Nate: "If I Have to Pull an All Nighter, I Will"

by Ben Golliver on Apr 14, 2009 1:51 PM PDT

"Hi friends, I'm going to the playoffs. :)"

-----------------------------------------------------

Last year's regular season ended with a whimper: Jarrett Jack dressed up like Will Smith for no apparent reason and that was that. This year, life for the team is starting to get hectic, particularly for the Blazers' coaching staff.

In no particular order, here are some of the things that are on Nate's plate today:

Motivating the team to close out the season strong against Denver to ensure home court advantage
Preparing to make an appearance at Thursday's downtown rally
Waiting and waiting and waiting to find out the team's playoff opponent so true game tape analysis can begin
Not knowing exactly when or where the team's first playoff game will be
Dealing with questions about Nic Batum's health

I spent a fair amount of time this morning trying to wrap my head around how wild the next week will be. The closest, easiest comparison is to finals period during college but that's pretty much a joke because 20,000 people don't cheer as you hurriedly type up 20 page papers while chomping on blue pills and there are no post-test press conferences where you have to explain why you went the way you did on multiple choice question #36.

In theory, this should be as high-stress a time for the Blazers since I've been around them. I assumed that for someone as detail-oriented and goal-oriented as Nate McMillan, all the uncertainty would be driving him crazy. So my brief chat with Coach today centered on what life is going to be like off-the-court in the next 72-96 hours.

When asked if his schedule over the next few days was about to change dramatically, Nate just started laughing, as if giving in to something out of his control.

The main change, he noted, would be in videotape preparation, and there was a gleam in his eye as he thought about sitting in a dark room watching tape on the same team for hours and hours on end. "The focus is really on one team and really just learning that team inside out. I mean as best you can. It really becomes easier in a sense. I shouldn't say easier. But [it's nice to be] only focusing on one team for about a week."

If Coach McMillan was stressed or feeling the pressure, it wasn't visible. His vibe today mirrored the team's: calm and confident. Dressed in all black from head to toe, he had the "happiest vampire in the world" swag going.

Surprised, I asked, "You are starting to feel the clock ticking, right?"

"[It depends in part on when you play] the first game. If you play Saturday, yes, it will be a crash course. If you play Sunday it gives you more time..."

At this point he trailed off, paused and then nodded before declaring: "We'll get it done."

But does that mean sacrificing sleep altogether on Thursday and/or Friday night? "I think you just do what you need to do. If I have to pull an all nighter, I will. And [then] do what I've been doing all season, get your rest when you can because that is important too. "

As we used to say five floors below the Earth's crust on D-Level of the Milton S. Eisenhower library: "Hardcore."

-----------------------------------------------------

Playoff Tickets

Rumor has it that Nate is not the only one pulling all-nighters: I've heard from a few people who plan to camp out by the Rose Quarter ticket office to ensure they receive playoff tickets. If any of you guys go through with that, please hit me up on Twitter.

Important update...

This just in via email...

Ticket services says that people will not be allowed to camp out in the Rose Quarter overnight. Security will be there to kick people out. People will be allowed to line up for tickets starting at 6 AM Thursday morning.

-----------------------------------------------------

Odds and Ends

Nicky Barnes did not practice today and was not at the facility. He is meeting with the medical staff this afternoon. He is now considered a game-time decision for tomorrow night. Nate wouldn't lean one way or the other.

Most of the players and coaches stampeded out of the brief practice this morning and only Brandon, LaMarcus and Steve Blake made themselves available for comment.

So not much to report other than to say the guys were loosey-goosey today and looking quite confident.

I wouldn't bet against them tomorrow night, let's put it that way.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Please summarize your feelings towards lame comments on the internet."

I forget what actually prompted this face.

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

Tweet Comment 62 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Let me be the first to say...

GO BLAZERS!

by erastus25 on Apr 14, 2009 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

oops...

I meant to bold/caps FIRST in that comment to be creative, but I forgot, so now my comment just looks lame.

by erastus25 on Apr 14, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Haha

Nice final picture.

Good stuff all around.

BustaBucket.com

by GUnit on Apr 14, 2009 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Beard?

http://saboner.mybrute.com
V Bedge My Brute Clan V
http://mybrute.com/team/926

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe this is his championship beard...

if we don’t win this year, Brandon Roy is gonna look like Grizzly Adams next time we have a shot.

by Decaf on Apr 14, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

and Grizzly Adams had a beard.

The Michael Ruffin of BlazersEdge, cuz Amlmart said so.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 14, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

It's a fact.

GO BLAZERS!

by ArbyOSU on Apr 14, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

The Grizzled One!

by MiledAnimal on Apr 14, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Not knowing exactly when or where the team’s first playoff game will be

Tell me about it! I’m waiting to get plane tickets and a hotel.

by Timmay! on Apr 14, 2009 2:13 PM PDT reply actions

Please let it be Sunday

I have a gig Sat nite.and I have only missed 6 or 8 games all year

by southern oregon on Apr 14, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

I'll join that chorus, we're hoping for Sunday too

Saturday would make things complicated.

by Timmay! on Apr 14, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Im sure Nate feels the same way

by southern oregon on Apr 14, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

What Blue Pills?

Were you chomping in college? I know the most popular pill is Viagra, and when I was an RA in college I was surprised how many of my residents had them.

I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden

by mxpx5678 on Apr 14, 2009 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

I just don't see THOSE pills

as being helpful to getting a 20 page paper done…….but then I guess it’s all in what you mean by “done”.

by antediluvian on Apr 14, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec

by Escrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I know a guy

who used to down Viagra along with his shots because otherwise he’d be too drunk to get it up with whatever sketchy girl he brought back from the frats.

Three cheers for college, right?

The Michael Ruffin of BlazersEdge, cuz Amlmart said so.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 14, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I see you are channelling Tom.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 14, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Tom's signature

should be “Posting on the Edge…of decency”.

The Michael Ruffin of BlazersEdge, cuz Amlmart said so.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 14, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope Nic can play tomorrow!!

GO BLAZERS!!

I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.

by Claire on Apr 14, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

Too bad about the camping

I remember camping out for playoff tickets in 1999. Last time I was in Portland around play-off time. Now I live in New Mexico and have to rely on the internets for my blazer’s fix.

by boppitywop on Apr 14, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

I think a fellow camper hacked the Blazers and sent out that message

So that they could be first in line.

Oldest trick in the book, man.

Morty

by Mortimer on Apr 14, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions

No Kidding

If it’s true, what a playoff buzkill for all those who enjoy the concrete camping for a night or two..

Set course for NBA Playoffs......Engage! -Captain McMillan USS Trailblazer

"man, Rudy can ball" - roner77

"his bbiq is at jedi-level" - prezofdeath

by mjsmith3 on Apr 14, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I think I will be rising early on Thursday....

I’ll probably be the chump in a chaise lounge chair, maybe just a blanket being as I’d have to port that lounge chair around with me for the remainder of the day. Who’s with me?

Golly Gee, I sure hope I didn't huwt anybody's feewings.... sniff...sniff....

GO G.O. ! You've got a calcium supplement endorsement waiting for you!

by SuperDave on Apr 14, 2009 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

why would you need viagra to take finals?

by 50backflips on Apr 14, 2009 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

He was studying to be a stunt man in the porn industry?

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 14, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t like Nicky Barnes as Nick’s Nick nickname.

Batman baby. Nicky Barnes just conjures images of Matt Barnes and neck tattoos.

by 50backflips on Apr 14, 2009 2:43 PM PDT reply actions

I don't get the Nicky Barnes reference? please explain how Batum got this moniker-

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 14, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/3/27/812089/suns-media-row-report

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Apr 14, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

haha--ok--thanks

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 14, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Its Nic not Nick

by Escrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

just call him “Master Batum”

by cloudydays on Apr 14, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

GROW THE BEARD BRANDON

I liked it. Don’t listen to anyone else :)

Batman, please return to tomorrows game. I need you to block a Birdman shot directly in his face to get him back for doing that to Rudy. Or anyone for that matter can step up..I just want revenge…

Regarding BRoy:"Another day, another buzzer-beater. This man is so clutch he sets his body clock to go off one second before his alarm does every morning."

~Rob D from NBAmate

by twiggs on Apr 14, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions

His beard was suh-weet

Even if the true reason behind his ‘beard’ is to hide him and Outlaw’s relationship.

Tiana Birdwell shoulda’ been named Tiana BEARDwell! Huh? Huh? Huh? Anyone?

Guys?

Morty

by Mortimer on Apr 14, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Now I'm not gonna be able to look at brandon the same way...

what a dork….

;)

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Apr 14, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Ben went to John Hopkins University

When are we going to get the definitive Ben interview by Tom in Hawaii?

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Apr 14, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

How do you stop people...

from lining up? Ring the perimeter with security? Now there will be a line outside the line.

by FeelTheLove on Apr 14, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

yeah not sure how they will stop it, what if a big crowd is around the ticket office at 3am?

I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden

by mxpx5678 on Apr 14, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Sprint at 6am.

The BEdger previously known as BR7formvp.

by L-TrainFTW! on Apr 14, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

It is going to be a war zone

by Escrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions

When only "security guards" have access to the ticket counter

Only security guards will get the playoff tickets

(Note to self.: dress like a security guard and show up at the RG for the graveyard shift)

by two4larue on Apr 14, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I have a cop jacket I could loan you

by southern oregon on Apr 14, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Is that last picture of Roy his O face?

by Escrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:44 PM PDT reply actions

Ben farted face

http://saboner.mybrute.com
V Bedge My Brute Clan V
http://mybrute.com/team/926

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

If Ben farted you can bet Jason Quick was there to report on it.

by pxilpooshr on Apr 14, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

rec

by jksnake99 on Apr 14, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Ben's farts

are yesterday’s news.

by LicketyBrindle on Apr 14, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Ticket services says that people will not be allowed to camp out in the Rose Quarter overnight. Security will be there to kick people out. People will be allowed to line up for tickets starting at 6 AM Thursday morning.

That’s not really enforceable, is it? All they can do is push the line back… they can’t keep everyone from sleeping in the entire Rose Quarter.

(though maybe WE can…)

by LicketyBrindle on Apr 14, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

I've pulled an all nighter on BE a few times

Nate oughtta’ be able to do it for the playoffs.

Morty's silly: "Thank you for the thank you to everyone, Roodie, and even though you’re my dad I love you like you were my son."

by prezofdeath on Apr 14, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions

Australian Open Bedge Night. goooooood times.

nice sig btw :)

"I don't know Twitter" - Rudy Fernandez

by RoodiePhirnandizz on Apr 14, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

that was indeed fun

when’s the next major tennis tourney?

Morty's silly: "Thank you for the thank you to everyone, Roodie, and even though you’re my dad I love you like you were my son."

by prezofdeath on Apr 14, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

French Open May 25 - June 7!

I’ll be sure to make a thread for it ;)

"I don't know Twitter" - Rudy Fernandez

by RoodiePhirnandizz on Apr 14, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

gall i can't wait till summer

Morty's silly: "Thank you for the thank you to everyone, Roodie, and even though you’re my dad I love you like you were my son."

by prezofdeath on Apr 14, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

That was fun

BUT WAY TOO TIRING

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions

i was a zombie the next day

but zombies are awesome!

Morty's silly: "Thank you for the thank you to everyone, Roodie, and even though you’re my dad I love you like you were my son."

by prezofdeath on Apr 15, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

So what happens if the blazers, spurs, and rockets all win tomorrow?

by coolconman on Apr 14, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

Rockets 3rd, us 4th, Spurs 5th.

Rockets own the tiebreaker with us and the Spurs, and we own the tie breaker with the Spurs as well.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 14, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Kenny Smith

“In sharpie marker, write down right now. The lakers will win the Western Conference 4 out of the next 5 years.”

We shall see……

We.shall.see

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 10:38 PM PDT reply actions

C-Webb:

Nate for COY. YESSS.

"I don't know Twitter" - Rudy Fernandez

by RoodiePhirnandizz on Apr 14, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I think their window is closer to 3 years

Kobe’s got a lot of mileage on those tires. He’ll go over 40,000 career minutes sometime in 2010-2011 which often is around where the wear and tear starts to show.

I think, in addition to this year, the Lakers will win 2 of the following 3, possibly all 3. After that, they’ll be good, but not tops in the West.

I don’t think its out of the question for Portland to win the West next year though.

by jksnake99 on Apr 15, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions