tlongII
10-06-2009, 09:59 AM
http://columbian.com/article/20091005/SPORTS01/710069962/1001/SPORTS01
TUALATIN, Ore. — Now, the real work begins.
Following the completion of their first week of training camp, the 2009-10 Portland Trail Blazers turn their sights to new goals.
The primary one in focus: seeing how the Blazers' deep, talented roster stacks up against real NBA competition.
Portland gets its first chance to test its new lineup tonight, when the Blazers open their preseason schedule by taking on the Sacramento Kings at the Rose Garden.
According to Blazers coach Nate McMillan, Portland (54-28 in 2008-09) will use a starting lineup that mirrors the one the Blazers used to finish last season: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla.
McMillan said he plans to use 10-12 players during the game, and will base player rotation around two units.
Blazers Andre Miller, Greg Oden, Martell Webster, Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw and Juwan Howard will also likely receive significant playing time.
"(Tonight) is what we need," McMillan said Monday, following a morning workout session at the team's training facility in Tualatin, Ore. "We need that game. That game will allow us to see where we are, when you're going up against someone in a different uniform. And we can adjust from that, as far as where we need to go and where we need to tighten up."
While some teams solely utilize preseason contests to smooth out rough edges and kinks, McMillan said Portland will also treat its warmup games as a proving ground.
For McMillan, training camp is a time when players work on their conditioning, rehearse new plays and find their way. In contrast, preseason contests are when the true battles begin. And if a Blazer has something to show on the court, tonight's matchup against the Kings (17-65) is the best time to open eyes.
"It's not games where we want to just go out there and go through the motions and flip the switch," McMillan said.
The switch has already been flipped in regards to intrasquad competition.
Portland's first seven days of training camp — in which the team balanced a renewed defensive emphasis with up-tempo, full-court scrimmages — displayed just how loaded the Blazers' roster is. However, the intense competition has done little to shake up and settle out a lineup whose only drawback may be in finding playing time for everyone involved.
Thus far, only Roy (shooting guard) and Aldridge (power forward) have locked down positions in Portland's starting unit. Three tight battles remain open: Blake is competing with Miller for the premier point guard selection; Batum, Webster and Outlaw are vying for the starting small forward role; and Przybilla has received a strong push from Oden at center.
However, McMillan has stated since camp began he is not concerned with starting jobs. For Portland's coach, it is more important to find fluid rotations that help the Blazers exploit mismatches and rack up victories than it is to settle on a starting five. And, thus far, nearly every Blazer has backed up McMillan's all-for-one approach.
Right now, a Portland team loaded with talent and expectations simply wants to know where it stands.
"The key is to go out there and play hard, and try to execute what we've talked about in training camp on the offensive and defensive end of the floor, so that we can see where we are," McMillan said.
Notes
— Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said that the team is still engaged in contract negotiations with forward LaMarcus Aldridge. According to Aldridge, the team spoke last weekend with Arn Tellem, Aldridge's agent. Pritchard said the ongoing status of negotiations has not affected Aldridge's focus during camp.
"That's a testament to his character," Pritchard said. "We're going to keep working on it. This is a priority for us right now. ... We know who LaMarcus is. He's going to take care of his business; he's letting his agent take care of the negotiations; and we're working on it."
— Roy and Aldridge are the only Blazers who have locked down starting spots. Blake and Miller are still vying for the starting point guard position, while Batum, Webster and Outlaw are all trying to hold down the team's starting small forward spot. In addition, Oden has closed the gap on Przybilla at center.
— Former Portland fan favorite Rodriguez, now a point guard for the Kings, will face off against the Blazers for the first time since being traded during the offseason. The quick-handed Rodriguez played for Portland from 2006-09, averaging 3.6 points and 2.9 assists a game during his first three seasons in the league.
TUALATIN, Ore. — Now, the real work begins.
Following the completion of their first week of training camp, the 2009-10 Portland Trail Blazers turn their sights to new goals.
The primary one in focus: seeing how the Blazers' deep, talented roster stacks up against real NBA competition.
Portland gets its first chance to test its new lineup tonight, when the Blazers open their preseason schedule by taking on the Sacramento Kings at the Rose Garden.
According to Blazers coach Nate McMillan, Portland (54-28 in 2008-09) will use a starting lineup that mirrors the one the Blazers used to finish last season: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla.
McMillan said he plans to use 10-12 players during the game, and will base player rotation around two units.
Blazers Andre Miller, Greg Oden, Martell Webster, Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw and Juwan Howard will also likely receive significant playing time.
"(Tonight) is what we need," McMillan said Monday, following a morning workout session at the team's training facility in Tualatin, Ore. "We need that game. That game will allow us to see where we are, when you're going up against someone in a different uniform. And we can adjust from that, as far as where we need to go and where we need to tighten up."
While some teams solely utilize preseason contests to smooth out rough edges and kinks, McMillan said Portland will also treat its warmup games as a proving ground.
For McMillan, training camp is a time when players work on their conditioning, rehearse new plays and find their way. In contrast, preseason contests are when the true battles begin. And if a Blazer has something to show on the court, tonight's matchup against the Kings (17-65) is the best time to open eyes.
"It's not games where we want to just go out there and go through the motions and flip the switch," McMillan said.
The switch has already been flipped in regards to intrasquad competition.
Portland's first seven days of training camp — in which the team balanced a renewed defensive emphasis with up-tempo, full-court scrimmages — displayed just how loaded the Blazers' roster is. However, the intense competition has done little to shake up and settle out a lineup whose only drawback may be in finding playing time for everyone involved.
Thus far, only Roy (shooting guard) and Aldridge (power forward) have locked down positions in Portland's starting unit. Three tight battles remain open: Blake is competing with Miller for the premier point guard selection; Batum, Webster and Outlaw are vying for the starting small forward role; and Przybilla has received a strong push from Oden at center.
However, McMillan has stated since camp began he is not concerned with starting jobs. For Portland's coach, it is more important to find fluid rotations that help the Blazers exploit mismatches and rack up victories than it is to settle on a starting five. And, thus far, nearly every Blazer has backed up McMillan's all-for-one approach.
Right now, a Portland team loaded with talent and expectations simply wants to know where it stands.
"The key is to go out there and play hard, and try to execute what we've talked about in training camp on the offensive and defensive end of the floor, so that we can see where we are," McMillan said.
Notes
— Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said that the team is still engaged in contract negotiations with forward LaMarcus Aldridge. According to Aldridge, the team spoke last weekend with Arn Tellem, Aldridge's agent. Pritchard said the ongoing status of negotiations has not affected Aldridge's focus during camp.
"That's a testament to his character," Pritchard said. "We're going to keep working on it. This is a priority for us right now. ... We know who LaMarcus is. He's going to take care of his business; he's letting his agent take care of the negotiations; and we're working on it."
— Roy and Aldridge are the only Blazers who have locked down starting spots. Blake and Miller are still vying for the starting point guard position, while Batum, Webster and Outlaw are all trying to hold down the team's starting small forward spot. In addition, Oden has closed the gap on Przybilla at center.
— Former Portland fan favorite Rodriguez, now a point guard for the Kings, will face off against the Blazers for the first time since being traded during the offseason. The quick-handed Rodriguez played for Portland from 2006-09, averaging 3.6 points and 2.9 assists a game during his first three seasons in the league.