Mike Barrett and Mike Rice are the hosts, as usual. Maurice Lucas, new assistant coach to Nate, will be on later. Tomorrow AM at 9:00 Pacific Time, trades will be happening around the NBA due to the CBA being completed. Rice is discussing the coaching staff. Blazers have developmental coaches for the young guys. They will command respect, be serious about winning games. They are no-nonsense, aggressive, hard-nosed and serious. Rice is excited. They know where they want to go. The Suns will be a different team with Q. Richardson, Steven Hunter and Joe Johnson gone. They have 3 maxed out contracts now and the owners did not want 4 maxed out contracts, so they didn't argue over JJ not wanting them to match the Hawks' offer. The Suns are going to have to pay $55 Mil just to their Starters. Regarding the Hawks, they may get Eddie Curry and all of a sudden, they can make a run.

     Things are getting settled with Grgs. Blazers didn't hire him for X&O's coach; he was truly the best developmental coach out there. They made special arrangements, special perks, etc. for Grgs. Maurice Lucas is on now. Regarding the styles and coaching staff coming together. Question: How does M. Lucas see himself fitting in? Ans: He will coach the big guys, PF and Centers. Emphasis on defense. Back to fundamentals. Looking forward to the challenge. Rice saying last year, one of Blazers weaknesses was rebounding. Can Lucas teach "rebounding"? Ans: Guards have to do their job, big guys have to block out, which there is a good chance with our big bodies of everybody blocking out. When everyone does their part, our rebounded will improve. What excited him about Nate McMillan? Learn his style and respect him. Guys will want to stay on his good side and stay on his program. Change of personality in young guys here. Lucas can help develop their character and integrity. Does he want to be a head coach in the NBA someday? Lucas said he's been away for 15 years; have to learn the coach styles again, learn the game again, get his feet wet, before he can look ahead to head coach. In working with our players, it is important for the guys to have respect for the game, the business and themselves. Youngest team in the NBA, maybe EVER in the NBA. Does he have the patience? Maurice does, but does Nate McMillan? Ha ha. As young men grow, they want to help them mature and develop their personalities. Whatever they can do to enhance that, plus they know they have to be patient; whole new teaching style. Rice called Lucas Maurice Cheeks by mistake, and Lucas said that's what happens when you come in behind another guy named Maurice - they laughed and Lucas said, "Don't let it happen again." Lucas has lived in this community a long time and know what this community wants in a team.

     Barrett thinks that DA will receive the amnesty, but Rice doesn't think so. If not going to save money on the luxury tax immediately, why waive him? If DA doesn't become a distraction to the young guys or take away their playing time, why waive him? Rice is discussing Damon's interview last night where he said the Blazers aren't trying to help him. Well, the Blazers have helped him for years paying him the big bucks. The Blazers concern is with the team, not Damon's situation. Houston doesn't have anything we want. Without a sign and trade, Houston can only offer $1.8 Mil in the Low Level Exception. Their (Houston) experiment with youth didn't work for them. You need a lot of patience to work with a team that needs to develop. Oh, my gosh! They mentioned me (BBFan4life) and the posting up of Courtside. They thanked me and wished me the best with this tough time I am going through. Rice even said he goes through and reads what I type and sometimes says, "Did I really say that?" ha ha. Yep, you did if it's in here, Mike. Ha ha. (Thanks Courtside - that was very sweet of you. I appreciate your kindness.)

     Kevin Ray from Phoenix is on. Are Suns prepared to have 4 maxed contracts with Amare's contract next year? Everyone seemed shocked to realize that by the end of the season it wasn't going to be the slam dunk they thought it was going to be earlier in the season. Regarding Joe Johnson, he was upset with the Suns offer earlier. Suns offered $45 Mil last year to J.Johnson; he wanted $50 Mil. There is only so much money to offer, plus Amare Stoudimire has to be kept around. That seemed to be the eye of the storm for Johnson. They were prepared to match anything Hawks put on the table. They asked J.Johnson if he wanted them to match the offer (and it didn't matter how much the offer was), but he said no - he wanted to go. Question: Michael Finley to Phoenix? 4 yrs and $52 mil left. Mark Cuban will have to decide whether to use Amnesty on Finley. Houston has their sites on Damon and Finley too. But Kevin pointed out that if Finley gets his money from Dallas, he won't need the cash, and he and Steve Nash are best friends.

     Rice is saying it has to be a bad taste in J.Johnson mouth because everybody got their money. Right now, J.Johnson will get $70 Mil for 5 yrs. Suns could have had him for the $50 Mil back when they were discussing it.

     Larry Brown, head coach of Knicks now is ready to explode over Allen Houston. He'll be the first to go thru Amnesty. Yet, there are teams interested in him. It will be interesting to see how Knicks will change their lineup. Pat Riley is taking on a lot. Posey will go to there. Phil Jackson will keep Brian Grant. Blazers will sign Juan Dixon. Lakers don't have a point guard. Michael Thompson from the Lakers on next.

     Tomorrow the excitement begins with trades and signings. Michael Thompson from Lakers is on now. They were hoping to steal Wheels, but we were able to keep him. LA market, with the NY market being down, is an attractive market - the Mecca of the NBA. Even though Portland is a great town, Michael could see the appeal the LA market has to offer. Anyway, Rice and Barrett disagree about Brian Grant. Amnesty or keep around? Michael: With heart condition of their draftee, they may keep him around, but $30 Mil is a big hit to take. Rice said but Brian is a solid 15 min a night rebounder. But Michael pointed out that at $15 mil, that is what... $1 Mil a minute? ha ha. Kwame Brown will go to Lakers. Michael said that just putting on that Lakers uniform, playing for Phil Jackson and playing with Kobe, plus questioning his manhood, taking a lot of criticism, he has a lot to prove. But Michael Jordan pulled that tactic on him but he didn't try to prove them wrong then. Michael: Yeah, but he's 22 now and a bit more matured. Plus he's only getting $8 Mil and when he sees what other players like Joe Johnson ($70 Mil) are getting, that can inspire him. Blazers will help with defense by hiring Maurice Lucas. Michael: He'll be great working with Zach - a great hire. He'll help him with his toughness. Nate and Lucas will command respect. If players don't respect them, then we need to get rid of them. Lakers don't have a point guard. Rumors are Jason Williams, Damon Stoudimire, Tyron Lu? Michael: Don't really need a PG with Kobe and other player (sorry, missed his name). But he points out that Jason Williams would bring a lot of fun back to the league.

     Michael Thompson, Laker analyst, still on. Question: What do you see of Kobe Bryant in this upcoming season? Ans: Kobe is a great player. He's humbled by what happened last year. Has good players around him that can help him. Great leader of the team. He can get them back into playoffs. He owned up to his mistakes, apologized for them, has a lot to prove and will do whatever it takes to get back on top. What about the coach? Phil Jackson can't just sit back and let Kobe and Shaq run the team anymore. He'll have to be more hands-on, on the floor, giving instructions to teach this team. He'll have to be more like Nate McMillan and Popovich, teaching this team. So, Phil's role will be a different style of coach from that in the past.

     Barrett: Blazers have too many guards? With DA around, takes too much playing time away from Juan Dixon, Jarrett Jack, etc. Why not use amnesty to get rid of him? Deadline date is Aug. 15th. Rice is saying if they are going to be over cap, then yes, amnesty. But if not over, then you can get rid of him later if he doesn't produce. They are arguing the pros and cons of the situation. Rice would keep him around to be a valuable asset to these young guys. Nate McMillan brings a new dynamic to the team. Players will work hard for him. Sergei Monya recorded earlier: Really happy to be here; signed his contract yesterday. He met Nate before practice. (Well, I'd need to read this guy's lips to catch everything his is saying). He'll try his best. He likes to play the 2-3 position. Excited to be reunited to Viktor? Yes, he's kept him informed about America and the team. ha ha - Rice and Barrett are saying how his English has really improved, but sounds a little like Dracula..."I vant to met your daughter". ha ha. Rice is excited about the team. Said we are going to be a "running" team. (He listed all the guys who are quick and run quite a bit). We have a deep lineup. Defense and Rebounding are two issues that if addressed, would be great.

     Juan Dixon will probably sign later this week, rather than tomorrow. Only one position left on the team. With Ha (in the developmental league), that is 14. Antoine Walker is out there; Boston doesn't want anything to do with him. Larry Brown doesn't either. But Pat Riley will give Doleac and also Eddie Jones in the deal to get Antoine Walker. Pat Riley wants Walker and Posey. Shuffling of players will go on in the East. An e-mailer wants to know if Blazers will do any more trades, saying that it seems we still have a log jam at the #3 spot. Rice said possibly because we need a strong rebounder. Griffin, Sprewell, Murray, Reggie Evans, Gary Payton, Radmanovic, Tyson Chandler, Eddie Curry (or did he say Murry), are still out there. A strong rebounder will help this team. If Travis Outlaw and Darius Miles, have to be concerned with rebounding, it could affect their offense. By the way, 23.7 years is average age of Blazers without DA. They are going to check to see if that is a record. Next week, a lot more to be said about trades going on in the league. That's it for tonight folks!

-BBfan4life