Blazers Vid from Today

[ABM]

...in case you missed it:

http://videos.oregonlive.com/oregonlive/2009/03/wednesday_blazers_practice_fro.html

From: The O

As you would expect, today's Blazers practice was focused on the task at hand: Thursday's game against the surging Suns.

McMillan also said his team, which outside of Joel Przybilla, Steve Blake and Mike Ruffin, has no playoff experience, will need to adjust -- emotionally -- as the importance of each game increases the rest of the season. The Blazers, it seems, are loosing their cool at critical times in the "playoff atmosphere" and becoming "drunk" with their own emotions, which is negatively affecting their play.
"We talked about that -- learning to keep a clam head; not getting emotionally drunk out there," McMillan said. "Basically you're so emotional that you forget what you're supposed to be doing on the floor and it was a physical game and there were some calls that weren't made, I think, on both ends of the floor. In that situation we have to stay calm and be able to play through that."

Also

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/03/blazers_practice_report.html#more

Before and after practice Wednesday, the Trail Blazers had an "internal media day," which means the players participated in slew of photo and video shoots and interviews for future in-game promotions, specifically -- dare I say? -- in preparation for any looming playoff games.

That means two things: Practice was held at the Rose Garden and the players, already loaded with responsibilities, practically sprinted away from the floor afterward. So, there's not much to report today. I did catch up with coach Nate McMillan, however, so here are a couple of practice notes:

Batum questionable vs. Suns
Nicolas Batum did not participate in most of the Blazers' practice because of a tender left ankle and McMillan said his starting small forward was questionable against the Suns. After missing the previous two games with a sprained ankle, Batum returned to the starting lineup Monday night against Philadelphia. But he experienced some swelling after the game and had lingering discomfort Tuesday morning.........................

 

[mgb]

'loosing their cool'?

 

[crandc]

learning to keep a clam head;

Clams don't have heads.

Maybe that's the problem? Too many clam heads on the team?

 

[hasoos]

Clams don't have heads.

Maybe that's the problem? Too many clam heads on the team?

Better not take them to a Sauna. You would end up with a bunch of steamed clams.