tlongII
10-01-2009, 04:35 PM
http://columbian.com/article/20091001/SPORTS02/710019938/-1/SPORTS
TUALATIN, Ore. —I t started with a renewed emphasis on defense. It has been captured with motivational pushups, a strenuous conditioning test and intense full-court action only two days into the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2009-10 training camp.
The move toward building a stronger, tougher Blazers team has already begun.
Portland forward Juwan Howard said toughness takes time. It cannot be rushed. It does not develop easily or quickly. And its arrival sometimes does not become apparent until the second half of a season.
But according to Howard, a team’s physical and mental toughness can make a major difference during a long season. Especially for a Blazers squad looking to take the next step toward becoming a legitimate NBA championship contender.
"As a team, we have to take care of our bodies. We, of course, have to approach every game like it’s our last," Howard said Wednesday at the team’s practice facility. "We, of course, have to have that killer instinct. We’re preparing ourself for June — for a long season."
Last season’s Blazers team was praised for its talent, energy and depth. And despite being a young, largely unproven squad, Portland recorded 54 wins and earned a share of the Northwest Division title.
However, the Blazers drew criticism for being outmanned and outmuscled during a first-round playoff loss to the Houston Rockets.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan said toughness comes with maturity. And he believes his team must be prepared by the start of the season to take on opponents who will no longer overlook or underestimate the Blazers.
Any ability Portland once had to surprise is now gone, McMillan said.
"They’re going to come at us even harder, and we’ve got to be ready for that," he said.
According to McMillan, the addition of veterans Howard and Andre Miller should give Portland extra punch and thicker skin.
"What you hope is that they recognize if the team or a teammate is struggling ... they communicate with them and talk them through and help them through situations like that," McMillan said.
While Portland focuses on mentally and physically bulking up, center Greg Oden is already showing off a softer touch.
Oden, whose weight of 270 pounds is 15 lighter than his 7-foot frame supported last season, looked quick and smooth Wednesday while running the court. In addition, Oden displayed several new offensive weapons, including a hook shot and a short turnaround jumper.
Oden cautioned that everything is still a work in progress. But he also said he felt comfortable putting up the shots during a full-court practice session.
"I’m just trying to work on it," said Oden, who hit 11 of 12 post-practice free throws. "And when the chance presents itself, I’m going to use it."
Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard has noticed Oden’s offensive improvement. Pritchard has seen Oden’s teammates looking for him on the court, and then feeding him the ball during offensive sets.
And Pritchard said Oden is establishing strong inside position and looks confident around the basket, all while going against Pryzbilla, whom Pritchard cited as one of the top defensive centers in the league.
"It’s only the first two days of camp. You don’t want to get too high, you don’t want to get too low," Pritchard said. "But he’s proven that he can put the ball in the hole."
Notes
Miller’s work from the point guard position drew strong reviews from McMillan. McMillan said Miller is already running the court and guiding teammates with precision, and compared Miller to a "quarterback." ... Pritchard said there have been no new developments in contract negotiations with forward LaMarcus Aldridge since camp started. ... McMillan said he has "the whole training camp mapped out," and was not yet ready to begin experimenting with different lineups and rotations.
TUALATIN, Ore. —I t started with a renewed emphasis on defense. It has been captured with motivational pushups, a strenuous conditioning test and intense full-court action only two days into the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2009-10 training camp.
The move toward building a stronger, tougher Blazers team has already begun.
Portland forward Juwan Howard said toughness takes time. It cannot be rushed. It does not develop easily or quickly. And its arrival sometimes does not become apparent until the second half of a season.
But according to Howard, a team’s physical and mental toughness can make a major difference during a long season. Especially for a Blazers squad looking to take the next step toward becoming a legitimate NBA championship contender.
"As a team, we have to take care of our bodies. We, of course, have to approach every game like it’s our last," Howard said Wednesday at the team’s practice facility. "We, of course, have to have that killer instinct. We’re preparing ourself for June — for a long season."
Last season’s Blazers team was praised for its talent, energy and depth. And despite being a young, largely unproven squad, Portland recorded 54 wins and earned a share of the Northwest Division title.
However, the Blazers drew criticism for being outmanned and outmuscled during a first-round playoff loss to the Houston Rockets.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan said toughness comes with maturity. And he believes his team must be prepared by the start of the season to take on opponents who will no longer overlook or underestimate the Blazers.
Any ability Portland once had to surprise is now gone, McMillan said.
"They’re going to come at us even harder, and we’ve got to be ready for that," he said.
According to McMillan, the addition of veterans Howard and Andre Miller should give Portland extra punch and thicker skin.
"What you hope is that they recognize if the team or a teammate is struggling ... they communicate with them and talk them through and help them through situations like that," McMillan said.
While Portland focuses on mentally and physically bulking up, center Greg Oden is already showing off a softer touch.
Oden, whose weight of 270 pounds is 15 lighter than his 7-foot frame supported last season, looked quick and smooth Wednesday while running the court. In addition, Oden displayed several new offensive weapons, including a hook shot and a short turnaround jumper.
Oden cautioned that everything is still a work in progress. But he also said he felt comfortable putting up the shots during a full-court practice session.
"I’m just trying to work on it," said Oden, who hit 11 of 12 post-practice free throws. "And when the chance presents itself, I’m going to use it."
Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard has noticed Oden’s offensive improvement. Pritchard has seen Oden’s teammates looking for him on the court, and then feeding him the ball during offensive sets.
And Pritchard said Oden is establishing strong inside position and looks confident around the basket, all while going against Pryzbilla, whom Pritchard cited as one of the top defensive centers in the league.
"It’s only the first two days of camp. You don’t want to get too high, you don’t want to get too low," Pritchard said. "But he’s proven that he can put the ball in the hole."
Notes
Miller’s work from the point guard position drew strong reviews from McMillan. McMillan said Miller is already running the court and guiding teammates with precision, and compared Miller to a "quarterback." ... Pritchard said there have been no new developments in contract negotiations with forward LaMarcus Aldridge since camp started. ... McMillan said he has "the whole training camp mapped out," and was not yet ready to begin experimenting with different lineups and rotations.