| 27 August 2009
It’s a simple question, but I’m just not sure if the answer is equally as easy. Here goes: did the Portland Trail Blazers get tougher this offseason?
And to add one more in there: did they get tougher mentally and/or physically?
Clearly adding Andre Miller gives Portland a double-dose in the toughness area, with the verdict still out on rookies Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph. A guy like Pendergraph may play the tough card, but if the playing time isn’t there for these two kids than the argument is dead.
Two seasons ago – and just days before the Blazers were set to begin training camp - I spoke with assistant coach Monty Williams about Portland’s need to flex some muscle during the upcoming regular season.
Monty said a few things that resonate very much right now and got me thinking about the Blazers today.
"I think a lot of people get it misunderstood that when you say you have to be physical, people think you have to go out there and punch somebody," Williams said, a guy who knows “tough” after playing alongside Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson and David Robinson during his career.
"I just think you have to hold your ground."
When I think of toughness – particularly physically - on the Blazers, one guy comes to mind: Joel Przybilla.
Who else? Brandon Roy, Steve Blake and Greg Oden could join that discussion. But is that it?
And where would you rank Portland in a toughness category across the league? Top ten? That may even be a stretch with the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Orlando, San Antonio, Cleveland, Denver, Utah, New Orleans, Houston and even Atlanta holding it down.
Here we are two years later and it’s as if Williams’ words hold even more weight today than they did in 2007. Because if Portland learned anything from their first round experience in the postseason against Houston last season, it’s that the game only becomes more intensified when the stakes are raised.
And since they were co-champs of the Northwest Division and have some playoff experience under their belts, the stakes are officially raised.
"When we put you down in the trenches, you have to take charges. You have to rebound. When you foul a guard when he comes through the lane you have to let him know not to come down here anymore,” Williams continued.
“That doesn't mean you have to beat your chest. It just means you have to do your job."
Training camp is about five weeks away.
Are the Blazers ready to muscle-up and really punch the clock?
That’s a tough call.
pic via: boston.com
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