Chris Kaman thinks/hopes he'll get along with his new coach. (USATSI)
Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Kaman is on a new team for the fourth straight season. He'd stuck with the Clippers for the first eight years of his career, and he's since seen his playing time dwindle. While he has fallen out of favor with various coaches. Kaman is optimistic that it will be different in Portland with head coach Terry Stotts.
From The Oregonian's Jason Quick:
My apprehension stemmed from his past. He said he didn't like the controlling nature of Monty Williams in New Orleans. He said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was smart, but "tough to deal with"; and in Los Angeles last season, he said he liked the laid-back style of Mike D'Antoni, but he didn't like his philosophy of not playing two big men at the same time.
What's next in Portland? Terry Stotts is too nice?
Today, my skepticism has evolved into hope. At Monday's media day, Kaman proclaimed himself changed.
"My ego,'' he said, "is gone.''
Kaman knew Blazers general manager Neil Olshey from his time with the Clippers, and he determined that this was the best situation for him. He said he's stopped caring about numbers, and he thinks he can win and contribute in Portland. Olshey said that he thinks Kaman can be a focal point when the reserves are on the floor, which would very much please him, again via The Oregonian:
Kaman lights up when presented with the idea of being the go-to-guy on the second unit.
"I would love for that to be the case, but you never know,'' Kaman said.
He says that because he has been around and seen how the NBA works. And he says that because he knows himself, and his recent experiences with coaches, although he is anticipating a harmonious relationship with Stotts.
"Terry seems real even-keeled, level headed,'' Kaman said. "He jokes a little bit, is serious a little bit. I like him so far. But it always starts off that you like a guy, but by the end of the year you can end up hating him. You just never know. Hopefully, I don't hate Terry.''
Kaman is not the same kind of post player he was earlier in his career, but he's always loved creating offense on the block. He's never been a great defender, and there has been slippage on that end in the past few seasons.
Perhaps this is a perfect fit for Kaman, surrounded by shooters and able to score against backup big men. Increasingly, though, the job of the reserve center is to protect the rim, rebound and play solid pick-and-roll defense. Can the Blazers get enough stops while Kaman is on the court? Given that they're paying him $9.8 million over the next two years, Stotts has to hope so.
Basketball Hot News
LeBron James leaves Cavaliers rookies hanging out to dry (video)
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal:
Rookies Joe Harris and Alex Kirk entered the court a little early prior to the Cavs’ Wine & Gold scrimmage on Oct. 1. They were pranked by LeBron James, who told them to lead the team onto the floor, but then he held back everyone else.
LeBron gets no points for originality. Effectiveness? Perfect 10. The classics are classics for a reason.
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