June 1, 2005: Steve Patterson Chat Transcript
Steve chatted on June 1.NBAE/Getty Images |
Steve Patterson stopped by to take your questions on June 1, discussing Portland's preparation for the third pick in this year's 2005 NBA draft and much more! Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Chicago: Going into the Draft, what do you consider your teams biggest needs?
Steve Patterson: Obviously we need better shooting from the outside. I think additional depth in the backcourt and then, really we'll be looking at the best players available in the two spots we have.
Jesse (Portland): With the number 3 pick and free agents how much do you think the team will improve?
Steve Patterson: I think alot depends on who we bring back and we we acquire. We hope to get back to the playoffs, but you never know. You look at a team like Seattle, who many picked to not make the playoffs this year, and they have a great year and make the playoffs, while other teams don't make it. You never know.
Jacob Warner (Oregon City): What do you think would be the best thing to do with the draft pick that will benefit the team, trade the pick or use it in the draft to select a player?
Steve Patterson: At No. 3 we'll certainly get a good player. But that pick is also attractive to other teams in the league. In discussions between now and and that night, we'll have to see what happens. We can either keep the pick, or trade down for more picks, whatever. Either way, I'm excited because we'll be able to improve our basketball team.
sam england (uk): Are you intrested in gerald green i think he will be a great young player what are your thoughts ?
Steve Patterson: He is a very talented young player out of the Houston area. Some scouts compare him to a young Tracy McGrady. He's certainly somebody we're considering. We do expect him to be selected somewhere in the lottery picks.
Beaverton: What is the status of getting a quality coach at this time?
Steve Patterson: We're in the midst of our coaching search and our goal is to get it wrapped up by the draft or shortly thereafter.
Kevin, Corvallis: A lot of us fans really like Marvin Williams. He does not fill a need but is probably the best "prospect" in the draft. What are your thoughts on him and our chances of drafting him?
Steve Patterson: Marvin Williams is an exciting young player. I think he is considered one of the top three picks in the draft and the chances of him falling to us depends on what the two teams ahead of us will do.
PORTLAND,OR: What are we going to do about getting some veteran leadership to guide these youngsters?
Steve Patterson: We'll continue to look at adding to our roster via free agency and trades this summer. We like the way a number of our youngsters matured as the season went on, but we're always interested in veteran help.
Stephen (Portland): I think Salim Stoudamire would be a great fit for the blazers because of his amazing shooting ability, and we lack shooters. What do you think of Salim and is he a likely guy u might look at?
Steve Patterson: Salim is a good shooter, but size is an issue with him. The third pick, I think may be too high to select him, but possibly at No. 35. We did bring him in, and he had a good workout with us.
Mike Chun(San Francisco): What do you expect from Ha, a young kid from Korea for the next season?
Steve Patterson: Seung-Jin Ha made a great deal of progress this year, if he were coming out of his freshman year in college, it would be considered a good first step for him. We look forward to him continuing to mature, but we think that will take time and it could be a few years away before he is an impact player in the league. But he works hard and is very dedicated to the game and we like that.
Matt, Bend OR: Is resigning Shareef a major priority?
Steve Patterson: We'll sit down with Shareef's representatives after July 1 and see if a deal makes sense for both parties. He is a great guy and we like having him here.
Bend, Oregon: Steve, I've been a Trail Blazers season ticket holder for just over 10 years now. When you came to the team two years ago you said it would take until...I think you said the 2006 season to take care of some salary cap issues to be able to put together the team of the future. Are we getting close yet? How will this off season be different than the previous two? Thanks, Troy
Steve Patterson: I think we are still working on getting better cap flexibility, which is something we've been working on for the past few years. We'll also continue to consider character and talent in our future moves. We will also try and stay with the market for players, and we expect to be closer to the cap number for this season, and hopefully we can get under by next summer.
Ernie (San Bernardino,Ca): What do the Blazers plan on doing differently to get back into the playoff hunt or who would you like to see play in Portland?
Steve Patterson: We will move toward revamping the roster with young players and I'm excited about the prospects for a new coach. I think that coupled with the third pick in the draft -- and what we may be able to do in free agency -- will help us put a team on the floor and make a run.
Steve Patterson: I want to thank all the fans for supporting the Trail Blazers over the years. We're looking forward to an exciting 2005-06 season.
