Sean Highkin
@highkin
Trail Blazers + Fire http://rosegardenreport.com Blazers insider for @RipCityRadio620 (KPOJ-AM)/@iHeartMedia
Blake Wesley (@blakewesley0) will wear No. 99 for the #Blazers. Number never worn in franchise history. #NBA
Damian Lillard said today at his kids camp in Beaverton that as soon as he got waived, Jrue Holiday texted him the 👀 emoji. Also said he was trying to get Jrue to Portland in 2021 when he was traded from New Orleans to Milwaukee.
There’s just one catch… Nikola Jokić reacts to seeing @Hans15Y’s request!
Only time I've ever seen this happen was Killian Hayes in a predraft interview, asked if he thought he'd be a good fit for the Cavs, said he didn't think he would because they already had Sexton and Garland and didn't need another guard. Had never heard an honest answer before.
It would be great if once a guy answered, "Oh, I think I'm a terrible fit. Seemed to me from the outside that they need a dude who does, like, WAY different stuff than I do. But they called and offered a pretty good check to live in a cool place, so what, am I gonna say no?"
The Bulls are back
Episode 36 of the Bulls REKAP pod is out and @highkin talks Bulls, all things Trail Blazers, and the growing phenom that is Yang Hansen ... great catching up with "Road Highkin!" Give it a listen ... youtu.be/0Uz0ls5DvUA?si…
The only way anyone’s ever gone out better than Ozzy’s final concert is Bowie releasing Blackstar two days before he died.
On Damian Lillard's "basketball decision" to return to the Trail Blazers rosegardenreport.com/damian-lillard…
Story on the Blazers signing Blake Wesley for added guard depth: rosegardenreport.com/trail-blazers-…
“He got some swag to him.” Had to get @Dame_Lillard’s thought on his new rookie teammate @Hans15Y after his official re-introductory press conference
Found it notable that the first of the players Dame brought up specifically as saying he was looking forward to working with was Scoot.
Damian Lillard says he talked to Aaron Rodgers, Kevin Durant and Rudy Gay after he tore his Achilles to get perspective on how they fought through the rehab. "If it's a mental battle, I don't lose those. If it's physical, it's possible. But mental battles I don't lose."
Damian Lillard on his relationship with Joe Cronin: "Toward the end, it was a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunications. When that happens, feelings are hurt. Joe and I never sat down and talked about that. We let it be and it sat out there. That was the mistake."
Joe Cronin: "It's winning time now for the Trail Blazers. Chauncey and I have been saying that since last season."
Chauncey Billups: "I want to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this year. I coach these guys very hard, but it's always different when you're getting that mentorship from a guy who's wearing that jersey."
Damian Lillard: "A lot of people may look at it as a family decision, and obviously anybody would have their family be involved. But it was just as much a basketball decision. Watching how the league is ... young teams that guard and compete and are connected, this team has that"