Furious that the Portland Trailblazers didn't do more to ensure Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu would sign with the Blazers, Turkish resident Peda Sorkende is leaving the City of Roses and returning to his native country. According to Sorkende, he was never contacted by Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard or head coach Name McMillan."For years I have been the only Turkish resident of Portland," said Sorkende. "Everyone knows this. You would think they would call me. You would think they would have the sense to bring me to the airport and pretend that I was the strength and conditioning coach or the defensive coordinator. Instead, they do nothing. I am sick of this. I am leaving."
Despite the fact that Sorkende's hometown just outside of Bersa has intermittent electricity and a major pig problem, Sorkende says he can't stand to live in Portland knowing what might have been.
"The clock is running down and now instead of Roy having to take every last second shot you have Hedo ready and willing to run screen roll with LA," said Sorkende, tears running down his face. "If Roy gets in foul trouble, if Roy is having an off night, if, God forbid, Roy gets injured, you have an alternative and you're still a playoff contender. Now what? Five years and 50 million for David Lee, the poor man's Brad Lohaus? I don't think so."
Sorkende said he was not sure if the NBA package was available in Turkey but said he would likely become a Toronto Raptors fan next season.
"I hope Pritchard learns from his mistakes," said Sorkende. "We could have done something. We could have kidnapped his wife. We could have drugged him. If there's one thing I learned growing up in Turkey it's that there is always a way to get what you want."
