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Hype #9 · 04-09-2006, 12:58 PM

A very positive article about Telfair in Sunday's Paper. From a coach that rarely gives his players credit, he sure sounds like he loves Telfair. And who says Nate & Telfair can't co-exist?

Quote:

"One thing I have seen out of the kid is he is confident and he has a heart," McMillan said. "He has a passion about this game, and I think he has improved. I feel comfortable with him running the team. The only thing that has been a problem is matching him up with guards defensively, especially without Theo (Ratliff) being out there."

Along the way, Telfair has shown two traits that have endeared him to McMillan: leadership and a desire to stay in Portland next season.

Telfair adamantly says that the Blazers are the perfect fit for him. And while teammates have plodded through the final month, taking losses as if they were expected, Telfair has been a constant energizer both on and off the court, pleading for effort and encouraging his teammates.

"I have seen it all season long, throughout training camp," McMillan said of Telfair's attitude. "And with Sebastian, even though he is not a captain, I knew he would do things a captain would do. He speaks up every day. Every day. . . . He is very competitive, and he has been that way from day one, just very consistent with it."

Telfair has emerged as one of the brightest figures in the Blazers' otherwise dismal season with a strong finish that has included a reduction in turnovers, better shot selection and improved on-the-ball defense, all of which has complemented his growing leadership skills.

"It looks like he is in control of the team out there," McMillan said.

McMillan said Telfair has earned the late-game minutes and the title of an improving player because of his decision making. In his first 30 games this season, Telfair went one game without a turnover; in his next 30, Telfair had 13 without a miscue.

"I think he fought it early on, but now he is really working to be that point guard who can set up, deliver, but at the same time score," McMillan said. "I think what we are seeing now is a guard who at times is not scoring, but you don't see the frustration that you saw earlier. Things are not forced. He's trying to run the offense."

Yet, there was Telfair, always up on the bench cheering his teammates, particularly Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack, his competition at point guard.

"To me, that said a lot about the guy," McMillan said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/or...l=7&thispage=1

**Blazer Freak** · 04-09-2006, 01:04 PM

Public Defender · 04-09-2006, 01:11 PM

It's good of Quick to do a story on one of the few bright spots, as the team moves to the bottom of the NBA standings. Seriously, the Blazers have some building blocks, and anyone who's watched the team through these rough patches knows that it hasn't been all bad (same as anyone who watched the Blazers during their playoff runs, not everything was good - which Blazer beat writers certainly pointed out at the time).

I would love to see more writing that includes in-game/in-practice analysis of how the Blazers' play the game - talking about Sebastian's on-the-ball defense and shot selection is great stuff, and a sports' fan, it's far more interesting than the behind-the-scene soap opera drama that may or may not have a significant impact on the court.

Kmurph · 04-09-2006, 01:28 PM

Telfair
Webster
Jack
Khryapa

These are the players who should comprise POR core going forward....and they all have one thing in common...they are all hard workers, who haven't quit....

Hopefully POR will keep Skinner & be able to resign Pryzbilla, both of whom are hard working vets....

Blake has ben much better than advertised and is also a hard worker, but I see no reason for POR to stunt the growth of Telfair & Jack by keeping him next year...

I think POR SHOULD dump Miles & Zach, I think both have a detrimental effect on this team..

Dixon, Outlaw, Ha, Lenard, Theo I could care less if any of them return....I do think POR should use Outlaw as part of a deal to offload one of Miles\Theo if necessary...

ThatBlazerGuy · 04-09-2006, 02:35 PM

I agree with everything you said. Those 4 players are the only guys that seem interested, and thankfully they are all young.

chromekilla · 04-09-2006, 02:42 PM

Does telfair consider that u don't always get what u want.Earlier he said he wanted to play with nj.He might want to be here but the management might think other wise.The only players i want to stay here in the off season are.
Telfair
Jack
Webster
Ha
Kryapha
Skinner
Pryz
Outlaw
Blake would be really nice too but if we can use him to move miles and theo and zach then im all for it.Blake does deserve a competitive(sp) team he has worked hard most of the season not *****ing when he was on the bench behind younger players.
A team like cleveland would be good,Lakers.Both he could be starting pg.
Chi town would be a good team if we could move z-bo miles theo to them.I used to like miles i hope he can recover from the beginning of the season and play hard and i would love to keep him but if he plays half assed then kick him to the curb.

**Dan** · 04-09-2006, 02:48 PM

he didn't say he wanted to play in NJ (or New York) but that it's a dream of his. Doesn't mean he doesn't want to play here.

chromekilla · 04-09-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMiLE

he didn't say he wanted to play in NJ (or New York) but that it's a dream of his. Doesn't mean he doesn't want to play here.

I don't know i thought he was being serious about being there if he wasnt here.

**Dan** · 04-09-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zidane

I don't know i thought he was being serious about being there if he wasnt here.

it was a meaningless comment, that no one needs to take as proof of anything bad.

it doesn't mean he doesn't want to be here, or is a "NY thug" (or any of the other typical derogatory comments people make about telfair, when they know little about him).

chromekilla · 04-09-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMiLE

it was a meaningless comment, that no one needs to take as proof of anything bad.

it doesn't mean he doesn't want to be here, or is a "NY thug" (or any of the other typical derogatory comments people make about telfair, when they know little about him).

I don't consider calling someone a thug a bad thing.Just like pimp was a bad thing in earlier generations its a good thing now.And how ****** was a bad thing now alot of kids say it to each other.

**Dan** · 04-09-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zidane

I don't consider calling someone a thug a bad thing.Just like pimp was a bad thing in earlier generations its a good thing now.And how ****** was a bad thing now alot of kids say it to each other.

cept that those who say it about him, aren't saying it in an endearing manner. They're saying it to berate him, or show that they're "right about him".

chromekilla · 04-09-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMiLE

cept that those who say it about him, aren't saying it in an endearing manner. They're saying it to berate him, or show that they're "right about him".

Oh i didn't know that.

**Blazer Freak** · 04-09-2006, 04:53 PM

I think that article today in the paper pretty much said the Blazers are keeping Telfair, Nate seems to really like him now. It's between Jack and Blake, hopefully Blake is the one that is gone.

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