Portland Trail Blazers Exit Interviews Reveal Enthusiasm, Commitment

NBA team exit interviews, once the domain of team executives and players, have become an extended media parade in the modern era. After their exit from the playoffs last night, the Portland Trail Blazers are conducting their exit interviews today. Here are the choice bits coming out of the event.

This post will update throughout the day as the interviews progress.

Ed Davis shakes the hand of every media member after his exit interview. What a gem

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) May 12, 2016

. @allencrabbe talking about free agency like a guy who would like to remain in Portland

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2016

Allen Crabbe says he's excited for free-agency but he has nothing but good things to say about the Blazers. Said this season was "most fun."

— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) May 12, 2016

Meyers Leonard on not being able to play in the postseason: "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through."

— Anne M. Peterson (@AnnieMPeterson) May 12, 2016

.@MeyersLeonard11 on not being able to play in Playoffs: "I wouldn't call it jealousy...but it was hard...I'm at peace with it."

— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) May 12, 2016

Mason Plumlee said he wants to get better at shooting the ball in the offseason to become more of a scoring threat. pic.twitter.com/4yLlwawAbz

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

.@masonplumlee on Terry Stotts: "I'll be shocked if they don't give him an extension." @trailblazers

— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) May 12, 2016

"Never say never" - Mase on another Plumdogg Millionaire music video pic.twitter.com/iJVrArVaH7

— Kris Koivisto (@KrisKoivisto) May 12, 2016

"We're a good team right now but we are on the door step of becoming an elite team." -- CJ McCollum

— Lillard Time (@Lillard_Time) May 12, 2016

"Dame's here all the time, I'm here, why not be here?" @CJMcCollum on why most guys are staying in PDX for summer. pic.twitter.com/jpK8I3WnPw

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

. @CJMcCollum said he and @Dame_Lillard are already planning the pre-training camp player trip

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2016

"We have a winning culture and are trending upward with elite talent. If that's not enough, FAs don't deserve to play here." - @CJMcCollum

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Every Blazers player who has spoken said they will stay in Portland to workout: Crabbe, Davis, Leonard, McCollum, and you know Dame will too

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) May 12, 2016

"It means a lot that everyone else is staying here to train because I stay here every year." - @Dame_Lillard pic.twitter.com/ELUhMavxJ5

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Then he said the Blazers "don't have those type of guys."

— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) May 12, 2016

"I'm not gonna sell anybody on anything because we have something here that players will want to be a part of." - @Dame_Lillard

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Lillard @ the podium... Kaman decides to join all of us media folks. Wonder what question Chris has in mind for Dame pic.twitter.com/x4O71QUxLb

— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonCSN) May 12, 2016

.@Dame_Lillard on potential Terry Stotts extension: "That would mean everything to me." @trailblazers

— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) May 12, 2016

Everything I'd heard when asking about Stotts confirmed this: Dame has Stotts' back like nobody else on the team. https://t.co/6UxdkFQKO9

— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) May 12, 2016

"I loved coming to practice. I wish we could still come to practice." - Mo Harkless. pic.twitter.com/ndVASi5Htb

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Mo Harkless says he would love to be back in Portland and that he loves the organization.

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

. @moe_harkless said thing like @Dame_Lillard hosting dinners and putting together trips to the roller rink helped the team come together

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2016

Gerald Henderson said this was his most fun year in the NBA because of the group of guys on the Blazers. pic.twitter.com/RtKnYsYoG8

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Hendo says that starting would have mattered much more 3 or 4 years ago in his free-agency decision. Winning and a role most important now.

— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) May 12, 2016

.@GhJr09 says he'd love to be back with the @trailblazers: "I can't imagine a better place." #RipCity

— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) May 12, 2016

Blazers players who went out of way to mention this season was the most fun they've had in basketball: Crabbe, Harkless, Henderson, Plumlee

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) May 12, 2016

"… Get paid a lot of money to be frustrated? That doesn’t make sense to me." — @allencrabbe on putting money over system

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2016

Definitely a 'money isn't everything' vibe from @allencrabbe during interviews, though he was wearing a pair of HUGE diamond earrings…

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2016

Coach Stotts continues to emphasize how special this season was and says "no question" it was his most rewarding. pic.twitter.com/NyGSGWVdjK

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Coach Stotts not answering any questions about free agency, the roster, or his contract. #Blazers

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

Al-Farouq Aminu says he appreciated that Coach Stotts wanted to empower him throughout the season. pic.twitter.com/aEqOZoIJK6

— 1080 The FAN (@1080TheFAN) May 12, 2016

.@farouq1 says one of the things he liked about playing for Coach Stotts is how positive he is with the players.

— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) May 12, 2016