I am the biggest Outlaw/Blake Hater but this was really really hard to watch [video=youtube;5BwaLSXV0Tc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BwaLSXV0Tc&feature=player_embedded[/video]
The press conference continued after the 4:21 mark, with the first followup question being "Pride. Can you describe to us what that feels like? To have pride, I mean."
This was hard to watch!!! Travis looks so out of place. Blake looks dead. They have some crappy Clippers long sleeve shirts on. Terrible.
I did for a sec but remembered this is a business and these guys are FILTHY rich. Since being in the NBA Steve has made $12,000,000 Travis has made $12,700,000
I actually hated them as players to be honest, it just sucks to see them like that, but like fez says, they makin that money, money!!!
Well you know it had to be done. Both of the positions those two play at are were total logjams, and I think those two were the best two to let go. It's like moving to a different city/school while growing up (happened to me twice): at first it sucks ass, but after some time you adjust, start making new friends, etc. In fact these guys have it WAY easier than that example: they're getting paid millions, they get to get out of the rain and gloom and into the sun, and they still have each other. Plus, the Clippers still have lots of good players and playoff potential (imo) once Blake Griffin comes back.
Blake leaving isn't too bad. He was in the NBA before he came to Portland and went to Denver in the middle of his stints as well. Outlaw came in as an 18 year old kid and pretty much grew up right in front of us. He even turned into a pretty decent player which is amazing in itself. He's also pretty funny.
The time on the video... 4:21. My b-day is 4:21. The thing is, i fully expected Travis to walk this Summer. Become a FA, get the max he could get (which I expect is somewhere between $4-7 million/per year, 4-5 years, depending on how the market shakes out), which is likely out of Portland's range. So I expected him to walk, get his deal, and get a starting position somewhere. Portland may have come close on money, but I don't think he'd have gotten the type of role he desires, so he'd have still walked. I now think he's more likely to be a Blazer, now that he's elsewhere, and can see what other teams have to offer, than if he'd have stayed a Blazer through the Summer. Dude looks sad, like, 'Hey, I thought the grass was greener. Now, I realize I'm a fool. I love B-Roy!" I think management also thought he'd leave no matter what, so they dealt him. But at the end of the day, the best situation for him and the Blazers may have been to see him continue his career here in Portland. That being said, can't wait to see Camby tearing shit up for the next 26 (and hopefully another 82-164, plus playoffs, BITCH!)!
I become emotionally attached to our young guys......like someone said, he grew up on the Blazers. He is great character guy, and it was tough to watch that interview. They both looked shocked. Travis was looking to Steve to answer the questions. It is a business and that's how it works, but it was easier to see the "assholes" go in years past.
There was no emotion from either one of them, I wouldn't be suprised to see Travis pass up more money to play somewhere else and re-sign with Portland this offseason, but Blake......this is the second time Portland has traded him, I'd think he might be ready to move on, but he moved his family here so who knows, would Portland even want either one of them back........I tend to lean towards "YES".
After watching that....it became more evident as to why Brandon's post-game injury update was so negative. Both Steve and Travis (more so Steve) really looked "down in the dumps!" [I think Roy was also a bit down in the dumps! having lost two friends] This all paints a clear picture as to why the team has risen above great challenges this season and remained winners! This was a "team." Truth be told however, come this summer, both Steve and Travis would have sought greener$$ pastures. So it is a business. Will either be back in Portland next season? No. The big question however remains: Will Camby be a Blazer next season? I guess this depends upon if the current roster can forge ahead, putting this [trade] behind them and IF they truly invite Marcus into their circle. And it will depend upon Roy. Getting him back on the court - and getting his head and heart back into the game!
His sister, Blake, works for 95.5 and as a producer, and she said they are definitely going to keep their family here. Apparently his parents live here too.
Money can't buy you love, but it can rent it for an hour! Seriously though, I do feel bad for those guys. Whatever their flaws as players, they seemed like legit nice guys. Trading them to the Clip Joint was kinda cold.
