Preparing for the Draft
posted: 5/30/2006 at 11:19 PM
And you thought this new web site was getting too much hype. I was blown away when I got a sneak peak at how the new trailblazers.com would look for its debut. There are many new things, as you can tell, and many things that will stay the same. My blog is one of those things that will continue.
Contrary to popular belief, NBA announcers do not get the summer off, and if you're a regular to this blog you've already heard me talking about that. I'll be posting the blog about once a week during the summer, but during some of our busier times you'll see it much more than that. Check back around the NBA Draft, as that will once again be an exciting time for the franchise. We've got a draft party planned on June 28th, and will be hosting our radio show "Courtside Monday Night" live from the party.
Speaking of the radio show, it continues throughout the summer as well. If you miss a show or two, you can always come to this web site, and even this blog, and link right to interviews from Courtside.
Last summer, when this blog thing was just an idea, we kind of gave it a test run when I was with the team in Las Vegas at Summer League. We're headed back to Vegas again this summer, and I'll be blogging, providing game recaps, photos, and perhaps even video clips and interviews.
Right now the pre-draft workouts are continuing for the Blazers, as they continue the evaluation process on many of the players eligible for the draft. Nate McMillan is running the workouts, and is putting these young players to the test. Recently, George Washington forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu commented that the Blazer workout was tougher than he expected. "I knew that it was going to test my endurance and my strength," he said. "Nate just pushes you. A lot of teams' workouts are shorter. His workouts may be a little big longer, but the whole time you're working. I think he just gets the best out of every player."
The workouts will continue right up to draft day. It's amazing looking at the many mock drafts out there. There is so much that is still up in the air. That's not really normal, especially for the high positions in the draft. The Trail Blazers will get a good look at all the potentials, and have certainly done their homework.
Enjoy the new web site. I don't think there is one in the NBA that compares to it. I'll talk to you soon.
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Woo! First comment on the new Trail Blazers.com! Thanks for the blog Mike! Look forward to reading it this summer.
Wow, a whole lot of nothing said. Common, start acting like a Blazer insider and get some info. on what there thinking for draft/GM
I have to kinda go with tbf on this one. Not a whole lot of meat to this site yet. I want some serious team makeover talk going on. Start dissecting some possible draft picks, or trades coming up. I'd like to see some scenerios about what the lineup might look like next year if we start pulling the trigger on some deals. Even some speculation and hearsay is better than nothing. Please don't make me have to go back to ESPN.com to get the juice, I want it from the source.
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Mike Great blog cant say the same for the site i know its young much like the blazer roster so it can only get better right!
I really appreciate you blogging all summer. I'm not sure what else besides courtside you're going to do, but I'm sure you're pretty busy doing something else. I'll definetly enjoy reading this all summer!
Adam
Raleigh, NC
whatever you do, do not draft adam morrison, he cant play defense and he sucks. he's just good cause he is a ball hog. you should pick andrea bargnani,
The new Blazer web site is awesome its got a newer, cooler, hipper type styling to it. It looks great to the younger audience. The blog was not really what you would expect for this time of year. This potential off-season could be a fire storm for the Trailblazers if they are willing to poke there noses out for trades. With Miles (everyone knows the one i'm talking about) carrying on his little spoiled child temper problems. Zach I wont play defense Randolf. And with Fireyyyy Telifer who spent more time on his moive than jump shot this past summer. There is a wide spread of large names with quite a few question marks on if they'll stay put this year. The winds have blown around K.G's name, A.I., Kenyon Martin, Drew Gooden, Big Ben, are just a few of the interesting players avaliable. Unfortunally the NBA is not run like the NFL you cannot simply cut a player a watch his salery disappear
(cough cough Zach, Miles cough cough) unfortentually you have to pay them there alloted amount even if they sit for a year with a hurt pride. (MILES) This year the blazers had the best chance of "earning" this years first draft selection. As many Blazers fans have alwasy known we really are not that lucky. We earned the 4th draft selection while the the 8% raptors earned the first. Good for you Raptors too bad this years draft class consists of a cry-baby petta-stashed toothpick, a bunch of incostant players like Gay, Roy, and Foye. Good luck again with that pick Raptors. What ever happned to the "youth movement" started under that..... whats his name interm coach? This recent Blazers orginization has been as incosistant as Telfairs jump shot and really to tell the truth worse. I miss the days of shed getten t-ed up its alot better than watching sulking players afraid to look up and realise that there playing basketball. I don't mean to rip but please Blazers do something to spark this team. Or at least put together a team that will come and compete everynight, and allow me to unpack my burried blazers sweatchirt blow off the dust and wear it proudly again.
if that guy thinks morrison is bad at D, I wonder if he has seen bargnani play d. Supposedly he is weak too. I think Roy is way overrated. Morrison is the help we need right away. We don't need to draft another 3 year project like Outlaw.
Like the site changes, In responce to those regarding the draft my votes for Roy or Aldridge but I also think we should do a trade involving a couple big name high contract players for either Orlandos Grant Hill and their pick or NewYorks Jaleen Rose and their pick from Last Year (Frye) stay with going young and keep lowering the salary cap so the new owners have something to work with.
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