http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13758136p-14600353c.html
By Sam Amick
The thing about trail blazing? You're bound to get burned doing it.
Such is the daily existence for first-year Portland coach Nate McMillan. He brings all the credibility and discipline the Trail Blazers' front office wanted. But he was handed a squad that - behave well as it may - hasn't shown an ability to play well.
McMillan, who led Seattle past the Kings and into the second round of the playoffs last season, said the on-court turnaround in his new locale won't be quick.
"It's not going to be fixed overnight," McMillan said. "It's going to take some time. People down here were really hurt by what has gone on in the last few years, and they want to see change fast. And the direction that we're going, and the direction we're going to take, it won't happen fast."
Friendly chats
Before they were greeted in different ways by Blazers fans, Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim caught up with friendly faces at the halfcourt line.
Wells chatted with old teammate Darius Miles, who was sporting an Afro that made him look like a skinny version of Detroit's Ben Wallace. Abdur-Rahim joined in, talking with Miles and Portland forward Zach Randolph.
Key dates
Today: Vs. Phoenix in Fresno - For a day, Fresno State takes second place on the sports totem pole in Bulldog town.
Wednesday: Vs. Phoenix in Albuquerque, N.M. - The Suns and Kings continue on Obscure City Tour 2005.
Friday: Vs. Lakers in Las Vegas - The trifecta is complete in the last non-NBA city location, as Lakers coach Phil Jackson faces the team he was so close to coaching (wink, wink). Oct. 31: The official cut day before the regular season begins.
By Sam Amick
The thing about trail blazing? You're bound to get burned doing it.
Such is the daily existence for first-year Portland coach Nate McMillan. He brings all the credibility and discipline the Trail Blazers' front office wanted. But he was handed a squad that - behave well as it may - hasn't shown an ability to play well.
McMillan, who led Seattle past the Kings and into the second round of the playoffs last season, said the on-court turnaround in his new locale won't be quick.
"It's not going to be fixed overnight," McMillan said. "It's going to take some time. People down here were really hurt by what has gone on in the last few years, and they want to see change fast. And the direction that we're going, and the direction we're going to take, it won't happen fast."
Friendly chats
Before they were greeted in different ways by Blazers fans, Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim caught up with friendly faces at the halfcourt line.
Wells chatted with old teammate Darius Miles, who was sporting an Afro that made him look like a skinny version of Detroit's Ben Wallace. Abdur-Rahim joined in, talking with Miles and Portland forward Zach Randolph.
Key dates
Today: Vs. Phoenix in Fresno - For a day, Fresno State takes second place on the sports totem pole in Bulldog town.
Wednesday: Vs. Phoenix in Albuquerque, N.M. - The Suns and Kings continue on Obscure City Tour 2005.
Friday: Vs. Lakers in Las Vegas - The trifecta is complete in the last non-NBA city location, as Lakers coach Phil Jackson faces the team he was so close to coaching (wink, wink). Oct. 31: The official cut day before the regular season begins.
