April 15, 2004

The Portland Trail Blazers 2003-04 season came to an end on April 14. Head Coach Maurice Cheeks and General Manager John Nash met with local media today to address the changes this season and answer questions.

The two discussed the changes in roster, key games throughout the season and the future of the team.

Watch Press Conference Video

Here is a summary of the press conference:

John Nash:
I want to start off by saying it was a great season. We had some tough moments, but overall, we are very encouraged by the second half of the season.

We only lost to one non-playoff team since February 12 and that is a good indication of the positive opportunity we have here.

We're very encouraged by the changes we've made. We plan to make some more. I think we can improve the backcourt. By either working with existing guys or potentially adding a new guard, we have room for improvement.

To be able to compete down the stretch was very favorable for us. We had a terrible start on the road in the early part of the season. When we were ten and ten, I thought we were a mediocre team. I know we are better than mediocre today.

I also want to point out that our coaches have done a remarkable job this season. To work with our changes, they had to adapt and adjust quickly. They had to react to the changes without any down time and little practice.

They didn't make excuses, they just dealt with it. There was no time for training camp or extra practices, they were just forced to work with the change in key players. That takes a good coaching staff, and we have one.

We weren't able to fully maximize the abilities of the team we have now. I think we will see that done well in the future.


Maurice Cheeks:
I have been here three years and the overall character and feel of our basketball has changed. I am as excited as everyone about the team.

We have some great young players with a lot of talent. We have a team of optimistic players who have had an overall attitude change from the beginning of the season.

Every cloud has a silver lining and I look forward to next year. I believe our future is very bright.


Question and Answer Session

Question: What do you see as the future of Shareef Abdur-Rahim on this team?
Nash: We have four top-quality forwards. We might make a deal for one of these players, but it's too early to tell. Likely, we will be trading a front court player for a back court player. Shareef has been extremely professional and sacrificed personally for the good of the team. Without his professionalism, the position he was forced to play would have changed the attitude in the locker room.

Question: What do you see as the future of other members on the team?
Nash: Shareef is not the only player on our roster who has concerns about their position on the team. However, he was a great role model for the other players and showed a lesson in professionalism. I think we'll have a lot of options in the off season, it's just too soon to tell.

Question: What are your plans for Darius Miles?
Nash: We will be able to work something out. When two people want the same outcome, it's a good first step. We like the potential he showed in his short time here.

Question: Can you address the Philadelphia situation?
Cheeks: Well, there is no Philadelphia situation. I'm a Trail Blazers coach, and that's what I want to continue to be.

Question: How do you feel about the season as a whole?
Cheeks: It wasn't the greatest season, obviously we didn't make the playoffs. Our morale got better and our spirit got better as the season continued. After the trades, we had a chance to win every basketball game. At no time, was I disappointed in how we competed. Attitude in the locker room is better, everything is better on the whole.

Question: Any thoughts on Travis Outlaw?
Nash: Travis showed a little fire last night. He has improved immensely and I think that proves that he has a great coaching staff. Though he has gotten minimal playing time, he has been able to develop as a player.

Question: What are your plans for the draft?
Cheeks: The draft process will be pretty much the same as always. Scouts have more knowledge of upcoming players and have been out on the road scouting during the entire season. I plan on relying on the scouts to help us determine which way to go during the draft.

Question: What are your off season plans ?
Nash: I plan on focusing on the draft over the next couple of months. Keeping in mind the option of using our draft picks as trade leverage for seasoned players.

Watch Press Conference Video

Follow the NBA Playoffs on TNT, ESPN and ABC