Busy First Day for Magloire
posted: 8/10/2006 at 8:50 PM
Well, he's passed the first test.
At about 5 o'clock on Thursday evening, Jamaal Magloire looked at me from his position in front of a camera, wearing his new Blazers jersey, took a deep breath, and said, "wow, long day." He then smiled, shrugged, and we were finished. He went to his new locker at the Rose Garden, and started to change back into his street clothes.
The day started early at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland, as I was there to interview Jamaal at about 7:30 am. It was well after 5 o'clock when I walked him to his limo outside the box office at One Center Court. He was taking a trip back to the hotel, then to Nike, and then to the airport, where he was booked on the red-eye back to his home in Toronto.
In between the early-morning interview, and the final walk to the car, Magloire had taken his physical, met the Trail Blazers staff, was introduced at a press conference, and then went through a photo shoot and read a couple of scripts that will be turned into radio commercials. Just the fact that he was able to smile and joke, after all of that, made me appreciate his attitude. After we had finished with everything, he must have thanked us for
our time about five times. I finally said, "Jamaal, we're here for you." He said, "that's not how it works. We're all a part of this."
I must say that I didn't really know what to expect when I arrived at the Benson in the morning. We were scheduled to do the interview at 8am, but Magloire was down in the lobby and ready to go by 7:45. He is very articulate, but is also somewhat soft-spoken. That can be a challenge if you're the interviewer. But, he warmed up quickly, and was a pleasure to talk with. He also, at first impression, is intimidating. Not just physically, which of course is true, but he looks you dead in the eye, has a serious handshake, and a no-nonsense approach about him. He seems a lot older than his years.
I could give you a bunch of quotes from the interview, but instead I'll give you the link to the interview so you can hear it, if you haven't already.
Click here.
After his physical, Magloire met the Trail Blazers' entire staff at the Rose Quarter offices. Usually this involves a long introduction by someone, and a couple of words from the player. Magloire made it more than that. He addressed the staff and talked about his philosophy. Then, near the end, almost thinking out loud he said "boy, I'm feeling a lot better about this trade than I was at first." That was honest, and it was good to hear. We've talked about how trades turn players' lives upside down, and trades can even be offensive to some. We've heard other players talk about that very thing following trades. I'm sure there was some of that with Jamaal.
I did get the feeling as the day went along Jamaal was feeling better and better, as if maybe at first he was having to talk himself into being excited about moving across the country. Can you blame him? I gave him a quick tour of the Blazers locker room, and either he was faking it very well, or he was actually very impressed. I showed him the weight room at the Rose Garden, and he said, "wow, there's a lot of stuff in here." While we were walking around he talked about how nice the Blazers' practice facility in Tualatin was, and even said he had already heard about the Trail Blazers' team plane and was looking forward to seeing it. I was noticing his references to his new team turned from "the Blazers," to "we," and "us."
As we were heading for the limo, Magloire told me that if I ever needed him for another interview, or if I would like him to appear as a guest on the radio show in the near future, to just give him call, and he gave me his personal cell phone number. I probably don't have to tell you how rare that is. I walked away from the experience feeling better than I did before it started. I know he felt the same way about his first experience as a Blazer.
I'll leave the interpretations of the day, and press conference to others. I'm curious to see how his quotes are broken down, and what stories come of the day. This was simply my personal, first experience with Magloire.
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I was getting an impression in your last blog that he seemed to not like it here one bit. But, after that last blog, relief came. Sounds like he warmed up to you and the city pretty nicely. I wouldn't be all that happy having to move across the country either. I'm sure in the next few months he'll come to like the city of Portland as well as the fans. If you're reading, welcome to Portland, Jamaal!!
Jammal sounds like a class act. His no nonsense might finally break miles out of his "baby" phase. If miles acts out i know Jammal will get in his face. His playoff approach will help. Oh lol Ruben got traded to the bucks,. Haha poor guy. Anyway jammal is a beast and will average 10-9. Poor pryz. Blazers go to playoffs this year or next. BOOK IT
Mags is a modern day Buck Williams. Dedication mixed with heart and hard work is what the young Blazers need to properly develop into a playoff contener for the next 20 or so years. The rose garden floor should be removed during the playoffs and that old Red, White and black floor from the RIP CITY days inserted instead. Let the trademark Rastafarian lady dance on!!!
Mike you are a great ambassador as well as reporter and talent. My trust in Jamaal has improved because of your trust in him. Thanks for sharing. Others have noted the internet buzz about him and his focus on playing time but I am encouraged by this. Darius does not seem to care if we win or if he is on the floor. Give me one Jamaal and you can have all the Dariuses. Leadership does begin with production and example and his track record is terrific. Welcome to Portland Jamaal. I think we are going to get along just fine.
Definitely sounds like a good guy. Let's get back to some realness and maturity in our players. Remember Clyde- class - Magloire seems like a class-act too. Keep up the good work MB.
I can't say i'm a subscriber, Mike, but thanks for all the positive spin desperately needed after that less than endorsing first interview. I'm sure as long as the injury bug continues to attack certain members of the Blazers' frontline but stays away from Magloire, he will "be probably the happiest man in the world."
hmmmmmmmmmm i wonder, who will start first? Joel just signed a new contract and the guys a real great team player with a passion for the game? I doubt he's gonna get knocked out of the starting lineup right away... Glad to hear Magloire likes it....the real test will come however halfway thru the season. by then the path of hte trailblazers will be set either up or down. then his tru colors will show just like anyone elses...Welcome to Portland Magloire, we hope you'll stay :D
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