Mike Barrett and Mike Rice were the hosts tonight on Courtside. Sorry, I missed the first 10 minutes, but they were wrapping up a discussion on the performance of Summer League. Seattle head coach Bob Wiese was on. He discussed the "similarities" and "differences" between him & Nate: He is the same as Nate as far as wanting to "keep going in the same direction". His main difference is that he is more easy going, whereas Nate is more serious. Ray Allen thought that Nate should be warmer to the new guys. Rice said "Why? That's what team mates are for. Nate is tough and will never tolerate what Miles did to Mo Cheeks." By the way, it was somewhat of a fallacy of the closeness between Ray Allen and Nate McMillan. Ray complained about practice hours and once blew the whistle on Nate for having too many practices. They had respect for each other, but they weren't really that close.

     Nate wants Ruben at the #4 position. He'll use Ruben to set the tone for everybody else. If Zach can't start, Nate will start Ruben (according to Rice). Travis Outlaw won't demand to be a starter, so will probably come off the bench. Mike Kahn from Sportsline.com was on. He reiterated about Nate's toughness and how he will handle Miles. He also said there was terrible communication between Nate and Seattle's front office. He never even got to meet Swift (draft pick). He said when Payton/Mason trade happened, and around the time Ray Allen was brought in, Nate was getting mixed signals for the next year and a half. They put high playoff expectations on him, yet he hadn't even met their draft pick. (Felt left out of the loop). "He exploded". So, when they wanted to discuss contract extensions with him, Nate's attitude was "No, now you have to wait." Concerning Nate's replacement, Mike Kahn thought Mark Iavaroni was the top choice; but management wanted more experience = Bob Wiese.

     Larry Brown and Piston parting ways. Mike said Brown "has a Master Plan." He'll be going to the Knicks. Blazer's scout Bill Bayno (sp?) coached summer league and said it was a great experience and we have terrific guys! He had a lot of fun with it. Winning and losing was not the most important thing in summer league. It's observing what these players can do. Question: Who is aggressive enough to play a lot of minutes? Ans: Telfair and Outlaw were no surprise; they had a good idea of what they could do. Webster was the "big surprise." He doesn't always stand out in practice; but when the lights came on in the game - Wow! He not only can shoot, but could rebound, and he understood what they were trying to do. No doubt he can create space - has really good feet. Can go left to right with alot of explosion. Also, you felt when the ball left his hands, it was going in; he can get his shot off. Webster is definitely "something special".

     Travis Outlaw and Telfair made the Summer League All Star 1st team. Great job, guys! Question: Is Travis ready to Start? Ans: He's awfully close. He needs to work on his energy level, nutrition and weights to build up his strength. "Travis is a phenomenal human being. His parents did a great job." Quest: Anyone quicker than Telfair in summer league?" Ans: "I don't think anybody in the NBA is quicker than Sebastian Telfair. He was a joy to coach - you can just tell him to go make something happen and he does. He's competitive, wants to win, and is very vocal in huddles and on the court. He need to work on his shooting, but he loves to play, is coachable, listens and wants to be great.

     Seattle FA, Damien Wilkins (Rookie last year) is having dinner tonight with Patterson & Nash. He was a nice surprise for the Sonics, even in the Playoffs. He came alive when he won that game for Sonics against Portland. That got Nate's attention as to what this guy can do. Antonio Daniels would like to come to Portland too because he wants to be with Nate. It's interesting how many players are now interested in Portland because of our new coach. Joe Johnson will sign a 5 year deal with Atlanta. Knicks (I think they said) is going after Antoine Walker.

     About the Blazers: We have great guys to set picks (Przybilla & Ruben) which will leave our shooters good looks, i.e., Webster & DA. Mike said that "DA could be reborn under Nate's system." Will the Blazers use the Amnesty clause for DA? Dallas will use it on Michael Finley, or else Finley will come off the bench. Rice even thinks DA can be a Starter guard. We have a hard coach who will push DA to prove he can produce. Nate rewards those who work hard. It's not a given that the young guys will be starting; it will go to who deserves it. That gives DA motivation to come alive. DA is a good player if he's healthy. (They joked how DA must have had every disease in the world with all the games he missed.) Anyway, they said Nate won't play him unless he deserves it. Nate wants pick up games at the end of August. He wants players there early; doesn't want anyone to be like Dale Davis (who showed up 10 minutes before season began). Can Monya beat out DA? Rice thinks no. If we had a different coach, like Bob Wiese, then we would need to get rid of DA...but under this coach? There are possibilities for him.

     Martell got fined for being 2 minutes late in summer league, after Nate got there. Nate talked to him for 20 minutes. Nate is focused and intense. Just the discipline our young guys need. Nate asked Paul Allen, "How do you want to do it?" Answer was to build the team the right way. Nate said he was never going to lie to the fans; if we're rebuilding, then he'll tell us so. Stromile Swift just signed on with the Houston Rockets. Nets gave Blazers until this Friday and were using that leverage against us for SAR...well, too late now. Blazers are still holding out for a 1st round draft pick from NJ for SAR. Cleveland using Damon now for leverage for another player. Orlando has also mentioned Damon. Damon may get a mid level exception if two teams are going after him, but Rice doesn't think he'll get it.

     They discussed how players are afraid of Telfair's quickness; his Reverse Dribble is amazing! Damon couldn't check him, or keep up with him. And yet, all Telfair wants to do is "get better." Rice said Blazers need a rebounder. Reggie Evans would be good. Not sure what we'll get in Monya. Nash said he received more calls in Las Vegas over Jarrett Jack than anybody. There is a lot of interest in JJ. San Antonio offered Udric for him. But we have to see what Jack can do for us before trades can be considered. Rice really likes Udric, but agrees we need to wait and see what JJ can do.

     Update on Steve Jones - he's doing much better, but sleeps a lot. Rice teased about changing his name from "Snapper Jones" to "Sleeper Jones". ha ha. Anyway, he may come back to work by the end of the week. They continued to discuss Wilkins and how he won the game for Seattle against Portland. If nothing else, Portland's interest in him will drive up his value. We have a lot of depth; Our second unit: Theo, Ruben, T. Outlaw, Webster, J.Jack, Khryapa and Monya. Theo wants a chance to start and is committed to battle with Joel for that position. Rice also said this is DA's last chance; he's had a lot of time to get healthy and he'll either produce or he's done. Oh, and this was interesting...Mike Dunleavy is going to meet with Bonzi. Since they lost Bobby Simmons, they need a #2 guard and Mike has always liked Bonzi and will see where his head is at.

     Ha was the disappointment in Summer League. "When you play in the NBA, you play year round." When he went back to So. Korea, he was like Michael Jordan there and it went to his head. He got soft and out of shape. Barrett & Rice discussed possible assistants to join Nate McMillan, among who are Sidney Lowe, and Johnny Davis. They would be great. (They mentioned one other name, but I was serving up Chicken & Dumplins and couldn't write it down fast enough - sorry). Anyway, that's it for tonight's Courtside.

-BBfan4life