Nate McMillan is on. Talked with young guys about what approach they are going to use. Not going to use youth as an excuse. Their focus will be hard word, dedication, and commitment. Nate's advise to Travis Outlaw: "If your getting a double team, then your job is done; need to move the ball - trust your teammates; pass the ball out; Quit settling for the jump shot." Summer league important for foundation of what Nate wants to build. He thought last night we were really soft on defense. Awful transition defense. When Telfair goes to basket, the wings need to rotate back. Few times Telfair didn't rotate back. Team needs to be in better shape; conditioning important. Question: which needs more work?

     Offense or defense? And: Both needs work. Our young guys - Webster, Zach, Travis, and Telfair are all more offense minded. Nate has to drill defense into them. (Note: Nate sounds very intelligent about coaching! Has some concrete ideas and direction he wants to take the team.)

     Nate has contacted our veterans. He's spoke with Ruben and Zach. Zach is in Portland rehabbing his knee. Nate doesn't want Zach to rush it, needs to heal properly.

     Ruben is excited to get Nate and Nate is excited on Ruben; he's aggressive and a hard defensive player. Nate is considering Ruben and Darius at the #4. He said he has to do what is best for this team; not what is best for Darius. How can we best take advantage of his talent? A #4 man will have a hard time guarding Darius at the #4. We have two young point guards - would like to look at a veteran point guard as a back up. Let the young guys play and grow. Antonio Daniels? We can certainly look at that, but Daniels will demand a lot of minutes. Nate told guys today he has no starters right now - you earn the right to play. That is what is fair and commands respect. Question: When did you know you wanted to be head coach of Blazers? Answer: After he spoke with Paul Allen. He loved the direction Paul wants to go and the time frame. Nate has gone through this type of rebuilding before and felt he could use our players to get there again. We'll have to be patient. He hates losing and hopes the process doesn't take a long time before success comes. Hoping whoever we sign in the FA, will contribute to this success. In Seattle , Nate always had an "all star"; we don't have one in Portland , but he's hoping to develop one.

     Mike Rice is saying that Seattle is trying to "justify" why they lost Nate. How does Nate feel about what they are saying? He said he spoke with them today, and they even asked him who he thinks should be his replacement (ha ha). They are leaning toward Bob Wise (spelling?).

     Nate said he is "moving on". They parted on friendly terms with a "cheers" - now let's move on. Nate continues: Decisions always start at the top - with the direction of the team being #1. They all have to be on the same page with what they want to accomplish and how they are going to get there. If players are not on board, then we have to separate ourselves from them. Sometimes players do better by being moved.

     Question: Is Telfair too young to run the team? Can he handle that? Answer: "I think he can." Nate was team captain as a Rookie. Nate told Telfair to call Zach - see how his rehab is going. Call Ruben - How is Ruben doing? Nate
said to call all the players to encourage and talk to them. You don't just go home for the summer and come together in October. Keep that close contact throughout.

     He is teaching Telfair how to be a leader. Nate finishes with talking about professionalism being so important. Will impress on players to dress accordingly, carry yourself well. Commercial on...

     (Wow - I really like this coach; he sounds like a take-charge, self-
assured, confident, sharp coach!)

     Welcome to Portland , Nate McMillan!

     Mike Rice was discussing Khryapa at the #4, and Nate said he was more interested in Ruben and Darius at the #4. Wheels said Nate sounded very excited about Ruben and playing him at PF; trading Ruben is probably out.

     Rice likes it; Ruben can beat the other PF down the floor; he can check a #4. His weakness: He has to rebound against a #4. Travis Outlaw could play at the #3. Still need some help at the #2.

     SAR turned down $47Mil with the Bucks because he wants Portland to sign and trade him to NJ. So the Bucks gave that money to Bobby Simmons. We have a need for #2 and they're going fast. Catino Mobley will probably go in a few days. Redd already gone. Twelve teams want Antonio Daniels right now.

     John Nash, Telfair, and possibly Webster will be on later. Telfair has a bruised wrist, but will probably play next game. Per Rice, Travis has never had anyone pay this much attention to him before; now he's getting double-teamed. Dallas is playing the best defense in the summer league. Blazers played 5 times in 5 days (two scrimmages); they were tired.

     In regular season, Zach will help Travis with his inside game - that will take the pressure off Travis. Telfair is improving; he'll bounce back. Rice is saying how now Telfair is going "left", which he usually goes right and doubles back. Rice said Telfair is becoming the "complete package".

     Nate is not only laying down the law, but he is encouraging them to build chemistry. His presence is being felt "right now". (Wheels & Rice are singing Nate's praises). They like the way he is teaching Telfair to call all of the players. If he wants to be the leader of this team, then Nate will give him the opportunity to do that and teach him how.

     The Suns just got Raja Bell, tweaking their team a little. Blazers are rebuilding, but they said the ride up the hill is a fun one; the ride down the hill is over quickly. (There is a lot of optimism now).

     The Suns just got Raja Bell, tweaking their team a little. Blazers are rebuilding, but they said the ride up the hill is a fun one; the ride down the hill is over quickly. (There is a lot of optimism now).

     John Nash and Martell Webster are on now. Webster is enjoying the summer league. He's trying to find a spot on the team. Felt nervous at first, but he's letting the game come to him. Nash told Martell how glad he was to have him here on the team. Per Webster, he, Travis and Telfair have all talked about how they are going to bounce back. They are going to trust each other; have strong chemistry together.

     Nash: Wasn't just Webster's talent that attracted the Blazers; his game is far more mature than his years; and as a person he's far more mature. He's closer to being ready than most guys that come onto our team. Nate said Webster is an "NBA" player now. Per Nash, Nate is pleased with what he has seen so far (in spite of yesterday's horrendous game). Webster said Nate told them he wants to get to know the players personally; he gave them his phone number; they have to check up with him every week. Went over tape last night; worked on key points. Tape helped Webster and showed him what he can work on.

     Overall, they are excited and eager to grow and develop as a team. Lots of GM's out there in L.V., so what about the NJ rumor regarding SAR? Nash said he's been speaking with Rod Thorne (sp?) from NJ about the trade exception for SAR. The trade exception expires on 7/29. They had $10+ Million, but with the trades involving Kittles and then Cliff Robinson, there is $4.9 Million remaining. They can trade a player to the Blazers for $4.9 Mil or for draft picks. Nash isn't certain what will happen. NJ is also interest in Stromile Swift and Darnell Marshall.

     Webster is saying how he loves the Blazers "and wouldn't trade this for anything". He's close to home and loves it here. Unfortunately Sergei Monia cannot leave until tomorrow (visa late), so can't make tomorrow’s game; earliest he could play would be Wed. So, Nash told him to just wait until Sept., because he hasn't played with these guys in any practices and there will only be a few games left, so no point now. That's a disappointment to all. They were teasing and ribbing Webster about Ruben. He hasn't met him yet and they're giving him a hard time about watching out for Ruben, and how Ruben won't want to give up that ball. ha ha - they're just having fun with him.

     Telfair is on now. Talking about "leadership". When Nate asked the team, "Who's going to be the leader of this team?" Telfair said everyone paused, so he raised his hand and said, "Me!" He's making those phone calls Nate talked to him about. They asked if he called to congratulate Darius on his marriage.

     About last night, it was just one of those games. How's the wrist? It's doing ok - a little painful yesterday, but feeling better. John Nash asked Telfair what he said to the ref to get a T, "You ref like a girl?" ha ha. He said no...he just asked her again after 5 minutes about a call and so she T'd him up.

     Telfair said he's been working all off-season on his game; they discussed him going left now. He said there is nothing they can throw at him now that he can't handle. His brother Ethan shows some game and he's 10 years old! They said to see the documentary "Through the Fire" about Telfair coming into the league from his senior year. Telfair wants to keep other guys involves, to keep playing as a "team", to encourage and uplift his teammates.

     Wheels & Rice question for Telfair: What are you trying to work on most in your game? Ans: Being a leader; making a way for his players on the court; get other players going. How do you improve? And: "You watch tapes; you set personal goals."

     Right now, it's hard to determine how much competition Jerret Jack can throw at Telfair. Telfair is a heck of a competitor so the better competition they can throw at Telfair, the better. Per Nash, if Telfair can show leadership, they may not need to bring in a veteran PG. (ooo...don't know how Nate will feel about that).

     Question to Telfair: How do you feel about Webster? "I feel that he can step in and play right now; that he will be a star someday in the league."

     Wheels discussing how Travis needs consistency; needs someone to help him keep his focus. Telfair working with him. Nash said he sent Telfair an e-mail about Nate being next coach and Telfair replied "YES!!!!!!!"

     Wrapping up: Webster & Telfair (18 and 19 years old), yet mature far beyond their years. They speak well to

     the media and have confidence (except Webster is nervous about Ruben Patterson tying him up and throwing him in the cold pool) - ha ha, and Wheels and Rice said that WILL happen.

     They are discussing last night's loss. One theory is that the players all met and shook Nate's hand just before the game started with Dallas , and they were all probably a little nervous - or rather really wanted to show the coach what they could do and were under pressure. The backcourt of the future is there with Webster, Outlaw & Telfair, but they don't have Khryapa or Sergi who would have gotten alot of minutes. And as previously reported, Sergei Monya will not be here until Sept. They're disappointed over that.

     Well, sounds like Mike Barrett, Rice and Wheels are having a good time in Las Vegas . Barrett is saying what a good job Nash and company have done in lowering payroll, getting rid of the bad guys, etc. Their vision is the future. Speaking of payroll, they have to lower the cap to re-sign Joel Przybilla. They're building, they want to see what they have; they may look to a super star, or wait and see what they got. Rice feels they need to see what Darius will do - is he part of this vision of the future? Will getting married settle him down some?

     Wheels: The Blazers have a very open and honest policy that everybody (fans) will know the direction they're going. Someone (sorry didn't catch the name) is flying back to see Darius to make sure he's on the same page. Darius is a key issue that will be addressed.

     Well, that's it for Courtside tonight! It was fun being back!

-BBfan4life from the O-Live Blazer Forum