Update: Here's a link to Jason Quick's lengthy rundown of today's events.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan and Pritchard are both convinced that Turkoglu is the right piece to push the young and successful Blazers over the top and into championship contenders. Portland had 54 wins last season but was ousted in the first round of the playoffs by Houston, which suffocated Blazers stars Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge with double teams. With Turkoglu, the Blazers figure they will be a tough team to defend.
McMillan, who dined with Turkoglu on Wednesday night in Orlando, has been emphatic in his endorsement of Turkoglu, urging Pritchard to seal the deal. Pritchard meanwhile said he grew to admire Turkoglu even more this spring while watching him help Orlando reach the NBA Finals.
...
The Blazers' minds are made up. Turkoglu is the one. In the hours remaining until he leaves Saturday, the team must convince Turkoglu the Blazers are the right team for him.
Oregonlive.com has posted the following video from Joel Odom.
The video shows Hedo Turkoglu's arrival to PDX; also shown are the four horsemen -- Kevin Pritchard, Tom Penn, Mike Born, and Chad Buchanan.
| Hedo Turkoglu arrives for Portland visit |
Here's a rough transcript.
On the Blazers...
"This team is built on a bunch of great young players... if things works out, I'll just be the experienced guy, being in different situations, being in different roles and trying to help those guys make the next step.
Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, they built the team around those guys.... It will be healthy for the future, for the NBA, me being added here would be the piece they've been looking for, the experienced guy on the floor that can help those guys make the next step."
Where are things now...
It's hard for me to say right now about the stiuation, I'm just happy to be here. Just see the situation, what's best for both of us. Hopefully at the end we'll have some agreement."
Is money important...
"Of course money is important. We can't kid ourselves. On the money side you have to look what's best for you basketball wise. Where you stop and then where you can continue to build on. For me coming over here is a chance for me to have that kind of run I've been having for a few years."
When do you expect a resolution...
"The sooner is better. Then I can really schedule myself this summer, where I'm going to be, where I'm going to stay, where I'm going to leave... then I'll have that commitment to get to know my teammates more. Like I said I'm just going to lay it out there and see what's good for both sides."
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)