Courtside Lineup Update
posted: 9/24/2006 at 10:39 PM
Earlier I gave you a tentative lineup for our radio show tonight,
Courtside Monday Night, presented by L.A. Weight Loss, and here's an update.
Joining us at 6:15 will be Joel Przybilla. At 6:30, we'll have Raef LaFrentz on the show. And, at 7:00, we'll be joined, in studio, by Sergio Rodriguez. The show begins at 6pm on KXL-750 AM in the Portland area, and can also be heard live on line by clicking on the link on the top right portion of this page. If you miss any of the interviews, check back later tonight, or tomorrow, as all of them will be posted.
Now, to the events of Sunday afternoon. I'm having a hard time figuring out what the lasting image of the afternoon will be. But, I think it's probably captured best by the photo you see above. NBA players, as you know, aren't even required to report until the first week of October, but yesterday nine Blazers were on hand for a big event at Open Meadow High School in North Portland. When I heard we were doing this, and that players were invited, I figured we might get a couple to turn out and shake a few hands. But, I honestly wasn't expecting the turnout we had. It's one thing that there are this many players even in town, and it's another that they would all give up their Sunday afternoons to attend an event like this.
Well over 700 Trail Blazer season ticket holders, sponsors, and ex-season ticket holders came to the event. It was billed a "Family Reunion," and the events were patterned after that American tradition. There was bingo, a water balloon toss, tug o' war, and things of that nature. Coach Nate McMillan spoke, and the players mingled with the fans, took pictures, and signed autographs. There was even a game of "Nate Says." It was just Simon Says, with Nate acting as Simon. Believe it or not, my TV partner, Mike Rice took home the gold in that competition, edging Jarrett Jack and Brandon Roy. So much for Rice having problems with authority.
Forget the common notion that big men in the NBA don't have good hands, too. Joel Przybilla, and a fan, pulled the upset and won the water balloon toss. Travis Outlaw gave it his best in the pie eating contest, but came up short. He blamed Martell Webster, who snuck up behind the table and jammed Travis' face into the pie as the event was coming down to the wire.
Coach McMillan, who loves to get his hands on a microphone, took the time to introduce all of the players in attendance, and said a few words about each. I've mentioned a few of the players who were there. Also on hand Sunday were LaMarcus Aldridge, Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz, and Sergio Rodriguez. I took a few minutes to talk a little Ryder Cup with Rodriguez, and told him that the
other Sergio, being Sergio Garcia, did Spain proud with his play in Ireland. We'll hear much more from Sergio tonight on the radio show. Talk to you then.
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Mike, I love your blogs. It's great to get a different perspective than what we've been used to. I'm excited for the season to start.
What a surprisingly informal event!There wasnt a single person in the Blazer organization that wasnt willing to smile...take the time and chat with everyone! All of the Blazer "brass"...the coaches, players were all every bit as candid and forthcomming as any of us attending! (I think the reporters from that newspaper should have seen it!!)
We all had a wonderful time! Thank You!
I especially wanted to thank Kris (from the sales dept.) for our intruiging...well informed conversation..(and her big smile in the sun!)
wow Raef Looks huge! Seems like the team is coming together minus a few of the players. Thanks Mike for this interesting look into what happened on sunday!
dickau = mini-raef?
What a great picture. They're so green though. Even Joel looks "old" next to Martell and Lamarcus. You forget how young Martell is! These boys will have fun this year. I hope they stay together awhile and really bond.
The family reunion was awesome. I could not believe the one on one between players and fans. It was a privelage. THANK YOU BLAZERS:)
I couldn't have had more fun at this event. It was a privledge to be around all the players.
Being a season ticket holder, we arrived at the park and shook hands with all the Blazers in attentdence. I was shocked.
It seemed like the whole team enjoyed themselves, but of course, there were a few yawns from the players.
They seemed to have had a great time. Dan Dickau was getting accousted by his teammates father in the balloon toss. Dickau just kept his cool and laughed it off.
These players are class acts. The only players not in attendence were Randolph, Miles, Dixon, and Magloire.
We hoped to meet the newest Blazer, but seeing 9 of 13 players and participating in an event with JJack, Mike Rice, Brandon Roy, and Raef Lafrenz will be a memory that I'll keep forever.
I love these new Blazers. Now lets see what we can do about getting some of the less classy guys off the team.
I couldn't have had more fun at this event. It was a privledge to be around all the players.
Being a season ticket holder, we arrived at the park and shook hands with all the Blazers in attentdence. I was shocked.
It seemed like the whole team enjoyed themselves, but of course, there were a few yawns from the players.
They seemed to have had a great time. Dan Dickau was getting accousted by his teammates father in the balloon toss. Dickau just kept his cool and laughed it off.
These players are class acts. The only players not in attendence were Randolph, Miles, Dixon, and Magloire.
We hoped to meet the newest Blazer, but seeing 9 of 13 players and participating in an event with JJack, Mike Rice, Brandon Roy, and Raef Lafrenz will be a memory that I'll keep forever.
I love these new Blazers. Now lets see what we can do about getting some of the less classy guys off the team.
Hi Mike,
Thanks again for all the good bloggin'. I'm writing to air some frustration I have with the Blazers organization and wasn't sure where else to air it. First and foremost, I'm frustrated with the Oregonian and how they cover the Blazers. I have tried to share my thoughts with them many times over the years, and those I've been able to communicate with justify what they write by saying basically "I call em' like I see em'". They feel they are remaining objective as journalists and think I'm just a "homer" (which I am), and they don't want to be a "homer" sports page. While I can understand their argument, it really seems to me that they are antagonistic toward the Blazers in general and especially towards specific players. The coverage does not seem objective at all. Now, I understand that the Blazers can't really control the Oregonian coverage, but it seems like they could do a lot better job of standing up for their players when appropriate. I think there are many examples of when this could have happened. Most recently I think this should be going on with the situation that Zach Randolph is in. I think 99 percent of Portland citizens would agree that if Zach made another human do something sexually that they did not consent to, it would be wrong and he should be punished, but everything that has been in the news is nothing but allegations. The police found no proof! Zach has been raked over the coals publicly. What the Oregonian has chosen to publish seems irresponible, maybe unethical, and certainly in line with their antagonistic spin. I think the Blazers need to find a way to publically stand up for him. The Oregonian has a major impact over the way the public sees the Blazers. The Blazers need to do more to also influence what the people think of the team. They also just need to get behind players when needed. Anyway, thats my opinion, thanks for taking a moment to read.....Peace
I enjoyed going to the picnic and I liked watching Travis Outlaw smash pie in Martell's face!
I thought the mini Olympics were funny. From a nine year olds perspective, the most important activity was the autographing of all my TB basketball cards (which were in my pocket).
Thanks!
Great blog, Mike. It's the kind of blog that connects us fans that normally would never hear anything about this with the good things done by those in the Blazer family as an organization and as players. Now that i am a father (my daughter just turned two), i have to say in the coming years the most important thing the Blazer organization can do to keep me loyal is put together a team for which i can put my hands together and cheer. A team for which i can encourage my little girl to do so, as well. These kinds of events having high attaindance from the players goes a long way in making us proud of being Blazer fans.
Had a great time at the BBQ! Got pics with a lot of the players. I ask if I could get a pic with Brandon and a little bit later he just sits down and starts talking with me! My wife later ask who was that, he's so nice.
Ask to speak with you too Mike but you must have been busy. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. Maybe next year.
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