Przybilla Celebration Set
posted: 7/13/2006 at 9:41 PM
"Joel Przybilla Day?" I don't know, it's worth a shot I guess. Key to the city? Probably not. I know that stuff has to pass the city government, and that's asking a little too much perhaps. But, Monday will be a big day for the Trail Blazers, that much is for sure. Joel, humble as he is, won't want this big a deal made out of his re-signing with the Blazers, but he's going to get it anyway. I talked to him today on the phone and I can tell you he doesn't have any idea what's planned for him on Monday. His only question for me today was, "what should I wear?" I told him to wear whatever the heck he wants to, just make sure and let Noelle pick it out. I know he hates wearing ties so we can probably rule that out.
Joel and the Trail Blazers will officially announce his new contract with the team on Monday, at 10:45 am, down on the Eastbank Esplanade, at the Salmon Street entrance. Let's just hope the weather holds, and it should. It doesn't rain in July, does it? Joel will, of course, be there, along with Blazers president Steve Patterson, player personnel director Kevin Pritchard, coach Nate McMillan, and others. Patterson and Pritchard need to be publically complimented for all they've done in the past couple of weeks. Draft day was enormous, and not many people gave them much of a shot to get Joel to return. This stuff is all about people, teamwork, and relationships, and we've got great people in this organization. That's how all of this has happened.
I will tell you this much about our conversation today, Przybilla sounds more relaxed and happier than I've heard him in a long time. He wasn't comfortable with this whole free-agent process, and told me many times, "I just want to get this over with." Well, Monday is the final step. Przybilla has spent the past week kicking back at his lake house in Wisconsin, and talked about how happy he is to have this behind him. He and Noelle have already begun looking for houses in the area. They were renting last season. Now, they're ready to buy.
Joel also asked a lot of questions about summer league in Las Vegas, and wanted to know every detail about the new guys. He had already heard, as most of the nation has, about Brandon Roy. He was more interested in LaMarcus Aldridge, and what kind of partner he'll make on this suddenly-imposing Trail Blazers' front line. I filled him in the best I could.
Monday night we'll also have our radio show,
Courtside Monday Night, presented by L.A. Weight Loss, live from the G.I. Joe's at Delta Park. I told many of you on the air last week we were having the show at the Lake Grove G.I. Joe's, but that's been moved to Delta Park now. It'll air at it's normal time, 6pm to 8, on KXL-750 AM in the Portland area. I told you last week we'd have a special guest on hand, and I guess you've figured out by now that'll be Przybilla.
The Blazers Broadcasting team returned home from Las Vegas last night. We got in at about midnight, and some season ticket holders were on our flight. They were fired up about what they had just seen, and we even got stopped in the airport by several fans who wanted to get the inside scoop on what this recent buzz is all about. We were only too happy to share.
It's great to be home, and thanks for all your e-mails and comments about the coverage in Las Vegas. We had a ball, and it'll continue on Monday.
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FIRST COMMENT WOOT! Yea...i'm SO happy we got Joel. His work ethic is terrific and his defense and rebounding was huge for hte blazers. I'm really hoping he can improve his foul shooting and offense a little during hte offseason althought i'd be happy to have the old joel back as well... big move by the blazers THUMBS UP!
Mike,
i can't believe joel decided to stay. well i can and i am elated. back at the end of the regular season (which hopefully wont be til june next year!) you said this:
"I love this team, love this franchise, love the coaches, and call me crazy, but I have this strong belief in everything connected to the Blazers."
and i just wanted to let you know i don't think i will every forget it and i agree TOTALLY and i can't wait until the rest of portland does again as well!
I am elated that we got Joel back it will do numbers for our defense this year, especially after losing Victor and Theo. I think Aldridge and Joel together will make a deadly combo. I am probably more happy just knowing that Steven Smith of ESPN is WRONG. He said on draft night that there is now way Joel will come back to Portland. I guess he underestimated a little thing called loyalty. Here's to a wonderful and exciting season.
Happy Przybilla Day Portland!
Mike,
Is Martell going to be able to play the 3? I know it has been mentioned a couple of times, but no one has really discussed it in detail. Nate McMillan said that Roy won't be playing much point during the season, and it appears he may be ready to take some of the 2 guard minutes from Martell and Dixon. I know Martell has the heigth to play the 3 but is he comfortable in that position, did he play it at all last year, and if so how did he do? I love the Blazers draft choices this year and can't waith to come to some games this fall!!!
Hey Mike,
I am excited to have Joel back. I am not a native of Portland...I am from California. I have been a fan ever since 1991. I love the Blazers. I think this is one of the best off seasons we have had In my time being a fan. Now, we need to finish this great off season..by making some crucial trades. C an you give us some insight on what rumors or possabilities are out there? We have to get this Miles situation settled and move him on...the question is, who can we get in return?
L.T.G
Something tells me Mike won't be comenting on trades until they become official. If you want some trade hype check out the Oregon Live Blazers Forum. The bloggers there are diverse and opinionated and debate around the clock. As far as credibility goes, They're all over the map.
Mike - since family is very important to Joel and Noel how about posting a family picture here from the signing?
Joel - thanks friend. You bring class and integrity to a great city. We are not all about performance but yours is greatly appreciated also. I hope your celebration is great.
Sorry Noelle - I'll get it right!
Lee,
I'll absolutely post some pictures of the event on Monday. Family is very important to Joel, and where they live is important. That's a big reason why he chose to remain in Portland.
L.T.G.,
I wish I had more information on trades for you. There were just six of them on draft day, remember. If you're someone who wants a Miles trade to happen, I wouldn't get your hopes up, at least for now. There always seems to be a little quiet period following the draft and summer league, that's what we're in right now.
Crude,
We're always up for talking trade rumors, and that seems like about all we do on the Courtside Monday Night radio show. I love the forums and check them out all the time. You're certainly right about them being opinionated, and passionate. The personal attacks are a little much, but I enjoy the banter. And, you're correct about the credibility being all over the place. But, that's fine because it's just conversation. Some trade rumors, like last week's that had Darius going to Minnesota, we heard about in Las Vegas, I knew wasn't true and therefore didn't have a lot to say about it. I was sitting with Kevin Pritchard, having lunch, when I got a call asking me about the supposed trade. Kevin laughed, and then I had a pretty good idea nothing was cooking. I may not always have a source like Kevin sitting with me when these rumors come up, but I'll certainly always be able to do a little investigating. If it's a worthy rumor, I'll try and have something on it. But, sometimes things are kept secret for good reasons, and news leaking out about a particular trade can often times kill it. That's why teams are careful at times.
Long answer, but there you go.
MB
When a team is doing badly in the regular season, sometimes we look forward to the off-season. This off-season has been very exciting. The draft night achievments and resigning Joel were highlights, as well as the play of our young guys in Vegas. Now likely after one more trade we will be getting into the real off-season, where there won't be much to report. Time to pull out my old VHS tapes of Clyde The Glide I guess. I Gotta Have My Black And Red! RIP CITY!
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