THE Q
With Hall of Famer, former Trail Blazer Clyde Drexler
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Q: How do you like your Blazers this year?
A: I'm impressed with the Blazers. I think Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are doing a wonderful job. That's the team of the future in the NBA, and I could not be more proud of the job Nate McMillan is doing.
Q: Were you surprised by the memo the team sent out threatening legal action against any team that signed Darius Miles and played him for two games, thus putting him back on the books with Portland and putting the Blazers over the salary cap?
A: I'm not familiar with that, but I think Darius should be allowed to compete. They can't take away his market. You've got to let the guy make a living. He's still young, and he probably still wants to play.
Q: What's the biggest surprise in the NBA this season?
A: The biggest surprise is the way the Orlando Magic are playing. They are awesome. They've got 30 wins before the halfway point.
Q: How about the Cavs?
A: The best team in the East. Are they going to keep LeBron? I don't think he should ever leave. He's from there. He's home. That's his identity. I think he'll be happy there for many, many years. This could be the year to get back to the Finals. I think the acquisition of Mo Williams was a good one. That guy can shoot it from the parking lot, and he can run the team. It opens up the floor for LeBron.
Q: Are you interested in broadcasting or coaching in the NBA?
A: I broadcast the Houston Rockets home games. I've done that for the last four years. I basically stayed home to help raise my kids. My youngest has three years left in high school, and when he's finished I want to go back and coach or become a general manager. I really would like that.
Q: Tell me about the Alltel promotion you're involved with - the My Circle Hoops Getaway sweepstakes.
A: If you win, you and 10 of your friends get to fly by private jet to the pro or college basketball regular-season game of your choice. There will be five winners, and I'll meet one of them and their friends. The key is they have until Feb. 15 to enter at
www.alltelbasketball.com or text the word JET to 57533.
Q: Where would you go if you won?
A: I probably would pick a professional game - probably Lakers-Celtics in the Staples Center. It would be off the chain. That's what I would do. But maybe the winners will choose a game in Hawaii.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer
