Raef and Joel

by avalonzero on Aug 31, 2007 1:42 PM PDT

We know that the whole team except Przybilla, LaFrentz and Rodriguez have hit the floor early and I couldn't be happier. And we know Sergio is playing internationally right now but any word on why Joel and Raef aren't there yet? Or when they might arrive? I know it's a totally voluntary thing but I know I'd feel like an underacheiver if nearly ALL of my teammates were already hitting it hard. Especially for me, I feel Raef needs to show something because he's the highest paid (or close to it) player on the roster and was complaining about playing time last year. Any thoughts?

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watch us turn on Raef and Joel for not showing up.

These guys are vets, they dont need the make the kind of adjustments our young guys need to. I am not worried about these guys being lost at training camp, as long as they are staying in shape, I am fine with it. On the otherhand, I would love to see Joel there for Oden to bang against, but I am not going to hold it against him.

by myemic23 on Aug 31, 2007 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

yes.

good call.

by avalonzero on Aug 31, 2007 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Raef is here...

Per JC on his Blog about 2 hours ago.... first time in awhile JC has beat BE to scoop in awhile!

Rip City is back!

by headwound on Aug 31, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

right on.

nice. good to see. that's what i get for opening my mouth.

by avalonzero on Aug 31, 2007 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Pure Luck 8^)

If Dave (or his appointee) camps out at the practice facility with a laptop & up link. BE may scoop the arrival of Joel.

We need the "Vanilla Gorilla" workin' w/GO. Don't hurt 'em (THIS MEANS YOU, we only gots two true Cs). Embrace those "Man Hugs" as true love o' your Team mate. Manbacks don't grow on trees.

Maybe Joel's here already!

It is great that a, Millions dollar Vet, shows up on the first week of his Teams "Pre-Camp" in August. Tells me he wants to be a part of it and believes ther may be rewards in this special effort.May God speed you Raef, as LMA & GO bang upon you.

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Aug 31, 2007 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm disappointed

that they haven't shown up. I know I would want to play with G.O as much as possible.

by BigCelPhone on Aug 31, 2007 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

Actually I would not

They both will probably have to match up against G.O. in practice all year. I would not be in a hurry to have G.O. pound the heck out of me.

If I had an extra hug, I would give it to you.

by tominhawaii on Aug 31, 2007 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I mean if Darius is there...

doesn't that make everyone who isn't there look bad, just by comparison to Mr. Underachiever?

by fromagnon on Aug 31, 2007 3:45 PM PDT reply actions

raef

has 1 job and 1 job only and that is carry the players bags to and from blazer1.that is what raef does best.steal 11.5 mil from p.allen.

by fatty on Sep 1, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

He probably won't even do that

Since he's a vet.

You know, Jason Quick said (before Portland won the lottery) that Raef might be one of the big surprises next year. Oden changed all that though.

by jamon51 on Sep 1, 2007 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I still think a healthy LaFrentz...

can contribute on this team. Raef is no shlub, he has just been marred with injuries. The guy can shoot and stretch the d at the 4 or even the 5. I dont think a 100% Raef will be sitting on the bench, he is one of our few vets.

by myemic23 on Sep 1, 2007 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I am thinking the same.

The big issue may be opportunity. He has to be 5th or 6th on the depth chart right now.

by timg56 on Sep 4, 2007 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Waste?

Would you rather he wasted it on Telfair and Ratliff? He was part of the deal that brought us Roy. At least he brought something good with him and there are worse center/pforwards to have as back ups. True, he isn't worth 11.5 million but he isn't stealing the money.

by tssbro on Sep 1, 2007 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

oh yes

he is stealing the money.because the rap on raef is he takes the summer's off.he's never in shape and don't think nate does'nt realize that.that's why raef carries the bags to and from blazer 1.

by fatty on Sep 2, 2007 5:15 AM PDT reply actions

Oh

Didn't realize he actually carried the bags. This is why I keep coming back to BE: the insider information.
I remember when he actually played on other teams he would have a great game every 5-6 games and then he would disappear. Maybe Nate could start him every 6th game and not play him at all in the 5 inbetween just to get the most out of him.

by tssbro on Sep 2, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Raef

has been injured. I think it's unfair to call it stealing. Technically he was stealing from someone else and was traded to the blazers so we could get roy. So... he didn't MEAN to steal from Paul Allen! He was trying ot steal from the other guy, which i encourage.

Raef hasn't been healthy, and I'd like to see how he fits with the blazers before giving him such a bad wrap.

Besides, do any of us think Raef will be around next year? He surely knows this.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 2, 2007 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Vets who don't show

I have mixed feelings on this.

1.) They're not paid to show and extra contact practice like this means they risk injury.

2.) Not showing does separate them from being part of the "team". Part of these early practices are about chemistry too.

3.) Some of these vets have family. Winning is important, but if you're on the road all the time, what's MORE important, taking time with the family or early practices. I can be very competitive, but family would ALWAYS be my number one.

4.) They're vets and the learning curve is less, for them, than it will be for the younger players.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 2, 2007 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

yeah yeah

the old family excuses.too bad joel is excused. because his job is to rebound and block shots.something when healthy he does very well. as far as samsonite goes can he at least run on the treadmill please.at least darius was seen doing that at least.what a typical soft a@@ player raef is.

by fatty on Sep 2, 2007 1:35 PM PDT reply actions

Raef arrived

at the "Pre-Camp" last friday and was at the practice facility workin' out!

Congratulations on your new arrival, Raef ;)

Musta been packin' bags but that's an assumption.

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Sep 2, 2007 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

bluebooyay

you keeep supporting samsonite and he'll keep riding the pine.stealing p.allen's money.

by fatty on Sep 3, 2007 8:09 AM PDT reply actions

fatty,

I'd say that Raef and Pryz have a very important job to do in the next three months.

They are exhibits one and two for Lucas to use in teaching Oden how to play with nba physicality without getting called for fouls.

With your impressive NBA historical knowledge, could you tell me which big men developed their NBA games fastest and which had NBA quality defenders/rebounders beating them up in practice everyday?

My suspicion is that Oden can nearly handle the thinner athletic types like LMA and Frye, though I'm glad he'll get tested daily there too. I think the bruisers are the harder to learn to work against and that Raef a little and Pryz a lot will teach him how to be physical without fouling quickly.

To me, him mastering that skill set (physical play w/o fouling) in a couple of months instead of a couple of years accelerates our elevation to elite team status by a year or two.

For this alone I think Joel and Raef are very valuable right now.

by ojala on Sep 3, 2007 11:53 AM PDT reply actions

ojala

i said pryzbilla does his job whenever he's healthy.raef well you tell me.

by fatty on Sep 3, 2007 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

fatty

I guesing that the Admiral taught Mr. Duncan how to play in the NBA. Who taught Shaq, Mourning, Yao, etc. How did their early coaching/practice partners compare to Lucas and Pryz in practice?

by ojala on Sep 5, 2007 6:58 AM PDT up reply actions