Przybilla Comes Home
posted: 7/16/2006 at 10:46 PM
This great day for the Trail Blazers' organization started this morning along the Willamette River, and continues tonight, a stones throw from the Columbia River.
I mentioned this in my last blog on Friday, but I just wanted to start things off by saying this again.
Courtside Monday Night, presented by L.A. Weight Loss, will still be broadcast tonight on KXL 750-AM in the Portland area, and on kxl.com, but we'll be on location at the G.I. Joe's at Delta Park, and not the Lake Grove location. I metioned last week on the radio show, numerous times, that we'd be in Lake Grove. I know a lot of Trail Blazer fans plan on attending the event, so just be advised again about the change.
Joel Przybilla will be on hand for the radio show, and everyone is welcome to attend. It was a big morning on Monday, as we held the signing event for Joel on the Eastbank Esplanade. On hand for the event was Steve Patterson, Kevin Pritchard, Nate McMillan, and of course, Joel and his wife Noelle will be there. Portland City Commissioner Eric Sten was also there, and he had me read a letter to Joel from Portland Mayor Tom Potter.
Before the event, at about 9:30 am, Joel signed his actual contract in Patterson's office. Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, was on hand for the signing, and also came to the event on the river.
This day means so much to the Blazers organization. Not only are they getting their starting center back, but they've landed an unrestricted free agent who was heavily courted by other NBA teams. You know this by now, but Przybilla had the opportunity to play for both Detroit and San Antonio, for just about the same money, but instead decided to return to Portland. I think this is just as big, if not bigger, than all the moves made on draft day.
Drafting great players means so much, but this was a case when a player chose on his own to return to the team, when he had many other attractive options. Joel has already said, a big reason why he decided to come back is he truly believes in what is happening in Portland. He sees the enthusiasm, support, and believes in the leadership of this franchise. That, in short, is why it's being celebrated so much by the team. It is such a big emotional lift for everyone around the franchise. Steve Patterson and Kevin Pritchard deserve a lot of credit for selling the vision to Joel.
I hope to see you tonight at G.I. Joe's at Delta Park for the radio show. If you can't catch the show, or the event in the morning, check back here tomorrow for a recap. And, I'll have the interview with Joel for you to download and hear. As always, if you're outside the Portland area, you can hear the show by clicking on kxl.com's listen live link. Talk to you tonight on the radio.
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You said the Kevin and Steve Patterson should be commended for "selling Joel the vision"
Usually Mike you are right on, but they didn't sell squat. Joel knows nothing but loyalty, and on top of that he's getting more money and more playing time here than anywhere else. Joel would have stayed if he were the only guy in town, and I commend him for that--not Kevin and Steve.
On a more positive note, thanks for the updates on summer league--sounds like Roy is going to be a STUD muffin. He is getting crazy numbers in hardly any minutes, so I am looking forward to a GREAT career from him. If the Blazers have half an ounce of sense, we better keep him for at least 10 years, not get rid of him like we did Jermaine...
Prez,
Thanks for the comments. Good or bad, I appreciate them. I'm hearing you say that you don't think it made a real difference to Joel who was running things, and what the future plans are in Portland. I disagree with you here. I was actually at that dinner table a few weeks ago when Kevin Pritchard laid out his plan and his "vision" to Joel. I then drove Joel back to his hotel, and we talked all the way there about the direction of the franchise. That dinner, and KP's message, were huge factors in Joel's decision. There wasn't much difference in money between Detroit and Portland, and the San Antonio offer was very attractive as well. And, playing time? Joel would have been the starting center for the Spurs or Pistons next season. You're correct that Joel is very loyal, but winning is also very important to him. I saw him grind through last season on a daily basis, and it wasn't easy for him. It was only his belief in the direction of the team, and trust in those in charge, that led him to re-sign.
Mike, now that you have let the cat out of the bag and told us all that you know KP's vision of our beloved franchise's future, could you let us know, too, this vision, and do your best to "sell" us on it, as well? I know, you can't. But, i'll definitely be one fan that tries to read between the lines of your blog from now on.
I definitely agree with you, Mike. The front office deserves a ton of credit for Przybilla's decision to resign. First, we gave him a chance when nobody else would. We then gave him the playing time he needed to grow as a player (he had a long way to go when he got here). Finally, he let it be known that changes and a new direction for the franchise would need to be seen before he would resign with us. He was certainly obliged, again, on draft day by the front office. What more can an organization do for a player?
Personally, i would have been shocked if Joel would have played somewhere else for the same money. I really don't think he did anything extra special other than just doing the right thing (which isn't as common by NBA players as you'd hope). I believe our organization earned its chance given by Joel. If there is one area we have been good these last couple seasons, it is the area involving Joel Przybilla. I'm happy that he has chosen to be a stand up guy.
hey MB,
you forgot to ask joel if he understood that his song being born in Oregon, meant he couldn't leave the state under penalty of constant ridcule.
Make Zach Play With His Back To The Basket.
Martell For Strong Forward.
Roy for ROY.
Przybilla For Mayor!
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