Terry Stotts Interview

[Boise Blazer]

http://blogs.columbian.com/blazer-b...as-the-green-light-for-more-3-pointers-kinda/

“Unfortunately, there (are) a lot of rumors in the NBA. We don’t really comment on rumors,” Stotts said. “You go with every team, there (are) a lot of rumors out there. I’m not necessarily going to comment on LaMarcus. It’s just unfortunate that things like that are out there when there hasn’t really been comment on either side.”

On Aldridge’s end, he took to Twitter last Thursday to offer a vague response about people “making up stuff.”

Stotts said that he has exchanged text messages with Aldridge and expects that a Blazer assistant coach or two will meet up with him in Dallas or Los Angeles in August for individual workouts. Though the two sides have yet to determine the details of the workouts, Stotts spoke as though Aldridge, 28, will return to Portland for his eighth season.

“I expect him to have a career year next year,” Stotts said. “LaMarcus is a pro, he’s been very consistent and he’s a central part of our success next season.”

With the Blazers concluding their Summer League run last Friday with a 1-5 record, the players have scattered across the globe. Second-year power forward Joel Freeland has returned to Spain. Small forward Will Barton flew down to Memphis. Potential 15th man Terrell Harris traveled back to his home base in Miami. Even Stotts’ brief stay in Portland will be cut short as he returns to Vegas for the USA Men’s National Team mini-camp where point guard Damian Lillard will be participating.

Before most of the players return to Portland after Labor Day, Stotts said that rookie guard CJ McCollum and second-year big men Meyers Leonard and Thomas Robinson will all participate in the Tim Grgurich Skills Camp in August. Stotts – who has worked the camp for many years and will be on hand again this year - described the three-and-a-half day event as a training camp dress rehearsal for younger players.

“I’m glad he took the shots that he took. He’s got a terrific touch out there, I think that’s a strength of his,” Stotts said. “We’re not going to go overboard with him shooting threes but if he’s in a position – he practices them, he shoots a good percentage in practice. And so, just because he’s 7-foot doesn’t mean he can’t shoot.”

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I didn't know Freeland lived in Spain... I really wish he wanted to go back there, but I guess he's got his heart set on being Nick Collison in the NBA.