KP talking with Antonio Harvey and dude at Las Vegas Summer League

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 4:27 PM PDT

I was jonsin' for basketball so I paid the $15 to get broadband access to the Las Vegas games. The Lakers' scrubs are battlin' with Clevelands' pine-riders and they've been filling air time by interviewing GM's. I caught Daryl Morey and then they had KP on for an extended amount of time. I didn't take any notes, but I'll try to paraphrase a bit of what was said.

KP on Nate's comment to go year-to-year: He wouldn't take the bait to say it's weird, but he said Nate isn't going anywhere.

KP on the draft: He wanted Portland to get tougher, probably because of the Houston series. They didn't ask why he passed on Blair which would've been my question, but you wouldn't get a straight answer on that question on the record.

KP on Bayless: He wants Bayless to work on his distributing, but doesn't want to handcuff him by going away from his strengths - driving and finishing.

KP on Oden: He said Oden does what is necessary and that he doesn't see him as a big time scorer like Shaq or Duncan. He referenced Oden's PER of 18 as indication that Greg is gettin' it done. He said Oden is working with Bayno on defending the pick and roll so that he can stay on the floor longer.

KP on Millsap: He's looking to get a tough guy and another guy who can bring it from the bench because you need four quality bigs. He wouldn't take the bait that Portland gave Millsap an offer that is toxic to Utah.

KP on Turkoglu: He wouldn't take the bait here either and spent a few minutes talking about how great Portland's fans are. Yawn.

KP on dudes who enter the league without much of a shot: He said his analysis shows that guys can develop a jump shot with work. Guys like LeBron, Conley and Outlaw were referenced as dudes who put the work in to develop jump shots.

It's weird to see Adam Morrison on LA's summer league team, but I guess he needs to prove that he belongs in the league.

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Harvey just said

that Adam Morrison is a better player and more athletic than Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions

A good point by Harvey:

Why do bad teams like OKC, Memphis and Minnesota pick guys who can’t play right away? He says they might as well be European teams drafting dudes just to trade them for picks and cash later.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Ammo with 22 points. A real steal for the Lakers. I hear he also has a championship ring.

If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar

by Norsktroll on Jul 11, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

thanks!

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Jul 11, 2009 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

LOL at 4 bigs

Waiting for timbo to eat his words that KP doesn’t care about or want bigs.

When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.

by jscot on Jul 11, 2009 4:41 PM PDT reply actions

I'll believe he has found Jesus about needing "4 quality bigs" the first time in his GMship that he actually fields a team with 4 quality bigs...

I must say: Frye gone — CHECK. Pendergraph drafted — CHECK. Offer advanced to Millsap — CHECK.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 11, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah.

Once we get some aggressive bangers in the middle to compliment everyone else we might actually get to 60 wins this coming season.

"The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way." - Dale Carnegie --- Same goes for the Blazers. Thanks Houston.

by blazerbeliever on Jul 11, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

For all of our disagreements, Timbo, we do find common ground on our affinity for interior players.

by AK1984 on Jul 11, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

4 bigs = lots of trade proposals with bigs in them

J Bay Bay is the best nick name ever.

by tominhawaii on Jul 11, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

All I can say is "it's about time!" Too bad he didn't come to that conclusion last February

He’s looking to get a tough guy and another guy who can bring it from the bench because you need four quality bigs

I can only hope that comments like this from KP will huush up the “if Millsap comes, then Przybilla needs to be immediately traded” rabble.

But I doubt it. I did notice one report saying that the Blazers were considering using Millsap at SF to get Paul more time on the floor with LMA and a center. He was half right. In that scenario Aldridge would be the “SF”

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

by two4larue on Jul 11, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not too fond of playing Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge together at the forward positions ...

for more than spot/emergency minutes — since even though Aldridge would be a so-so one-on-one defender against bigger wings like Rashard Lewis did with the Seattle SuperSonics back in the day, he lacks the range to efficiently hit that spot-up corner three or the quick first step necessary to dribble-drive past opponents on the baseline — however, you and I wholeheartedly agree that Joel Przybilla is an integral, if not irreplaceable member of the Portland Trail Blazers. To be flat-out candid with y’all, Przybilla is the third most important member of the Trail Blazers behind only franchise cornerstones Brandon Roy and Greg Oden.

by AK1984 on Jul 11, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions

playing Millsap and Aldridge together at the forward position for more than spot minutes

Would you consider 6 minutes per half to be “spot” minutes? Especially if they came in the “middle” of each half against the opponent’s backup SF?

I think it can work, and LMA/Millsap will give the opposing forwards a LOT more trouble than they will be receiving, I suspect the other team’s coach will pull his #2 SF and insert his #3 PF to prevent getting his tail kicked on the glass

I hope Utah chokes on that 10.3 mil payment and we get to see how the “big” lineup does out on the floor and not just in theory. Length and toughness will both be required to “beat L*A!”

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

by two4larue on Jul 11, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

this move is not about getting 4 quality bigs

it is about a lack of options, cap space, and Millsap meeting our metric for character, hard work, and a reasonable ego.

But KP knows that there is little chance of getting Millsap. This just increases our odds down the road of getting someone else.

by Blazin' on Jul 11, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Could ya?

Video the next interview with KP.

Then interpret it like the body language lady on O’Reilly and tell us what he is REALLY saying.

The Oden Era, Day 752

by Heymoe on Jul 11, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions

Well, my opinion is that KP looked animated, interested and engaged,

unlike Canzano’s hopeful assertion that he sounded depressed.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Jul 11, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions

He did look pretty energized.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

He just was at a conference in Vegas talking about his job. He usually enjoys that.

Or he had some good talks on the side. Who knows.

If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar

by Norsktroll on Jul 11, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

It looks like people are having a good time

in Sin City. I think I’ll try to go next year since I’ve never been to Vegas.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL -- "good talks on the side"

I don’t know where you were going there, but I immediately thought about showgirls. . . .

by Corvid on Jul 11, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I watched...

and Morrison moves like an old man. It’s sort of shocking.

by meru on Jul 11, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions

That guy has something wrong with him. Really, really wrong.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 11, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

He doesn't look healthy.

I’m no medical doctor, but he looks pretty pasty for a white dude.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Mhm, ACL problems and diabetes?

If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar

by Norsktroll on Jul 11, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Between Adam Morrison's history of a torn ACL in his left knee, diabetes, and allegedly ...

unhealthy eating/drinking/smoking habits, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that this’ll be his last year in the NBA.

by AK1984 on Jul 11, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

You've piqued my curiousity,

What’s the deal with the Stache’s eating/etc. habits? Can you recommend a good article about this? Or should I look it up on my own and not trouble you?
Poor guy.

by LewisClark on Jul 12, 2009 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Here's a great article on Adam Morrison.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3782220

by AK1984 on Jul 12, 2009 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks.

I have enjoyed reading your comments on this blog.
Thanks again.

by LewisClark on Jul 12, 2009 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions

What happened?

Is it the systems that he’s been a part of while in the NBA? What are the sources of his struggles? Does drinking from a Dale Earnhart cup have an adverse effect on your ability to flourish in the NBA? I’m thinking that it may…

by LewisClark on Jul 12, 2009 12:33 AM PDT up reply actions

To me, Adam Morrison is a guy who's got the innate talent to be a very, ...

very successful individual in mid-major college basketball — as well as the Euroleague potentially — however, he’s just neither athletic nor defensively able enough to make his mark the NBA.

Without question, Morrison’s torn ACL, diabetes, and unhealthy habits don’t help him any; regardless, he just strikes me as a guy who wasn’t physically and psychologically built to succeed in the NBA from the get-go.

Oh well, sometimes that’s life.

by AK1984 on Jul 12, 2009 1:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Can you imagine how bad the Blazers would be today

if KP had listened to the fans and the local media and “drafted the ’stache”?

No Roy, no LMA. Just Morrison?

It’s a good thing we didn’t have to live through that nightmare

Blazer fans should thank their lucky stars that Paul Allen saw the potential in KP and replaced John Nash. Remember that, as this week unfolds and the “Roy backlash” becomes more heated

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

by two4larue on Jul 12, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

What was funny

was Rick Kamla went into this big spiel about how he was on radio in Portland and there was some murderous hate being spewed at Turkoglu, and he set Pritchard up to say that Turkoglu couldn’t be blamed for making the choice for his family and was a decent guy and defuse the situation… and Pritchard just couldn’t bring himself to do it. All he came out with was that the Turkoglu business was really tough and “our fans are really passionate.” So he’s obviously still REALLY PISSED.

by meru on Jul 11, 2009 5:17 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah.

He avoided the question entirely and spent the time talking about the fans. He didn’t sound that happy.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

If Kevin Pritchard is spewing petty hate for Hedo Turkoglu's decision to play in Toronto due to family ...

reasons, then he needs to be brought back down to earth. Heck, that kind of thin-skinned, hypersensitive mindset is a negative characteristic that shouldn’t be possessed a person in middle management such as Pritchard.

by AK1984 on Jul 11, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Rough day?

by Corvid on Jul 11, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

A little more honest than usual.

But I agree with him, petty comments will only turn away people from the organisiation. Zaching is something we leave to gossip collumns not management.

VOTE CLOUDYDAYS
JUNK DRAWER 09/07/09

by The Pirate on Jul 11, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Not answering the question is not petty, that's what GM's do

J Bay Bay is the best nick name ever.

by tominhawaii on Jul 11, 2009 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm referring to previous, condescending comments about Hedo made in public.

Less so than this, while I did not hear the talk it sounds like in this case Kamla us trying to force a positive opinion from KP, which is unprofessional.

VOTE CLOUDYDAYS
JUNK DRAWER 09/07/09

by The Pirate on Jul 11, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions