Buckner: Blazers Assistant Kaleb Canales Excited For New Season

Candace Buckner of The Columbian checks in with Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Kaleb Canales, who is pumped up for the season even if he didn't get the head job after serving as interim coach last season.

"Excited to be part of the staff we have. You know, excited to get an opportunity to learn from Coach Terry and his championship DNA and just excited about our team," Canales said. "So, just excited to keep growing and keep improving."

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"Obviously, I love defense. I love teaching defense, and it's something as a team I feel that we have to just keep improving and keep chipping at the rock everyday."

Easily the most popular among the new and unknown faces on the coaching staff, Canales received a rousing cheer during introductions at the Oct. 21 Fan Fest intrasquad scrimmage.

"You heard the ovation at Fan Fest for Kaleb, you would think he was a four-time All-Star," Matthews said. "You can relate to him. When he started here, he was video guy, intern guy, do whatever it takes and he just loved it. Loved being here. Loved the atmosphere about everything.

To underscore this: Canales drew the largest ovation of anyone, players included, at FanFest.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter