Quick: Behind the Locker Room Door

Jason Quick discusses the addition of Greg Oden to the starting lineup, the decision to stick with Steve Blake and has some interesting comments from both Brandon Roy and Joel Przybilla.

Thanks also to MadBlaze in the fanshots.

over 2 years ago Ben Golliver 20 comments 1 recs |

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I feel much more confident about the team now.

And it’s not because they won big over the Suns. It’s because of what the players said to Quick, that they’ve been killing it in practice. That everyone is ready to do whatever it takes to win, including coming off the bench. That Brandon has been thinking long and hard about the team and what he needs to do as the leader. That they stick up for each other. That they are not at all worried about the way the preseason has gone.

The one thing about last night’s win that makes me feel good is that it appears to have settled the question about whether Steve or Andre will start.

Finally, I feel like I am ready for the regular season to begin.

by MiledAnimal on Oct 23, 2009 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

BOBRA?

I like the idea of this starting line up if Miller can accept his role. It will make the Blazers more productive over 48 minutes. Joel can pick up more minutes if Greg has foul trouble and Nate will be able to figure out his clutch line ups on O and D as the season plays itself out.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Oct 23, 2009 10:56 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Thanks for pointing this out Ben

Quick is great. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Oct 23, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

If Brandon keeps up this uber-leadership they might fire Nate and make Brandon player-coach!

Seriously though, it’s nice to know that Roy is thinking about what’s best for the team, and willing to say it in front of 14 other players.

It’s nice to know that (this season) Greg has earned his starting spot on opening night, and that Joel is ok with it. And also that Joel thinks Andre will be ok with his role coming off the bench too.

While I think that Blake starting and Andre off the bench will be temporary, I think it’s best to start off the season this way. Let guys (read: Brandon and Andre) get comfortable playng together bit by bit on the floor in game situations, and eventually make that your power lineup. RAMBO will live again!

Blazers win!

by The X-man on Oct 23, 2009 11:44 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

Problem is that player meetings without a coach can also go horribly wrong

Boston screwed one up royally last year, where Rondo managed to create a mood of young players vs. vets. In Portland that’s not as likely since the core is all young, but Roy better finds the right words to explain how he sees the roles of Miller, LaMarcus, Greg, Joel & Co.

by Norsktroll on Oct 23, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I think this is where culture is important

Management’s work on forming what they like as a culture is what I think will make this succeed. From all appearances, these guys listen to each other and care about each other. And that’s what allows such a meeting to be productive instead of inflammatory.

"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green

by antediluvian on Oct 23, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Boston had chemistry problems?

Did it affect them?
I thought they did pretty weel given Kg injury.

by Falcao on Oct 23, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

It did affect them to the point that they tried to dump Rondo, their championship point guard

Class of 2006, he still doesn’t have a contract extension like Roy or LaMarcus although he surely deserves one from a talent standpoint – yet rumor is they fear he will get uncoachable once they lock him up for $70 million or so.

by Norsktroll on Oct 23, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

What Joel said

"Hopefully Greg has a great year, and if I have to come off the bench the whole year then I have to take advantage of it. The thing is, I don’t think there are many backup centers in the league who are better than me. So I think I can thrive off this role.’’

That’s pretty true. What’s the competition — Bynum, Kaman, Jordan and Perkins? I’ll take Joel out of that group. And we know he’s going to see a lot of time, play all out, and make the most of it. It isn’t like he’ll be forgotten by a long shot.

by Kaboomm on Oct 23, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions

+1

He’s going to play around 20 mpg, probably more on back to backs. This will be the best center rotation in the league (I think Sahq and Big Z in Cleveland have more offensive punch, but both are defensively limited)

I hate Comcast.
Card carrying member of Team Bayless
I believe in Greg Oden

by blazeraddict on Oct 23, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Good point -- Ilgauskas is a quality backup

Still, Joel is more in his prime. Also, look how steady he is in terms of attitude, no matter how his role changes.

If Greg fouls, he’ll be getting more than 20 mpg.

by Kaboomm on Oct 23, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

"I have to go,’’ the coach said. "I need to talk to a couple of players.’’

Quick only mentioned Przy getting a pre-game “conference” with the coach. Any guesses re: who “the other guy” was?

(I suspect he had the initials AM…oh, to be a fly on the wall)

So…how long before Marc Spears publishes a follow-up article re: Andre?

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 23, 2009 12:36 PM PDT reply actions

I just think it's funny that Joel was on the pooper when he got called in by Nate.

Maybe that’s why he was in such a good mood… lol

Blazers win!

by The X-man on Oct 23, 2009 1:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

My hope

Is that it ticks everyone off and they overreact, then it turns out for the best, and they all look dumb later. Probably won’t happen, but it’s better than the Blazers starting out 2-22.

by tominhawaii on Oct 23, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions