tlongII
09-28-2009, 11:56 AM
http://columbian.com/article/20090924/SPORTS01/709249924/1001/SPORTS01
PORTLAND — Point guard Andre Miller has yet to play a game in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform. But Miller has already made a major impact on his new team, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said.
According to Pritchard, Miller's leadership abilities — specifically, his tendency to push and challenge teammates during recent informal training sessions — have made an immediate impression on Portland's coaches and players.
Miller even has a new nickname: The Director.
"I know he can bring something that is very unique in our league, and this is the ability to make everybody else better. Not only offensively, but defensively," Pritchard said Wednesday during a media event at the Rose Garden.
"I've seen it (at the practice facility) already. The level of defense and the level of sophistication that's going on out there already is really fun to watch. ... It's unique; I've never seen this."
Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he was equally impressed by Miller's confidence and take-charge attitude — traits the team hoped to add when it signed the 10-year NBA veteran as free agent during the offseason.
McMillan praised Miller's basketball intelligence, stating Miller has the ability to recognize when teammates are out of the loop, and then find creative ways to bring them back in to the flow of the game.
"We have a lot of guys who need the ball and want the ball," McMillan said. "(Miller) doesn't need to score to be productive."
Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams was even more direct. Williams stated nothing compares to playing with a teammate who has "been there and done that."
"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "
Miller was not the only Blazer to draw rave reviews for their offseason performance during Wednesday's media session.
According to McMillan, Portland center Greg Oden put in the work necessary this summer to take his game to the next level. McMillan said Oden's offseason routine with assistant coach Bill Bayno in Columbus, Ohio, was very successful, and added that Oden was one of the first Blazers to report to the team's practice facility in late August.
"He understands that this is an important year for him," McMillan said.
Pritchard stated he was still hesitant to put too much weight on Oden's shoulders — he offered a reminder that Oden is still 21, and most big-time NBA centers do not peak until their late 20s. However, Pritchard was not reluctant to name former Blazers center Bill Walton as a player he had in mind when imagining what an improved Oden could mean to a Portland team seeking to improve on a 54-28 record in 2008 and a first-round exit in the playoffs.
"Bill Walton was an amazing passer out of the post, because he could score first," said Pritchard, who added that Oden was in the best shape of his career. "So, if we can get that out of Greg — that passing center; that guy who can demand a double team — the game becomes so much easier for everybody else."
Williams echoed Pritchard's words. According to Williams, if there is one player who will benefit the team most by taking a significant leap forward this season, it is Oden.
"He's certainly prepared himself to be ready for the jump we think he's going to take this year," Williams said.
Notes
Blazers shooting coach John Townsend said point guard Steve Blake has made a full recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. According to Townsend, Blake's first post-surgery shot was followed by him stating, "That feels so much better."
Townsend said Oden hit 18 straight free throws during a recent practice, and has developed a short turnaround jump shot. Townsend was uncertain if Oden would attempt to use the shot during games, though.
Contract negotiations between the team and forward LaMarcus Aldridge are still ongoing. Pritchard and McMillan said they did not think Aldridge's extension would be an issue during training camp, which begins Sept. 29.
Pritchard stated the team does not have a specific player or position in mind while it attempts to fill its 15th and final open roster spot. Pritchard said an announcement should be made by the end of this week as to which players will compete for the position. Former Utah Jazz center Jarron Collins has already accepted an invitation to practice with the Blazers during camp.
PORTLAND — Point guard Andre Miller has yet to play a game in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform. But Miller has already made a major impact on his new team, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said.
According to Pritchard, Miller's leadership abilities — specifically, his tendency to push and challenge teammates during recent informal training sessions — have made an immediate impression on Portland's coaches and players.
Miller even has a new nickname: The Director.
"I know he can bring something that is very unique in our league, and this is the ability to make everybody else better. Not only offensively, but defensively," Pritchard said Wednesday during a media event at the Rose Garden.
"I've seen it (at the practice facility) already. The level of defense and the level of sophistication that's going on out there already is really fun to watch. ... It's unique; I've never seen this."
Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he was equally impressed by Miller's confidence and take-charge attitude — traits the team hoped to add when it signed the 10-year NBA veteran as free agent during the offseason.
McMillan praised Miller's basketball intelligence, stating Miller has the ability to recognize when teammates are out of the loop, and then find creative ways to bring them back in to the flow of the game.
"We have a lot of guys who need the ball and want the ball," McMillan said. "(Miller) doesn't need to score to be productive."
Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams was even more direct. Williams stated nothing compares to playing with a teammate who has "been there and done that."
"You can't slide stuff past Andre," Williams said. "If one of our guys wants to hang in the locker room and not work, Andre's like, 'What's up, man? Let's go.' "
Miller was not the only Blazer to draw rave reviews for their offseason performance during Wednesday's media session.
According to McMillan, Portland center Greg Oden put in the work necessary this summer to take his game to the next level. McMillan said Oden's offseason routine with assistant coach Bill Bayno in Columbus, Ohio, was very successful, and added that Oden was one of the first Blazers to report to the team's practice facility in late August.
"He understands that this is an important year for him," McMillan said.
Pritchard stated he was still hesitant to put too much weight on Oden's shoulders — he offered a reminder that Oden is still 21, and most big-time NBA centers do not peak until their late 20s. However, Pritchard was not reluctant to name former Blazers center Bill Walton as a player he had in mind when imagining what an improved Oden could mean to a Portland team seeking to improve on a 54-28 record in 2008 and a first-round exit in the playoffs.
"Bill Walton was an amazing passer out of the post, because he could score first," said Pritchard, who added that Oden was in the best shape of his career. "So, if we can get that out of Greg — that passing center; that guy who can demand a double team — the game becomes so much easier for everybody else."
Williams echoed Pritchard's words. According to Williams, if there is one player who will benefit the team most by taking a significant leap forward this season, it is Oden.
"He's certainly prepared himself to be ready for the jump we think he's going to take this year," Williams said.
Notes
Blazers shooting coach John Townsend said point guard Steve Blake has made a full recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. According to Townsend, Blake's first post-surgery shot was followed by him stating, "That feels so much better."
Townsend said Oden hit 18 straight free throws during a recent practice, and has developed a short turnaround jump shot. Townsend was uncertain if Oden would attempt to use the shot during games, though.
Contract negotiations between the team and forward LaMarcus Aldridge are still ongoing. Pritchard and McMillan said they did not think Aldridge's extension would be an issue during training camp, which begins Sept. 29.
Pritchard stated the team does not have a specific player or position in mind while it attempts to fill its 15th and final open roster spot. Pritchard said an announcement should be made by the end of this week as to which players will compete for the position. Former Utah Jazz center Jarron Collins has already accepted an invitation to practice with the Blazers during camp.