Joel Przybilla chatted live with fans.
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Joel Przybilla was selected by the Houston Rockets in first round (ninth pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft. Joel ranks second on the University of Minnesota's all-time single-season list with 84 blocks, tallied as a freshman.
He was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks where he appeared in 33 contests, including 13 starts, during his rookie season and during 2001-02 he led the Bucks with 1.66 blocks per game (17th in the NBA) and was 2nd in the NBA in blocks per 48 minutes.
Joel was then traded to the Atlanta Hawks where he averaged 2.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and .4 apg during the 2003-04 season before arriving at the Portland Trail Blazers. As a Trail Blazer, Joel has provided fans with many great blocked shots, steals and low-post action.
Joel chatted live with fans on Thursday, Dec. 16. Check out the full chat transcript below:
Adepe (Portland Boards): Hi Joel, what is your role on the blazers exactly, in your mind?
Joel Przybilla: My role in my mind.....let's see, when I come in I need to work hard, rebound and block shots. That's my role, I'm not really on the cour t to score, I'm on the court to do the little things to help us win.
Tiny (Portland): Hey Joel... How have you fit in with Mo Cheeks so far. How doe shis sytem fit you?
Joel Przybilla: I fit in well with Coach Cheeks. Growing up as a kid and into college, I've been really blessed to have a guy like Coach Cheeks and he's been terrific in getting me acclimated here in Portland.
Booker, TX: Hey Joe! I am a former resident of Portland. I was and still am a true Trialblazer fan. I watch you guys play every game on NBA TV. You seem like the type of player Portland was looking for in their new pledge to the city. What is it like playing in the great northwest, and how are the fans there in Portland treating you as new member of their team?
B. Dillinger
Booker, Texas
Joel Przybilla: It's been a great opportunity for me here, the city of Portland and the fans have been great. They love the game of basketball and if you play hard you will be appreciated. I've been around the whole country and the people of Portland are so friendly. They make it real easy to come to work and perform for them.
John (Portland): Hey Joel, big fan. what do you attribute some of the early struggles to? And what does the team need to get back over .500?
Joel Przybilla: Tough question. We have so much talent on this team, and we are still trying to gel as a team. We have a lot of new faces, but it's a long season and we have time. Being in the West it's tough, but I think our guys are doing everything we can to win games and stick together and get through this.
Henry (Minn): Hey Joel,
What was is like playing for Clem Haskings and what do you miss for the Minnesota?
Joel Przybilla: Playing for Clem Haskins was an honor and a great experience. I only had him for one year, but I learned alot in that one year. He also loved each and every one of his players and made a big impact on each of us.
Flyin Minneapolis: Hey Nute, are you superstitious and if so what sort of things do you do to get ready for a game?
Joel Przybilla: I don't have any superstitions, I try and stay away for that. If I did have one, I'd end up blaming that if something went wrong, so I stay away from the voodoo.
stylus (portland): joel- great game sunday!
who do you feel more productive with starters or bench/rookies?
Joel Przybilla: I feel productive with everyone on the team, and I work with both in practice. I'm learning everyone's game and we are all adapting to each other and as the season goes on I think you'll be seeing some good things from us.
Molly in Mpls: Joel, why are you #10? You will always be #1 in our hearts. :)~
Joel Przybilla: Aw, that's a nice one. I used to be No. 6 in Milwaukee. I needed a change when I came here so I moved to No. 10 because it's my wife's favorite number and my birthday is 10/10.
Henry (Portland): WHo did you idolize rowing up, basketball or otherwise?
Joel Przybilla: On the court I idolized David Robinson growing up. He was a great player and a great community person. He was a gentleman on and off the court. Off the court, I would have to say my parents. They did all the hard work to make it where I am the person I am today.
alex (Gresham): HI JOEL GREAT YEAR!What do you think of sebastian,and travis the younger players on the team?
Joel Przybilla: I think they're doing a great job. The first time I saw those two guys play, it really turned my head. They work hard in practice and when they get the opportunities in the games they are really showing what they can do. They just need to keep working, keep improving.
Fleetwood (Baltimore): If you were not a basketball player what do you think you would be doing today?
Joel Przybilla: That's an easy question. I would have gotten my degree and become an elementary school teacher. I love working with younger kids and during the offseason that's what I try to do in camps and things of that nature. I love the young kids.
Andrew Rillovick (Farmington, NH): How do you feel about the Blazers chances at a playoff spot?
Joel Przybilla: I'm very positive about it. We're at .500 but it's still early and everday we are getting better. Coach Cheeks is motivating us to do the right things and become one of the better teams in the West.
Joel Przybilla: I'd like to thank the fans, not just in Portland but all around the country for supporting the Blazers. I hope to chat again with you in the future.
