2019-2020 Media Day/Training Camp Thread

I'm listening live and can't here the questions, but I think someone just asked CJ about ESPN ranking him 13th best player. He said he doesn't care. If you gave him some truth serum, I bet he's say I wish I had that in my back pocket a few months ago win I was negotiating my extension.

Shem · Post #9 » by **Shem** » Mon Sep 30, 2019 11:56 pm

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/portlandtrailblazers/videos

d-train · Post #10 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 2:26 am

Wow, Blazers are having a media day and it's crickets on this forum. I hope it's because realgm has become a fan talk graveyard rather than nobody is a fan of Blazers.

Matt800 · Post #11 » by **Matt800** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 2:54 am

I thought it was generally positive. I liked how a lot of guys wanted to become a good defensive team. And that the players are excited about all the options they are finding as a team. Also nice that whiteside seems motivated. Sounds like he had been in portland as soon as the coaches were available to work with and has been getting acclimated. He also likes the idea of playing point center so that’s intriguing

d-train · Post #12 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 6:30 pm

Olshey says the team improved its basketball IQ and shooting. Interesting that NO said individual defense is overrated. He says with the NBA's new rules you have to defend as a team.

I don't know, maybe he makes a good point. But, I thought the individual defense played by Harris (and Holiday) the year before made a difference. Sure, team defense is most important. Team defense has always been the most important since way before the new rules. I wouldn't say you don't need great individual defenders. I didn't hear the question, but maybe NO didn't say we don't need great individual defense. I think he was responding to a question about losing the defense of Aminu, Harkless, and Turner. Maybe NO doesn't believe we are losing that much individual defense by replacing those minutes with Bazemore, Collins, and Mario. Certainly, Bazemore has proven he is a top notch individual defender.

d-train · Post #13 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 6:33 pm

Olshey also mentioned salary tax implications. I don't think I have ever heard NO say before that Blazers decisions were affected by salary taxes. Perhaps, there is a different directive to Olshey than there was in 2016.

I still believe Blazers have a plan to get under the tax in 2020. If they do, that dashes a lot of trade proposals some keep making.

Post #14 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 7:39 pm

d-train wrote:Olshey says the team improved its basketball IQ and shooting. Interesting that NO said individual defense is overrated. He says with the NBA's new rules you have to defend as a team.

I don't know, maybe he makes a good point. But, I thought the individual defense played by Harris (and Holiday) the year before made a difference. Sure, team defense is most important. Team defense has always been the most important since way before the new rules. I wouldn't say you don't need great individual defenders. I didn't hear the question, but maybe NO didn't say we don't need great individual defense. I think he was responding to a question about losing the defense of Aminu, Harkless, and Turner. Maybe NO doesn't believe we are losing that much individual defense by replacing those minutes with Bazemore, Collins, and Mario. Certainly, Bazemore has proven he is a top notch individual defender.

It's always a balance when talking about role players.

I could see an argument that good team defense can cover for poor individual defenders better than good team offense can make up for players who are individually poor offensively. Essentially it is easier to coach someone into being in the right spots than it is to coach them into hitting open looks.

d-train · Post #15 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 7:54 pm

Also, NO was pushing Mario. NO is clearly expecting a big contribution from Mario. He makes it clear that Lillard, CJ, and Hassan are the core. He expects Blazers to be an elite rebounding team.

Goldbum · Post #16 » by **Goldbum** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 8:00 pm

Biggest “News” so far...the Dame and Shaq rap battle. Lol

zzaj · Post #17 » by **zzaj** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 9:33 pm

It’s probably crickets here because, well it’s Media day.

Personally, the 3 storylines I’ll be closely watching at the beginning of the season:

1) Whitesides fit as a passer in the Stotts offense, and if Stotts adds wrinkles to what the Blazers do because of his different skill set.

2) Zach Collins’ foul trouble. Can he stay out of it AND become decent as a rebounder? I believe the offense will be there.

3) Simons. Obviously Olshey has put a ton of team expectation on his (now apparently 196lb) shoulders. Will he fill his potential as a scorer? Does he have the ability to set up the team sets, as the primary backup PG?

Matt800 · Post #18 » by **Matt800** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 9:48 pm

zzaj wrote:It’s probably crickets here because, well it’s Media day.

Personally, the 3 storylines I’ll be closely watching at the beginning of the season:

1) Whitesides fit as a passer in the Stotts offense, and if Stotts adds wrinkles to what the Blazers do because of his different skill set.

2) Zach Collins’ foul trouble. Can he stay out of it AND become decent as a rebounder? I believe the offense will be there.

3) Simons. Obviously Olshey has put a ton of team expectation on his (now apparently 196lb) shoulders. Will he fill his potential as a scorer? Does he have the ability to set up the team sets, as the primary backup PG?

Yeah those are good ones. I'm also into the storylines of:

There being more ball handlers this year and Lillard having the option to play off ball. Including guys pushing the ball and leading to playing at a faster pace.

The players trying to be a good defensive team.

Mario and Bazemore saying they will play better from having something to play for and a more organized/focused team.

I'm also interested to see what roles Skal and Gasol get.

And I hear Simons grew an inch, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

d-train · Post #19 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 10:49 pm

I was listening for clues about what would be expected from Simons. I didn't hear many clues but I'm guessing the Blazers are going to play 4 guards not 3. So, other than Lillard and CJ the minutes are going to be moderate for the backup guards.

d-train · Post #20 » by **d-train** » Tue Oct 1, 2019 11:10 pm

Collins was good. He said he is comfortable at the 4 or 5. I liked when he said he likes the 5 because the 5 is in the playbook. He clearly sees himself as a major NBA player. He's not going to be satisfied sitting on the bench like Leonard was.