Wright: Unhappy with Production, Vows to Improve

[HailBlazers]

Dorell Wright was the only member of the Portland Trail Blazers who did not address the media during the team’s exit interviews last week due to a communication breakdown.

CSNNW.com caught up with the small forward on Monday and he didn’t hesitate to say he expected more from himself. He owned up to his inconsistent play and vows to improve upon that in the offseason.

Wright, 28, had his worst season, statistically, in five years. The 2013-14 NBA campaign saw him appear in 68 games where he averaged 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists while shooting 37 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range in 14.5 minutes per game.

The 10-year veteran said this was a special season for the team. He just wished he made more of an impact.

--

Chris Haynes: How would you assess your season?

Dorell Wright: For me, it was a success as far as being able to contribute on a winning team, but I wasn’t satisfied nor happy with my play overall. I feel like I took a few steps back from previous years. It was a season of ups and downs for me. A lot of it had to do with being comfortable in my role in limited time. Going into this summer, my focus is getting better and becoming a lot more efficient. Next season when I get in the game, I want to be as efficient as I can be. It’s a big summer for me.

How can you improve on being consistent in the summer?

My mindset has to change and I can’t take shots for granted. I just need to get in the gym and improve my game. Fine-tuning some things. I have to make the most of the time I get. If I’m receiving limited opportunities, I want to make sure I’m more efficient. And that’s all on me. I’m not going to get a lot of shots like others so I have to make the most out of my opportunities.

Wright wasn't satisfied nor happy with play, vows to get better

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Very classy of Wright.

I do wonder if he can become more effective next year because he seemed to work so hard on his game during the year and it just didn't translate onto the court. I would watch him take countless threes before games making a majority of them. Then he gets into the game and misses the shot when it counts. (I also remember Wright out there practicing his threes even when he fell out of the rotation)

I do believe that he will work hard all summer to figure a way to become more effective . . . hope he figures it out.

 

[PapaG]

Wright is the bench player who disappointed me the most last season. He made more money than any other bench player, and was brought in as a veteran to score and defend a bit, and for much of the year, he was a major liability. Some people were pissed at Mo all season, to the point game threads became predictable, but at least he actually played. Wright was a bust signing, and probably should be packaged in a trade if at all possible. He hit one big shot all season, yet didn't get even a fraction of the criticism he deserved, IMO.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Wright wasn't satisfied nor happy with play, vows to get better

"CSNNW.com," lol...

 

[Draco]

Wright is the bench player who disappointed me the most last season. He made more money than any other bench player, and was brought in as a veteran to score and defend a bit, and for much of the year, he was a major liability. Some people were pissed at Mo all season, to the point game threads became predictable, but at least he actually played. Wright was a bust signing, and probably should be packaged in a trade if at all possible. He hit one big shot all season, yet didn't get even a fraction of the criticism he deserved, IMO.

TRob actually made $500k more than Wright but yes I agree it was a huge disappointment. I expected Wright would outplay Nic or Wes for some small stretches of the season! That was never close to happening.

 

[Draco]

Very classy of Wright.

I do wonder if he can become more effective next year because he seemed to work so hard on his game during the year and it just didn't translate onto the court. I would watch him take countless threes before games making a majority of them. Then he gets into the game and misses the shot when it counts. (I also remember Wright out there practicing his threes even when he fell out of the rotation)

I do believe that he will work hard all summer to figure a way to become more effective . . . hope he figures it out.

I think its pretty unlikely he improves much.

The one good thing is even though he disappointed he wasn't a bad player. He was just slightly below average bench production. Compared to the disaster Babbitt/Pavlovic SF bench of the prior season he was great! So if there is an injury he is fine short term option. If we had signed him as the 13th player for the veteran minimum I think everyone would've been excited with his season. But when he is the biggest free agent signing its more disappointing.

 

[PapaG]

TRob actually made $500k more than Wright but yes I agree it was a huge disappointment. I expected Wright would outplay Nic or Wes for some small stretches of the season! That was never close to happening.

Yeah, I forgot about Robinson's rookie contract. I should have said that Wright was paid more than Mo in terms of the veterans brought in to be key players, yet had much less of a positive impact on the team.