Today at the gym

I debated writing a diary on this, but figured I've seen more pointless... I know I'll be repeating things that we've all talked about before, but it's off season, isn't that what it's all about?

So, I'll get on with it, I work out at Club Sport in Tualatin.  A number of years ago it was very common to see the team working out there.  Those days are mostly gone, they have a facility right across the street from the club where they now work out.  

Today was different, about half an hour into my cardio I saw KP presumably some of his family working out nearby.  I finished my workout and though I tend to try to leave people alone I decided to approach him (hadn't seen anyone else do so) to just give him a quick compliment, let him know that I have been a season ticket holder for a number of years and that I'm really thrilled with the moves he's been making in the last couple of years.  As I expected he was appreciative, said "we've got the best group of kids I've ever seen and I am very excited about the future, but it will take some time".  I agreed, said I'm looking forward to 3-5 years out, but it'll be a fun ride on the way, then told him that I know he's heard this before, but I want to say it anyhow, I and many others think that he is really the center point to all of the positive changes that have been happening.  He of course was too humble to accept that praise, saying that he's only one person and that many people are involved.  (We know that's true, but someone is the centerpiece in making these decisions and it's become clear that right now a lot of the direction of the Blazers is the result of KP's influence.)

We parted ways.  A little while later I was out at the pool and coincidentally he pulled up right behind me, his family, possibly his mother had been there for a couple of hours apparently.  I did get to overhear a lengthy call, but it was one sided so there are only pieces that I got.  One is that there is something that he is trying to organize that will send as many people as possible to play with some big time NBA players, presumably this summer, he did specifically mention Duncan.  He said "I don't care how much it costs, I'll pay for it, I want as many of our guys there as possible."  Then went on to specifically talk about Lamarcus and how he needs to go up against Duncan to know that he's ready - thinks it will do wonders for his confidence and game.  He also mentioned Martell but wasn't as specific, just that he wants him there, wherever there may be.  Perhaps it's just a multi-team event, we know he has ties to San Antonio, if anyone hears anything please post, I think something will come of it.  

There were more things discussed that I got less of, I was already hesitant on mentioning whatever this our guys with big time NBA stars thing was all about.  The only other things I clearly picked up are:

1. That he is very high on Gordon right now as far as future pick considerations, to be clear he did not say that he wants him, just talked about how impressed he is with his game:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/news/story?id=2624000

2. He repeatedly mentioned a Josh ???????, and was asking whoever was on the other line about how his attitude is (I don't know if this is a future NBA player or a current player, but there was definite interest)

and

3. I am fairly sure that he wants to bring in a new person into the coaching staff this September to help out, he said something like "unless he seriously screws up between now and then I think we should bring him here in September"

That was it with regards to KP, but then I saw Steve Blake in the locker room afterwards... but that's not as uncommon he's a member there and does spend a fair amount of time there when in town.  I did ask the front desk (since both were there) if there was any sort of an event today, but there wasn't, it was just chance that both were there at once.

In closing I'll just say how much I liked KP's style, he was humble, appreciative, engaging (if anything I was backing off to not seem like an annoyance), and was clearly extremely excited about where the future is headed, but at the same time not at all overzealous.  It's one thing for the fans to be excited about the possibilities, but you could see it in Kevin's eyes he's deeply very, very excited.  He tried to make sure I understood that we have an uphill battle ahead and we are not there yet (which I of course did understand and am not afraid of) which I appreciated.  We are lucky to have him as a GM, I can not have imagined Nash carrying himself that way, and I'm not a Nash basher, he came in at a bad time with a tough job of cutting the fat, but he's no KP!