He was in our Summer League twice and was eager to sign but Pritchard snubbed him. When asked in Europe whether he wanted to leave his current team, of course he said, not while my contract is still going. A politician speaks to the crowd he's with. He has hinted that he wants to be promised substantial minutes. That and his low pick status makes Olshey wary. If he scores 10 points again in Saturday's game, Olshey will be even more reluctant.
I read that, but it doesn't necessarily convince me. And you've never heard similar things from other players when they really weren't excited? There were rumblings that his reps have had brief conversations over the years with other teams (If so, I'm assuming with Blazers permission). He never really seemed all that interested until now.
Of course his minutes are also dependant on the quality of his other teammates, and the Blazers are reworking their front court mix. I don't blame him for trying to gauge how the team projects him. If say come the FA signing period PDX has obtained Robinson via the draft to go with LA and then they first sign Hickson at MLE dollars and Pryz before offering a deal at half that rate, he's probably looking at pine time because they'll give the more expensive STOMP
If you have nothing better to do on a SAT night, watch the game live here: http://www.lshunter.tv/streams/1/lshrytas.html
Halftime 37 all. Lithuania's always one of the best Olympic teams, good competition. How did they pick the U. of Houston? The crowd is 100, definitely fewer than 200. Should have played in Portland. Freeland is stopped easily from going up inside by Lithuanian big men. The British coach has no quick plays to sneak inside. It's like watching Przybilla try to make 3-footers when 3 guys his own size have their arms up between him and the basket.
In the second quarter we got to see Freeland score on a a nice hook shot and we see that he runs the floor pretty well. He hit a couple free throws at the end of the quarter and got a nice rebound. After the rebound he had a half court outlet pass that his team mate totally flubbed up. Not sure what the first quarter looked like (didn't get the chance to watch that). The Lithuanian TV feed is comedy, talk about some whacked out commercials. It's nice to know that funniest home videos look just as stupid in Russian as they do here. Best part so far is a quick shot of Sabas on one of the Lithuanian international basketball commercials. Sure wish we had another Sabas waiting in the wings. Sigh.
3rd qtr. Sabonis sighting. Team going to Freeland more! 2 baskets preceded by actual moves! Olshey now has something to watch. Freeland has grown a double chin in the last couple of years.
Freeland just hit a nice 20 footer, nothing but net. GBR up 43 to 37. it is a ghost town at that arena, the 4 people from the Blazers to scout Freeland probably doubled the audience. I would be surprised if they even bothered to offer concessions to this game.
Lithuania woke up and leads by 1. They were sleepwalking till Freeland's play provoked their big men to show some energy.
Not sure why Freeland is still on the bench -- he sat out most of the 3rd quarter and so far hasn't played in the 4th. Bring the big man back in!!!
Fuck. My last weekend in Philly, and I'm stuck watching an online stream of a meaningless game between England and Lithuania. Hate having the flu.
55-55. I keep reading in British media that it's a "friendly." I'm learning the definition, a game in which neither side is aggressive enough to break a tie.
