Off and Running
posted: 9/29/2009 at 8:57 AM
Monday was a long day for the players. Not because they were asked to do an incredible amount of stuff, but because they were all suited up and couldn't play. After all, training camp didn't begin until Tuesday morning. This was just Media Day.
Everything was supposed to begin at about 1 o'clock on Monday, but a couple of guys perhaps showing early to get things started. I arrived at 10:30 and immediately saw Dante Cunningham cruising the hall. Then, I bumped into Brandon Roy, then Greg Oden, and I realized that this thing would be starting earlier than expected.
It shouldn't have surprised me. One trademark of this team, perhaps because of its youth and eagerness, has been punctuality. Four or five years ago if one of our flights was supposed to leave at 1 o'clock, the odds were very good that someone would straggle in at 1:15 or 1:20, and maybe we'd get off the ground by 1:30. Not with this group. If our flight says 1 o'clock now, we're usually wheels up by 12:50 or so. On time is now considered late. Part of that is Nate, but most of that is just the attitude of the guys we've got.
I'm not going to get carried away with media day stuff, because it's probably not that interesting. But, I've been coming to Blazer media days since 1992 (that's actually scary to think about), and I will say that things had a different feel this year.
The subject wasn't youth, or inexperience, or potential, or what's perhaps missing from this team. There was a quiet confidence. Not as much fun was had. I always feel the really young players are kind of entertained by media day, and normally there's a lot of ribbing, and some horseplay. There were certainly smiles on Monday, but everything had a more serious tone.
Because we had our Courtside show on Monday night, I was able to set up in one of the stations and interview most of the players in a one-on-one setting. We ran some of the interviews last night on the show, and here are the links to the interviews if you want to hear them. These guys are always good interviews, but I thought Brandon's was probably the best interview I've ever had with him. LaMarcus was very good, and I thought Joel, who's normally a little reserved, was also in fine form.
Click on the player's name to hear the interviews from yesterday.
Brandon Roy.LaMarcus Aldridge.Greg Oden.Joel Przybilla.Rudy Fernandez.Jerryd Bayless.We'll have more interviews throughout the week, as training camp is now underway. The team will be going twice a day for the first few days of camp, and the first pre-season game is next Tuesday, if you can believe that.
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Alright, Mike! Two blogs rapid fire, a slew of interviews, and an episode of Courtside; I guess training camp is underway for you too!
Go Blazers.
I'm excited for the season. I'm most excited about Oden's apparent progress and seeing the difference Andre will make. No one, and i mean NO ONE, outside of Portland is talking championship. It may be early to say the window is wide open, but i think only few things need to go our way for that to be a reality.
We won 54 games, last season. Add Andre Miller, Webster, and a year of experience for the whole team, and it is easy to see this could be the year we begin to contend. If Greg, however, is as improved as suggested, i really don't see how we won't.
Are you going to be watching camp, Mike? I always enjoy your read on it.
Hey MB:
can not wait till the NBA Package so we can watch games in Florida. Just bought single game tickets for the Blazers vs Hornets & Hawks in November - see ya there. We'll be in Blazer shirts, etc.....YAHOO!
As I stated in my post yesterday prior to the show, I think it is imperative to get LMA re-signed before this team plays its first regular season game, even though they have til Halloween to get it done without him becoming a restricted free agent next year. He seemed professional and forthright in your interview with him, MB, and as I said before he doesn't seem to be the type to hold his team hostage. I just don't want there to be any underlying animosity between him and Blazer brass. Too much is riding on it this year.
RIPCITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All dressed up and nowhere to go. I know the feeling. Well, if you count being in your birthday suit as dressed up. I sense this team has its game face on. Kind of like Chuck Liddel on "Dancing with the Stars". I tell you I'm pumped! Now let's get out there and kick some serious ass.(Or is it seriously kick some ass?)Who cares, just do it.
Thank you for the videos. good to hear you 3 times in almost a week. the last post, courtside and today. Thats 3 in 1 week. Great.
Hg
This year will be fun, and I like how this team is serious. I use a gaming forum and my "siggy" for it is Brandons words of how he wants to be here in Portland, and how he is talking about more than just 1 championship. The rest of the team will feel the same way with him leading.
It's Blazer time, and it starts now.
first day stuff from OLive http://www.blazersedge.com/ Defense is our priority this year.Sarge made that clear right off the bat.MGB.....We are actually 28th in defensive rebounding.According to Jason Quick. There is a lot of talk about " The Window".We have to get the curtain open first.I would like to annoint us just like every one else,but........We have to beat Dallas,SA,and Denver and..........do it in their house.I'm not worried about the Lackers,they can't win here.I saw a lot of focused guys in those interviews.I would call it quiet resolve.I can just feel a whole new vibe with this organization.It is as exciting as it is stomach-churning.Last year was the first time in a while where every game meant so much .When we had a loss, it would just kill me.To get to the top ,not only does it take talent,but it takes luck,too.I'm leanin' on that luck like my wife leans on her cane. BLAZERSROCK
DowntownVinnie:
Talking about important games. If we had won the first Thunders game, we would have had the second seat last year. Anyway that is the way it was told to me.
hg
all i want to know is after every loss are we going to bag on them and pick someone to blame it on. I remember last year thats what happen and it drove me crazy. If they lost, nothing but bad things to say about blazers. lets work on that or not I guess.
oden said he wants to make the all star team this year which is more then possible with yao out and shaq in the east.
I said 57 games this year and i think they will also win their division.
Mike,
The player I'm most interested in hasn't hardly even been mentioned... how does Martell look? Last preseason reports were that he was looking fantastic and had looked like he would have added dimensions to his game. After a year off, but still with a ton of work both in shooting techniques but also in working out... what is your opinion of his game, his shooting.. is it as good..better?? how is he physically..has the time off made him rusty or is he as athletic as he looked last preseason. I think Martells ability to have an impact on games is as least as important as any other player on the squad.
THX
Millertime;
I too hated picking on one player after a loss. I feel we win as a team and lose as a team.
What part of Southern OR do you live in. I am going to Medford to bowl the 19th of Oct. I might need some navigational instructions.
hg
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