Whenever anyone seeks out any breaking news or current analysis on the Portland Trail Blazers, it is fairly typical that they stumble upon something that leaves a bitter taste in their mouth.
Although this may be the interpretation of almost all sports reporters and news outlets around our nation, it hasn’t really seemed to affect the Trail Blazers themselves.
While most other teams are enjoying the last, seemingly inexistent, break between the start of preseason and now, the Blazers are taking a different approach.
Returning players Damian Lillard, Tim Frazier, Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, and CJ McCollum were joined by new comers Pat Connaughton, Mason Plumlee, Phil Pressey, Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh for some team bonding over the past couple days.
These new and old Trail Blazers decided to fly down to San Diego to watch a baseball game together and hit the beach. You can go through all of the aforementioned players’ Instagram accounts to see the hilarious documentation of their couple day adventure.
Although most would skim over this short excursion as an excuse for a couple of guys to sneak off to have fun, the implications of going on this trip together holds more weight than most would expect.
Whenever a group of people willingly takes part in hanging out with one another, laughing with one another, and learning about one another, they tend to enjoy being around one another.
Having grown up playing on traveling teams myself, I know that nothing creates more cohesion than simply spending time together. This spent time directly translates to an off-the-court trust.
It is true that only 10 Trail Blazers were able to partake on this jaunt. However, if one looks at the list of attendees, it is mentionable that every position is represented.
That being said, one could make the assumption that, even though other roster members are busy with personal endeavors; once available, they might be more likely to catch the team bonding bug.
Although an excellent opportunity for the players to strengthen their relationships as friends and teammates, this will definitely not be the only opportunity as preseason practices are soon start.
Furthermore, I think all Trail Blazer fans will be able to see how quickly our newly structured team has come together during our first preseason game on Oct. 5 against the Sacramento Kings.
Knowing that there is still almost two months before their first regular season game on Oct. 28, I think this new team will be able to get some much needed preseason reps playing against some other great young talent.
I am hoping that the experience of practicing together and playing together will empower the Trail Blazers for the return of our previous franchise player, LaMarcus Aldridge, nine games into our regular season.
When Aldridge returns, I do not care if the Trail Blazers win or lose. I think it would be a more emphatic message to Aldridge, and other teams in the NBA, if our Trail Blazers could show that cohesion and comradery is the most important aspect on being on a team.
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