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Portland Trail Blazers Media Day 2018 featured interviews with all the usual suspects, including Neil Olshey, Terry Stotts, and Damian Lillard. Lesser-known Blazers got their moment in the sun as well. Here are highlights from interviews with Meyers Leonard and other Portland reserves.
Meyers Leonard
Meyers Leonard says the biggest thing for him this offseason, not necessarily skill work but more about playing time. Getting out and playing, getting better with rotations, being quick in game like situations. - to @JamieHudsonNBCS on @NBCSNorthwest
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
..."Willing to contest shots, go after rebounds on both sides of the floor. To be a consistent player. I've had ups and downs...I feel I bring a different dynamic than Ed and I feel it's about gaining the trust of my coaches and teammates." Leonard on training camp this year.
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Meyers says he wants to bring consistency this season. Says with Ed Davis gone, there's more opportunity
— Peter Sampson (@PeterSampson) September 24, 2018
Nik Stauskas
"Coming in off the bench I feel I can bring a spark. Obviously shooting is the one thing that I've brought throughout my career... I feel like I can really thrive in scoring off the bench."- Nik Stauskas to @JamieHudsonNBCS on @NBCSNorthwest
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Jake Layman
Jake Layman says coach needs to trust him on defense if he wants to get on the court in the regular season. #RipCity
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018
"Getting, stronger, faster, quicker- I really focused on that in the weight room." - Jake Layman on working in the weight room to get better defensively.
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
"With Pat and Shabazz gone there are definitely openings in minutes and I'm trying to put myself in the best position to have coach put me out there."- Jake Layman on opportunities this year
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Layman on what's different about his game this year: "More consistent with my jump shot, stronger, able to defend more positions" Expects to guard some 4's now
— Peter Sampson (@PeterSampson) September 24, 2018
Seth Curry
Curry says he's a full go in terms of his health
— Peter Sampson (@PeterSampson) September 24, 2018
Curry on the team vibe - "It's a weird team in the sense that we don't really have an old guy. Coming from Dallas we had a lot of old guys"
— Peter Sampson (@PeterSampson) September 24, 2018
Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr says defense is the only way to get on the floor, and he knows he has to show he can defend. #RipCity
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018
Lillard on "those minutes": "Physically Gary Trent Jr. is there. Physically he can get to the spots on both ends."
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Wade Baldwin IV
Baldwin feels he can guard anybody in the 1 through 4 positions. #RipCity
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018
Baldwin says the summer league success was a big deal for him. Especially as a former first round pick. #RipCity
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018
Anfernee Simons
CJ said Simons has a bright future. Called him a baby-faced assassin.
— Peter Sampson (@PeterSampson) September 24, 2018
"Been pretty much lifting every day for the whole summer. Working on my point guard skills. Working on how to get around screens." -Anfernee Simons on things he's worked on this summer
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Zach Collins
Collins: I can be a 4 one night and a 5 the next night, but right now I'm a 4. #RipCity https://t.co/3kbpoqXrvH
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) September 24, 2018
When asked, Zach Collins says he thinks he's ready to be a starter
— Isaiah De Los Santos (@IsaiahDeLos) September 24, 2018
Zach Collins expects to play more inside than last season with Ed Davis no longer around. #RipCity
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018
Evan Turner
"You have to remember but you have to forget too. You have to remember to go forward." -Evan Turner on any lingering effects from the Pelicans series
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
"Tough 20 game start, and knowing how guys play and deciding roles is going to be huge" - Turner on continuity heading into the season.
— Danny Marang (@DMarang) September 24, 2018
Caleb Swanigan
Swanigan says there's no mindset difference between rookie year and sophomore year. He's excited about the opportunity with Ed Davis gone and no new low post players on the roster.
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) September 24, 2018