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Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

Media Day Notes

Media day is out of control.  In lieu of a synthesized all-encompassing post (which would be impossible), I'll offer the following preliminary notes, with links from around the Blazersophere updated at the bottom as stories start to roll in. 

Some context: media day took place in the Courtside Club at the Rose Garden.  There were two tables set up for players to answer questions. There were probably 50ish people there, eager to ask.  "Herd mentality" does not begin to describe the atmosphere.  It was a barrel of monkeys.  Good times.

The Real News:

-- Brandon is nearly 100 percent healthy.  He wants to play during pre-season games, contradicting earlier reports from Coach McMillan that he would probably not play. Brandon seems to always say he will play (which he should) so chalk this up as "wait and see."  My guess is that he sits for most if not all of the pre-season.  He has already returned to 5 on 5 full court scrimmages.  And, according to Greg, Brandon won a few games against Greg's teams by hitting the final shot.

-- Greg Oden is a large man. It's funny how often we've heard that over the last few weeks, from various reporters seeing him for the first time.  But there is no other plausible reaction upon seeing him.  Greg is big.  Bigger.  Biggest, really. This was the first time I'd seen Greg since the end of last season, and the first time I've seen him in team apparel, which for some reason makes him appear much larger than in street clothes. 

-- Jerryd Bayless is everything I had hoped for, and more.  See below for an imagined monologue interspersed with a few of his answers.  JB's confidence cannot be understated, that would be impossible.  He is smooth, polished, like a petoskey stone. JB talks the talk, yet he does so with the confidence and absolute certainty that he will walk the walk.  He talked easily about his time on the US Select Team.  He referred to Chris Paul as "Chris", again with ease.  In a moment of sheer honesty, he made it known he wanted to make the 2012 Olympics team, and he said it in a way that made his prospects seem better-than-likely.  He also name-checked El Gaucho as his favorite restaurant and said he's taken up residence in Lake Oswego.  Jerryd is one of the largest personalities on the team, already.  

-- Rudy was absolutely mobbed, once again.  He really attracts a crowd, it's something else.  Chalk it up to sex appeal?  Hard to say.

Media News:

-- Jason Quick attempted a Phelpsian freestyle stroke through a wave of hipster journalists as he worked his way closer to Greg Oden, who was surrounded by a 3-deep crowd in every direction.  John Canzano, Olympics veteran, stood nearby, chuckling his support.

-- Dwight Jaynes, blogger, was in attendance!  Kerry Eggers chatted with him. The world did not stop moving. Here's Dwight's take on Media Day.

--  Brian Hendrickson was once again putting in work, this time breaking out the digital camera to capture the new Duckworth Memorial Patch

Other Notes:

-- No one mentioned the ecomony.  

-- The Blazers new warmups are sick.  They look great. Arguably the best apparel Adidas has ever made. It hurts to say that because I've long been a "nike > adidas"  guy, especially when it comes to jerseys.  

-- The Blazers once again pulled out all the stops, just like the Rudy press conference.  There was a great food spread: spectacular chicken tenders and salad wraps.  Becoming a champion is all in the details.  They got these details right.

-- New media guides are out!  Hooray! Here's the cover starring the 3 players least likely to be traded...

Mediaguidecover_medium

Now, for some links...

Hendrickson: Roy Expects to Start in Preseason

Quick: Great stuff on LaMarcus

Meet the Blazers -- (another great Jerryd quote, on the rest of the NBA... "They are all humans."  He said this completely seriously, nearly implying that he himself might not be human.  It was fantastic.)

Joe Freeman on Roy.

More to come soon.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

Comment 39 comments  |  1 recs  | 

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I love JB's

Their all[mere]humans quote but Ming told Flash that a long time ago

by southern oregon on Sep 29, 2008 8:41 PM PDT reply actions  

Have to agree with you

Saw Sergio wearing a warmup today and it looked pretty good.

Totally off topic here, what do you do for a job when not blogging, Ben? I’m curious….

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

by prezofdeath on Sep 29, 2008 8:49 PM PDT reply actions  

x-llent work ben.

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Sep 29, 2008 8:57 PM PDT reply actions  

T'anks Ben. Sounds like a wonderful, crazy scene!

A couple of questions: do you think this media day more popular than in past years? I’m sure the local press was in full force, but do you know if there were any non-local (Seattle, national) people?

Also, this is OT, but never in a million years did I ever expect to find a petoskey stone reference in a basketball article. Do you have Michigan roots?

by Corvid on Sep 29, 2008 9:17 PM PDT reply actions  

1) i have never been to a blazers media day before, so i can’t say. i did see some seattle press (radio mostly, as far as i know). it seemed like both The O and The Trib sent multiple staff members… lots of people there… Geoffrey Arnold, Steve Brandon, etc. didn’t see any of the national guys, at least the ones i’ve seen at the RG before, like phil taylor, ian thomsen, etc…

everyone’s favorite pair luftman and hollins showed up…

2) yes to michigan roots — i am a native oregonian but the entire extended family is from michigan… i go to michigan about once a year. going in a few weeks to see MSU @ UM and Redskins @ Lions, actually…

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben Golliver on Sep 29, 2008 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hollins?

Is Lionel back with us or did you mean Holton? How about Rebecca?

""I am tired after all the travel, but after seeing the fans I just felt like heading straight to the gym to begin practicing." - Rudy 9.22.08

by jorga on Sep 30, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

I hear the Mich/Mich State game is a blast.

I grew up in Michigan. It’s a good place to visit; it really makes me appreciate Portland.

by Corvid on Sep 30, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ok, maybe I'm just way behind on my Blazer news but

Brandon Roy already playing in full 5v5? There is no emoticon for what I am feeling right now.

Devil's Advocate or just argumentative?

by Magnum on Sep 29, 2008 9:22 PM PDT reply actions  

that dude heals fast.

He must have some kind of super healing gene.

We cannot put up with this flagrant lack of accountability anymore.

by MT Suit on Sep 29, 2008 9:41 PM PDT reply actions  

I would like him to add some unbreakable gene

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Sep 30, 2008 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

Meet the Blazers was kind of harsh to Sergio

Sure he’s not the new kid on the block like Bayless but “Of note: Worked on adding arc to his shot this summer.” That’s some cold blooded comment there; it wasn’t even phrased as though he accomplished goal. I wonder is Sabas ever got the same treatment.

by NWfan on Sep 30, 2008 12:17 AM PDT reply actions  

i thought that was about right.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben Golliver on Sep 30, 2008 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sergio is gonna lay waste to the league this year.

I’m sure they’re just trying to keep him under the radar. ;)

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Sep 30, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Unlike the Chicago Bulls, we can at least put players on the media guide with pride

The Bulls ads and other media story lines this season just feature fans in the arena and long-distance shots of action on the field, more promoting the get together aspect of watching an NBA game. It looks weird. Apparently the only team member they are confident will remain on the roster is Bennie the Bull. Not even Rose or Deng are in the spots.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Sep 30, 2008 12:56 AM PDT reply actions  

The legacy of Jerry Krause

During the lovers’ spat between him and Phil Jackson, Krause said something along the lines of, “Coaches and players don’t make great teams, management does.”

by grimc on Sep 30, 2008 1:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

We had that awhile back

when it was all about Nate, not a player … and certainly not three players!

""I am tired after all the travel, but after seeing the fans I just felt like heading straight to the gym to begin practicing." - Rudy 9.22.08

by jorga on Sep 30, 2008 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

How can you not like Rex?

Almost everything he says would sound pretentious coming from somebody else…but from Bayless it just clicks and I don’t even know how. I foresee great things. Oden who?

superfluous

by lukeyhere on Sep 30, 2008 7:25 AM PDT reply actions  

I'm not sold on the guy

I don’t like his attitude or work ethic.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Sep 30, 2008 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

Those are SWEET

the look like old-school soccer warm ups. Very cool.

"They are all human. There's nobody I'm really scared of, or worried about playing against." -- Bayless

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 30, 2008 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

Would have been fun to be there.

Can’t wait to see those warm-up jersey pics.

"They are all human. There's nobody I'm really scared of, or worried about playing against." -- Bayless

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 30, 2008 8:58 AM PDT reply actions  

Media guide photo

is reminiscient of the famous Nike “Uh oh” poster

by two4larue on Sep 30, 2008 9:10 AM PDT reply actions  

I don't like it...

Oden looks great. Aldridge looks good.

Roy’s shoes make him look pigeon toed, and his facial expression and the position of his left hand make me think he’s about to double over with intenstinal cramps or a groin injury.

On the other hand, maybe that’s part of his plan to get around defenders.

Defender: Brandon, are you OK?
Brandon: whoosh! DUNK!
Defender: Oh well, At least I’ll be on Sports Center tonight.

by AverageJon on Sep 30, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions  

Looks like Roy

has his left hand ready in case Caron Butler’s fist comes calling (again)

by two4larue on Sep 30, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

If only we had at least ONE fastbreak last season

Then we coulda had at least ONE good picture of Roy running upcourt with the ball, ready to attack.

Sadly, we only scored 6 fastbreak points last season, and they were largly statistical errors by the stat crew. Channing Frye had 3 fastbreak FTs during the win streak, and aside from that we had zero.

I agree, a shot of Roy running, as if upcourt trailed by the Twin Towers, woulda’ been more dramatic. Ah well… something to look forward to next year.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Sep 30, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

I don't like the photo either

Roy can’t run the point. He’ll get too tired guarding opposing point guards. It’s false advertising I tell ya!

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Sep 30, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Additional Hendrickson

comments on Media Day here. Channing, Blakey, Sergio all get plenty of space.

""I am tired after all the travel, but after seeing the fans I just felt like heading straight to the gym to begin practicing." - Rudy 9.22.08

by jorga on Sep 30, 2008 10:58 AM PDT reply actions  

That is two big guys

That say they have been working on their 3 point shot because of Oden. I loved Sheed and complained every time he took a 3 point shot, even if he made it. I mean, my friend that was a Blazer fan back then, thought that. I’ve only been a fan since Oden was drafted.

It was nice to read stuff about Sergio. I realized that I went from picking on Sergio because his fans had a rabid affection for him, to sticking up for him because everybody seems to be picking on him. Now I pick on Bayless because his fans have a rabid affection for him.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Sep 30, 2008 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Is the silly stuff online anywhere?

In the middle of KATU’s report on media day Travis grabs a microphone and asks LaMarcus, “what is your take on Travis Outlaw?” LaMarcus answers “selfish, man” and Travis cracks up. I’d like to see more of the players having fun.

""I am tired after all the travel, but after seeing the fans I just felt like heading straight to the gym to begin practicing." - Rudy 9.22.08

by jorga on Sep 30, 2008 11:32 AM PDT reply actions  

LMA also said Travis would be an All-Star one day. And nobody laughed.

And he himself wanted to be an All-Star this year. Well, if the Blazers are really good and he adds 3-5 points and 2 rebounds he would be ahead of David West, so impossible is nothing as they say…

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Sep 30, 2008 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks Jorga

I love you.
Rudy said the Blazers are going to win the NBA! I like him.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Sep 30, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

I wish

Rudy had a little more ambition and would set his sights a little higher for this team.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 1, 2008 3:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

I wish he'd stop smoking

Can a smoker last 82 games and into the playoffs?

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 1, 2008 3:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Smoking comments

should be moved to the junk drawer. (Yes, I can be childish in my revenge.)

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 1, 2008 4:31 AM PDT up reply actions  

At least smoking isn’t mentioned in the site conversation rules

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 1, 2008 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

smoking while bloging?

what’s next, some silly rule saying I won’t be able to walk down the sidewalk and puff away on a smog?

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Oct 1, 2008 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

I like Roy's comments on Rudy

Seems very impressed now that he has practiced with him.

by richarda97 on Sep 30, 2008 2:09 PM PDT reply actions  

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