One Long Workout on Day Three
posted: 10/5/2006 at 9:07 PM
On Tuesday and Wednesday the Trail Blazers went with two practices, a morning and a night session. On Thursday, Nate McMillan decided to just go with one practice, and it turned out to be a long one. The team worked out for over three hours at the practice facility in Tualatin, as training camp rolls on.
The lengthy workout featured more defensive work than we saw in the first two days. They always cover defense, but in this practice they focused specifically on the defensive side of the ball. McMillan has kind of split up the coaching duties, at least for the time being. Dean Demopoulos and Monty Williams (that's Monty in the picture above, going over an offensive set with Brandon, Sergio, Martell, Travis, and Jarrett) are handling more of the offense, and Nate has the defense. Maruice Lucas continues his work, mainly with the big guys, and Bill Bayno is taking care of individual workouts, along with a little bit of everything else.
Many of you have asked me a lot about Travis Outlaw this week, and that's probably because I've talked a lot about him. Travis had another strong practice on Thursday, and I asked him about his training camp so far. Outlaw is amazingly humble, and doesn't ever seem to give himself enough credit. When talking about his improvement on the court, he always makes sure to talk about Bayno.
This is why the Blazers hired Bayno to be the player development coach following last season. He's one of the best in the business, and we saw that all summer. Bayno told the players during the summer months, "anytime, anywhere. You need me, and I'll jump on a plane and be there to work with you." Jarrett Jack laughed the other day and said, "Bayno is 7-11. He's always open." That sounds simple, but the players love it, and really respond to him. Travis appears to be the player who has benefitted most from the addtion of Bayno to the staff. I've said several times that something has really clicked with Travis in the last few weeks, and that's due in large part to Bayno's coaching.
Coach McMillan continues to say how happy he is with the atmosphere around training camp. He's loved the effort, and the development he's seen this week. Everyone around the practice facility has commented that Nate has smiled more in the past three days than he did in all of last season. Go to the main page of this website and click on "Training Camp Central," and then click on Brian Wheeler's interview with Nate from Thursday. You can hear in Nate's voice what I'm talking about.
Brandon Roy continues to shine in training camp, and hasn't looked like a rookie. It's been said, many times, that he's been the best player on the floor in every practice so far, and I can't argue with that. He's not only incredible at absorbing the coaching, and then applying it, he's such a natural leader by example. He's already very respected by his teammates, and is well liked by everyone. I know, he sounds too good to be true. That's what I'm thinking every day I'm around him.
Another guy who's been improving with each practice is Sergio Rodriguez. There was talk that he'd struggle with the English language, and that would retard his development, at least in the early going. It doesn't appear that's the case. Nate attributes that to Sergio's natural basketball I.Q., and says he always seems to be in the right place on the court. He's a very a good ball handler and passer, and he appears to be a better shooter than some thought he was. It's only training camp, I know, but his play so far has me thinking we could be talking about Sergio as the steal of the first round of the draft. Give Steve Patterson and Kevin Pritchard an extra gold star for making that move late in the first round on draft night. Also credit John Gabriel, a former GM in the league, who's on the Blazers' staff, and has been at every training camp practice so far. Gabriel was the NBA's Executive of the Year in 1999-00, as the GM of the Orlando Magic, as you remember. I probably haven't talked about him enough, and the great impact he has had on this team.
The team will go back to two practices on Friday, and the morning session begins at 10am. We'll be there, covering it all for you. It's nuts to think that the first pre-season game is less than a week away.
Some of you have been asking me if there are any practices that will be open to the public. Sunday, October 15th, is the Wells Fargo Fan Fest, at the Rose Garden. It's a real practice, and will also feature a scrimmage, and some fun interactive events. It's free. You can get your tickets at Oregon and SW Washington Wells Fargo Stores, and at the Rose Quarter Box Office. Parking is free as well. The doors open at 3pm.
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Steve Nash is 32 years old. I can understand going out and getting a backup PG in Marcus Banks. What i can't understand is giving us Sergio. His game is taylor made for the Suns offense. Why give a player like Sergio away whose contract costs you less than a million for the first two guaranteed years? Either they didn't really do their homework, or Suns owner Robert Sarver's vision is just too near-sighted in his quest for a title (sounds a little too familiar for comfort).
I agree, Mike, Sergio could very well be the steal of the draft. Picking him up for 3 million cash is an example of why Paul Allen, as i've stated before, is highest on my list for keepers in the blazer family. It doesn't matter how good your executives are, sooner or later you have to have an owner with vision and brass if you want to reach and sustain contention for a championship. Their are only a handful of owners that could have pulled off our draft day, and i don't think any other owner would have in the situation he was in at the time. I think we have to give Allen credit, too, Mike.
Mike, this is great. Thank you for taking the time to do these Blogs. It means a lot to me as a long time Blazer Fan. I live and am fro mCalifornia..but have always been a Blazer Fan..they are my extended family. I understand they face the Clippers in the pre-season. I live close to where the Clippers play. I will be there to cheer on the Blazers. I hoep to one day get to meet them..and maybe watch a game in Portland. Thanks again Mike.
Hi Mike!!! Good to talk to you again from Spain!!! Hey, I gotta tell you you're absolutely right about Sergio becoming the real steal in the NBA draft. His quality is nothing but awesome, as you have been able to see during the training camp. My man breathes basketball, lives for basketball. No doubt about it.
It's gonna be very difficult to see any other players around the league with his court vision and handballing skills, something his teammates will take full advantage of making basket after basket. He just makes the game look outstandingly easier than it really is. He's got an ease about it. But not everything is good news: as a result of his up tempo style of play and youth, he tends to turn the ball over in numerous times, but I think coach Nate will know how to teach him to cut down on turnovers. Once he makes it, Sergio is gonna make the Phoenix Suns regret what they did not keeping him as the natural successor of Nash.
Hey MB!!
Why don´t you ask Sergio about "gofio canario" ?. That´s the secret weapon of the canary guy. :)
I absolutely agree with mrblazer. Paul Allen is a great owner and doesn't get the credit he deserves. He does the best he can for the blazers and wants the best for the blazers! I'm glad he didn't sell the blazers and I only hope that he will continue to be the owner for a very long time.
Hey Mike, I am concerned out here in the Kansas heartland! Hey, why have I seen or heard nothing of LaMarcus Aldridge? I know he is hurt, in rehab therapy, etc. I found no pics or quotes of his on the big Trailblazer Breakout Day- introductions, team meetings, dinners, etc. He can walk talk and smile cant he? I thought you'd slap him up on the side of a Metro bus anyway!! Wassup with that???
Hey Mike, I am concerned out here in the Kansas heartland! Hey, why have I seen or heard nothing of LaMarcus Aldridge? I know he is hurt, in rehab therapy, etc. I found no pics or quotes of his on the big Trailblazer Breakout Day- introductions, team meetings, dinners, etc. He can walk talk and smile cant he? I thought you'd slap him up on the side of a Metro bus anyway!! Wassup with that???
MB, you can't seriously tell me that B-Roy has been the best player on the court every day? What about that amazing shape Z-bo is supposed to be in?!
Tell me you're overstating his impact!
Thanks for all the comments. Keep them coming.
mrblazer,
Well stated, as usual. I'm glad you brought up Paul Allen. Pritchard has said repeatedly, that great draft day doesn't happen if we didn't have an owner committed to putting a winner on the court.
chinocanario,
I know Sergio is from the Canary Islands, and I'll have to ask him what you're talking about. I know he has a lot of weapons.
Thanks to all of you who write in from Spain. We're taking good care of Sergio, and he's been fantastic to work with.
kansagonian,
I've tried to include LaMarcus in this coverage, but I'll get an update for you today. I just saw him this morning at breakfast. I can tell you he's been working very hard, and he's ahead of schedule in his rehab. He's already doing some light shooting, using that right shoulder. I'll try and remember to post a photo of him tonight. We did interview him on media day, and you can get that by clicking on "Media Day" on the front page of this site, and then clicking on his name.
I'm off to practice. I'll fill you all in later on what happens today.
MB
Since you mentioned him, what exactly does John Gabriel do? I would also like to know how our bigs are doing. Jamal, Raef, and Joel. Who has improved and suprised the most?
Hey mike , Are the pre season games going to be on the radio?
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