- Joined
- Oct 5, 2008
- Messages
- 127,025
- Likes
- 147,631
- Points
- 115
Here are the answers to the questions you asked Joel Freeland.
Casey is really busy but will do his best to do more of these for us throughout the season with other players.
Thank you Casey and thanks everyone who posted questions.
How does it feel to be a part of a solid rotation after all the hard work you've put in?
"It feels great. It feels like I really accomplished something. But I can't slow down now, I've got to get back to work and keep trying to improve."
We've seen you paired with Meyers Leonard a few times quite effectively. Do you see the coach gaining confidence in the twin towers approach?
The Twin Towers? Who knows. Meyers has been working really hard, he's been getting better every day. He's had his ups and downs just like everyone does during the season. But I think his opportunity is going to come again. He's a good player, he's doing his job, he's doing what he needs to do. We'll see. I'm not sure if it's going to be any time soon, but we'll see.
Who does Joel like to play against in the post and what's the biggest challenge game to game?
I like a challenge. I like going up against the best. I kind of got frustrated in the game I went up against Dwight (Howard) because I got into foul trouble quick and I didn't really have a chance to play against him. But someone like him, who's established, who's good on the block so I can challenge myself so I know what I've got to do.
Who (aside from your obvious hard work) has been the most important in your development this year? Hughes? Stotts? LMA? Sports Psychologist? Watching tapes of Ewing?
I think its everyone in general. It's been a collective effort. I've put in a lot of work myself because I wanted to be in this league and stay in this league. Obviously Kim has been hugely helpful to me, the coaching staff has been hugely helpful, Meyers has been helpful. Everybody really that has stuck with me, been behind me. Dale Osbourne as well, he's been behind me helping me every day. Every day I want to come in and shoot or something, he's there. Same with Kim. It's been a group effort."
Do you think an expansion NBA franchise in London would be viable in London in the next 10 years? What other cities would you go to to fill out a 4-or-5-team division?
Who knows. I know they've been dabbling with that for a while, been trying to expand the franchises. But I don't know if it would work or not or if it would be a viable situation. But there's some great cities in Europe, Paris being one of them. There's some great cities in Germany, Spain, England. Who know, it could work.
Who's the best player you've played against (or in Europe) who's not in the NBA?
Probably a player who was in the NBA, Mike Batiste. He actually played for Memphis. Erazem Lorbek who plays for Barcelona at the moment is a very good player.
Can a Euro-style coach (like Blatt) make it in the NBA, or would they be too strict or not flexible enough?
I don't know. Every coach has their own style. In Europe you have your strict coaches and you have your coaches who aren't as strict. It's the same in the NBA.
Who's the biggest trash talker you've played against?
I haven't been up against many trash-talkers, to be honest. I couldn't tell you.
Was your dad really a boxer (street-fighter)? What impact did he have on your life?
He was not a boxer, he wasn't a fighter, he wasn't anything like that. I don't know where that came from. That was never the case.
Does he like the city of Portland? Favorite thing about Portland and least favorite thing?
I like the city. It reminds me of England, obviously the weather and the climate, but the place is just nice. It's a quiet town, there's no crime, it's clean. I live downtown, so it's a really nice environment for me.
I'm a huge Blazers fan who is moving to Kent, not far from Surrey where you were born. Recommend a pub?
Kent area I'm not too sure, but I do know Gilford area quiet well. There's a lot of nice place in the Gilford area.
Who is the funniest teammate on the Blazers?
Has to be Meyers, for sure. Meyers is a clown.
How is he planning on celebrating St. Totteringham's Day this year?
There's no such thing as St. Tottenham's Day. St. Tottenham's Day? Never heard of it. I won't be celebrating it.
Casey is really busy but will do his best to do more of these for us throughout the season with other players.
Thank you Casey and thanks everyone who posted questions.
How does it feel to be a part of a solid rotation after all the hard work you've put in?
"It feels great. It feels like I really accomplished something. But I can't slow down now, I've got to get back to work and keep trying to improve."
We've seen you paired with Meyers Leonard a few times quite effectively. Do you see the coach gaining confidence in the twin towers approach?
The Twin Towers? Who knows. Meyers has been working really hard, he's been getting better every day. He's had his ups and downs just like everyone does during the season. But I think his opportunity is going to come again. He's a good player, he's doing his job, he's doing what he needs to do. We'll see. I'm not sure if it's going to be any time soon, but we'll see.
Who does Joel like to play against in the post and what's the biggest challenge game to game?
I like a challenge. I like going up against the best. I kind of got frustrated in the game I went up against Dwight (Howard) because I got into foul trouble quick and I didn't really have a chance to play against him. But someone like him, who's established, who's good on the block so I can challenge myself so I know what I've got to do.
Who (aside from your obvious hard work) has been the most important in your development this year? Hughes? Stotts? LMA? Sports Psychologist? Watching tapes of Ewing?
I think its everyone in general. It's been a collective effort. I've put in a lot of work myself because I wanted to be in this league and stay in this league. Obviously Kim has been hugely helpful to me, the coaching staff has been hugely helpful, Meyers has been helpful. Everybody really that has stuck with me, been behind me. Dale Osbourne as well, he's been behind me helping me every day. Every day I want to come in and shoot or something, he's there. Same with Kim. It's been a group effort."
Do you think an expansion NBA franchise in London would be viable in London in the next 10 years? What other cities would you go to to fill out a 4-or-5-team division?
Who knows. I know they've been dabbling with that for a while, been trying to expand the franchises. But I don't know if it would work or not or if it would be a viable situation. But there's some great cities in Europe, Paris being one of them. There's some great cities in Germany, Spain, England. Who know, it could work.
Who's the best player you've played against (or in Europe) who's not in the NBA?
Probably a player who was in the NBA, Mike Batiste. He actually played for Memphis. Erazem Lorbek who plays for Barcelona at the moment is a very good player.
Can a Euro-style coach (like Blatt) make it in the NBA, or would they be too strict or not flexible enough?
I don't know. Every coach has their own style. In Europe you have your strict coaches and you have your coaches who aren't as strict. It's the same in the NBA.
Who's the biggest trash talker you've played against?
I haven't been up against many trash-talkers, to be honest. I couldn't tell you.
Was your dad really a boxer (street-fighter)? What impact did he have on your life?
He was not a boxer, he wasn't a fighter, he wasn't anything like that. I don't know where that came from. That was never the case.
Does he like the city of Portland? Favorite thing about Portland and least favorite thing?
I like the city. It reminds me of England, obviously the weather and the climate, but the place is just nice. It's a quiet town, there's no crime, it's clean. I live downtown, so it's a really nice environment for me.
I'm a huge Blazers fan who is moving to Kent, not far from Surrey where you were born. Recommend a pub?
Kent area I'm not too sure, but I do know Gilford area quiet well. There's a lot of nice place in the Gilford area.
Who is the funniest teammate on the Blazers?
Has to be Meyers, for sure. Meyers is a clown.
How is he planning on celebrating St. Totteringham's Day this year?
There's no such thing as St. Tottenham's Day. St. Tottenham's Day? Never heard of it. I won't be celebrating it.
Last edited:
