Oden on Courtside Tonight
posted: 7/24/2008 at 9:35 AM
It's Thursday, and that means Trail Blazers Courtside can be heard tonight on the Blazers Radio Network (95.5 FM The Game in the Portland area, or on line by clicking on the link at the top-right of this page).
Right off the top of the show tonight we're going to be joined by Greg Oden. It's been a while since we've had Greg on, and following his home-run performance at the ESPY's, we figured it was time to check with him once again.
For obvious reasons, we constantly get asked the same question- How is Oden, and how is his knee, and how is his rehab going? So, rather than speculate about it ourselves, we're going to get it from the man himself tonight.
There is also a chance we're going to hook up with Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, who is still in Las Vegas with the U.S. Olympic Team getting set for the Olympics.
As you know, not only is McMillan an assistant coach for Team USA, but he's got two of his players involved in helping to prepare the Olympic team. LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless are both playing on the US Select Team, and are gaining valuable experience, not only playing together, but playing with the best in the world.
Coach Nate is going to try and squeeze in an interview with us between meetings tonight in Vegas. We'll also be joined by Trail Blazers scout Chad Buchanan, who was in Las Vegas for summer league, and has been there watching Team USA practice.
Trail Blazers shooting coach John Townsend has just returned from Spain, where he was working out with Sergio Rodriguez. We had a taped interview from Townsend on last week's show, and tonight will chase him down for a minute to talk about the final week of his trip.
Since we last spoke, the Trail Blazers signed rookie Nicolas Batum. As Kevin Pritchard put it to us last week, Batum fills a need for the Blazers, even if he doesn't have an impact right away. He's got the potential of being a very solid wing defender, and will now have the benefit of training under the eyes of the Blazer coaching staff. Batum is only 19, and the Blazers have the luxury of using a roster spot on someone who isn't expected to contribute right away.
No word yet on Petteri Koponen, and the chance that the team will sign him as well. They've got just one roster spot left, and KP and his staff have always been about flexibility. Keeping a roster spot open gives you flexibility. But, Koponen was solid in Vegas and, even though he's only 19, has shown he's got NBA potential.
As always, we'll take your comments and phone calls on the show tonight, on this topic or any other. The e-mail address is
courtside@trailblazers.com.
Oden at 6:05.
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MB:
Will this edition of Courtside be available on podcast. I've really missed the last two weeks.
Thanks again as always.
Justin
MB:
Im sure sure you will but if not PLEASE ask Nate how Bayless and Aldridge are doing on the select team against of country's "best". Im dying to know if Bayless is still having sucess getting the basket against that level of competition and if they have seen more PG skills since he is in a better position to showcase them in that environment. Thanks! Oh, and I second the request to post the podcast for Courtside ASAP!
MB-Sounds like a great show tonight! As always, I am traveling on the road and not sure I will be able to join live. I LOVE the podcasts and hope this one comes up soon!
I too want to be able to download Courtside. I've been wanting to hear the shows, but I am only able to by downloading them later.
Can't wait for October/November and the start of the season. Should be a great year.
Go Blazers!
Good to see some coverage on LA and Bayless at TeamUSA practice! Looks like you have a great show lined up tonight. Party On MB-
It does sound like a great show. Unfortunately I'll only be able to catch the beginning of it, and would also love to hear it via podcast.
Podcast will be available tomorrow morning. I will hopefully be able to post the interviews tonight, but entire show will be on podcast. Mr. Casey Holdahl is back from Vegas, and that's good news for fans of the podcast.
MB
thanks for posting the podcast. There has not been a full courtside podcast since the draft. Any chance of getting the draft edition and the courtsides since posted? I would enjoy listening to them.
Mike, I’m not sure what KP means with “Batum fills a need for the Blazers”. What need? The need for a young player with a good potential? - We got plenty in that department. Or is it the need for a rookie who isn't expected to contribute anytime soon? How is that a need? Or is KP thinking about trading Martel/Travis which would create a need for a SF. I know we all trust KP, but that doesn’t mean we can't question him. KP hasn't disappointed me yet and I don't think he is about to start doing that.
Mike maybe you can better explain what need KP was talking about. – Thanks for your great blog!
Mike would like to find out what K.P. thinks about Petteri spending a year in the D-League. And how much or Why that would not help him become ready for the NBA sooner. I think he play very good in Summer League and think if he had better finishers down low he would of had a lot more asst. please for us die hard fans find out why they would sign Batum and not petteri when Petteri looked more ready in summer league. and just might be a better point guard then two of the three that are on our roster and will be a very good point guard in this league when given the chance either bye the Blazers or some other team. I,m sure they could use him in a trade if they didn,t like his game.
Good show so far as usual. Would like to know about Petteri. We have to trust KP about PK... I get nervous about it, like my teenagers making decisions, you just hope they do the right thing and then you smile when they do! Keep up the good work MB. It's going to be a GREAT year! (section 315)
To those interested in the topic of Comcast and Satilite TV.
I was listening to Radio 95.5 The game, today at about 5pm and I believe it was the John Canzano Show. He had on an executive from Comcast and had asked him some pointed questions as to why the two different TV presenters, couldn't come to terms in the negoitiations of allowing the satilite companies to carry the Blazer games.
I really want to throw Kudo's to John for not allowing that executive to double talk and worm his way around the answer, and believe me he tried.
There was no conclusion, only that the executive did say that he felt an agreement can be put together by the time the season starts.
As John said tho,..and I quote " You and the Blazers have been saying that since the start of last season, and we want some conclusions to the answer "
John really put him on the ropes, and wouldn't let him off by his coming up with comcast's normal comments of excuses.
Again......... Great Job John....
Let's don't let Comcast or the Blazers squirm out of doing something about it this year.
So, can PetKo sign a contract with a D-League team on his own? I think if he was really serious about playing in the NBA, he would consider signing to play with a team, year by year, if it doesnt ruin the draft rights of Blazers. They could keep a close eye on him and give input on his development. That way they could keep a roster spot open and get him to develop at the same time.
It's not that I don't think Koponen is NBA talent, but he needs a lot of work. His stroke looks pretty weak, it's not very consistent. If he doesn't make the team it won't break my heart. He needs to hit the weight room hard if the Blazers sign him. I do think he looks far more promising than Sergio did coming into the league. However, if Sergio develops any sort of outside shot then maybe we don't need Koponen. Just my thoughts.
To those interested in the topic of Comcast and Satilite TV negotiations...........
For a follow-up of my comments on John Canzano's 95.5 radio show previously, interviewing Dave Manugy, Comcast exective, regarding the completion of a contract between Comcast and the TV Satellite companies....
Listen to the taped broadcast. Huge eye-opener.
http://955thegame.com/tabid/59/mid/396/view/detail/ItemId/324/default.aspx
Again........... Great Job John
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