2016-2017 Blazers Round Table

[kucoach7]

GM Kevin U. Coach VII: I'd like to start out by apologizing for mailing it in last year. Last year didn't go particularly well and I don't blame the fans for not showing up. I'm grateful to the organization for giving me my first extension in a while. It was a nice vote of confidence. This year I've been busy. We had the goal to sign 5 quality starters in free agency and we kind of achieved that. I received some great offers to sign and trade Rose but ultimately we decided Rose is one of the best players in the league and we weren't ready to give him up unless the package contained a future star of his caliber. There were a lot of defensive centers out there, including Perk, who had two great seasons for us. We were pleased to bring in a more athletic big man in Tyson Chandler. We were also really excited about bring in defensive specialist Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and we're glad he'll be around for a few seasons. DeMarre Carrol is a great all around player. We brought back Booz, who had another great season for us last year and is on a nice deal. I'm excited about Withey and Hogg's progress and think that they present a bright future for the organization. Now we're going to give everyone a chance to say their peace.

Coach Toni Kukoc: Thanks, Kevin. I'm really excited about the defensive potential of this squad. I think we should be able to give teams a hard time with solid defenders across the board. With DeMarre losing a step I see an opportunity for Julyan Stone to step up. He had a nice camp and looks like he could be our starting shooting guard. DeMarre, Hogg, Withey, and Jameer are a nice second unit that can score and defend as well as a lot of starters. We'll see though. I think our biggest struggle will be scoring. Derrick and Carlos are obviously All-star scorers but it isn't clear who that third option will be. We'll try to have an efficient offense that makes the most of opportunities.

Derrick Rose: It's great to be here where I've always been. I know there were rumors about me leaving for Chicago but the Blazers have showed a lot of faith in me and I owe my loyalty to them for that. I have the same goal for my new contract that I've had for every contract, try to change the culture. The locker room still isn't gelling. It never has, even when we were winning. I hope we can get back to the playoffs again this year and get things heading in the right direction again.

Carlos Boozer: I'm glad to be back in Portland this year. I've really enjoyed playing along side Derrick and think that we can still do great things for this team. Do I think I can repeat 20 and 10 this year? Probably not but do I think I could maybe pull 19 and 9 and be more efficient. You bet. It's also nice to be able to continue to mentor Phil and Jeff. Phil is going to be one of the league's premier scorers someday and I hope to be able to help him along his path to greatness.

Jeff Withey: So I want to address the rumors first. I know I've been shopped around to anyone and everyone. I know people say there is a rift between me and Phil. Do we know we'll be competing for playing time this year like we did last year? Yeah. Is that a problem? No. Phil and I are such different players we could some day be starting next to each other here in Portland for years. I'm just keep my head down and work. I had a nice offseason. I'm feeling stronger and better prepared than ever.

Phil Hogg: Hey guys. All I have to say is that I'm grateful to Coach Kukoc for giving a great opportunity to start last year. I was happy with my progress but recognize that I'll have to improve on my rebounding and foul less if I was to be a starter on a winning team. I'm just going to work my hardest day in and day out to improve.

Julyan Stone: Phil, you're doing great. Just keep working hard. It has taken me a long time to develop and I hope I can get a chance to start this year. It's unbelievable to think that I could start with guys like DeMarre and Jameer coming off the bench but I know coach has strategic reasons for letting an inferior player start. All I can say is that I'm feeling good, had a great camp. Hopefully I can be a contributor this year.

Jameer Nelson: I know Derrick has sad the locker room isn't gelling but with guys like Julyan around, I think we'll get there. I need to learn from him. This will be the first time in my career I'll be a bench player. I haven't come off the bench in a single game since my second season and even back then I was starting more often than not. I just want to give some valuable minutes while Derrick is resting. I know what a heavy load he carries. I've been there so I'm hoping to prevent a big drop off in production when he leaves the court.

DeMarre Carrol: Yeah Julyan is a great guy. He has been blowing by me all camp so I know why coach wants to give him a shot at the starting gig. I also know I dominate him in the post and pick his pocket half the time so he better not think I'm going to just let him take my spot. I'll be busting my tail every play to get that spot back.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute: Man, it is great to play along side a guy like DeMarre. He is such a fierce competitor. I'm glad to be here in Portland where they really appreciate my skill. Not everyone is willing to pay a defensive-minded guy like me but there is a rich history of defensive players here in Portland with guys like Bradley, Hunter, Artest, Macon so I know these guys value me. I just can't wait to get out there and get the season started and see what this team can do.

Tyson Chandler: Man, another season. This never gets old. I had a solid camp. I know I've lost a step here or there but I still feel, even at my age, that I can be one of the best centers in the league. I think I can average a double double one more time. Having a guy like Derrick around creates offensive opportunities and having a guy like Luc around makes my job on defense so much easier. I'm excited to get out there and make another playoff run. I didn't like starting the offseason early last year and I hope it won't happen again.

GM Coach: We'll now open the floor to questions.

[false9]

Is it safe to say Carlos Boozer won't see time at SF this year?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com here...despite bad cohesion reports, your guys really seem to get along. What kind of team activities do the Blazers engage in to form that kind of bond?

[kucoach7]

Is it safe to say Carlos Boozer won't see time at SF this year?

With two solid SF on the team and with Booz slowing down I don't expect that he'll play any on the wing.

[kucoach7]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com here...despite bad cohesion reports, your guys really seem to get along. What kind of team activities do the Blazers engage in to form that kind of bond?

Honestly, the reports of bad cohesion are true. We just all herbed up before the press conference if you know what I mean so we're feeling good. Welcome to Oregon!

[ballsohard]

Where do the points come from this year ?

[kucoach7]

Where do the points come from this year ?

That is the big question. Derrick and Booz can probably average about 50. I would love to say that Chandler, Luc, and DeMarre can combine for 40 a night but that is a stretch. I'm hoping those guys and Julyan can all average 10 a night and that Phil and Jeff can combine for 10 a night and we can pull 100 a night and hold the other team under 100. Other than that the points will have to come from a midseason trade.

[JNR]

GWR: How do you see the division shaping up?

[NOLa.]

You've missed the past two playoffs after a nice four year run in which you made the conference finals twice in that span. Is this team ready to match that accomplishment and more?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kucoach7]

GWR: How do you see the division shaping up?

It should be interesting. All teams have super talented players but none of the teams looks to be quite complete. Unfortunately, I expect the Nuggets to win the division again.

[kucoach7]

You've missed the past two playoffs after a nice four year run in which you made the conference finals twice in that span. Is this team ready to match that accomplishment and more?

I think this team is one move away from being capable of making that kind of run. I'm not sure I'm willing to go over the cap to make that kind of deal or that we even have the assets to bring in that missing piece. Short answer no but we have some of the crucial pieces so we're part way there.

[NOLa.]

Unfortunately, I expect the Nuggets to win the division again.

I forgot you're not in the Pacific anymore


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

Bump

[WigNosy]

Derrick Rose is the face of the Blazers now. Do you think you have the face of the Blazers 5 years from now already on your team?

[kucoach7]

Derrick Rose is the face of the Blazers now. Do you think you have the face of the Blazers 5 years from now already on your team?

We believe that Phil Hogg has the potential to become a star. He'll need some training though and he is a long way off but we hope that he can take over as the face of the franchise.

[IamQuailman]

Do you plan to bring in any other guard help or will Nelson and Rose carry that load?

[Conroy]

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, other than Luc Richard Mbah A Moute completely wrecking your index page (my favorite subplot of SLOE every year), what are you thoughts on what he'll bring to the team. It appears he's already being shopped.

[kucoach7]

Do you plan to bring in any other guard help or will Nelson and Rose carry that load?

Maybe. We are already in talks to bring in a quick wing that can score.

[kucoach7]

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, other than Luc Richard Mbah A Moute completely wrecking your index page (my favorite subplot of SLOE every year), what are you thoughts on what he'll bring to the team. It appears he's already being shopped.

Firstly, Luc Richard does wreck my index page and it drives me nuts. Secondly, he's the kind of glue guy that stats don't do a great job of evaluating. He makes everybody better. He is on the block but at a high price and I'm even less inclined to move him after DeMarre's TC.

[78#]

Craig Biggio - Houston Chronicle: It seems like Derrick Rose will be the highest paid player on the team for the next few seasons while during that span there will be a good chance that Phi Hogg will be the best player on the team. Are you worried about how Hogg will feel about it or in the back of your mind are you wondering about moving Rose?

[kucoach7]

Craig Biggio - Houston Chronicle: It seems like Derrick Rose will be the highest paid player on the team for the next few seasons while during that span there will be a good chance that Phi Hogg will be the best player on the team. Are you worried about how Hogg will feel about it or in the back of your mind are you wondering about moving Rose?

Everybody knows this is Derrick's team. It will be as long as he is on the roster. If he wins a championship here, it will be hid team forever. Everyone who plays here has to accept that.

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Forgive me if this has already been asked, but With DRose and Mbah Moute being the only ones with a guaranteed money for next year, is it safe to say that you plan to keep your checkbooks clear for the next big FA in next years class?

[kucoach7]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: Forgive me if this has already been asked, but With DRose and Mbah Moute being the only ones with a guaranteed money for next year, is it safe to say that you plan to keep your checkbooks clear for the next big FA in next years class?

We are less inclined to sign another max player moving forward. We're going with more of a Pacers strategy. We have Derrick and we keep flexibility to build around him.