Comfortably Strung
posted: 10/03/2009 at 9:30 PM
This has been the most intense, most competitive training camp I have seen since I started covering these things back in 1992. But, as everyone has mentioned during the last five days or so, this camp has had its share of light moments too. In short, this team looks hungry, mature, professional, and on an even keel- exactly the way Nate McMillan likes it.
The last few years McMillan has talked of "getting his program in place." It's clear this thing is practically on auto pilot now. The players self police, take over when things get sloppy, and have the confidence to have a little fun as well. There have still been moments when McMillan has had to bark, but they've been much fewer, and shorter, than in the past.
It's clear that accomplishing an environment like this is much easier when you build leadership from within. Last Monday, when I talked to each player (who isn't in his first McMillan camp), the common theme was "I know what to expect. There won't be any surprises."
Greg Oden, who was one of the first players I talked to Monday, was the first to bring this theme. He said, "it's so much easier having a year under my belt. Nothing is new anymore, and I don't expect to have any moment where I wonder where I should be, or what I should be doing." And, as hoped, Oden has had a very, very good camp. More on him in a moment.
As for the guys who are experiencing their first camp as a Blazer, the strongest comment came Saturday from Andre Miller. "I've never been around a team this organized and this determined. Chemistry wins in this league, and this team absolutely has that." Miller has continued to look better, and more comfortable as camp has gone on.
As all the practices have, Saturday's had a few very entertaining moments. One in particular stood out. You've heard that Oden has been absolutely dominant at times during training camp, and is quicker, more confident, and just plain better than we've seen him before.
Toward the end of practice Saturday morning, during a drill which involves a three-on-two situation at one end, that turns into a two-on-one at the other, Dante Cunningham decided to challenge Oden at the rim. Oden cuffed the shot attempt in his right hand, and then took off with the ball. Cunningham, in a full sprint (and isn't a slow guy), couldn't catch Oden, who dribbled coast to coast and slammed the ball down with two hands. While maintaining professionalism, the players erupted. Oden, who hung on to the rim and swung completely under, landed, and while laughing, flew up into the air and did a full body bump with Martell Webster. Even the coaches were smiling, as the drill continued, with the next group of players, without missing a beat.
This wasn't a moment that even approached the line of clowning around, and again, the drill continued to be very sharp. And, moments like this are even difficult to describe, because they happen a lot, without anyone losing focus. Being around camp it's easy to spot these signs of chemistry, while being in awe of the execution at the same time (because bad teams can have good chemistry too).
Sunday is the Wells Fargo Fan Fest at the Rose Garden, and the doors open at 5pm. If you haven't been to one of these in the past, I highly recommend it. It's a chance to see the team up close out on the concourse, and then watch them go through a bit of a practice, followed by a full scrimmage.
It's sure to be part fun, all hard work, and mostly just entertaining- just like training camp.
RSS FEED
MB,
Is the scrimmage going to be shown on CSN at all? I think it was last year if I'm not mistaken?
Thank you for the updates, Mike. I enjoyed the Greg Oden story. I wish I could have seen it. This season is beginning to look very promising. Hopefully Nic's shoulder will be okay.
I love the fan fest. You can sit so close, first come first serve seating right? I've been an Oden supporter all the way, and have been in the minority it seems. I'm so happy to hear how and see how well he is doing. All I've done is go on youtube all summer looking at Oden mixes, and this last week hit the refresh button on 3 Blazer sites in hopes of Oden footage or chatter.
This is such great stuff. I can't wait until tomorrow. Too bad you guys aren't televising the pre season games. I had to download the Kings broadcast last year of pre season. How did the Kings broadcast it but not the Blazers? Anyway, so happy the Blazers are back.
MB- I am following every move the Blazers make this off season as i live in Utah for work. Just Bought 30 Tickets to 10 different games. I look forward to reading your blog as it truly gives me insights you dont get when living 1000 miles away.
Do you know if there will be a full video of the Fall Fest? I would think that BlazerNation would enjoy watching this on Youtube.
Thanks!
I'm so excited! Oden looks so good!! I watch a 5.5 min video of Oden doing little jump hooks and jump shots and 3.5 of the video was over before he missed a shot! Last year when people got on him for his offense I said just wait until Oden has that little jump hooked zeroed in he's going to kill on the offense. You could tell he had touch and now he's had the time practice, instead of rehabbing, to consistently hit it!
I won't be at the fanfest, but I will be watching it on tv. I will though be at the first preseason game Tuesday! I can't wait!!
GO BLAZERS!!
One other thing I forgot to mention is that I'm very excited about Webster too! He's been looking really well. He, like Oden, just has to do it in real games now. They each have had their moments, don't get me wrong, but now for consistency.
Mike you sneaked this blog in on me.
Question: Oregon-live has a piece on Andre with almost accusing him of being anti-social which has got many posters up in the air, does that seem to be a problem with other players?
KA-Oregon. Go to http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/3/1067853/blazersedge-exclusive-video-greg#comments. Dave has video of Greg at Saturday practice or the part he was able to film.
hg
chris:
If you have Martell as backup for SG, what are your plans for Rudy? Who will back-up PF?
hg
I'll be barely missing Fanfest thanks to a carved-in-stone work schedule, but should be able to catch the end on Comcast Sportsnet. Is it going to be live? I saw an advertisement for a replay they're going to run on Monday, but nothing for a live feed. Any word from your end, Mike?
In other news: whoa. Oden outran Cunningham for a... I mean, whoa... This is a little too much to process right now. I would have been stunned just to read that the guy was running at all, much less getting a block, a steal and a dunk, while out-legging a rookie! I guess Dante's probably the older player, but still, what a transformation we are witnessing. I am very excited.
Go Blazers.
Yes, the Wells Fargo Fan Fest will be live on Comcast Sportsnet at 5:30. Dwight Jaynes will be roaming around getting interviews on the wireless mic, and Ian Furness and Laura Green will be hosting the event. I'll be interviewing the players on the court before everything starts, and I think CSN is going to pick that up as well.
hg,
I usually don't sneak much past you. And, I don't give a rip what anyone says- post here as much and as often as you like (I meant to tell you that a while back).
On the Miller thing, it's interesting, but I wouldn't worry about it. We've become so used to having such a young roster, with so many outgoing personalities. And, we've bent over backwards, during the building process of trying to pull those personalities out of the guys. Andre is brand new to this team, and is feeling his way around. It's way to soon for anyone to make judgements on his personality or style at this point. He's never had issues with teammates or coaches or fans in the past. If he's a little different, in terms of what we're used to, that's fine with me. I know one thing, and that's that he's a pro. I have no worries here.
fivehundreddogs,
That's funny you saw Dante is the older player. I hadn't even thought of it that way. But, you're right. And, he's plenty athletic, so this wasn't to say that he should have caught Greg. It was more to just illustrate how well Greg is moving.
Thanks. See you all in person, or on TV tonight.
MB
Thanks, hg. I had seen the videos earlier. I would be going to Fan Fest today if it wasn't for other obligations, but I will be there on Tuesday night and at the Memorial Coliseum on the 14th. Ben took the videos. It is easy to confuse the two of them because of their prolific writing keeping us informed.
Mike: Thanks for the reply. Hey it is good news that fanfest is on Comcast. My wife is working and I can't drive much anymore beings as how she caught me napping and driving at the same time. That is as much inexcusable as driving while under the influence, maybe even worst. To make a long story shorter, my son e-mailed me and said he couldn't go to fanfest either and asked me over to Bend to watch on Comcast.
More on the Andre personality thing, on one of the blogs, a Denver and Blazer fan (I don't know how you could be both)said that Miller won’t really be a locker room type of fellow or a locker room leader, but he would give us 125% on the floor and we were lucky to have him. With what you said and what he said, that is good enough for me.
We have to respect Andre's privacy whether we like it or not. In fact, Dave over at BE said GOOD. He should keep his private life separate.
Thanks for the encouraging words on my blogging. I do get carried away, but as you get older there is less and less you can do (like driving from Prineville to Portland to watch a game) so, posting and answering posts is a great release of stress. Ask Greg how important that is LOL.
hg
Mike, Thanks for the info on FanFest coverage; I'll definitely be able to tune in.
Funny about the age thing, eh? Sometimes I just have to blink in dumb amazement when people make predictions about Oden being this or that, when he's not even old enough to rent a car. Same goes for Bayless. How can anybody make an informed judgment on a guy's potential at age 20? It's one thing to say, "He's not this", but another to say, "He'll never be that".
Getting to Bayless, how about that shot? I've been watching all the footage I can find of the training camp, and that jumper of his has been dialed in. I think he has a much higher release point and seems to have centered the ball to his body, whereas before it looked like the shot was coming off his shoulder. I'm no Jay Jensen, but something has smoothed out the wrinkles in that outside shot. The real trick is going to be translating that to game day.
Looking to one of our other point guards, I'm on the fence about Miller's standoffish behavior. On the one hand, I hate the American obsession with the social lives of the rich and famous, but on the other, chemistry is paramount to this team's image. From all that I've seen, his chemistry on the court is spectacular. Coach is calling him "The Director", and that is something that this team was lacking in a big way. Off the court is not a big deal to me the fan, but if I was on the team, I would probably start to view Miller as a bit of a mercenary.
Maybe that's how he feels: like a mercenary, brought in to set a tone of professionalism, then cut loose before anybody gets too close. There's nothing wrong with that. Miller's going to get the job done and go home.
The only thing I would be concerned about is how he will react if he's not the starting 1. More than any other Blazer, he was quite smug about his history of starting and finishing games. If Blake or Rudy takes that from him, will he become the grouchy old salt that doesn't cotton to these punks taking what's his?
Whatever happens, I'm just ecstatic that the preseason is finally here. I didn't pick up any tickets to the preseason games, but I'll watch whatever is televised and then I'll be there screaming my fool head off on opening night against the Rockets!
Go Blazers.
fivehundreddogs:
I am somewhat like you. If he is quiet so be it. I am concerned about Andre on traveling to games and Blazer function socials. Other then that I believe in live and let live.
The only thing he has said about starting that I have read is he doesn't get into the political aspect of BB. He comes to play BB and the rest is up to the coaches.
Maybe if he doesn't get to start he may say at last he gets an easy day at work LOL. I can see him being a grouchy old geezer also. It is no fun to be turned out to buck pastures.
hg
Hey MB! thanx for the blog,
Holy Jesus. I am watching CSN waiting to see the fan fest. Gosh, these 92' Finals games are real heartbreakers. We were right there. As great as Michael was we had Clyde and overall, I think a better team. Sometimes it's just the way the ball rolls. You see these guys nowadays taking no possession for granted. Still the nostalgia is there, I mean I remember watching Michael and the Bulls dominate on the nationally televised games during the Bulls' dynasty years. As a true basketball fan I truly believe we could have gotten rings that year. I love Clyde, he brought so many memories to our household over the years. And MJ, as much frustration as he and his team brought on all of us, he was still amazing. Now THAT'S classic vintage NBA basketball and overall pretty fun to watch...
I think the average NBA player is even smarter these days. What a legacy both the 92' Bulls and Blazers had. Lots of fun.
Anyways, here I am, just one among the masses that is a true Portland fan. My, how times change...just ultimately so proud to be a fan of this franchise and the team that is now. We are very fortunate to have what we have and to be where we are...I know in my heart, for real, that we can make it happen.
Thanks again MB for keeping us posted.
Let's Go Blazers!! Hopefully you'll hear me chanting in the crowd this year (if everything doesn't sell out too fast).
Peace,
fathom
MB......Thanx for going all out this week we we jonesing for action .We have a lot of fun here,sometimes at each others expense. That is the idea right ?Thanx for not kickin some of us out!This week you have really been a PTPer.As you may well know I'm a big Dre fan,but I knew he was all business when he came here when in his interview,he said"I'm not all about the hype".Plus,I'm sure that this isn't the first time he has had to adjust to a new team,so,he's probabbly got his own way to focus.Thanx for allyer effort.
Why does it seem like nobody is talking about CSN on Dish and Direct this year? This is year 3 w/o the Blazers for those of us where comcast and its few parters are not an option. Anyone have any info at all?
I just want to say I got back from fan fest and I'm not very happy about how it was set up. I waited in a long line starting at 4. Then after an hour of waiting everone just rushed the door and cut infront of everyone that waited. I didn't get in for another 30 minutes and there were no lower level seats left.
That is really frustrating as many people around me were angry about it too. I feel like the Blazers should have been responcible for security enforcing a line. It basically rewarded cutters and people who got there late, and made everyone waiting in line have to get the worst seats.
Fun game, but I'll stay home next year. So dissapointed with the Blazers for doing that.
I get chills hearing these updates. Thanks Mike.
Go Blazers!
I got a whiff of some controversy brewing here. Could smell it through the marijuana scented incense I've been burning, while meditating on the vastness of the cosmos. The question seems to be whether Andre Miller can be aloof with the press, yet candid on the court, simultaneously.I would imagine that by now he's got it down to an art. Hey, even being an a--hole can be an art if its done right. The real question should be, "What do his former teammates think of him?" I think you know. Now I've got to climb down from this pole. Balancing on one foot all day like some kind of friggin' stork isn't what it's all cracked up to be.
Great post Phi Slamma
I think I got this one. Thanks. I am a good a hole because I have been working at it my whole life.
hg
Mike:
I really thought the Fanfest was fantastic. My stand-outs were Greg, Batman, Martell, and Steve, But JBay played well, Cunningham did terrific and Miller with lack of enthusiasm showed why he is considered one of the greats. He is solid on defense as well.
I thought Outlaw played better D. I saw him box out and got at least one rebound. I had a hard time spotting him with hair on his head. I think he should have grown hair sooner because he did play pretty good.
Anyway it was terrific entertainment. I can’t believe the enthusiasm of the crowd so early in pre-season. Can anybody imagine what it is going to be like when the La*kers comes to town?
hg
Just got done watchin fanfest .Oden took Joel to town,even though it was practice .Blake looked pretty good,too.GO looked dominant and against a good defender like Joel.Ir was good to see the players again.
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