Training Camp Roster Changes
posted: 9/28/2006 at 9:52 PM
It's all about timing in professional sports, and unfortunately for Portland-native Aaron Miles, this was very bad time to be nursing a mid-ankle sprain. The Trail Blazers announced on Thursday that Miles failed his physical, due to the ankle, and will not be invited to training camp. The first day of camp is Tuesday, and it will be held at the team's practice facility in Tualatin.
The team has been looking for another point guard to sign to a non-guaranteed contract, and Miles looked to have that job, even if it was just a temporary one, sewn up. It's a bad break for the former Jefferson High School and Kansas star, who played 19 games for the Golden State Warriors last season.
The Blazers haven't yet announced if there will be a 15th player invited to camp, but there will most likely be an invitation handed out on Friday. In this case, one man's loss is another man's opportunity, and we'll know very shortly who will be getting that coveted opportunity. There are only 13 players on the roster with guaranteed contracts, so obviously, the invite carries with it the opportunity to make the opening day roster.
The team has added another big man to the training camp roster. Veteran Zendon Hamilton (pictured above), who has seen time with six different NBA teams over the past six seasons, has been signed to a non-guaranteed contract. He's a load at 6-11 and almost 260 pounds, and adds another tough, physical inside player to the roster.
"He's an experienced, hard worker who will help push our big guys during camp," says Blazers player personnel director Kevin Pritchard. "A couple of our assistant coaches have spent time with Zendon in the past, and felt very comfortable bringing him in."
Even though the roster looks overloaded in the frontcourt, an injury to LaMarcus Aldridge, and a recent mild calf strain to Raef LaFrentz, left the staff concerned about the middle heading into what promises to be a difficult, physical training camp. Hamilton's signing helps fill that need.
The practice facility was relatively quiet on Thursday, as coach Nate McMillan advised his players to take a couple of days off and rest up in preparation for camp. Hard workouts and pick-up games have been a daily occurance at the facility for the past few weeks. Several players, including Joel Przybilla, Jarrett Jack, Martell Webster, and Travis Outlaw, still snuck in light workouts, even as McMillan was chasing them out.
Outlaw, who has been very impressive during the past several weeks, is heading into what will be a very important season for him. The starting small forward spot is very much open, and don't think Travis doesn't realize that. Each season during training camp, Nate McMillan demands that his players pass a conditioning test, that involves timed, full-court sprints. It is not easy, and many players fail it several times before earning a passing grade. Outlaw, who failed the test four-straight times during last year's camp, has reportedly
already passed it with flying colors heading into this year's camp. It's been said he's in, by far, the best physical shape of his career.
On the final day of full-court pick-up games, by the way, which was Wednesday, the dominant player on the floor appeared to be Zach Randolph. As I've discussed many times during the past several weeks, players' individual win-loss records in these games are kept on a large board at the end of the court. Wednesday, Randolph went 5 and 1, and single-handedly raised the level and intensity of the play on the court. It's also been said, he's in the best shape of his career heading into camp.
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Well, sad to see A-Miles won't be playing for us. But do we think we could use Zendon Hamilton? Maybe, maybe, maybe. We have as I am sure many comments will say, already 3 primary big men. I don't think I have to name em off. We could use him in camp, but not the season I don't think. Good to know our already-Trail Blazers are excelling. I have a feeling too that this will not be a dissapointing season like last year.
The Friday before training camp and still no Darius sightings. His appearance should be interesting. I wonder which Darius will show up.
I believe in Zach Randolph!!!! No more talk. Lets let him show us.
Too bad about Miles, did he sprain his ankle in a pickup game at the PF? If so, when, and how?
I haven't the faintest idea why, but seeing the laundry baskets in the picture of Zendon Hamilton really struck me as funny.
How long ago did Raef's "recent mild calf strain" occur, and how severely is it expected to impact his ability to fully participate in training camp?
MIke, i didn't realize you were so big on Outlaw. It's good to hear he's in shape. I have to say i'm surprised to hear Travis had problems with conditioning, last year. That seems like one area you really can't make excuses for without an injury. I can see why Nate was hard on him at the beginning of last season. Out of shape and slow to pick up the offense isn't a good combination for a player whose hunger for PT and opportunity should make them willing to do whatever it takes. The difference in Outlaw's condition, this year's versus last year's, is another example of Nate getting players to buy into his program. The ground work he laid down last year has gone a long way in changing the "culture" of the team.
I echo the hyper bully's questions about Raef's injury. What's up with that, Mike?
I can't believe a professional ATHLETE would fail a conditioning test. Come on, Travis! You get paid millions to play a game, yet you come to camp out of shape. Disgraceful! I would run miles everyday if they would give me such huge dollars to play a GAME.
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