October 4, 2005
Blazers set out to reverse their fortunes
By ANNE M. PETERSON
The Associated Press
PORTLAND — Ruben Patterson showed up for training camp with a smile on his face.
A smile?
Last year at this time Patterson came in grumbling about his lack of (future) playing time and a perceived verbal slight by team management. As he wrapped up the season, he suggested it might be
in everybody’s best interest that he be traded.
"I’m happy this year, y’all," Patterson proclaimed Monday, making light of last season’s performance.
The Trail Blazers were readying to board a bus for McMinnville, home of Linfield College, where they’ll spend a week getting to know each other and new coach Nate McMillan, former coach of
the Seattle Supersonics.
"I’m just ready to play, man," Patterson said. "I’m happy that Nate’s here to turn this team around."
McMillan has his work cut out for him.
The Blazers finished 27-55 last season, their worst record since 1973-74.
Popular coach Maurice Cheeks was fired last March and Blazers director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard served as interim coach the rest of the season. The Blazers gave up on any chance they
had of making the playoffs, deciding to evaluate talent instead.
McMillan, hired in the offseason, inherits one of the NBA’s youngest franchises. Three years of thorough housecleaning results in a team with an average age of around 24.
The team’s top three draft picks over the past three years have come straight from high school — forward Travis Outlaw and guards Sebastian Telfair and Martell Webster. Forward Darius
Miles, starting his sixth season in the league, also was drafted out of high school.
"There’s so much we need to teach and learn," McMillan said.
Gone are several veteran faces from last year, including Portland native Damon Stoudamire, a free agent who went to the Memphis Grizzlies; Derek Anderson, signed by the Houston Rockets after the
Blazers released him; and Shareef Abdur Rahim, a free agent who wound up in Sacramento.
McMillan said he plans to give everyone a fresh start and hasn’t determined his starters for the coming season. The team opens the exhibition season on Oct. 12 at the Rose Garden against
McMillian’s former team, the Sonics. The regular season opens Nov. 2 at Minnesota.
As it stands, the Blazers appear imbalanced with too many small forwards and one real power forward in Zach Randolph. They also will have considerable competition at point guard, where New York
prep phenom Sebastian Telfair will be challenged by rookie draft pick Jarrett Jack and free agent Steve Blake.
A key will be Randolph’s recovery from surgery on his right knee late last season.
Randolph, who was the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2003-2004, said Monday he is not "game ready" yet, and is unsure how much he’ll play in the preseason.
Another issue will be Miles, who had a verbal run-in with Cheeks last season and complained down the stretch about everything from a sore neck to the media’s perception of his work ethic.
McMillan said he had a long talk with the young forward in the offseason.
"He has a great deal of potential and I want to help him." McMillan said. "I need his help and I think he needs mine."
A subdued Miles said he was ready to accept the challenge.
"There’s more focus now," he said. "I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do."
