Przybilla On Courtside Monday Night
posted: 7/17/2006 at 10:49 PM
Joel Przybilla wrapped up a very busy day on Monday with a visit to Courtside Monday Night, presented by L.A. Weight Loss. We were broadcasting live from the G.I. Joe's in Delta Park. A lot of Trail Blazer fans turned out to not only see Joel and hear from him, but also to get autographs.
Przybilla, and his wife, Noelle, were on the air with us during the first hour of the program. As usual, I hosted the show along with my TV partner Mike Rice, and Brian Wheeler was on hand last night to help us out. I told Wheels the show is always better when he's on the microphone with us, and we love having him. Joel and Noelle talked about what went into their decision to return to Portland, and discussed the reasons why, in the end, it wasn't that tough a decision for them.
Also joining us in the first hour of the show last night was Blazers president Steve Patterson, and the CEO and president of G.I. Joe's, Norm Daniels.
Click here to hear the first hour of the program.
In the 7 o'clock hour of the show, the director of player personnel for the Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard was our guest. He joined us last week in Las Vegas, and we wanted to get him back on tonight to talk about the signing of Przybilla. We couldn't really officially speak about it last week, even though we talked around it as best we could. Pritchard, who's a big reason why Joel returned to Portland (and that comes from Joel himself), joined us for the first two segments of the second hour.
Click here to hear Pritchard's interview.
Thanks to all you fans who participated in not only the big signing event downtown today, but also those of you who listened, and made the trip out to Delta Park to see Joel last night. Joel and Noelle were very moved by the whole experience, and stated many times that the fans and the people of the Portland area were a big reason why they decided to return.
Joel and Noelle will be guests on many local radio stations Tuesday morning, and will appear live on KATU's AM Northwest TV program at 9 am.
We were hoping to hear from coach Nate McMillan last night, but he's back in Las Vegas getting set for training camp for Team USA. As many of you know, Nate is an assistant coach for the United States men's senior team. Jim Boeheim and Mike D'Antoni are the other assistants, and the head coach is Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. Nate told me this morning he is "very honored to be taking part in the coaching of the U.S. national team." It's already been a very busy summer for Nate, and things just get more hectic with these responsibilities.
Team USA will be training in Las Vegas through July 25th, and then will cut its roster down from 24 players to 14 players. Following the camp, the team will head for China to play a couple of exhibition games, and then will play a couple of more games in Korea. This is all in preparation for play in the World Championships, August 19-24 in Japan.
Thanks for making Monday a great day for the Trail Blazers and their fans.
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So when is KP going to get the GM position?
Hey, Mike, next time you bring up Nate and his involvement as an assistant coach for the first ever USA Basketball Senior National Team, could you give us your personal view as to how well you think Team USA will do? As a huge basketball fan and patriot of this country, i've been very disappointed in the results the USA has had in international play, recently. Do you believe it will be fairly easy for the United States to reclaim its dominance in the sport with the development of the new national team?
It's extremely hard to believe that Team USA will have much trouble given some of the line-ups that are possible with its current roster. Especially since the players will have a chance to generate some chemistry over the course of a few years. I'm extremely interested to see how it will play out.
I know this is a blazer site, but we do have the connection with Nate. I'm extremely proud that the head coach of my beloved blazers is willing to give up a large chunk of what little time he has of his own to be part of the team that represents this country in international play. It's all very exciting.
Hey Mike, Great show! I wish i could have been there. You and Rice have great chemistry together. Good job with Prizz. It's great to have him back. I always look forward to your blog and i am extremely grateful that you take the time to answer some of our comments (especially the one of mine). I was wondering if you could give any insight regarding Paul Allen and the team being for sale. It seems to be an unanswered question and any information would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!!
You rock, you rule, Mike! Any chance you can post a link Antonio's "put this one in the cooler" call? I seriously want to use that as a ring-tone...
Hey Mike,
Tell Rice if he's going to say, "Stay tuned, I've got trade rumors", he better have trade rumors.
Seriously, it's a lame way to keep people listening.
I'll try and answer a few of your questions.
Mike,
I'm not sure about Pritchard and the GM position. He had a heck of a draft day, and as I've talked about, was huge in getting Joel re-signed. I'll let you know when I hear anything.
MrBlazer,
I'm hoping to get Nate on Courtside next week, as I have some similar questions about Team USA. I think everyone has been disappointed with the national team's showings as of late. And, you're right about Nate giving up a lot of free time to help out with Team USA, and it's not just this summer, but is a three-year committment, right through the Olympics in China.
Chris in Hawaii,
I haven't heard any new news on the Paul Allen situation. He was so instrumental on draft day, and was very excited. Let's hope that's a good sign. Not many NBA owners could have pulled off what he did in the draft.
Wookie,
I'll work on getting a link up here to Antonio's infamous call. Thanks, as always, for the compliments.
Ribbon,
I'll beat on Rice for his "tease" during the show. The guy lives for trade rumors, and next week I'll make him come through with some and not just talk about it. I think he actually had some last night, but he's getting up there in years and probably just forgot them. I'm going to suggest some medication for him.
MB
WOW!! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I hope Paul Allen stays as the Blazers owner. I think he is doing a good job. His willingness and commitment to making the team better is very rare. maybe you can make him one of those DVD's that worked for Joel. Your a super nice guy. Talk to you again soon.
Great to have Joel staying for the long haul. Now, to finish off this perfect off-season, we need to ship Miles. Everyday I scan the headlines waiting for "Miles has been traded to ?? for??" this is our last move...he does not want to be here so we should move him as soon as we can. Any talks in the works about this..cmon Mike I know you have heard something..let us hear it. By the way great job doin the vegas recaps and the blogs have been great as well.
Hey, Mike, i don't expect you to post this, but i did want to say thank you for your blog. It is the best in the NBA. This team site is way out in front of any other NBA franchise, and your contribution to it is one of the biggest reasons. I'm glad to be a part of it in its infancy because it won't be long and you'll have way to many of these posts to deal with. Thanks again.
BTW, papers in this state, like the Oregonian, are the only papers in the nation that list KP as the "director of player personnel". According to the rest of the country, he already has the GM position.
Yea....I TOTALLY agree that we should move miles....and also, whats the deal with z-bo? is he gonna stay or go.
STAY
How much of Joel's Defensive presence and shot blocking ability do we owe to Theo? Also, it seemed every time Przybilla blocked a shot it wound up going back to the offense for a High percentage field goal. How will they fix that this year? Is it really just a matter of boxing out?
Package Miles, Randolph, and whoever/whatever else it takes to get Kevin Garnet!
Hey, I can dream can't I?
Thanks again, Mike!
Mike, is Sergio signed or what? I know he isn't Joel Przybilla, and he was a late first round pick, but could we get an update? Seems almost disrespectful that realgm and Marentette's blog are the ones informing the public about his status as a blazer. To get beat to the punch by those guys is embarassing. If Allen is excited about him enough to buy out his contract and sign him here, then the rest of the organization should get on the same page and show the guy some love.
I've heard virtually nothing from anyone employed by the blazers about him (save a little from you and KP). Is there a negative consensus toward him as a player or person, or is everyone just uninformed? If the latter is the case, i suggest people get up to date. This guy is going to be part of this team, and my guess is he'll be an instant fan favorite if he plays in the preseason.
He has one of the most wicked behind the back cross-overs i have ever seen. What i like about him most from watching his highlights is that almost every fancy move or pass he does has a purpose. When you watch old highlights of Jason Williams, many times the play could have been done just as effectively without making a high risk move. I don't think that is the case with Sergio. One highlight i saw had him doing a perfectly timed around the back pass to a teammate for a bucket. I watched it several times, and the only way the pass could get to where it needed to be was to do what he did. Truly one of the finest passes i've had the pleasure of viewing.
What Are Your Projected Starting Line Ups Next Year Blazer Fans?
Hi Mike
Love your show and your work with the Blazers. I'm a delivery driver and on draft night I listen to courtside and the fan. I hated the 'Fan' couvrage and loved what you and Rice and the rest of the gang.
If I was GM for the day I would trade Miles, Zack and Outlaw or one of our pt. guards...For KG and their first round draft pick for next season. Let me know what you think... could we make this happen!!!
Thank you
Jon from Beaverton
i have heard rumors about zach being traded, i have one in mind that could probably help both teams and could take place after aug 28th. z bo, raef lafrentz and maybe throw in travis outlaw to philly for chris webber and kyle korver. it would make philly a little younger and possible get them in the playoffs and would give us a young "nate guy" to push darius in korver with a shooting touch, defense and hustle. then webber has a shorter contract and plays similar to z-bo but better passer. he could be a stop gap for aldridge. it would help break up that webber iverson fued. what do you think.
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