On Your Marks
posted: 9/29/2008 at 9:13 PM
Perhaps the best part of the annual Media Day is simply seeing all of the Trail Blazers in uniform, talking about the start of the season. There are some good stories that come out of the event, but mostly it's just a chance for writers to bank some quotes, and for others to take photos, and get the players to do all kinds of things on microphone and video tape.
Mostly, the day acts as the summit of all of this off-season anticipation. Nothing has really started, but everyone is in place and is ready. Training camp begins with two practices on Tuesday, and all eyes on the regular-season opener on October 28th.
On Monday, the players were rotated around the event level at the Rose Garden, and were taken to many different stations. While some were being interviewed by writers and reporters, others were voicing radio commercials and promos. I spent most of my time down in the Blazer Broadcasting studios, where the players were doing a bunch of different things on camera- things that will be used as an open for the TV broadcasts, or on different elements during games. Outside that studio, the players stopped by for a live on-line chat on this website, and then headed down the hall to take care of radio elements.
The veteran players (and there aren't many of those on this team) have this stuff down cold. Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, and Joel Przybilla have been here several times, and just plowed through the different tasks. Guys like Steven Hill, Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Fernandez, and even Greg Oden, were a little more wide-eyed.
Monday night the players had a dinner, and heard coach Nate McMillan give the annual pre-camp talk. It's part rules and regs, part motivational speech, and part mission statement. Nate told me Thursday, he was planning to unveil the moto for the team this season. I mentioned last week that the moto is simply 15=16. Or, it will take a balanced effort by all 15 players on the roster to be one of the 16 playoff teams. Shirts were even created and handed out to the players that said "15=16," and then below that said "Committed."
The Blazers will have Brandon Roy and Greg Oden going at full speed on the first day of training camp, and all things considered, that's great news. I've chronicled Oden's summer many times, and he's hitting full stride at the right time. Roy, who had that minor knee surgery, was going at full speed last week in games, and says he's at about 90-100 percent now. Even Channing Frye, who had ankle surgery on September 8th, says he's way ahead of schedule, and will be ready by the first regular-season game.
Training camp in this league is not long. The first pre-season game is a week from Tuesday's first day of camp. And, we're less than a month away from opening night at the Staples Center against the Lakers.
Check back often this week. We'll have it all covered for you.
RSS FEED
wow. channing really is ahead of schedule. he's recovering from surgery that he hasnt had yet (Oct. 8th?)
...get set G.O.!
Hey Mike,
Been reading your blogs for about a 8-10 months now, and I finally decided I'd post a response to one.
I remember seeing something about the Blazers being into trianing camp early again this year, and was wondering what came to your mind in terms of playing time competition... (ex. is Ike Diogu impressing enough to give Channing a run for his money when it comes to time off the bench?)
Thanks again for the good news about Brandon and Channing coming along according to, or ahead of, schedule!
Mike:
Thank You for filling me in on this blog. I didn't have time to read all the Live blogging yet, but sure sounds great.
Everybody being committed to making the play-offs is not surprise. We have a great bunch of talent.
Let the games begin.
hg
Please Mike try and put together a video of the practices this week. Like the one you guys did last year of the scrimmages. It's the only thing that will tide us all over during our work weeks. To come home and see some short highlight clips. I would really appreciate it.
OK Blazer marketing here's a freebie for the coming seasons. Kevin Pritchard has stated that the goal of this team is to not just make the playoffs but to eventually win the Championship. So the slogan that best fits our ultimate goal is obvious:
Blaze the 'Ship!
Let's leave a fiery trail in our wake as we power our way to the ultimate prize, the 'Ship.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET US SOME VIDEO OF THE PRACTICES LIKE LAST YEAR!!!!
Thanks MB, you mentioned Hill being involved in media day,
were the other 3 candidates for the 15th spot there also?
Or is the writing on the wall?
One more week. :)
GO BLAZERS !!!!
Please Mike we're begging you - and we'll threaten if that doesn't work ;) - Post some VIDEOOOO! Love your stuff we want to see Oden dunking on feeds from Roy and Bayless already. We want to see high arcing 3 balls by Rudy and Web! VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO!!!
Mike, you do a great job keep it up! any chance of us fans being able to get our hands on those 15=16 shirts? because i would definitely buy one...or two...
Hey Mike,
Always appreciate your good news and honesty here. Thx! What's the latest on the Comcast deal? Are us Direct TV subscribers gonna be left out in the cold again? Sure hope not. Please tell the Blazers and Comcast to remember us fans out here.
Thankyou!
Will any of the preseason games be broadcast on TV?
I believe the blazers second preseason game on the 8th will be on KGW. I still haven't heard anything about whether or not Comcast will be covering the other preseason games. Does anyone know?
It's "motto."
So, first post, been reading these blogs regularly since you drafted Roy from my now pathetic huskies. Now that the sonics are gone there's no more denying...blazer fan. Anyway, can't wait to see this team in action, thank god channing's ok cuz he came on strong last year. So I assume Rudy will play shooting guard during the 4th like Jack did last year considering the man is our second best guard.
Oh, and any idea whether portland will take over our northwest media market or not mike?
Post a Comment
<< Home