Travis Outlaw's Tour De Force

by Ben. on Sep 28, 2009 9:54 PM PDT in News Comment 89 comments

Going back through nearly two hours of tape today it's clear that one man stole the show. That man is Travis Outlaw.

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I started typing up the quotable portions of Travis's interview tonight and quickly realized the entire thing was quotable. The following might make you laugh, it might make you cry, it might cause you to scratch your head.

Click through for some Classic Catfish.

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

The questions are paraphrased and in bold; Travis's answers are in grey blockquote. My favorite quotes are underlined.

Here's the audio link if you want to stream/download the mp3: Travis Outlaw Media Day

Your hair is longer.

Juss forgot to cut it... Trying to look my age.

How are you looking at your situation coming into the season?

It's a great situation for me. I'm on a team that's developing. Me coming in on my [contract year] everybody wants to be on a winning team and I feel like everybody wants somebody off a winning team.

What's your role on the team?

Pretty much think the same thing. Being the spark off the bench. Whatever he needs. Just be the guy.

Are you in the running for the starting small forward job?

Yeah, most definitely.

How glad are you that you're still here?

I'm glad to be here. Don't get me wrong. I understand it's a business. I look at it as I can only control what I can do. They gonna do what they have to do. I look at it as just a great opportunity, I feel like I've got God in my path so it really don't matter where I go, I feel like I'll succeed.

Is this the best roster since you've been on the Blazers?

We got a lot more veterans on the team. That means a lot more people are going to speak up so much Nate yelling at us so much. You feel better with your teammate yelling at you than the coach yelling at you. I don't know why. I feel like I've gotta go if he's mad.

What are your personal expectations?

I know it's my contract year. That's not my biggest focus. My biggest focus is I want to win. I want to get back to the playoffs. I want to have that same feeling again. Try to overcome last year's playoffs. I want to get back to that same situation.

You've had some slow starts in the past.

It's a long season. It's 82 strong. Preseason I feel like that's when you're trying to find your thing. By the time the season starts I feel like I'm ready.

Did you work harder this summer than previous summers?

Last year I worked hard but I came down with a Staph infection, so I had to sit out for 3 weeks. This year I didn't catch no Staph infection so I was able to work out full.

Are you more prepared coming into this season?

I'm kind of nervous. I've been working on a lot of new things. It's kind of like I really need to try them against players of my caliber to see if they still work. That's what I'm kinda hoping to see. I added more than my 1 dribble pull-up. I got a 1 dribble, 2 dribbles, you know 3 dribbles, pass.

How about the defensive end?

Yeah, I mean, that's always been my focus. I feel like I can always improve my game. I don't feel Nate would put me on great players if he thought worse of my defense. That's how I look at it. But I can always improve. I do work on it still.

Are you comfortable playing the four?

I mean, it's an advantage for me. It's an advantage for coach to make the sub to put a small forward on me then it's kind of becoming a 3 again. But it's definitely an advantage for me.

How do you feel having Martell back?

I support him. Last year I wanted him to come back just as much. He's a great asset to this team. He's a knockdown 3 point shooter. Imagine just seeing him this summer, working hard. I'm really looking forward to seeing him on the court.

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

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Comments

Anyone think he's worried about his contract year?

ohh outlaw what a sweety pie

Sophia the Princess

The Princess of Blazersedge

Sport is my boyfriend

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 28, 2009 9:58 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

You know it's my contract year. However, that's not my focus. Did I mention it's my contract year?

"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard

by Norsktroll on Sep 29, 2009 6:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love that Troutlaw.

Will I say that in four months?
I hope so.

(Well done giving us that whole fish and not a fillet, Ben.)

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 28, 2009 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

if outlaw is consistent

and plays decent defense, its more headaches for the coaching staff, so many nice players and not enough PT

by Yawnie on Sep 28, 2009 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

dont think we will have to worry about that...

…but i hope im wrong!

by dbartha on Sep 28, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I got a one dribble, two dribbles, you know, three dribbles, pass"

Blows my mind!

I LOVE TRAVIS OUTLAW!

by PoliSam on Sep 28, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

one puff, two puffs, three puffs, pass. Good man, Trav. Followin' the rules.

Whatever
thetinfoil@gmail.com

by TheTinfoil on Sep 28, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

And always pass to the left hand side...

Of course.

by xedubx on Sep 28, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And don't bogart that joint...

My friend.

(or in Trout’s case…the ball)

by DonkeyShins on Sep 29, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

travis reminds me so much of ‘Nuke’ from Bull Durham.
‘sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains’

by revdjweb on Sep 28, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think about that

Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically

by OhOhOden on Sep 29, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

think they'll let Travis walk?

I don’t think they’ll trade Travis, but instead offer him a fair contract at the end of the year, maybe a bit below market value. give Travis an opportunity to keep on with this team but for less money than he might make other places. or maybe just let him walk.

by chickenmelt on Sep 28, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

offer him a fair contract at the end of the year, maybe a bit below market value. give Travis an opportunity to keep on with this team but for less money

Blake? yes

Outlaw? No, he wants “out of this world” money

Letting him “walk” is not an option. Sell when high

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

However...

If Outlaw is playing solidly, and Bayless is making steps, or Blake isn’t performing as well as we’d like, we can package them for something we need.

2 Expiring contracts of solid players would definitely entice a team to unload a decent player, if they’re going nowhere and want to be in the LBJ/DWade/CBosh sweepstakes.

by Jeremiah S on Sep 28, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not everyone wants to see Blake get traded

KP, Nate and Brandon are definitely among Steve’s fanboys

I expect Blake will get an extension, the Blazer’s brass (and Roy) like what he brings, and he seems content to play for less minutes on a contending team. I don’t think he’ll choose to leave Portland next July, it would take a massive offer from another team, or another GM making a trade proposal that KP can’t refuse, and one that requires Steve’s salary to be a part of the deal

I’d say it’s less than 10% that Blake isn’t still on the Blazer roster in 12 months. But I’d flip those odds that Travis is still around, past February

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I’d say it’s less than 10% that Blake isn’t still on the Blazer roster in 12 months"

Say what??

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Sep 28, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

I meant to say “is still on”

my bad

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

double negatives

now I’m getting confused…I think there’s a 90% chance that Blake will be a Blazer next season, and for years to come. Is that better?

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True...

However, my thought is simply that we know that Steve’s contract is valuabe especially in this summer. Teams will most definitely be willing to make deals with the intentions of freeing up money. We know for a fact that we won’t be a player in those discussions. So, if I’m KP and I’m looking at making this team a contender, I would look at players who could improve our team. If they think that losing Steve means dropping out of contention, then we need to keep him. I disagree that it would mean that. He’s a good player, he makes good decisions, he plays great with our First Unit.

Can he play with our 2nd Unit? We’ll see, if thats how camp ends up shaking out. But, we traded Jarrett Jack and McBoB for Jerryd Bayless, and he’s been riding 3rd string. If he’s supposed to pick up all the skills necessary to step in and be the “point guard of the future” through just practice and blowout time, then someone is seriously mistaken.

I’ll say now, I didn’t like what I saw from him this Summer, but I think that now is the time to decide whether or not we’re committed to developing him, in which case we need to make room for him to play, or we need to get rid of him. Steve is solid. He’s a good player. But, we just signed Andre to at least a 2 year contract. So, if we keep Blake and resign him, then we’re saying that Bayless has little to no chance of playing for the next 2 years.

Simply put, it is best to explore our options. Everyone knows for a fact that teams are preparing for next year before this season even starts. Hell, the Knicks have been preparing for 2010 since 2007. There’s going to be some deals out there to be had. We haven’t pulled off a major trade that didn’t involve the draft in the KP era, yet. Its because when KP pulls a trade for someone, it’s always worked out better for us. I want to see some of this magic again, because I think that can be the difference between the 2nd round of the playoffs, and an appearance in the Finals.

My point is basically that rather than sit back and wait, we need to identify our problems within a month of the season starting, and then move to remedy them. We can’t sit back and be ok with being a good young team, with a few flaws. We need to be proactive, and do everything within our power to move to the upper echelon. We’re young, but why not now? We’re not going to get any younger, and we all know that it is going to be near impossible to keep this team together forever. Economically we can’t do it, unless a state-wide tax of which the funds are donated to the Blazer organization. Because a lot of our young guys are going to test the market and get HUGE offers.

Why not now?

by Jeremiah S on Sep 28, 2009 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blake helps the team win, now

and the window is open

They’ll keep Bayless around for 3 years, like they did with Jack and Sergio. Jerryd needs to be “ready” when his next opportunity comes, and learn from Miller, Roy, Blake, etc in the meantime. Steve might smack into a pick and hurt his shoulder (etc) again, then Rex will get his chance to show how well he can run a team

I understand that expiring contracts are attractive to other teams, but that doesn’t mean KP will feel compelled to deal both Blake and Outlaw. (Shoot, he sat on RLEC last February, and no one was arguing that Raef was worth keeping.) It will take a “blow KP’s socks off” kind of offer to make him deal Steve away, and I just don’t think there’s that kind of interest out there for Blake

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw wants "out of this world" money?

What is this based on? Did I miss that quotation in the audio stream? This seems like something Bill O’Reilly spouts out and then says it’s not spin. Here’s how I would interpret that statement (even if it was uttered) : “out of this world money” doesn’t translate into “max contract” with Travis. Martell signed for a very modest contract and I can see Travis doing the same. I can’t see a guy like Travis, who put’s God first in his life, suddenly become a ME ME ME first guy who demands max dollars for his services. Operant conditioning makes it easy to think he would do that, considering too often the greed that runs rampant in the NBA (and most pro sports) has led to an expectation of selfish conviction that can easily be stamped on any player in a contact year. “Out of this world money” is 4 year $20 million dollar deal to a kid from Starksville.

What makes Travis so intriguing is his utter humility, sanguine approach to life, and genuine good-naturedness and someday, maybe, the fans who bemoan his lack of rebounding, perimeter defense, or questionable shot selection will realize what makes this guy a perfect Portland Trail Blazer has less to do with his freakish athletic ability as it has to do with outstanding personability.

"Junk is not, like alcohol or weed, a means to increased enjoyment of life. Junk is not a kick. It is a way of life." William S. Burroughs

by bow4meow on Sep 29, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He posted it on his twitter account

and Ben highlighted the quote on the front page.

And I totally agree with your statements.

You're saying that they look like they're giving it their all. And you know why they look that way? Because they're bad, and it literally takes them the maximum physical effort to accomplish basic baseball tasks like throwing the ball from short to first. When David Eckstein throws the ball to first base, he has to wind up like a shot-putter, spin around forty-three times, and launch it at an angle 89 degrees from the horizontal. Afterwards, he undergoes an IV drip for a fortnight and he's so out of breath that he requires several months of acupuncture to regain the power of speech. For this we laud him. -Junior of Deadspin on 'scrappy' players

by TheOdenator on Sep 29, 2009 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess my Bill O linkage doesn't count then

still I have orders from ATF to defend Outlaw at every opportunity, spin or no spin.

"Junk is not, like alcohol or weed, a means to increased enjoyment of life. Junk is not a kick. It is a way of life." William S. Burroughs

by bow4meow on Sep 29, 2009 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ATF?

alcohol, tobacco, and firearms? – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right, of course

and Travis is always saying fun stuff, and that “out of this world money” was exactly that.

And I bemoan his lack of rebounding and defensive breakdowns, but I hope he’s a Blazer for life, and wins us at least one game in the Finals when Super Trout appears, as we all know he does from time to time.

As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.

by jscot on Sep 29, 2009 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Perhaps Trout means something

Like this.

by DonkeyShins on Sep 29, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me coming in on my [contract year] everybody wants to be on a winning team and I feel like everybody wants somebody off a winning team

Travis “said all the right things” but his comment “everybody wants somebody off a winning team” jumped out at me. If the Blazers play well, Outlaw believes that will bode well for his next contract. wherever that may be. This is true enough, but it’s something you usually hear a GM saying, not a player. Most GMs prefer to acquire players who have been a part of winning programs, even if they weren’t a starter. So, if a team has success, the “value” of all the players gets bumped up a few ticks

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Even so

It seems like most posters on this board would be willing to trade Travis for next to nothing. If he has a good year and adds to his trade value great, that is fine by me. He is the longest tenured blazer and thus the blazer I have seen the most from. I feel that until we have a proven third scorer he is more than welcome on this team.

I really do not understand the animosity he gets from Portland fans, how many teams have a backup who can play 3 or 4 and give you 5-10 pts in the fourth quarter?

Second unit had how many players that could score without being set up? I love Rudy and his potential not to mention his play away from the ball, but Travis was the only player other teams had to watch for.

His defense is unremarkable, he does not track down boards, but out of a stacked team he was the third option. Shoot the first half of the season lamarcus was a deep 2 specialist. So why the animosity for a bench player?

by Oggbog on Sep 29, 2009 12:05 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

The animosity comes from a loud but limited portion of the fans here.

Then there is a larger group that has nothing against Travis and may even like him, but is afflicted with GIAGOOSOH syndrome. You can identifying them by their regular posting of trade suggestions.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Sep 29, 2009 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

GIAGOOSOH

what’s that? – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Sep 29, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you!

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 30, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

most posters on this board would be willing to trade Travis for next to nothing

That’s funny, because when I propose dealing Outlaw for a backup PF/C like Turiaf or Foster, I usually get a few “why would GS or Indy even do that deal?” comments in return.

I think Travis has a lot of value, to the right team. He’s a (semi-consistent) scoring machine off the bench, but…can he be a role player on a championship team, willing to do “whatever it takes” to win ballgames? I haven’t seen that side of him in 6 years

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

by two4larue on Sep 29, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indy almost certainly would do that

But GS wouldn’t because they are so thin up front. It’s not a question of which player has the most value, but of team fit.

As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.

by jscot on Sep 30, 2009 1:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

a seven-word phrase

maybe that’s just his dialect.

All three of the 3s – heck, all five of them – want to be a starter. They all seem to want to get their success through the success of the team, though. I like that a lot. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So wait...

We got a lot more veterans on the team. That means a lot more people are going to speak up so much Nate yelling at us so much. You feel better with your teammate yelling at you than the coach yelling at you. I don’t know why. I feel like I’ve gotta go if he’s mad.

So does this mean Travis will rebound more if Andre is yelling at him instead of Nate? Allright Andre, start yelling!

by conspirator5 on Sep 28, 2009 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I still can't shake the image

Of Przybilla having to restrain Travis during the Houston series, because Travis was taking exception to Nate’s yelling at him for allowing his man to beat him baseline

Outlaw says “I want to get back to the playoffs. I want to have that same feeling again.”

Not me. Playoffs, yes. Trout getting beat baseline then angrily charging towards his coach, no thanks

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is outlaw being outlaw

hes not going to give you BS. He is what he is, and his comments reinforce that, a shooter off the bench. and he wants to get paid, just like everyone else.

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Sep 28, 2009 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the bald look better

Get rid of the hair, Travis!

by Bib Fortuna on Sep 28, 2009 10:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm liking the hair...

It’s a bit reminiscent of Clyde. Sadly, that’s where the comparison stops.

by DC Blazer on Sep 29, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is a good dunker

and can make some pretty athletic blocks

bayless leaves over my dead body
andre miller>hedo
real.baller

by thomasikehara on Sep 29, 2009 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish Drexler had been 6'9" tall

and had played 3 – then maybe we would have drafted Jordan.

But probably not. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

Clyde would’ve had to have been 7+ tall and had some success guarding Kareem

(uncanny high-post passing ability would’ve been attractive to Dr. Jack, as well)

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

by two4larue on Sep 29, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you may have oversold this one, Ben

I was looking for side-splitting Trout-isms and didn’t find many of ’em.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Sep 28, 2009 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah ditto

They weren’t THAT good.

You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.

by austinpwnz on Sep 28, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clyde Drexler wants his hairstyle back.

It didn’t look good on him, and it looks even worse on Travis. No wonder he’s going dateless right now.

by Titlein2011 on Sep 28, 2009 11:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He’s looking for an Out Of This World lady.

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 28, 2009 11:33 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Ha ha

by lethaldose on Sep 28, 2009 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I caught the tail end of a segment on the Game

they were talking about one of Outlaw’s tweets, something about “’I’m gonna be a race car and ride on her curves” Did anyone else catch this? I think they said he’s dating a model, or something

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s some tips.

by DonkeyShins on Sep 29, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure what's new here.

Ben, how about more explicit commentary on what you’re seeing in the Outlaw interview that some of the rest of us are not.

by Trutherlizer on Sep 28, 2009 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

have you ever heard another player attribute their big off-season to not getting a staph infection?
ever heard another player express a preference for being yelled at by his teammates rather than his coach?
how about a player who describes his new moves as: “1 dribble, 2 dribbles, you know, 3 dribbles, pass”
a player who in one question says he’s looking forward to being the star off the bench and then in the very next question says he is in the discussion to start at 3?

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Sep 28, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention the same player doing all of the above in 4 minutes of audio….

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Sep 28, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you Ben

This is fantastic stuff.

I feel like these quotes could have been borrowed from Napoleon Dynamite. “[Coaches] only want [players] who have great skills.” I’ve been working on some new skills, like “1 dribble, 2 dribbles, you know, 3 dribbles, pass.”

If only Travis had some sweet bow hunting skills, he’d be a starter for sure.

by DC Blazer on Sep 29, 2009 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the beauty of it is

that when he says he wants to be the man off the bench and he says he wants to start, he totally means both.

That’s our Travis.

And you know there’s going to be some guys yelling at him just for fun, and they’re going to tell him that he said he liked it better than the coach yelling at him.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 29, 2009 1:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

“That’s our Travis.”

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 29, 2009 2:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coming soon

The hilarious new sitcom on FOX Sunday Night: That’s Our Travis.

by DonkeyShins on Sep 29, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Excellent stuff.

Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave

Also: COMCAST SUCKS!

by TwoDeep on Oct 1, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, if Travis "stole the show" at media day

then the rest of the player interviews must’ve been cliche-ridden dreck

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

by two4larue on Sep 28, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mostly, but not really

LaMarcus was good, Brandon was good, but Travis just brings such a goofy atmosphere with him.

by robrun2 on Sep 29, 2009 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13!

13. 13 quotes that make me sad for the literate.

blah blah blah blah lame comment - lame commenter

by Bandwagon Butcher on Sep 29, 2009 12:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic!

He’s not only working on using as many as 3 dribbles, but he’s even going to try passing the ball! That’ll be great!

I really like the guy, seriously. He needs to do more to capitalize on his physical abilities, which it sounds like he’s trying to do; shooting 3s is hardly maximizing his potential. He’s still young, though – I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Trout yet.

by greenknight on Sep 29, 2009 6:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with you

Many think he’s peaked, however. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I burst my gut reading this one:

“How about the defensive end?

Yeah, I mean, that’s always been my focus."

Rofflehaus

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Sep 29, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that was pretty good

As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.

by jscot on Sep 29, 2009 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it was. Doesn't mean you have to be very good at something you focus on.

And as he says, as long as Nate puts him in against good players at the end of the game, he takes that as confirmation that he must be doing something right. It’s probably his instant offense, but if Nate felt his defense was an utter disaster he wouldn’t use him.

"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard

by Norsktroll on Sep 29, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

Travis is talking about man to man defense not necessarily team defense.

Backcourt game - 24/7

by pxilpooshr on Sep 29, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nate puts him in against good players at the end of the game

Were the Blazers ahead, or behind in those games?

It’s probably his instant offense

bingo

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

by two4larue on Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang I guess I'm the only one who thought these were great

For what its worth I thought these were hilarious.

by TheOdenator on Sep 29, 2009 7:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love Outlaw

He’s good people in my book.

by tominhawaii on Sep 29, 2009 7:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe I this guy to be traded

I love Outlaw

bayless leaves over my dead body
andre miller>hedo
real.baller

by thomasikehara on Sep 29, 2009 8:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As someone else who was there

Trav just nailed it. He described it well in another quote. Yeah he’s in a contract year, “but who wouldn’t want someone from a winning team.” I was just like, “well played Travis”

by robrun2 on Sep 29, 2009 8:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't wait to see the new moves

The man is a genius! Everyone’s going to be jumping to block his shot after one dribble, but what they don’t know, is that the man has more dribbles.

I loves me some trout.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Sep 29, 2009 8:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

yeah, AND

he added “pass” to his arsenal! Look out world! Travis can pass now!!!!

I would love it if he added “rebound” and “good defensive rotation” to his arsenal too, but that is just asking for “out of this world” change.

I love the quotes, Ben. Thanks for posting those!

I'm going to come up with the best line here ever, something really clever.

by musicdaniel on Sep 29, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I actually want to see these passes, though.

As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.

by jscot on Sep 29, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's working on them

Right now, they’re to the wrong team.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Sep 30, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.

by jscot on Oct 1, 2009 5:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His quotes made me smile

I tried to read them in his tone and I love his wording.

Classic Trout.

by pdxer in dfw on Sep 29, 2009 9:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stay sweet, Trout.

And have an out of this world season. We’re cheering you on!

*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

by staylost on Sep 29, 2009 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The staph infection: Was that the bandaid on his elbow that Quick was always wondering about when visiting him at home?

"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard

by Norsktroll on Sep 29, 2009 9:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't think so

I thought the bandaid was riding a dirtbike or something he wasn’t supposed to do because of his contract.

by DonkeyShins on Sep 29, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Trout keeps this up, he'll be the Manny Ramirez of the NBA in no time

Welcome to Blazers Edge. I see you're new here. please take the time to read the "If You're New to BlazersEdge"post located in the sidebar. Have a swell day

by The Arkitect on Sep 29, 2009 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fish is what fish is...

He’s a streaky shooter with sub par defense and very low BBIQ. That said, his athleticism makes up for a lot and he is a great spark off the bench. That’s all he is, and all he’ll ever be. That’s OK, and for that role on our team he fits. Now with Marty the Viking back, and Nic a year older and (theoretically) more assertive, I just don’t see many minutes for Travis at the 3. He’ll get abused on the defensive end by premiere 4’s in the league, and with the signing of 6, I just don’t see Travis getting meaningful minutes. If he has any value, he aught to be moved before 3 months of riding the pine in Portland diminishes that value.

Fine, the OLP album grew on me. It's defiantly change.

by SuperDave on Sep 29, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Once again

Premier 4’s don’t come off of the bench, very few teams have as good of a back-up 4 as we will heading into this season.

Whatever else you feel like you need to project on to him, that’s undeniable.

by TheOdenator on Sep 29, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

while that may be true

it doesn’t mean the GM should stop making calls to try to upgrade the backup PF/C positon

If you think the Blazers will pay Travis and keep him past this year, then do nothing and hope for the best in the playoffs. But if Outlaw and his agent will be asking for more $ than KP/Allen are willing to give him next summer…then polish him up and sell him high this winter

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

by two4larue on Sep 29, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it will definitely be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Sep 29, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've gotta cast my vote for T-Law:

I love the guy and most of his game.

When he first arrived in Portland as a rookie fresh of high school I remember a reporter writing that he couldn’t even make a left handed layin. He’s come a long way and continues to progress every year. Some of the intricacies of the game come a little slower to Travis, but he has and will continue to develop his feel for the game through rote learning.

It’s sad to me that there doesn’t seem to be much playing time available for him this year. But something could change …….

Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave

Also: COMCAST SUCKS!

by TwoDeep on Oct 1, 2009 9:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs