MB answers my questions

What is your gut feeling on John Nash's future with the team?

-I hope John is back with the team,
and it wouldn't really do any good
for me to try and predict what will happen.
He's a terrific guy and I usually end up
sitting near him on the team bus when he makes
trips with us. We talk a lot of basketball
history, politics, horse racing, and he always
has trivia questions ready. I don't know where
a lot of you guys stand when it comes to John,
but I would encourage you to keep in mind how
difficult a situation he stepped into in Portland.
He was told to cut payroll, drastically, bring in
character guys, and continue to try and win.
He's done all three. The winning obviously
hasn't been there as much as any of us would like,
but I think he's done a pretty good job with everything
else. Give him credit for signing guys like Joel
Przybilla, Steve Blake, and Juan Dixon. He pushed
hard for Sebastian Telfair, and Martell Webster, and
also got Jarrett Jack in last year's draft. He would
say it has been a team effort in getting all of this
done, but it's happened on John's watch, and he's the GM.


If you were replaced on TV, do you'd take that
especially hard because you're a local kid, and grew
up a Blazer fan (I pressume)? Or are you already at the
point where you're cynical enough that it doesn't matter?

-I don't want to think about that actually. I will be
here as long as they want me here. It's a rare thing
in this league that a guy ends up calling the games for
the team he grew up watching. I realize how rare
and special that is. I love Portland and don't want
to leave. I went to Blazer games growing up and have
a good grasp and perspective on the history of the
franchise that I wouldn't have for another team. I
know it's a volitile business, but I can't imagine
not being involved with the franchise. Like a lot
of you know, it gets in your blood.

What's an average day in Mike Barretts life
(during the season)?

-Not very exciting. My wife and I had a baby last
June and he takes up most of my time when I'm home.
The travel is very tough and it's been especially hard
to be away during long stretches this season. It's a
strange job because of the travel, and because weekends
and holidays don't mean as much, meaning, we work all
the time. We were gone for Thanksgiving for the second
straight year, and left on Christmas Day for a game
at Sacramento. I was away for my wife's birthday, our
anniversary, and will be gone on Easter. Obviously,
you've got to have an understanding spouse, and I do.
I can't think of a day recently that I've totally had off.
I'm either doing a game on TV, travelling, hosting the
radio show, doing the blog or writing for the game program,or am busy at the computer researching our next opponent and reading articles. It's doesn't end, and if you get lazy it's very, very noticable to a lot of people.

People often ask what we do during the summer. After working just about everyday for seven months, we take a little time off. The radio show, of course, continues year round, and with the draft, and summer league, we're still very busy. The one thing I do a lot of during the summer is golf. I said you've got to have an understanding
spouse, and now having a baby, the golf may be limited this summer.

She's understanding, but not crazy.


Chevy or Ford?

-I've never owned either, but my dad was a Chevy guy so I guess I better go there. We had a couple of Chevy station wagons with the wood grain on the side.
Beautiful. He does own a Ford truck now, so I'm not sure what that means.

If you ran the team, who would you keep and who would you ditch?

-Are you serious? Didn't you just ask me about being replaced on TV?

If I were to answer this question I'd be able to truly tell you how it feels to get replaced.

Which organization treats you guys the best (on the road)?

-All the teams do a good job. Some have better game notes than others, and some are more attentive to our needs than others. The league keeps pretty close watch on this kind of stuff, so it's pretty consistent around the NBA. There are some cities that are much more enjoyable than others to visit, but that doesn't have much to do with the individual franchises.

Interview with Mike Barrett, part deux

Despite repeated warnings from the Trail Blazers and threats to take away his free combs from Super Cuts, Mike Barrett "MB" agree'd to answer another around of questions from yours truly. This time, I left most of the questions up to some of my fellow Blazer fans however I edited a few of them to add additional parts to the questions.

Here is most of his results, as he didn't get to my questions yet (he mentioned something about having to wash Kevin Pritchards car).

Hap: Will Jack become a good ball player someday?

MB: You talking about my son Jack (who's 10 months
old, by the way) or Jarrett. Jarrett's already good,
so I assume you're talking about little Jack.
If so, then yes. I currently trying to establish
that he's left handed. All the good ones are.

Hap: Who do you (no side stepping) think we should
draft?

MB: Side stepping? Who do you think I am, Mike Rice?
If Noah is available when the Blazers pick I'd grab him.
LaMarcus Aldridge is probably the most talented player
in the draft, and then there's Adam Morrison..hmm.
All I know is the lottery had better be kind to us this
season. I don't know enough about Andrea Bargnani,
the player they're comparing to Dirk Nowitski, but
I know Kevin Pritchard has seen him play and is
very impressed. As I've said before, I wouldn't
mind seeing the Blazers package the pick in a trade
for a veteran starter. Did I cover all my bases?

Hap: How many more years until you think this team
is going to be playoff bound?

MB: As New Orleans/Oklahoma City showed this season,
sometimes all it takes is the addition of one player
to get you over the hump. Granted, they're not over
the hump, but they're knocking on the door.

Realistically, I think it'll take another season of
growing before this team gets back in the post-season.

Hap: Pull out your crystal ball, and guesstimate how
many more wins this team will get this season?

MB: I think three is a realistic number.

That's including the Seattle game on Friday night.

Hap: What, in your opinion, are the Blazers's 3
biggest roster needs in order?

MB: That's tough because a lot will depend on
whether or not Joel Przybilla stays or goes. As I've
said before, if he's not here, he'll be in either
Chicago or Toronto. If he opts to leave, they'll
have to go after a big man to replace him. There is
not a great crop of free agent big men available
this summer, so they may have to do that through
the draft or a trade. Outside of that, outside
shooting is still a concern, and a true back
up power forward is probably needed.

How about Nene? He fits both bills.

Hap: What, in your opinion, are the chances
of the Blazers actually leaving Portland?

MB: I sure hope they don't. I certainly
don't want to leave the best area in the
country. We're all just hoping this thing gets
figured out sooner than later. Like everyone,
I'd be very suprised to see them go. You worry
about the things you can control, and none of
us have any control right now of this.

Hap: If you thought it would help the team,
would ever you do something to cause a game
official to toss you from a game?

MB: I have to admit that earlier this season
an official told me to "knock it off." I'm
still not quite sure what I did, but I blamed
it on Rice, who, of course, has been tossed
out before. During time outs Rice and I have
a way of loudly discussing bad calls. Is it
our fault if someone is evesdropping?

Hap: Who is funnier off-air; Brian Wheeler or
Mike Rice?

MB: They're funny in entirely different ways.
Rice is usually funny by accident. Unintentional
humor I think it's called. He's a one-man circus
without even trying.

Wheels also cracks me up and we have a great time
together off the court. Some of our best times are
on long flights across the country. I'd go stir
crazy if it wasn't for these guys. We've got
a very tight broadcast unit. I mean all the
broadcasters and our travelling crew.

We debate nearly everything, and of course, are
usually very loud. What do you expect when you
put a bunch of people who talk for a living in
the same four rows of a plane? Writers have to
travel alone, we at least have each other.

Hap: Do you think Nedzad will ever be a blazer?

MB: I watched him at summer league in Las Vegas
and he had really improved over his first summer.

That being said, he's still a long way away.
I look forward to seeing him again this summer,
if he's in the summer league team's plans.

He's huge, and has that going for him, which is nice.

Hap: Do you think Nate has any idea, or cares really
for that matter, how the fans feel about certain players?

Telfair, Webster, Outlaw etal. Most of the fans
want to see tham play instead of, well others.
Does he care, and does it matter in the long run?

MB: Absolutely. Nate is very tuned in, and has
done a good job of balancing all of the things
he has to do, politically, and what he wants to
do. All coaches have to do this. He spoke to our
staff on Thursday at a big meeting, and spoke of
his love for the organization, and his confidence
in future success. I'm a huge Nate believer and
I'm not just saying that. I think it's great to
start the building process with a guy like him
around. It's been a trying year for him to be sure,
but I know he wouldn't change anything if he had
it to do over again.

Hap: Is it true we could have traded Miles for
Penny and Allen said no? If yes WHY!

(sub: Is it true that there were a couple trades
with Miles and other "vets" that Paul Allen nixed?
How much influence does Paul Allen have when it
comes to who is on the team? Compared to other
owners?)

MB: All owners are involved in putting the final
stamp of approval on any deal. Nate was asked
this the other day after practice and said the
same thing. He said it was no different in
Seattle. I don't know the details of why the
Penny trade didn't go down. I'm not even
entirely sure it made it to the table, like
everyone thinks. Paul should have the final say
on anything that happens, or doesn't happen.
It's his team and his money. He has to balance
his opinions with the advice he gets from the
people he's hired, and come up with a decision.

Hap: I get the impression by reading your blog
that you and Joel are pretty good friends, any
chance you can help convince him to stay?

MB: I've tried. In fact, I'm still trying,
and will keep trying all the way until July 1st.
He probably gets sick of hearing it from me.
We spend time on the road together, and our wives
have become close. I want him to do what's
best for him in the end.

Just like you do for your friends. I don't think
at this point he really knows what he's going to do.
The Blazers are limited in what they can offer him.
Teams like Chicago and Toronto can offer more.
Time will tell if they will. Joel isn't blowing
smoke when he says he loves it in Portland and feels
he owes the franchise a lot for believing in him
when almost no one else would give him a chance.
This is the biggest summer of his career. I did
say in my blog at one point that fans can
really help turn players by showing support.
If you haven't yet, send him a letter.
Get busy though because time is running out.
You can just send it to him

c/o Trail Blazers,
One Center Court,
Suite 200
Portland, OR, 97227.

He'll get it, and will appreciate it.

Hap: Throughout this losing streak,
you've specifically made it a point to hammer
home how much the Blazers' opponent has
to play for, calling each game against
the Blazers a "must-win" for the opponent.
Is this to justify, or make excuses for,
why the Blazers are losing so badly every game?

MB: I think it's just to illustrate how
tough it is to find ways to motivate players
who aren't going to the playoffs. I've used
"must win" lately against Sacramento and Utah.
I still believe that win by the Kings in
Portland was huge in getting them on this roll
that will carry them into the playoffs.
Utah had to win to have a chance at catching
the Kings. It's not going to happen though.
As for the last part of the question, I'd
probably have to say there's some truth to that
as well. Rather than term it "excuses,"
I'd probably say "reasons." Yes, that's hard
when you're getting blown out.

Hap: In the last several games, you've eluded
to Darius' bad knee and his "rust" after coming
back from missing games due to his grandfather's
funeral as possible reasons why he's been
playing so poorly. Do you truly think that's
what it is, or do you really think - like most
fans - that Darius plays with zero passion
and doesn't use his athleticism to attack the basket?

MB: I think it's been a frustrating season for
Darius, obviously. I do think the death of his
grandfather was a huge loss for him. This is
the guy who raised him, and was the key father
figure in his life. He's also had other people
in his family battling health issues this season.

That being said, it is frustrating to watch a
player every night who has tremendous potential.
But I haven't walked in Darius' shoes this
season and can't judge what's going on in his mind.
I certainly understand the fans' frustration at
times and wish I had a better answer.

Hap: Where did you get the nickname "The Hawk"
and who gave it to you?

MB: This is a stupid story, and I'll try and
keep it short. While at Oregon State a few of us
worked the old Far West Classic basketball tournament,
which always took place over Christmas break.
A couple of friends and I were in charge of driving
the teams around in vans. My team one year was
St.Joseph's.

They have this Hawk mascot that flaps its wings
from the time the team comes out to warm up, until
the game is over. It never stops. It's really pretty
impressive. I guess the guy is on scholarship and everything.
Anyway, the Hawk became a crowd favorite because
people noticed the guy never stopped flapping. A bunch
of kids were getting autographs around the team at one
point, and a friend of mine, as a joke, yelled to
the kids that I was the Hawk. I ended up signing about
200 autographs that week as the Hawk. For whatever
reason, that stuck. It died after college, and
Wheels was the guy who brought it back when I was
the radio host. By the way, the upper press table
at the Rose Garden, where I used to sit to host
the radio broadcasts, is still called "The Hawk's Nest."
Sometimes I'll hear guys refer to it and I know they
have no idea where that came from. If it were a more
exciting story I'd probably tell them.

Hap: What players hang out together on the road etc.?
Are there any guys on the team that dont care for
each other?

MB: I think all the players are pretty tight on this team.
Remember, there are five first-time fathers on the team
this season, so they don't have much time when they're
home to hang out. Steve Blake's wife is also expecting,
so make that six. On the road I see certain players
together, but it always changes. I think that's good.

It might suprise you a little, but the players don't go
out much on the road. Most of them just get room service.
We don't get much down time on the road. We're usually
in and out very quickly.

Hap: Who has been your least favorite Blazer player and why?

MB: This isn't dodging the question, believe me, but I
don't have one. All the guys have treated me well, and
I honestly really like all the guys we have now. The
only guy I really never got to know was Rasheed.
That doesn't mean I didn't like him, I just didn't know him.

Hap: Who is your least favorite NBA player and why?

MB: Again, I can't say that one comes to mind.
I don't get to know many guys on other teams,
unless they've played here at some point.

Hap: Who do you feel are a part of the Blazer core
that the team wants to build around for next season?

MB: That's tough to say, but I know they're thrilled
with the young guys. Jarrett, Sebastian, Martell,
Viktor, they've all been great. Steve Blake and Juan
Dixon have done more than what was expected of them,
and if they can sign Joel, he's certainly a core-type
guy.

Hap: Do you think that we could get Derek Anderson
back for Darius Miles?

MB: No. And, would you really want that?

Hap: What can you tell us about Sergei Monia? How
is he doing, and how well is he adjusting to his
new situation?

MB: I didn't get to know Sergei very well. As you
probably know, he doesn't speak much English. He
did come over and say hello to us both times we've
played the Kings since the trade. Viktor likes him,
of course, and that's good enough for me. He hasn't
gotten much of a chance with the Kings, but they like
him, and think he'll be a solid player sooner than later.

Hap: Have you ever felt like smacking Mike Rice
in the back of the head after one of his terrible
jokes?

MB: Yes, and I have.

Hap: Have you ever ridden in Darius Miles' car?
Does it look anywhere near as silly on the inside
as it looks on the outside?

MB: Which one? No, I haven't. All I know is I
couldn't afford it in five lifetimes.

Hap: Which Blazer pulls the funniest practical jokes?

MB: Damon Stoudamire used to fill Travis Outlaw's
mouth with paper when he slept on the plane.
Damon was always doing stuff like that.
Brian Skinner has the potential to be that kind of guy.
Skinner is hilarous. I don't know that we have
a great practical joker currently, other than Skinner,
and he's only been here since February.
Viktor could be on that list as well, along with Ha.
When we're doing our TV open on the court before the
games, Ha is always coming by and grabbing my
microphone cable, or flicking my ear, or bumping
my stool hard.

Hap: Which Blazer has the most practical jokes
pulled on him?

MB: Travis, without a doubt.

Hap: Do you get hit up for autographs at the games?

MB: Once in a great while, and I usually see
them reading it after I walk away, I'm sure wondering
"who the hell was that?" Little kids are usually the
ones who ask the most.

Hap: Can you ask Nate if he will play the young
players the rest of the year?

MB: I can ask, but he'll probably be thinking
"who the hell does he think he is?"

Hap: Do you think Miles has just given up on
the season and will come back with passion if
he's some how still with the Blazers next year?
If yes how many games do you think it'll last?

MB: He hasn't given up on the season. I'm not
sure if he'll be back next season or not.

We'll find out soon enough.

Hap: How would you feel about having Bill Schonley
call a game, or even a quarter, on one of those
retro-night games?

MB: You better ask Wheels that question. He'd be
wearing his headset, not mine.

Again, thanks to Mike Barrett! I know he didn't have
to answer these or be as candid as he was
(as it was). Now as for the readers of the blog,I'll let you all go back to your
bickering online with me (and others) and listening to "One vision" by Queen.

Fried Chicken!