Nate interview:
- Thinks the guys gave them all they had through all the adversity, and compete in the playoffs.
Rice: Were injuries a plus to look at all the players more closely?
- Yes. If there was anything good out of the injuries, they had the opportunity to look at all of the guys and what they need to add to the team to compete in the regular season and playoffs. With the depth, they got a look and they were all productive and saw what they could do.
Wheels: Update on Coach Lucas
- Nate just left the hospital. He's doing good and that's something they'll talk about. Lucas gave his input on the season but right now, they want Luc to get healthy and will look at coaches the next few weeks coming up.
MB: Play of Jerryd was big in the playoffs, and Martell had a solid series. Happy with it?
- After losing Brandon, they had to make an adjustment. Thought Rudy would be the guy to spread the floor but Bayless' attacking the basket and apply pressure was more needed. Martell played well, and was always ready to play even though his PT fluctuated and kept his head up.
Rice: With Rudy, he didn't sound enthusiastic about if he wanted to come back.
- It was a difficult season for Rudy in the way he was used this season compared to last year. He got off to a slow start and had the surgery. With the injuries, they had to sacrifice. Nate understands Rudy and how he was used this season. Rudy was B-Roy in Europe, and they're asking him to accept a different role. Last year, Sergio was a big help to him and Rudy obviously missed that. But the team needs him, and wants him back.
Rice: Monty about being interviewed for NO job.
- Is happy for Monty to get the chance to be interviewed. All the guys on staff do a great job. As he tells the guys, as long as they have success, teams will be interested in their personnel so it shouldn't come as a surprise.
Wheels: Aldridge, and people wanting more from him and where he's at in this stage of his career and his ceiling
- He's got to face the basket a lot more on the post. That's why you see guys like Amare and Duncan and Dirk, those guys are hard to guard and hard to double when they face the basket. And he needs to work on his drop step and working on his left hand and getting to the FT line.
Defensively, Nate wants LA to be dominant. The last few years, he's come on toward the end of the season. Nate wants LA to be a double-double guy, and block shots and do everything. He's one of the few guys who can dominate the league on both ends of the floor.
MB: The high point of the season?
- It's not just one. When Greg went down, Joel went down and all the players.. the team still won. It was great to see the team come together and different players step up each night and determined not to let the team lose. It was like what else could happen? They kept their composure and come together and fight, and not let injuries be an excuse.
The last game was big, and the fans showing their appreciation by standing up and applauding was a class act.
Rice: Was Greg excited to come back next season after his exit interview, and what does he need to do in the summer?
- It's very important that he stays attached to Jay Jensen, and not in summer school. He needs to stay with Jay, and be ready physically and have him stay in Portland all summer and not go back home. He needs to be mentally and physically ready. Greg is working hard and motivated to getting back to being with this team and help them win games next season.
