Waiting On Wednesday
posted: 7/07/2008 at 9:42 PM
Just a few semi-random things as we're waiting for the draft-day trade with Indiana to become official. That is scheduled to happen on Wednesday, by the way, but thought we could enjoy a quick photo of Jerryd Bayless chilling in a chair that appears to have been saved from the set of the Brady Bunch. He looks very relaxed, but I continue to hear that he's got a competitive streak that is off the charts. Rudy Fernandez is that way as well, and both have been labeled as leaders.
Barring something very unforeseen, you'll be hearing a lot from Bayless, Ike Diogu, and Nicolas Batum on Wednesday, as they're all expected to be in town. I'm looking forward to hearing from each of them, especially Bayless. You'll also love hearing Batum's French accent. Batum will be playing for the summer league team in Las Vegas, and I continue to hear that there's a strong possibility he won't spend another season in Europe, and will instead be signed and brought to Portland for training camp.
After he was acquired on draft day, everyone assumed Batum would be stashed overseas, at least for another season or two. But, if the Blazers have the roster spot, and it appears they will, don't be shocked to see him on the floor in the NBA next season. Kevin Pritchard and his staff had their eyes on Batum for a long time, and loved him in the pre-draft workouts.
Speaking of summer league, Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams will be coaching the team in Vegas, and they'll start their mini-camp on Wednesday. We weren't too awfully pumped about summer league, but that was before Bayless, of course pending league approval of the trade (I'm trying to be a good boy).
Monty will have help coaching the summer league team this year, as the Blazers have now hired an assistant coach to replace Bill Bayno, who's now the coach at Loyola-Marymount. Joe Prunty, who's been with the Dallas Mavericks, and before that the San Antonio Spurs, has taken the job. This is an excellent hire, and both Williams and Pritchard highly recommended Prunty for the position. He was a key assistant for the Mavs, and handled most of their opponent scouting by himself- that's a job that four Blazer assistants shared last season. Additions like this may not make a splash on your radar, but they are huge in the long run.
Speaking of a staff that's impressive, I want to once again compliment Pritchard's executive staff on another excellent draft. I spend a lot of time with these guys, and they are the best. Assistant GM Tom Penn made a splash a year ago on draft day, when he discovered an addition to the Zach Randolph trade could net the team a trade exception- an exception they quickly traded to Phoenix for James Jones, and as it turns out, Rudy Fernandez.
Mike Born is the director of NBA scouting for the Blazers, and Chad Buchanan is the director of college scouting, and had a major role in draft preparation. All three of these guys are the best at what they do, and make KP's life a lot easier. Last Thursday we snuck out for a round of golf (yes, that makes five with KP, his staff, and me) at Tualatin Country Club, easily one of the best tracks in town.
It's no wonder why these guys work so well as a team for the Blazers- they're as tight a front-office group as you'll find in this league. We managed to talk some hoops, I heard some draft-day stories, and everyone ripped on everyone (a very manly tradition). In the end, Barrett and Born won a game of high-low over over Pritchard, Penn, and Buchanan. Then, at a 4th of July party the next night, I had to endure accusations of cheating on the course. I'd like to say that was unexpected, but being I spend a lot of time around Rice, I've learned to live with the rep.
Enough of that. Here's a link to a solid article that posted on Fox Sports, written by Randy Hill. He talks about teams that are ready for a big turnaround. Even though the Blazers are probably a little past that stage, they do get a mention, and some big-time praise. To read that article,
click here.
Lastly, I know a lot of you are getting into the new sportsradio station, and new home of the Trail Blazers, 95.5 FM The Game. I sat in on The Morning Sportspage last Thursday with Kenny Vance, and will be sitting in again this week on Thursday and Friday (6am to 9). Thursday will be double duty, as I'll do the morning show, and then will host Trail Blazers Courtside that night from 6 to 8pm. Hope you'll listen to both.
Talk to you soon.
RSS FEED
Mike;
Thanks for the update.
I am not sure anymore who is on the Roster. That will sure to change after Wednesday, but with all the talent overseas, our draft trades, and our return core players, I can't figure out who will stay and who will go.
I know Sergio is an X-factor with his potential with Rudy coming, but he hasn't lived up to his potential and may be holding a valuable roster spot. Losing Jones freed up a spot. So, did Rudy take Miles spot and Did Oden have a spot from last year?
Maybe after Wednesday we will know.
Thanks again for the update.
hg
I agree with HG. I am a little confused about who is on and if there are any spots open. What is going on with Von Wafer? Is he still on the squad?
Will the press conference for Bayless, Diogu and Batum be televised on Comcast? Also what is the summer league schedule? I remember hearing it will be on Comcast. I don't want to miss the new guys. Is Fernandez on the summer league team?
Here is the roster as I see it. This is just a guess.
Starters; Blake, Roy, Webster, Aldrige, Oden.
Bench; Bayless, Sergio, Fernandez, Outlaw, Frye, Joel, Diogu, LaFrenz,.
That is 13 which leaves two spots open maybe for Batum and Koppen if they play well in the summer league or another big free agent.
Will there still be a spot on the roster for Koponen? I'd hate for him to be going into summer league with no shot at making the team.
Thanks!
One person you didnt speak of, Mike is Petteri, which I know you have posted on in the past. But, OregonLive(I think) just printed a little blurb about him playing overseas again this year. Has that already been decided, or will his summer league play help determine that. Thanks!
J.
mike are going to be making courtside available for download?
It will be nice to finally have the trade made official. Thanks, Mike, for always making sure the credit gets spread around. The scouts we have are fantastic, and they make KP the best at what he does.
I know Jason Filippi doesn't live in the states, but as our international scout, i think he deserves a ton a credit, as well. We've drafted many international players in recent years, and i think they all have great potential.
One player that really hasn't gotten mentioned save for a couple times is Joel Freeland. I'm pretty sure the blazers MUST offer him a contract or let him become an unrestricted FA. Unless, of course, KP decides to trade away righs to him.
If he isn't going to make the roster, i would definitely expect a trade from KP. I think it will be a cold day in hell before KP just wastes a first round pick. I'm certainly looking forward to watching Freeland in the summer league. I thought he had made big improvements from his first summer league, last summer. He also shot 60%+ from the field in the ACB, last year, and received quite a bit more PT from Gran Canaria than he did the year before.
I don't know if he has put on another 10-15 pounds of bulk. However, i do know that it is fairly difficult to teach 6'11", big, and with amazing athleticism. If we can't at least get another draft asset with Freeland, something is wrong. I know there has to be other teams that wouldn't mind taking a flyer on a player with as much size and potential as Freeland.
To be honest, i don't think KP is completely done this offseason. Perhaps he is, but i certainly wouldn't be surprised to see a minor trade or two before training camp. If KP would like to sign Koponen (before he goes overseas long term), Batum, Freeland, and enter the season with roster flexibility (something he says we would like to have), he's going to have to make a move or two to clear up roster spots.
Personally, i think Koponen and Freeland have more upside than a few of the players we currently have on the roster at the same position. I love Sergio, but i definitely believe Koponen is a much better long term prospect for our team. Not that i won't give Ike Diogu a chance, but he is constantly injured and is very small for his position (PF). I would rather see Freeland occupy that roster spot than to let him enter free agency in favor of Diogu.
I can see roster tweeking in several places, actually. However, no matter what happens, i'm extremely excited for the team KP puts together for training camp.
Ben, thanks for the info. that makes it easier.
But, I am like Vlad, Is there going to be a spot for Koponen?
Mike already said that Batum would probably be on the roster so maybe Koponen will be the other.
hg
Ben,
Here is the Summer League schedule.
July 14 vs Washington
July 15 vs Sacramento
July 17 vs Minnesota
July 19 vs Phoenix
July 20 vs New Orleans
All those games will be televised on Comcast Sportsnet, with the NBATV guys calling the games. I realize this rips the scab off the CSN stuff again, and let fly if you want. I want it to get on satellite carries as badly as you do. They're working on it (same thing I told you last time, I realize).
Rudy Fernandez will not be playing, as he's with Spain preparing for the Olympics.
Vlad and Rentasquid,
Petteri definitely has a shot to make the roster for next season. This is a very important summer league for him.
Cari,
Yes, Courtside will be available for Podcast.
Thanks all,
MB
MB,
I thought NBA TV was televising the games? So if you get the NBA channel on Directv, included in the Sports package, then you will get to watch the 5 Blazers games, right? If not, then yes, that would really upset me! Even more than already which I didn't think possible. Please tell me that they are on the NBA channel.
Thanks!
That's a pretty weak summer league schedule. It would have been something to see Beasley or Mayo. Now we're stuck with going up against Kevin Love.
Still watching a Blazer summer league is better than a nothing. Wish Rudy could prepare for the olympics by playing in summer league. He needs to prove he is worthy of getting minutes.
mgb,
I'm sure they'll be available on NBATV as well. They're the ones broadcasting the games, and have exclusive rights. CSN just worked it out to carry all the Blazer games, twice.
MB
Honestly, with the overload in the 3 position, I expect KP to make a move to trade two of our guys there for a veteran... I would hate to see this happen but it is possible that KP is using Martell and Outlaw as his chips for a trade for a good veteran at that position, I dont really know what goes in KP's mind, but whenever he makes a move I am always amazed...
MB,
Thanks, that's a relief.
Sorry about that, but I'm really looking forward to watching the summer league games so that is very good news.
Thanks again!
Hey mike.
You mentioned in your blog that the Blazers have a new radio home. Is KXL still airing the games??
If not have we lost Wheels and Rice??
Have a great day.
Ken.
Mike,
It is time for the Blazers website staff to get on the ball and update the website to reflect the current team.
There is a lot of excitement out there and if ESPN.com can update all of sports every 5 minutes, I think the Blazers can update one team in the time they have had to do so. From the looks of your blog others would apprecite it as well. See if you can throw your weight around. Thanks
Brian in the Couv
Post a Comment
<< Home