
Covering a number of subjects, including bad basketball in Oregon, the Trail Blazers’ future, Dan Burke, Gary Payton II, Patty Mills, Nike & Alberto Salazar …
A few sporting items on my mind as we ring in the new year …
• The state of Oregon is known for some pretty good basketball, but its major teams are displaying little of it so far this season.

How I became a Heisman voter, How the process works, and how I decided on DeVonta Smith …
In the 85-year history of the Heisman Trophy, only five receivers have won the award as college football’s premier player. So Alabama’s DeVonta Smith — named Tuesday as the 2020 recipient — is in with some exclusive company.
I was one of many throughout the country who cast a vote for Smith, the spectacular senior who was never better than he was on Dec. 19 when he helped No. 1-ranked Alabama get by Florida 52-46 in the SEC Championship Game.