Second-year wing Will Barton discusses the first days of training camp, the focus on defense, fighting for minutes and his offseason after the second day of training camp practice at the team's facility in Tualatin.
Two days in, how are feeling like things are going for you?
Will Barton: Things are going pretty good. I'm in Year Two so I know the offense better, know what Coach wants more, so I'm pretty comfortable.
Guys have talked about how defense has been the emphasis. What's your opinion on that and how do you think you've done so far with that?
Will Barton: Yeah, the whole coaching staff, Coach Stotts mainly, really been preaching defense this year. That's what's going to get us where we want to go this year. It all starts on that end of the floor. So we've really been settling down, buckling down on that end of the floor.
You mentioned you know the plays this time around. Any other differences going into your second year?
Will Barton: Just more comfortable, more relaxed. Like I said, I just know what Coach wants, I know our system and more familiar with the guys. It's going real good.
This offseason they brought in a couple players who play similar positions to you. How do you feel about that competition for minutes?
Will Barton: I feel no way. I got the same mindset I've had since Day One, since I got drafted: come in and compete, no matter who's in front of me, who's behind me, whatever the case may be. My job is to come in here, compete, make myself better, push guys to get better. Go out there and whenever Coach needs me just try to contribute to the team.
You were bouncing around a lot this summer between Portland, Baltimore, Memphis. In general, how was your summer? How happy are you to be back?
Will Barton: It was good. Felt like I got a lot better, did a lot of things for my community, did a lot of positive things, got to spend time with my family. With all those things I'd say it was a great summer. Definitely happy to be back, get the season underway. I'm just anxious.