Honeymoon in Vegas
posted: 7/5/2006 at 10:07 PM
It really sort of feels that way today as the Trail Blazers are set to begin play in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League at UNLV. We arrived in Vegas yesterday afternoon, and being we stayed at New York New York last summer, had a pretty good idea of where to find things. There are couple of other NBA teams staying here, and the rest of the teams are also all on the Las Vegas Strip.
The team will play five games, beginning with today's first game against the Houston Rockets summer league team at 1pm. You'll be able to hear all of Portland's games on KXL on a tape-delayed basis at 9pm. To my knowledge, no other NBA team broadcasts summer league games on the radio. We're looking forward to bringing you these games, and exclusive interviews, hightlights, photos, and game recaps right here on trailblazers.com.
Last night the Blazers summer league team arrived in Las Vegas and immediately went to work. LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy just signed on Tuesday, and missed the little pre-summer league training camp in Lake Tahoe, so were brought up to speed last night. Assistant coaches Dean Demopolous, Monty Williams, and head coach Nate McMillan helped the new players with some plays the team will be using in the next week. We were with them last night at Cox Pavilion at UNLV.
I'll start with Aldridge and will simply say that the kid has got star quality written all over him. I realize this was just a session to go over plays and learn spacing, but everything Aldridge does is silky smooth, and his presence and coachability comes though to anyone in the gym. He effortlessly turned to the hoop, showed his shooting range, and ability to score with either hand in the paint.
Brandon Roy has an explosive first step and a great shooting touch. I asked him after the short workout about adjusting to Coach McMillan's system. He said it's tough getting all of this down in just one night, but says he already has a pretty good feel for what the team does on offense and defense. Both Roy and Aldridge carry themselves with a calm and confidence you don't normally find in NBA rookies. They are also both so personable and spend a lot of time smiling and truly seem to be enjoying every minute of this. It's hard not to get excited about the future watching these guys work.
Martell Webster was the other Blazer involved in last night's little workout. He was going through the sets with the players and was doing as much coaching as the coaches. Martell even made a couple of comments like "these rookies have a lot to learn," as if he's been in the league for years. Roy would just roll his eyes and smile.
The Trail Blazers take on Houston tomorrow, Golden State on Friday, Minnesota Saturday, Washington on Monday, and Phoenix on Wednesday. Again, we'll have all those games on the radio for you. Tuesday night there is no game, but we'll have Courtside Monday Night, presented by L.A. Weight Loss, live from the ESPNZone here at our hotel New York New York. The show will air at its normal time, from 6pm to 8 on KXL. If you're outside the area and want to hear the show, log on to kxl.com and you can listen live. We've got a tremendous lineup of guests planned for the show on Tuesday.
In Portland on Wednesday, the Blazers announced first-round pick Sergio Rodriguez to the community. He is now heading for Las Vegas to join us. He won't be playing, and will only be here tomorrow afternoon. He'll then head back to Europe to join his national team as it prepares for the World Championships in Japan.
I mentioned yesterday that Raef LaFrentz is headed to Vegas to check out some of the youngsters on his new team. Jarrett Jack is here now as well. Zach Randolph will possibly be coming down to join us, and Joel Przybilla could even possibly show up. He's got some things to work out at home before he can commit, but he did tell me today he'd love to make a trip down here to see the rest of the guys and the coaches. I'll certainly let you know if these guys make the trip.
I'll be talking to you later, with a complete recap of the first summer league game. Here is the Blazers summer league roster, once again. The only change is Nikoloz Tskitishvili is no longer on the roster. He has been waived.
12 LaMarcus Aldridge F/C 6-11 245 R 7-19-85 Texas
4 Brandon Bowman F 6-9 223 R 9-15-84 Georgetown
17 Sean Dockery G 6-2 185 R 1-5-83 Duke
14 Joel Freeland F 6-10 225 R 2-7-87 Gran Canaria Fadesa (Spain)
24 Fred House F 6-5 210 1-4-78 Southern Utah
5 Ha Seung-Jin C 7-3 305 2 8-4-85 South Korea
25 Travis Outlaw F 6-9 220 3 9-18-84 Starkville HS (Miss.)
16 Marque Perry G 6-1 185 1-28-81 St. Louis
42 Kevin Pinkney F 6-10 245 10-20-83 Nevada
33 Hector Romero F 6-8 225 1-3-80 Venezuela
7 Brandon Roy G 6-6 215 R 7-23-84 Washington
11 Nedzad Sinanovic C 7-3 225 6-12-83 Bosnia & Herzegovina
8 Martell Webster G/F 6-7 233 1 12-4-86 Seattle Prep (Wash.)
RSS FEED
You guys are getting me all hyped up for the season to begin and the end of oct seems like an eternity away!blzr fan 77
I can't wait for our new Blazers to show off their stuff. I hear that Amare will be playing for Phoenix's summer league team this year - it would be awesome to see Lamarcus and Amare battle it out on Wednesday. And to all those who are worried that Foye will turn out to be a better draft pick than Roy, we'll see for ourselves in a couple days. I can't wait!
Mike I feel like I've found a treasure in finding your blog. I love what you're taking the time to do - it's golden. Will Sergio sign a contract tomorrow? I know that you said previously he would sign Wednesday, but in the latest it just said the team announced him and that he'd come to Vegas. I am trying to figure out what we'll do with our glut at PG if he signs. Dickau can't be traded for 90 days after the draft-day trade can he?
I can't wait no more for watching Sergio playing with the Blazers, it will be amazing. I hope he adapts to the country, the culture and the team as soon as possible because it will be very important for a young man like him, and he will be able to play his best next season. Be patient with him and take care of him, he is absolutely crazy about playing in the Trail Blazers and he won't dissapoint you. Don't expect him to make a great impact in his first year, but if he gets minutes and confidence he won't need more than two years to be the starting point guard in any NBA team.
I have to congratulate Mike for this blog and the Blazers organization for the magnificient web page.
When will be Sergio's 11 jersey available? How much will it cost? I'm starting to save money to buy it......
Bradley - good question about Dan Dickau. The 3 month moritorium on trades is if a veteran free agent signs a contract he then cannot be traded for 3 months from signing. Dickau signed with Boston last year so I think this will not apply. (Article VII, section 8 (d))
Mike - thanks for the coverage. Will be listening tonight.
its always a pleasure to read your blog. I know you said people outside the area can log on to hear the games live but were you going to post a recap or mp3 of the games on your blog? thanks again!!!
Mike,
Your blogs get better and better. It's the first thing I read in the morning and I wouldn't miss it. I wish I could be in Vegas as well instead of work in Portland! I think this summer league is SO exciting and the perfect chance for the start of the NEW Blazer team to show it's face. Is there anyway to find out the NBA TV schedule so that I can catch some of the games? I have looked and can't find it so far, but I don't want to miss out. I love listening on the radio, but it's just not the same. Thanks! and thanks again for the great blogs!!
*Liz*
Have you seen Sergio's face when posing with his Blazer jersey? He seems to be over the moon about being there in Portland. He's just a kid, almost like the ones that surround him, but don't get fooled by his appearance because my man can kill anyone with his moves when he's on the court.
He's lovely guy. And you guys in Portland are gonna love my countryman fella. We already do over here in Spain.
Well It looks like we have taken care of the Draft, Pryz, one thing left to do... Get rid of huge contracts to overpaid players. Maybe package Lafrents and Miles or Randolph and miles for some expiring contracts.
I am getting more and more excited for the season. With the recent draft picks and trades, I can't remember a more active and postive summer, then this one. Management has set some very exciting and positive things in motion. Also, it is more interesting and fun listening to people that know the team, like you and Rice, then others on the OTHER Sports radio station, that just rant when they don't get their way....
Keep up the great work, and so far, this summer has been an A+. I look forward to hearing the games this summer on radio, whereas in the past, I could care less.
wow. talk about growing up. already here comes the new martell webster. 29 points on 10/19 shooting. wow i can't wait for the regular season!!!!
Great work on on the Blog so far. Any news or scenarios on trades or the future of Randolph or Miles?
-LTG.
Great idea to cover the summer league..you guys are doin great! I am excited for this new look team!
It was always my dream to have my favorite college player (B.Roy) to play for my favorite basketball team. During the draft night after all the trades, when I heard Brandon Roy will be traded to Portland or Randy Foye, I fell to my knees and cried. Im so excited for next season, I kinda wish summer was over! I feel like we have a whole new team and I think that if our new playre play together under coaches wing this team will carry us somewhere in the playoffs in the next couple of years!
Samantha
Post a Comment
<< Home