Category: Portland Trail Blazers Blog

Trail Blazers blog – Portland Trail Blazers basketball blog

Trail Blazers sign Diante Garrett, Darius Morris, James Southerland to training camp roster

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Diante Garrett, guard Darius Morris and forward James Southerland to their training camp roster, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey. The training camp roster now stands at 18 players.

Garrett, 25, played in 71 games off the bench for the Utah Jazz in 2013-14, averaging 3.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 14.7 minutes per contest.

Morris, 23, averaged 3.9 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27 games between Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis last season. He opened his career in 2011 with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent his first two NBA seasons.

As a rookie in 2013-14, Southerland, 24, appeared in four games between Charlotte and New Orleans, averaging 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game.

Garrett will wear uniform number 10 for Portland, while Morris will wear number 4. Southerland will suit up in number 31 for the Trail Blazers.

Trail Blazers make bid to host 2017 or 2018 All-Star Game

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on the Portland Trail Blazers:

trail blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of three NBA teams that have never been given the opportunity to host the league’s All-Star Game. The franchise took a major step toward changing that Thursday, submitting a bid to host the 2017 or 2018 game at the Moda Center.

Team president Chris McGowan, who spearheaded the bid, said the game, along with the numerous activities that surround it, would be a major high point in the state’s sports history.

“It’s going to be the biggest event from a sports perspective hosted in Oregon’s history, I think,” McGowan said.

Earlier this year, the NBA sent out a memo saying it was opening bidding for the 2017 and ’18 All-Star games. The 2015 game will be played at New York’s Madison Square Garden, co-hosted by the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, and the 2016 game has been awarded to Toronto, with the Raptors hosting for the first time.

Trail Blazers sign Steve Blake

Trail Blazers sign Steve Blake

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Steve Blake, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey. Reports say the contract is for two years and between $4 and $4.2 million total.

Blake, 34, has averaged 6.9 points (40.3% FG, 38.8% 3-PT, 78.3% FT), 2.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists with Washington, Portland, Milwaukee, Denver, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers and Golden State.

“Steve is the consummate gamer,” said Olshey. “His natural leadership skills, ability to run a team and offensive skill set are a natural fit for our roster composition and style of play.”

Blake returns to the Trail Blazers for a third time during his NBA career after playing in Portland during the 2005-06 season and again from 2007-10. He signed with Portland as a free agent on each occasion, and was last traded from Portland on Feb. 16, 2010, in a deal that also sent Travis Outlaw to the Clippers in exchange for Marcus Camby.

In 269 games (232 starts) over four seasons with the Trail Blazers, Blake holds averages of 8.9 points (42.0% FG, 40.8% 3-PT, 79.4% FT), 2.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He notched career highs of 11.0 points per game and a 42.7 percent mark from 3-point range in 2008-09, his last full season with Portland.

“Steve is the perfect fit for our team,” said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “He brings experience, toughness, leadership, shooting and consistent defense. Steve will be a complement to our backcourt and provide mentorship for our young players.”

Blake (6-3, 172) played four years at the University of Maryland and was selected by the Wizards with the ninth pick in the second round (38th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft.

Trail Blazers sign Chris Kaman

Trail Blazers sign Chris Kaman

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent center Chris Kaman, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey. According to the Oregonian newspaper, the deal is for $9.5 million over two years. Other reports had the deal at $9.8 million.

Kaman, 32, holds career averages of 11.7 points (48.7% FG, 74.5% FT), 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.

“We targeted Chris early in the process believing his offensive versatility and defensive presence would make for a quality addition to our front court,” said Olshey. “His skill set complements our returning roster players and we expect him to have an immediate impact.”

An NBA All-Star in 2010, Kaman averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks for the Lakers last season.

“I am extremely pleased to add Chris to our roster,” said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “He is a proven NBA talent and will both bolster and complement our front court at both ends of the floor.”

Kaman (7-0, 265) played collegiately at Central Michigan University and was selected by the Clippers with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft.

He will wear No. 35 for the Trail Blazers.

Chris Kaman talks about why he is signing with Blazers

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on center Chris Kaman, who is reportedly set to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers:

Chris Kaman discusses joining the Blazers

An array of reasons led Kaman’s to choose the Blazers, including his close relationship with general manager Neil Olshey and assistant coach Kim Hughes. Kaman played for the Los Angeles Clippers for eight seasons and both men were instrumental in his development when they were involved in the organization. After enduring what he described as a “rough couple of years” with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers over the last two seasons, he wanted to be around people he trusted.

But an even bigger draw to Portland was winning. Kaman has played 11 NBA seasons and been a part of a winning team just once — in 2005-06 with the Clippers. The only other time he sniffed .500 was with the Mavericks in 2012-13.

“I want to be back in playoffs and help the team get back to wining the title,” Kaman said. “I think the Trail Blazers are right at that level.”

Back to the last two seasons … Kaman said his stint with the Mavericks just “didn’t pan out.” He signed with Dallas excited about the chance to play alongside All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and eager to “get a serious opportunity to win.” But Nowitzki was injured early in the season and played just 53 games. As a byproduct, the Mavericks did not make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons. All the while, Kaman’s relationship with coach Rick Carlisle soured.

Chris Kaman to join Trail Blazers

Here’s the Columbian reporting on the Portland Trail Blazers:

Chris Kaman to join Trail Blazers

While the biggest dominos in the NBA landscape have yet to fall, the Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly used their biggest free agent bargaining chip.

The Blazers have agreed to a two-year $10 million deal with former Lakers big man and 11-year veteran center Chris Kaman.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the news. Multiple reports indicate the second year of the contract is only partially guaranteed.

Kaman played in 39 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013-14, averaging 18.9 minutes per game, 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds on 50.9 percent shooting.

Trail Blazers promote Joe Cronin to Director of Player Personnel

Trail Blazers promote Joe Cronin to Director of Player Personnel

The Portland Trail Blazers have promoted Joe Cronin to the position of Director of Player Personnel, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Cronin, now entering his ninth season with Portland, most recently served as the team’s Pro Scout/Salary Cap Analyst, a position he’s held since 2010.

In his new role, Cronin will manage all aspects of the NBA Salary Cap for the team, college and international scouting in preparation for the NBA Draft, and NBA scouting for free agency and trades.

“Joe possesses a unique skill set that is critical to the success of our organization,” said Olshey. “His expertise and contributions in multiple areas make him an invaluable member of our front office staff.”

Cronin joined the Trail Blazers as a Basketball Operations Intern in 2006 after finishing graduate school at the University of Denver, where he earned his master’s degree and served as the Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball team. A Denver native, Cronin played college basketball at Regis University and the University of Northern Colorado.

Video: Damian Lillard helps Blazers win Game 4 against Spurs

Monday in Portland, the Trail Blazers were facing elimination, but stepped up and beat the Spurs 103-92. San Antonio still leads the series 3-1, but at least the Blazers stayed alive to fight another day. Damian Lillard shot 11-of-21 for 25 points and five assists in the win. Here are some Lillard video highlights:

Damian Lillard says the Spurs set painful screens

Here’s CSNNW reporting on the Spurs and Trail Blazers second round NBA playoff series:

The San Antonio Spurs proved why they are a fascinating, well-oiled, attention to detail running machine. Their execution is clean and crisp. They run their sets and get into them with plenty of time to go through their options.

But what was blatantly noticeable during their 114-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers to go up 2-0 in the series is how they got their guys open shots and quality paths to the basket. It’s not rocket science. In order to free someone up, there has to be one of those body-to-body clashes that you seldom see anymore.

Damian Lillard explains exactly what that annoying contact is termed in the game of basketball. It’s a tactic the Spurs do often and so well.

“Their screens hurt. They actually set real screens,” Lillard told CSNNW.com. “They do a great job of setting and holding screens. It wears you down. Chasing Tony Parker is one thing. Getting hit every single time is another thing. It takes a toll on you.”