Practice notes: Joel Freeland return near, trade deadline nearer
By David MacKay
The Portland Trail Blazers conducted practice as usual despite trade deadline rumors involving Thomas Robinson and Will Barton. All 15 players were present and participated in some capacity—including Joel Freeland (shoulder) who we will get to shortly. When asked about the deadline approaching, point guard Damian Lillard stated that practice felt no different than any other day:
“If you just walked in here you wouldn’t be able to tell that it was, because we got out there, we played, we laughed, it was the usual. Nobody seemed down about anything. I didn’t have that trade deadline type of feel. It was normal.”
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Head Coach Terry Stotts declined to speculate on tomorrow’s deadline and how the uncertainty affects his approach to Portland’s game in Utah on Friday. He did, however, indicate that his focus is strictly in the present. He has not yet begun to consider how the team will functionally change as members of it (possibly) leave, while others return to the lineup at full health.
When asked about how he intends to play Freeland alongside Meyers Leonard in the frontcourt upon Freeland’s return, he suggested that he will handle the situation when the time comes:
“When Joel comes back we’ll figure it out, but right now I’m not worried about when Joel comes back, right now I’m worried about one game. Next game.”
Jan 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Freeland (19) during the first quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Make no mistake, Freeland’s time is coming. The center worked hard to rehab his shoulder over the All-Star break, and went through non-contact work in practice today. He feels as if his return to action is in the near future:
“I still have a little bit of pain, which is normal they said, but I’m making progress and I’m excited about that. Hopefully soon I will be starting contact and hopefully I’ll be back on the court soon.”
Teammate Wesley Matthews is eager to have Freeland back in the lineup, but recognizes that the team cannot rely on him alone to make the team successful. Although many players are still banged up, they are closing in on being at full strength as a unit.
“It’s going to be huge. It’s going to tighten up our bench and just get us back to full strength. When we were at full strength, we were a problem. We’ve figured out how to play within the injuries and rotations being different, so as soon as we get him back to full strength—we can’t look to him to be our answer, but he is definitely going to be a huge piece coming back for us.”
The Trail Blazers roster may or may not look different at this time tomorrow, but their resolve to continue winning remains unchanged. The eventual return of Freeland should help the team get back to early season form, though he will not be available to play against the Utah Jazz on Friday.