer that gave the Blazers a Game 6 victory over the Houston Rockets and sent the team to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2000. Lillard will be backed up by Blake, who is embarking on his third stint with the Blazers after Mo Williams’ departure. Williams, a free agent, landed with Minnesota. Blake, who became a fan favorite during his first two stints in Portland and kept a home in the area, signed a two-year deal with the Blazers this summer. Last season he averaged 6.9 points and 5.6 assists, splitting the season between the Lakers and Warriors. The Blazers also brought in Kaman, a burly 7-footer who has averaged 11.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over an 11-year NBA career. He will back up Robin Lopez. Both Lopez and Kaman will provide the levity in the Blazers locker room. Both are known for their quirky humor, although Lopez joked that the two big men are on “opposite ends of the crazy spectrum.” Coach Terry Stotts suggested that he may look for ways to get Lopez and Kaman on the floor at the same time. Olshey said the addition of Kaman means that Aldridge will always have a 7-footer on the floor with him. “They chose to be here,” Olshey said of the summer additions. “They had multiple options. They believed in what we’re doing.” Aldridge reiterated that he plans to re-sign with the Blazers next summer when he can command more money and a longer-term deal. Olshey and team owner Paul Allen visited with Aldridge and his agent this summer to pledge the team’s commitment to the three-time All-Star. Aldridge had career highs with an average of 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds last season with Portland, his eighth with the team. Last year, the Blazers were considered an iffy pick to even get to the playoffs, let alone make it past the first round. But Portland opened 24-5 to rise to the top of the Western Conference standings. The Blazers had a rough March, but won nine of their last 10 games to clinch the West’s fifth seed in the playoffs. Once there, the Blazers dispatched the Rockets with Lillard’s 3-pointer but fell to the Spurs in five games. Portland bettered its record by 21 wins over the previous season for the biggest turnaround in franchise history. The Blazers start workouts for this season on Wednesday. They open the preseason on Oct. 7 at Utah, and the regular-season opener is on Oct. 29 when Portland hosts Oklahoma City. “I definitely feel like we can be one of the top teams in the league,” Aldridge said. “It starts tomorrow.” By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. 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