Meagher over at the Blazer Blog has the complete, uber-wrapup of reaction from media day. There is at least 10-12 links in there so if you missed anything, definitely click on the link. He also had some footage of the Blazers first practice. Nate and B-Roy speak for the majority of the time, and there’s a lot of clanked jumpers.
Ryan White of the Oregonian had some thoughts and a quote from Rudy where he says that “every day is sunny” in Portland. That. Will. Change. For some reason I just seem him waking up in December on the 42nd straight day of rain, tossing his alarm clock at the wall and cursing in Spanish.
Mike Barrett unveils the Blazer slogan: 15=16. As explained it will take everything from all 15 guys to be one of the 16 playoff teams. I see the thought and I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer over here (because I’m sure the shirt is boss)….but aren’t we only fighting for one of 8 spots?
Casey Holdahl went live on media day with players and talk about your content. Questions from the fans to pretty much every Blazer. He put in work times ten. Although to be honest the highlight is to click on the video which now appears to the right. Nothing like seeing the Blazers look into a computer screen and answer questions. It’s almost creepy. Some of the highlights:
Oden…you can tell he is just so, so, so tired of doing interviews. And honestly I don’t know how he still does them, hearing and answering the same questions over and over again.
When asked on why he was so serious, Mr. Bayless responded: “There’s a Jerryd on the court and a Jerryd off the court. Hopefully you’ll be able to see me off the court as well.”
And he goes to Quizno’s a lot.
Bayless had this to say about Martell: “I knew he could shoot, but I didn’t know he didn’t miss.”
High, high, high praise for Mr. Webster. I love the third person, I really do. Bayless could be gold. By the way, something I’m picking up over the past couple days with Bayless it seems he knows exactly how to perfectly answer the obvious questions (goals, competition, team) but has these moments where he veers off into Jerrydland. I don’t think he’ll be a problem at all, it’s just goofy.
Luke Jackson: “If I get an opportunity I’m going to suprise so many people. I want this so bad. You have no idea.”
Part of me says ‘hell yeah’ but then the other part of me reminds me about Luke’s stint in Miami last year. I guess I can’t hold that against him though, I’m not sure anyone could have played well with 8 D-Leaguers.
“If I make the team, I’m going to go with a Bill Walton look. I have a red beard. But I can’t do anything crazy until I get that guarenteed money.”
Sign. Him. Up. If Luke was a rapper, this probably would have been seen as a diss at Steven Hill. And the internet would have raged. Ok, maybe I’m the only one who saw that but still….Luke may have just passed Hill in my heart’s power rankings. Can we just sign them both, only on the condition they have a ‘Knocked Up’-esque beard competition….with the winner getting guaranteed money for a couple years. They couldn’t have cameras follow them around as players cracked jokes on them during the season? Am I the only whose laughing at this?
Ike Diogu on his fantasy chances: “I think you should pick me up, but that’s just me.”
Oh Ike you charmer. No.
Steven Hill: “Portland’s really a great city and the people are really cool”
He actually said that. Literally.