A Big Stage Awaits
posted: 10/27/2008 at 10:18 PM
Trail Blazers' practice on Monday in Tualatin was probably not what you imagined. It wasn't full of screaming, full-contact drills, firery pep talks, or big words from the players. In fact, it just seemed like another practice, and that's just fine with coach Nate McMillan. His post-practice comments were calm and measured, and he carried himself with confidence. Nate knows the best thing he can do for his young team is lead by example.
They probably were feeling a bit different on this day, and of course, the butterflies had to fluttering at least a little. But, you wouldn't have known it. On the eve of his first NBA regular-season game, Greg Oden just smiled and said he feels great, and he feels ready. He even joked that he tip toed through practice carefully just so that he would be sure to make it to opening night at full strength.
Oden was asked if he is ready to face Andrew Bynum and the Lakers' front line, and Greg answered, "yeah, I've seen them on tape a bit lately and know what to expect." It was a very calm exterior, but this is a guy who admitted he was very nervous for the Fan Fest at the Rose Garden during the first week of training camp. You know when the lights go on Tuesday night at Staples Center, his insides will be churning. It's the hope of McMillan that soon after that, things will calm down and the practice, repetition, and instinct will take over.
"The hay is in the barn," McMillan told me after practice, showing full confidence that his guys will be fine. Nate hasn't run from the lofty expectations placed on his team going into this season, but acknowledges that especially early in the season, it's going to be extremely tough. I've gone over the schedule enough lately, so I'm going to save you from that again.
Are the expectations too high? Are they fair? Can you ever remember an NBA rookie who faced greater expectations than Greg Oden? Seriously, ever? I can't. That's why I loved the question asked at the end of his interview session today, and loved the answer. Right after discussing the Lakers, and his health, and the bright lights of national TV, Oden was asked, "you having fun?" There were a couple of chuckles, but it may have been the most important question of the day, all things considered.
Oden said he was having fun, and enjoying himself, but then added, "I'll be having a lot more fun once we get this thing started." In other words, enough talk. Let's play ball.
Monday night we hosted our weekly radio show, which has now turned in to a radio/TV program. Trail Blazers Courtside has officially moved to Mondays now, and last night we were simulcast on CSN. Our guests included McMillan, Lakers' radio analyst Mychal Thompson, and ESPN NBA writer/broadcaster Ric Bucher, who's one of our favorite national guests.
To listen to the interview with McMillan,
click here.
Click here to listen to the interview with Bucher.
The Blazers vs. the Lakers will be televised nationally on TNT, and of course, Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey will have the game on the Blazers Radio Network. Our flagship is 95.5 FM The Game, which is going nuts with Blazers coverage, including a 24-hour sprint to the starting line, if that makes sense.
Wheels and Jay Allen are going midnight to 3am live from L.A. John Strong and Chad Doing are going 3 to 6am. Gavin Dawson and Doing are going 6 to 9am live from L.A. John Canzano will be live at Staples from 3 to 6pm, and then you've got the game. After the game, it'll be the 5th Quarter, hosted by me and my partner, Mike Rice. We'll be doing that show live from Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Portland.
Let's get things rolling.
RSS FEED
BEAT L.A.
Let's beat the Lakers, and show the world that we're for real and not afraid of ANY competition! Here's to a 5-0 start...it doesn't matter who we play, if we play how we're capable, we can beat ANYONE!
Good job on the show tonight, & tell Rice that we all appreciate him wearing pants, and hope he continues to have fun with his costume changes this year. Can't wait to see him with a faux-hawk when we make the playoffs!
Blazers can beat any team in the league now. Once things calm down and the team gels we can expect a good fight every night. Once they get the experience this team will only get better by the game. I can't wait for tomorrow night.
Hello, Mike.
Yesterday I heard the show from my notebook down here in Brazil. I am a Blazer fan since 92 when the tv here broadcasted the finals, since them I try to be informed about my beloved Blazers almost dailly. Tonight I'll listening to the game on the internet as I usually do, even tough it starts around 1 a.m.
Do you think this experience with the French guy can work right away in a game so full of expectations as today's.
Thanks for your job.
Best regards,
Ricardo
Hello, Mike.
Yesterday I heard the show from my notebook down here in Brazil. I am a Blazer fan since 92 when the tv here broadcasted the finals, since them I try to be informed about my beloved Blazers almost dailly. Tonight I'll listening to the game on the internet as I usually do, even tough it starts around 1 a.m.
Do you think this experience with the French guy can work right away in a game so full of expectations as today's.
Thanks for your job.
Best regards,
Ricardo
Mike:
I agree with Oden, enough talk, let’s get the game going. I can't believe it is finally here. All summer I kept saying be patient. at 68 years old you don't want to wish your life away. Nevertheless, I kept finding myself wishing for this time to come about.
I don't predict the win of the game. I just want The Blazers to come out and play hard. I have full confidence in our team. But reality says that the Lakers are good too. I think Portland will get a little more butterflies than the Lakers, I don't know if that will effect their play.
Thanks for the post. The Court Side show was great.
Let the games began
hg
RIP CITY!
I'm so glad that it's finally here! What a way to get our feet wet: BEAT LA.
You've worked hard, and we've stood besided you.
Go BLAZERS!
Keys to the Game
> Disrupt the Lakers ball movement in the triangle and force them to go one-on-one
> Limit second-chance points by controlling the boards
> Make them work on defense by moving the ball and getting into the paint
The last rookie I remember to face these kind of expectations was LeBron. That's worked out ok. Let's just hope GO budgets a few extra minutes before the game tonight to go back to the locker room and throw up and then be ready to go to work.
The seatbelt's buckled and I'm ready to roll...here's to starting the season off on a high note!
I don't have to mention how much blazer fans hate the fakers but i did. so beat L.A. work hard rip city
Go Blazers! Gooooooo Blaaaaazerrrrrrrs!
I don't blame anybody for just wanting to play. All this talk gets old after a while. It's time to just play basketball now. That's where the fun is at.
Go Blazers!
Go Blazers!
Beat LA!
Im a blazer fan since Drexler era, Im from Puerto Rico and I've been following this team every year. This year we have a great talented team and I predict 54 wins this season. Lets detroy this fakers team. Go blazers !!!!!!!!
BEAT L.A.
Wow, it was so awesome at my high school today. Lake Oswego High School that is. All the students were wearing all their blazer gear.
People had on Fernandez, Oden, Outlaw, Przybilla, Aldridge, and Roy jerseys and T-shirts on.
Blazer mania is clearly back and one more thing.
BEAT L.A.
It's G.O. time!
Rip City!
I already have a bit of a faux hawk, so if the Blazer's win I'll dye it team colors. Top that, Rice.
Go Blazers! Beat L.A.!!!
Let's go, BLAZERS! This is what we've been waiting for. All the pieces are here. Let's go for the PLAYOFFS!
RIP CITY RULES!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home