CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head>  <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="e5dec34c-f2d0-4e91-8b06-11823494cbc3"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { } </script>  <title>Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II - Blazer's Edge</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Blazer's Edge" /> <script> if (document.cookie.indexOf('_chorus_geoip_continent=EU') > -1) { document.cookie = '_override_chorus_gdpr=1;path=/;max-age=31536000'; } </script> <meta property="article:publisher" content="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blazersedge/107095322667861?ref=mf" /> <meta property="author" content="Ben Golliver" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2008-08-27T22:49:34-07:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2008-08-27T22:46:33-07:00" /> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://use.typekit.net"> <meta id="chorus-fonts" data-cid="site/font_loader-1739842471_6627_42518" data-cdata='{"version":"1c5dba5203ab569c8e4b65c70e7b0c88","fonts_catalog":[{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"500","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"500","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"700","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"700","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"500","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"500","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"700","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"700","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"900","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"900","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff"},{"slug":"unison-nitti","family":"nitti-grotesk","weight":"400","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff"}],"font_stylesheets":["https://fonts.voxmedia.com/unison/stylesheets/sbn.0289821fe196f0ced638117948a0d46f.css"],"font_tracker_stylesheets":[],"typekit_ids":[],"headline_balance_div_classes":"","headline_balance_fraction":1.0}'> <script>var chorusInitQueue=[],volume_embed_host="https://volume.vox-cdn.com";var Chorus=Chorus||{};Chorus.windowLoaded=!1,Chorus.AddScript=function(t,e){var o=document.createElement("script");o.async=!0,o.type="text/javascript",o.src=t,"function"==typeof e&&(o.onload=e);var a=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];return a.parentNode.insertBefore(o,a),o},Chorus.ready=function(t){"loading"!=document.readyState?t():document.addEventListener?document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",t):document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"loading"!=document.readyState&&t()})},Chorus.OnLoad=function(t){if(Chorus.windowLoaded=!0)return void t();var e=window.onload;"function"!=typeof window.onload?window.onload=t:window.onload=function(){e(),t()}},Chorus.OnLoad(function(){Chorus.windowLoaded=!0});var dataLayer=dataLayer||[];Chorus.OnLoad(function(){var t;void 0!==navigator.doNotTrack?t=navigator.doNotTrack:void 0!==window.doNotTrack?t=window.doNotTrack:void 0!==navigator.msDoNotTrack&&(t=navigator.msDoNotTrack),t=void 0!==t?/1|yes|true/.test(String(t).toLowerCase())?"true":"false":"undefined";var e={DNT:t};dataLayer.push(e)});var VoxMediaFontLoader=function(t){function e(t,e){var o=window.performance;if(o&&o.mark&&o.measure){var a=t.toLocaleLowerCase().replace(/\W+/g,"_")+(e?"_"+e:"");o.mark(a),o.measure(a+"_time","navigationStart",a)}}function o(){s.classList.add(c),e("fonts_success")}function a(){s.classList.add(c),e("fonts_fail")}function n(t){var o=[t.family,t.style,t.weight,"loaded"].join(" ");e(o)}function r(t){var e=u.font_stylesheets||[];t&&(e=e.filter(function(e){return!e.match(t)})),e.forEach(i)}function i(e){var o=t.createElement("link");o.href=e,o.rel="stylesheet",o.media="all",f.parentNode.insertBefore(o,f)}function d(e){var o,a=t,n=a.documentElement,r=setTimeout(function(){n.className=n.className.replace(/\bwf-loading\b/g,"")+" wf-inactive"},e.scriptTimeout),i=a.createElement("script"),d=!1,c=a.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];n.className+=" wf-loading",i.src="https://use.typekit.net/"+e.kitId+".js",i.async=!0,i.onload=i.onreadystatechange=function(){if(o=this.readyState,!(d||o&&"complete"!=o&&"loaded"!=o)){d=!0,clearTimeout(r);try{Typekit.load(e)}catch(t){}}},c.parentNode.insertBefore(i,c)}var c="fonts-loaded",s=t.documentElement,f=t.getElementById("chorus-fonts");if(f){var u=JSON.parse(f.getAttribute("data-cdata"));if(t.fonts){r("voxmedia.com");var l=[];u.fonts_catalog.forEach(function(e){if(e.woff2_url||e.woff_url){var o=[e.woff2_url,e.woff_url].filter(function(t){return t}).map(function(t){return"url("+t+")"}).join(", "),a=new FontFace(e.family,o,{weight:e.weight,style:e.style,display:"swap"});t.fonts.add(a),l.push(a.load())}}),l.length>0?Promise.allSettled(l).then(function(t){o(),t.filter(function(t){return"fulfilled"===t.status}).forEach(function(t){n(t.value)})})["catch"](function(){a()}):t.fonts.ready.then(o,a)}else r();u.typekit_ids.forEach(function(t){d({kitId:t,scriptTimeout:3e3,async:!0})}),u.font_tracker_stylesheets.forEach(i)}};VoxMediaFontLoader(document);</script> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.pageloadId) { window.pageloadId = (crypto.randomUUID) ? crypto.randomUUID() : ([1e7]+-1e3+-4e3+-8e3+-1e11).replace(/[018]/g, function (c) { return (c ^ crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(1))[0] & 15 >> c / 4).toString(16);} ); } try { Reflect.setPrototypeOf(document, new Proxy(Reflect.getPrototypeOf(document), { set(target, key, value, thisArg) { try { if (key === 'cookie') { if (initialDataLayer && value.startsWith('_gaexp=')) { const decoded = decodeURIComponent(value); const optimizeExperiments = [...decoded.matchAll(/([\w-]{22})\.\d{5}\.(\d{1})/g)] let ids = []; let variants = []; optimizeExperiments.forEach((exp) => { ids.push(exp[1]); variants.push(exp[2]); } ) // let's add it to both the dataLayer and the initialDataLayer initialDataLayer.experimentIds = ids; initialDataLayer.experimentVariants = variants; dataLayer.push({'experimentIds': ids}); dataLayer.push({'experimentVariants': variants}); } } } catch (e) { console.error(`Error inspecting document property '${key}' assignment: ${e}`); } finally { // always set the property via the original object return Reflect.set(...arguments); } } })); } catch (e) { console.error(`Unable to reflect and proxy document.cookie: ${e}`); } const initialDataLayer = {"Network":"sbnation","Community":"blazersedge","root_domain":"sbnation.com","GA Primary ID":"UA-1367699-1","GA4 Primary ID":"G-2M5GYNY1YS","GA CrossDomains":"7500toholte.sbnation.com,aseaofblue.com,acmepackingcompany.com,addictedtoquack.com,allaboutthejersey.com,allforxi.com,alligatorarmy.com,amazinavenue.com,americanninjawarriornation.com,anchorofgold.com,anddownthestretchtheycome.com,andthevalleyshook.com,anonymouseagle.com,azdesertswarm.com,arkansasfight.com,arrowheadpride.com,athleticsnation.com,azsnakepit.com,backingthepack.com,badlefthook.com,baltimorebeatdown.com,bannersontheparkway.com,barcablaugranes.com,batterypower.com,battleofcali.com,battleredblog.com,bavarianfootballworks.com,bcinterruption.com,behindthesteelcurtain.com,beyondtheboxscore.com,bigblueview.com,bigcatcountry.com,bitterandblue.sbnation.com,blackandgoldbanneret.com,blackwhitereadallover.com,blackheartgoldpants.com,blackshoediaries.com,blazersedge.com,bleedcubbieblue.com,bleedinggreennation.com,blessyouboys.com,blog.sbnation.com,bloggersodear.com,bloggingtheboys.com,bloggingthebracket.com,bluebirdbanter.com,boltsfromtheblue.com,bracethehammer.sbnation.com,brewcrewball.com,brewhoop.com,brightsideofthesun.com,bringonthecats.com,btpowerhouse.com,buckys5thquarter.com,bucsdugout.com,bucsnation.com,buffalorumblings.com,buildingthedam.com,bulletsforever.com,burntorangenation.com,cagesideseats.com,camdenchat.com,canalstreetchronicles.com,canescountry.com,canishoopus.com,cardchronicle.com,cardiachill.com,cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com,casualhoya.com,catscratchreader.com,celticsblog.com,centerlinesoccer.com,chiesaditotti.com,cincyjungle.com,clipsnation.com,collegeandmagnolia.com,cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com,cornnation.com,cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com,cougcenter.com,coveringthecorner.com,crimsonandcreammachine.com,dailynorseman.com,dawgsports.com,dawgsbynature.com,detroitbadboys.com,dirtysouthsoccer.com,draysbay.com,dukebasketballreport.com,dynamotheory.com,faketeams.com,fearthesword.com,fearthewall.com,federalbaseball.com,fieldgulls.com,fishstripes.com,fmfstateofmind.com,fosseposse.sbnation.com,frogsowar.com,fromtherumbleseat.com,futnation.com,ganggreennation.com,garnetandblackattack.com,gaslampball.com,gobblercountry.com,goldenstateofmind.com,goodbullhunting.com,halosheaven.com,hammerandrails.com,hogshaven.com,hottimeinoldtown.com,houseofsparky.com,hustlebelt.com,indomitablecitysoccer.com,insidenu.com,intothecalderon.com,landgrantholyland.com,libertyballers.com,lighthousehockey.com,lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com,lonestarball.com,lookoutlanding.com,maizenbrew.com,managingmadrid.com,mavsmoneyball.com,mccoveychronicles.com,midmajormadness.com,milehighhockey.com,milehighreport.com,minorleagueball.com,mlbdailydish.com,mmafighting.com,mmamania.com,mwcconnection.com,musiccitymiracles.com,netsdaily.com,nevermanagealone.com,ninersnation.com,offtackleempire.com,onthebanks.com,onefootdown.com,orlandopinstripedpost.com,ourdailybears.com,overthemonster.com,patspulpit.com,peachtreehoops.com,pensburgh.com,pinstripealley.com,podiumcafe.com,postingandtoasting.com,poundingtherock.com,prideofdetroit.com,purplerow.com,raptorshq.com,redcuprebellion.com,redreporter.com,revengeofthebirds.com,ridiculousupside.com,rockchalktalk.com,rockmnation.com,rockytoptalk.com,rokerreport.sbnation.com,rollbamaroll.com,royalbluemersey.sbnation.com,royalsreview.com,rumbleinthegarden.com,arizona.sbnation.com,atlanta.sbnation.com,bayarea.sbnation.com,boston.sbnation.com,chicago.sbnation.com,cleveland.sbnation.com,sbncollegehockey.com,dallas.sbnation.com,dc.sbnation.com,denver.sbnation.com,detroit.sbnation.com,houston.sbnation.com,kansascity.sbnation.com,losangeles.sbnation.com,minnesota.sbnation.com,newyork.sbnation.com,philly.sbnation.com,pittsburgh.sbnation.com,seattle.sbnation.com,stlouis.sbnation.com,tampabay.sbnation.com,sbnation.com,serpentsofmadonnina.com,shakinthesouthland.com,silverandblackpride.com,silverscreenandroll.com,slcdunk.com,sonicsrising.com,southsidesox.com,stmarysmusings.sbnation.com,stampedeblue.com,stanleycupofchowder.com,starsandstripesfc.com,stateoftheu.com,streakingthelawn.com,stridenation.com,swishappeal.com,tarheelblog.com,testudotimes.com,acmilan.theoffside.com,thebusbybabe.sbnation.com,thechampaignroom.com,crawfishboxes.com,crimsonquarry.com,thedailygopher.com,thedailystampede.com,thedreamshake.com,thefalcoholic.com,thegoodphight.com,jerseydoesntshrink.com,liverpooloffside.sbnation.com,theonlycolors.com,thephinsider.com,ralphiereport.com,theshortfuse.sbnation.com,thesirenssong.com,slipperstillfits.com,smokingmusket.com,thetilehurstend.sbnation.com,theuconnblog.com,threelionsroar.com,throughitalltogether.sbnation.com,tomahawknation.com,nunesmagician.com,truebluela.com,turfshowtimes.com,twiceacosmo.com,twinkietown.com,underdogdynasty.com,uwdawgpound.com,vanquishthefoe.com,villarrealusa.com,violanation.com,vivaelbirdos.com,vivathematadors.com,vuhoops.com,weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com,widerightnattylite.com,windycitygridiron.com","Content ID":"366887","Story Word Count":3045,"Entry Groups":"front-page","articleSection":"Front Page","Author":"Ben Golliver","Last Time Updated":"2008-08-28 01:55","Hour of Update":"01","Modified Date":"2008-08-28 01:46","Publish Date":"2008-08-28 01:49","Hour of Publish":"01","simplereach_title":"Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II","simplereach_url":"https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par","simplereach_authors":["Ben Golliver"],"simplereach_channels":["blazersedge.com"],"simplereach_date":"Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:49:34 -0000","Evergreen URL":"no value set","commerceAffiliateDisclosure":"no value set:no value set","Live Blog":false,"Demand Post":"no","All Chorus Categories":"sbnation:blazersedge:front-page","Content Type":"article","chartbeat_domain":"blazersedge.com","chartbeat_zone":"172968584/sbn/nba/blazersedge.com","chartbeat_authors":"Ben Golliver","Logged in Status":"Logged Out","auth0_id":"No Auth0 ID","enable_url_cleaning":true}; initialDataLayer.pageloadId = window.pageloadId; dataLayer = [initialDataLayer]; </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W8JKW6');</script>  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://stats.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.permutive.com"> <script> var concertAdsQueue = concertAdsQueue || []; if (!window.pageloadId) { window.pageloadId = (crypto.randomUUID) ? crypto.randomUUID() : ([1e7]+-1e3+-4e3+-8e3+-1e11).replace(/[018]/g, function (c) { return (c ^ crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(1))[0] & 15 >> c / 4).toString(16);} ); } CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG = {"slug":"/172968584/sbn/nba/blazersedge.com","dfpVariables":{"network":["sbn"],"affiliation":["nba","basketball"],"team":["portland-trail-blazers"],"unison":[true],"entry_id":[366887],"entry_type":["article"],"entry_slug":["2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par"],"entry_author":["Ben Golliver"],"entry_title":["Mike Barrett Interview -- Part\u0026nbsp;II"],"entry_published_date":["2008-08-27T22:49:34.000-07:00"],"entry_group":["front-page"],"page_type":["interior_page"],"keywords":["mike","barrett","interview","part","ii","blazer","s","edge","front-page"]},"isUnison":true,"is_unison":true,"prebid":{},"slots":[],"adConfigurationUrl":"https://concertads-configs.vox-cdn.com/sbn/sbn/nba/config.json"} CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG.pageload_id = window.pageloadId; CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG.dfpVariables.pageload_id = window.pageloadId; </script> <link href="https://www.sbnation.com/style/community/37/a5a02021fbb398b0aa83b7ed494f4505/chorus.css" data-chorus-theme="chorus" rel="stylesheet" media="all"> <meta name="style-tools" content="https://www.sbnation.com/style/community/37/b67c6035262ca1aa1d608e5e90d4d126/tools.css"> <script src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/packs/js/concert_ads-0c4d7078fca2c8aa0aa5.js" async="async" integrity="sha256-/WAyOMp8Dvbw38rHtHUnwaml+X9peRV1xtt5uvNDGe4= sha384-DIxN1kCSvZ5W82aXzbG4z9hf8AjF3NoV7dvU6S3Wzr+IuWp2dtYTlIopq1tXnUI4" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function instantiateConcertAds() { var concertAdsConfig = { cmd: window.concertAdsQueue }; for (var property in window.CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG) { concertAdsConfig[property] = window.CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG[property]; } window.concertAds = new ConcertAds(concertAdsConfig); } </script> <script src="https://ads.rubiconproject.com/prebid/7470_Vox_SBNation_Prebid_DM.js" async></script> <script src="https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js" async></script> <script src="https://cdn.concert.io/lib/concert-ads/v2-latest/concert_ads.js" onload="instantiateConcertAds()" async></script> <script src="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" async></script> <script src="https://pub.doubleverify.com/dvtag/21236410/DV464041/pub.js" async></script> <script src="https://cdn.concert.io/lib/concert-concierge.2.8.0.min.js" async></script> <script type="text/javascript"> !(function(o, _name) { o[_name] = o[_name] || function $() { ($.q = $.q || []).push(arguments) }, o[_name].v = o[_name].v || 2; !(function(o, t, n, f, e, i) { function c(f, e) { (f = (function(t, n) { try { if (n = (t = o.localStorage).getItem("_aQS02NDc5MDgyNkVCRDVBQ0FDQzgwNzQwNDYtMjM4")) return JSON.parse(n).lgk || []; if ((t.getItem("v4ac1eiZr0") || "").split(",")[4] > 0) return [ [_name + "-engaged", "true"] ] } catch (f) {} })()) && typeof f.forEach === n && (e = o[t].pubads()) && f.forEach((function(o) { o && o[0] && e.setTargeting(o[0], o[1] || "") })) }(i = o[t] = o[t] || {}).cmd = i.cmd || [], typeof i.pubads === n ? c() : typeof i.cmd.unshift === n ? i.cmd.unshift(c) : i.cmd.push(c) })(window, "googletag", "function"); })(window, decodeURI('ad%6dir%61%6c')); !(function(t, c, i) { i = t.createElement(c), t = t.getElementsByTagName(c)[0], i.async = 1, i.src = "https://rollconnection.com/j/ca61b1a518e6b630ce7ef9ee81d1dfdf459f91.main.js", t.parentNode.insertBefore(i, t) })(document, "script"); </script> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="D385D0326A3AE144205C298DB34B4E94"> <meta name="robots" content="nocache"> <meta name="description" content="Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out,..." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out,..." /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="549923288395304" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/community/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.png" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Blazer's Edge" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out,..." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/community/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.png" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="Blazersedge" /> <meta name="sailthru.title" content="Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II" /> <meta name="sailthru.tags" content="nba,basketball,portland-trail-blazers,blazer-s-edge,front-page" /> <meta name="sailthru.description" content="Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out,..." /> <meta name="sailthru.date" content="2008-08-27T22:49:34-07:00" /> <meta name="parsely-title" content="Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II"></meta> <meta name="parsely-link" content="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par"></meta> <meta name="parsely-type" content="post"></meta> <meta name="parsely-image-url" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/community/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.png"></meta> <meta name="parsely-pub-date" content="2008-08-27T22:49:34-07:00"></meta> <meta name="parsely-section" content="front-page"></meta> <meta name="parsely-tags" content="blazersedge,front-page"></meta> <meta name="parsely-author" content="Ben Golliver"></meta> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/favicon/37/favicon-522e8bec.ico"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/touch_icon_ipad_retina_blazersedge.com.minimal.png" sizes="96x96"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/touch_icon_ipad_retina_blazersedge.com.minimal.png" sizes="192x192"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/touch_icon_ipad_retina_blazersedge.com.minimal.png" sizes="180x180"> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/37/touch_icon_ipad_retina_blazersedge.com.minimal.png"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#1e191a"> <meta name="theme-color" content=""> <script class="coral-script" src="https://sbnation.coral.coralproject.net/assets/js/count.js?v=1626303173" defer></script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Blazer's Edge" href="/rss/index.xml" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par","url":"https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par","headline":"Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II","description":"Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out,...","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","xpath":["/html/head/title","/html/head/meta[@name='description']/@content"]},"datePublished":"2008-08-27T22:49:34-07:00","dateModified":"2008-08-27T22:46:33-07:00","articleBody":"Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect. If you missed Part I, go here. In this section we pretty much dork it out, talking at length about blogs. But, hey, that's what bloggers do, right? We also discuss whether he is a \"company man\" and whether team websites should break stories, before we probe the details of his more-than-a-friendship with Kevin Pritchard. Simmah down now. Perhaps my favorite part of this section is hearing him self-critique his blogging. He is so dang critical of himself and I think that this constant self-criticism is something that a lot of writers can relate to. Bloggers, especially, who know that they will receive instant feedback from thousands of readers. I know I can relate to what he's saying; I mean, I'm already regretting the lame opening to this post and I still have 3,000 words left to edit. Please note in this section of the interview there were no Tom Penn interruptions. There are (probably) 2 more parts to this coming later this week. If you are enjoying this interview, I encourage you to head over to Mr. Barrett's blog and thank him for taking the time to speak with Blazersedge at such length. ------------------------------------------------- Blazersedge: You do the TV play by play obviously. You're now a radio host, filling in on 95.5FM and also you do your own Courtside show. You write for Rip City Magazine. You're also blogging. Does anyone else do all four of those? Is this some kind one-of-a-kind 4 tool announcer setup they've got going for you or what? Blazersedge: And processing? Blazersedge: It seems like in all of your roles you are really out front acting as a face for the organization. Is that something that has come down from up top? Is that a calculated thing, you've said you stumbled in to the blog, but with 95.5FM it seemed like a no-brainer that your role would be expanded. Is this a structured thing putting you at the forefront or ...? Blazersedge: So why hold off? Blazersedge: As kind of an ethical issue, do you think your stance developed from your journalism background? Do you think it's motivated not only by your friendships with the other writers but also by the relationship that should exist between a team and an independent media? Blazersedge: You said your first loyalty before anything is to the team, and if there's a criticism of you that I've heard, it's that you're a \"company man.\" Do you perceive that as a criticism or do you flip that back as a positive? Blazersedge: No, not only that, but also your overall portrayal of the players, their personalities. Perhaps there is a disconnect between when they are your players compared to when they're not your players? Or perhaps it's in your support of management decisions, like trades? Blazersedge: How would you describe your relationship with Kevin Pritchard? It's an ongoing friendship? Blazersedge: Business relationship? Blazersedge: More than that? Blazersedge: Director of Player Personnel? Blazersedge: So when are we going to get KP bobblehead night? Blazersedge: What I'm getting at is that there's almost as much excitement among hardcore Blazers fans around him as there is about anybody on the floor. He's almost as good a selling point in terms of generating interest and getting the message out, \"here's where we were, here's where we are, here's where we are going.\" Again, big ups to Mike Barrett. ------------------------------------------------- -- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ben Golliver","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/users/Ben%20Golliver"}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Blazer's Edge","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13668549/google_amp.0.png","width":600,"height":60}},"articleSection":"Front Page","keywords":["Front Page"],"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eUcoX_GAJ1U6kk8PsR_gvC0oNt0=/0x26:400x293/1400x1400/filters:focal(0x26:400x293):format(png)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827723/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.0.png","width":1400,"height":1400},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c9jrdH_tfwElMrFL9HkxP7NoVFQ=/0x26:400x293/1400x1050/filters:focal(0x26:400x293):format(png)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827723/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.0.png","width":1400,"height":1050},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYTiqv91OCtmnNPSTGuOSFJZA4M=/0x26:400x293/1400x788/filters:focal(0x26:400x293):format(png)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827723/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.0.png","width":1400,"height":788}],"thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eUcoX_GAJ1U6kk8PsR_gvC0oNt0=/0x26:400x293/1400x1400/filters:focal(0x26:400x293):format(png)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827723/large_blazersedge.com.minimal.0.png"}] </script> </head>   <body class="entry_key_ entry_layout_unison_main entry_template_standard" data-entry-id="366887"> <a class="sr-only link-skip" href="#content">Skip to main content</a>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W8JKW6" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <svg width="0" height="0" style="position:absolute;display:none;"><symbol viewbox="90 0 689 645" id="icon-clock" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>clock</title> <path d="M489.1 322.5c0 15-5.4 27.9-16 38.6-10.7 10.7-23.6 16-38.6 16-23.7 0-40.3-10.9-49.9-32.8h-125c-6.4 0-11.6-2.1-15.7-6.1-4-4.1-6.1-9.3-6.1-15.7 0-6.4 2.1-11.6 6.1-15.7 4.1-4.1 9.4-6.1 15.8-6.1h125c5.9-13.2 15.3-22.5 28-28V125.8c0-6.4 2.1-11.6 6.1-15.7 4.1-4.1 9.3-6.1 15.7-6.1 6.4 0 11.6 2 15.7 6.1s6.1 9.3 6.1 15.7v146.8c21.9 9.5 32.9 26.1 32.8 49.9zm-54.6-306c84.2 0 156.3 29.9 216.2 89.8 59.9 59.9 89.8 131.9 89.8 216.2s-29.9 156.3-89.8 216.2c-59.9 59.9-131.9 89.8-216.2 89.8s-156.3-29.9-216.2-89.8c-59.9-59.9-89.8-131.9-89.8-216.2s29.9-156.3 89.8-216.2c59.9-59.9 132-89.8 216.2-89.8zm0 546.4c66.5 0 123.2-23.4 170.1-70.4 46.9-46.9 70.4-103.6 70.4-170.1s-23.4-123.2-70.4-170.1C557.7 105.5 501 82.1 434.5 82.1s-123.2 23.4-170.1 70.4C217.5 199.4 194 256.1 194 322.6s23.4 123.2 70.4 170.1c46.9 46.8 103.6 70.2 170.1 70.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1000 1000" id="icon-close" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M638.6 500l322.7-322.7c38.3-38.3 38.3-100.3 0-138.6S861 .4 822.7 38.7L500 361.4 177.3 38.7C139 .4 77 .4 38.7 38.7S.4 139 38.7 177.3L361.4 500 38.7 822.7C.4 861 .4 923 38.7 961.3 57.9 980.4 82.9 990 108 990s50.1-9.6 69.3-28.7L500 638.6l322.7 322.7c19.1 19.1 44.2 28.7 69.3 28.7 25.1 0 50.1-9.6 69.3-28.7 38.3-38.3 38.3-100.3 0-138.6L638.6 500z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 14 14" id="icon-close-map" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M13.074 12.27L7.698 6.958l5.376-5.312-.896-.896-5.312 5.376L1.554.75l-.896.864 5.376 5.312L.658 12.27l.896.896L6.898 7.79l5.312 5.376z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 18 17" id="icon-comment" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15.667 6.654c0 3.532-3.432 6.397-7.667 6.397-.945 0-1.85-.14-2.686-.4l-4.406 2.1 1.725-3.52c-1.42-1.16-2.3-2.78-2.3-4.56C.333 3.12 3.765.257 8 .257c4.235 0 7.667 2.863 7.667 6.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-135.7 744.2 1008.1 429.7" id="icon-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M872.3 788.5c0 12.1-5.1 25.2-18.2 35.3l-446 335c-12.1 10.1-28.3 15.2-40.4 15.2-15.2 0-28.3-5.1-40.4-15.2l-446.1-335c-18.2-15.2-22.2-40.4-10.1-60.5s40.4-22.2 58.5-10.1l439.1 330.9 435.9-331c18.2-15.2 45.4-10.1 58.5 10.1 7.2 8.1 9.2 15.1 9.2 25.3"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 50.062 37.479" id="icon-email" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.085 21.866L.082 3.114A3.114 3.114 0 0 1 3.207-.012H46.96a3.113 3.113 0 0 1 3.126 3.126l-25 18.752zm0 5.613L50.087 8.726v25.64a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125 3.125H3.208a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125-3.125V8.727L25.085 27.48z" class="afshape-1"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 21.406 43.754" id="icon-facebook" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M5.43 43.754v-20.53H0V15.83h5.43V9.518C5.43 4.558 8.635 0 16.024 0c2.99 0 5.204.286 5.204.286l-.175 6.903s-2.257-.03-4.72-.03c-2.663 0-3.09 1.23-3.09 3.26v5.4h8.022l-.35 7.39h-7.672v20.53H5.43z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 140 200" id="icon-foursquare" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M114.697 27.581l-4.278 22.294c-.511 2.41-3.545 4.945-6.358 4.945h-39.7c-4.467 0-7.664 3.045-7.664 7.508v4.86c0 4.467 3.216 7.632 7.686 7.632h33.681c3.154 0 6.25 3.459 5.568 6.826-.685 3.373-3.886 20.08-4.271 21.924-.387 1.846-2.5 5-6.25 5H65.618c-5.007 0-6.521.654-9.87 4.818-3.353 4.166-33.477 40.342-33.477 40.342-.305.35-.603.249-.603-.134V27.25c0-2.85 2.478-6.194 6.194-6.194h81.78c3.01 0 5.822 2.829 5.055 6.525m3.59 87.418c1.137-4.602 13.899-69.93 18.16-90.656M120.716 0H18.809C4.745 0 .61 10.575.61 17.235v161.916c0 7.503 4.032 10.285 6.296 11.203 2.267.919 8.519 1.692 12.266-2.632 0 0 48.111-55.826 48.938-56.652 1.25-1.25 1.25-1.25 2.5-1.25h31.127c13.08 0 15.183-9.327 16.549-14.821 1.137-4.602 13.899-69.93 18.16-90.656C139.699 8.526 135.681 0 120.716 0"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-295 387 20 20" id="icon-full-screen" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M-275 387.7c0-.2-.1-.4-.2-.5-.1-.1-.3-.2-.5-.2h-5.5c-.4 0-.7.3-.7.7 0 .4.4.8.6 1l1.4 1.4-3.9 3.9 1.9 1.9 3.9-3.9 1.4 1.4c.3.3.6.6 1 .6s.7-.3.7-.7l-.1-5.6zm-13.1 10.5l-3.9 4-1.4-1.4c-.3-.3-.6-.6-1-.6s-.6.3-.6.6v5.4c0 .2.1.4.2.5.1.1.3.2.5.2h5.4c.4 0 .6-.3.6-.6 0-.4-.4-.8-.6-.9l-1.4-1.4 4-3.9-1.8-1.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-295 387 20 20" id="icon-full-screen-exit" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M-293.2 406.9l3.9-4 1.4 1.4c.3.3.6.6 1 .6s.6-.3.6-.6v-5.4c0-.2-.1-.4-.2-.5-.1-.1-.3-.2-.5-.2h-5.4c-.4 0-.6.3-.6.6 0 .4.4.8.6.9l1.4 1.4-4 3.9 1.8 1.9zM-276.91 387.05l-3.9 4-1.4-1.4c-.3-.3-.6-.6-1-.6s-.6.3-.6.6v5.4c0 .2.1.4.2.5.1.1.3.2.5.2h5.4c.4 0 .6-.3.6-.6 0-.4-.4-.8-.6-.9l-1.4-1.4 4-3.9-1.8-1.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 39.605 39.633" id="icon-google-plus" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12.488 37.682c-4.69 0-8.08-2.97-8.08-6.537 0-3.496 3.976-6.51 8.667-6.46a10.21 10.21 0 0 1 3.04.488c2.547 1.77 4.6 2.876 5.117 4.894.096.41.15.83.15 1.26 0 3.567-2.3 6.355-8.894 6.355m1.233-21.46c-3.14-.093-6.14-2.982-6.68-7.116-.54-4.136 1.57-7.3 4.72-7.206 3.15.094 5.84 3.486 6.39 7.62.55 4.136-1.27 6.797-4.41 6.703m6.75 6.457c-1.08-.813-3.44-2.478-3.44-3.596 0-1.31.38-1.955 2.35-3.495 2.03-1.58 3.46-3.67 3.46-6.25 0-2.82-1.15-5.37-3.31-6.61h3.06L25.2 0H13.51C7.584 0 2.644 4.37 2.644 9.18c0 4.912 3.246 8.83 8.82 8.83.388 0 .764-.02 1.133-.048-.36.694-.62 1.467-.62 2.277 0 1.36.75 2.14 1.68 3.04-.702 0-1.38.02-2.12.02C4.75 23.3 0 27.97 0 32.46c0 4.412 5.726 7.173 12.513 7.173 7.737 0 12.495-4.39 12.495-8.8 0-3.54-.764-5.32-4.536-8.15M31.52.54v5.388h-5.388v2.695h5.39v5.39h2.694v-5.39h5.39V5.928h-5.39V.538"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 105.4 105.7" class="alinline-svg" id="icon-grid" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M0 0h47.7v47.7H0z" class="alshape-1"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M57.7 0h47.7v47.7H57.7z" class="alshape-2"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M0 58h47.7v47.7H0z" class="alshape-3"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M57.7 58h47.7v47.7H57.7z" class="alshape-4"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 64.37 40.34" id="icon-hamburger" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path class="amcls-1" d="M0 30h64.37v10.34H0zm0-15h64.37v10.34H0zM0 0h64.37v10.34H0z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 671.78668 671.78668" id="icon-instagram" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g transform="matrix(.13333 0 0 -.13333 0 671.787)"><path d="M2519.21 5038.41c-684.18 0-769.97-2.9-1038.67-15.16-268.14-12.23-451.27-54.82-611.513-117.09-165.66-64.38-306.148-150.52-446.203-290.57-140.051-140.05-226.191-280.55-290.57-446.21-62.273-160.24-104.86-343.37-117.098-611.51C2.898 3289.17 0 3203.38 0 2519.2c0-684.17 2.898-769.96 15.156-1038.66 12.239-268.14 54.825-451.27 117.098-611.509 64.379-165.66 150.519-306.152 290.57-446.211 140.055-140.05 280.543-226.191 446.203-290.57C1029.27 69.98 1212.4 27.39 1480.54 15.16 1749.24 2.902 1835.03 0 2519.21 0c684.17 0 769.96 2.902 1038.66 15.16 268.14 12.23 451.27 54.82 611.51 117.09 165.66 64.379 306.15 150.52 446.21 290.57 140.05 140.059 226.19 280.551 290.57 446.211 62.27 160.239 104.86 343.369 117.09 611.509 12.26 268.7 15.16 354.49 15.16 1038.66 0 684.18-2.9 769.97-15.16 1038.67-12.23 268.14-54.82 451.27-117.09 611.51-64.38 165.66-150.52 306.16-290.57 446.21-140.06 140.05-280.55 226.19-446.21 290.57-160.24 62.27-343.37 104.86-611.51 117.09-268.7 12.26-354.49 15.16-1038.66 15.16zm0-453.91c672.65 0 752.33-2.57 1017.97-14.69 245.62-11.2 379.01-52.24 467.78-86.74 117.59-45.7 201.51-100.29 289.66-188.44 88.16-88.16 142.75-172.08 188.45-289.67 34.5-88.77 75.54-222.16 86.74-467.78 12.12-265.64 14.69-345.32 14.69-1017.98 0-672.65-2.57-752.33-14.69-1017.97-11.2-245.62-52.24-379.01-86.74-467.78-45.7-117.591-100.29-201.509-188.45-289.661-88.15-88.16-172.07-142.75-289.66-188.449-88.77-34.5-222.16-75.539-467.78-86.738-265.6-12.122-345.27-14.692-1017.97-14.692-672.71 0-752.37 2.57-1017.98 14.692-245.62 11.199-379.01 52.238-467.78 86.738-117.591 45.699-201.509 100.289-289.661 188.449-88.152 88.152-142.75 172.07-188.449 289.661-34.5 88.77-75.535 222.16-86.742 467.78-12.121 265.64-14.688 345.32-14.688 1017.97 0 672.66 2.567 752.34 14.688 1017.98 11.207 245.62 52.242 379.01 86.742 467.78 45.699 117.59 100.293 201.51 188.445 289.66 88.156 88.16 172.074 142.75 289.665 188.45 88.77 34.5 222.16 75.54 467.78 86.74 265.64 12.12 345.32 14.69 1017.98 14.69"></path><path d="M2519.21 1679.47c-463.78 0-839.74 375.96-839.74 839.73 0 463.78 375.96 839.74 839.74 839.74 463.77 0 839.73-375.96 839.73-839.74 0-463.77-375.96-839.73-839.73-839.73zm0 2133.38c-714.47 0-1293.65-579.18-1293.65-1293.65 0-714.46 579.18-1293.64 1293.65-1293.64 714.46 0 1293.64 579.18 1293.64 1293.64 0 714.47-579.18 1293.65-1293.64 1293.65M4166.27 3863.96c0-166.96-135.35-302.3-302.31-302.3-166.95 0-302.3 135.34-302.3 302.3s135.35 302.31 302.3 302.31c166.96 0 302.31-135.35 302.31-302.31"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="-27.7 455.1 337.2 791.1" id="icon-left" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="inherit" d="M274.8 1246.2c-9.5 0-19.8-4-27.7-14.3l-262.9-350c-7.9-9.5-11.9-22.2-11.9-31.7 0-11.9 4-22.2 11.9-31.7l262.9-350.1c11.9-14.3 31.7-17.4 47.5-7.9 15.8 9.5 17.4 31.7 7.9 45.9L42.8 851l259.8 342.1c11.9 14.3 7.9 35.6-7.9 45.9-6.4 5.6-11.9 7.2-19.9 7.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 18 18" id="icon-link" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g opacity=".4"><path d="M10.546 13.732l.623-.623a.957.957 0 0 0 .121-.137c.263-.273.48-.582.65-.905a4.44 4.44 0 0 0 .46-2.733 3.766 3.766 0 0 0-.158-.692 3.61 3.61 0 0 0-.244-.604 4.355 4.355 0 0 0-.877-1.245 4.35 4.35 0 0 0-1.245-.876l-1.14 1.14c-.08.08-.146.163-.204.256a2.735 2.735 0 0 1 2.07 2.07c.044.21.066.426.06.644a2.601 2.601 0 0 1-.765 1.81l-.69.689-.513.513-.485.485-1.237 1.237c-1.037 1.037-2.737 1.024-3.79-.029-1.052-1.052-1.064-2.753-.028-3.789L4.39 9.706a5.663 5.663 0 0 1-.208-2.338L1.881 9.67c-1.73 1.73-1.709 4.56.048 6.316 1.757 1.757 4.586 1.778 6.316.048l2.302-2.302z"></path><path d="M7.339 7.802a2.54 2.54 0 0 1 .1-.668c.114-.42.339-.814.665-1.14l.693-.694.51-.51.48-.48 1.242-1.241c1.036-1.036 2.736-1.024 3.789.029 1.052 1.052 1.064 2.753.029 3.789l-1.241 1.24c.233.76.302 1.556.211 2.335l2.303-2.303c1.73-1.73 1.708-4.558-.049-6.315C14.314.087 11.485.066 9.756 1.796L7.453 4.098l-.623.623a.934.934 0 0 0-.121.138 3.904 3.904 0 0 0-.645.9 4.39 4.39 0 0 0-.46 2.733c.028.244.08.472.153.696.065.206.142.41.245.604.209.452.503.87.877 1.244.373.374.791.668 1.244.878l1.14-1.141a1.38 1.38 0 0 0 .204-.256 2.68 2.68 0 0 1-1.335-.734 2.685 2.685 0 0 1-.793-1.98z"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 16 16" id="icon-linkedin" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M.2 15.876h3.394V5.222H.2v10.654zM1.997 0C.8 0 0 .836 0 1.88s.8 1.88 1.997 1.88 1.997-.836 1.997-1.88C3.794.836 2.994 0 1.997 0zm9.985 4.804c-1.798 0-2.596 1.045-2.996 1.88V5.222H5.392c.2 1.045 0 10.862 0 10.862h3.395V9.818c0-.21 0-.627.2-.836.2-.626.798-1.253 1.796-1.253 1.2 0 1.798 1.04 1.798 2.5v5.64h3.4V9.82c0-3.342-1.79-5.014-3.99-5.014z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 35.4 51" id="icon-map-marker" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M18 51.733c11.8-15.9 17.7-27.1 17.7-33.5 0-9.7-7.9-17.5-17.7-17.5S.3 8.533.3 18.233c0 6.4 5.9 17.6 17.7 33.5z"></path><circle r="8" cy="18" cx="18" fill="#fff"></circle></symbol><symbol viewbox="-375 489.5 37.2 30.3" id="icon-menu" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>menu</title> <path d="M-367 489.5h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4zm8 12.8h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4zm8 13.7h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 179 96" id="icon-more" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>more-arrow</title> <path d="M178.86 47.677L129.776 0v34.313H0v26.625h116.296v.103h13.48v34.31l49.084-47.67"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 50.062 37.479" id="icon-newsletter_signup" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.085 21.866L.082 3.114A3.114 3.114 0 0 1 3.207-.012H46.96a3.113 3.113 0 0 1 3.126 3.126l-25 18.752zm0 5.613L50.087 8.726v25.64a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125 3.125H3.208a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125-3.125V8.727L25.085 27.48z" class="aushape-1"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 832 512" id="icon-norgie-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15.244 98.497L379.433 495.43c20.249 22.24 53.137 22.23 73.373-.021.51-.608.71-1.47 1.25-2.077L817.152 98.259c20.233-22.224 20.223-58.326-.028-80.54-.202-.1-.531-.202-.735-.404C807.065 6.732 793.993-.005 779.353 0L52.923.208C38.073.212 24.903 7.286 15.43 18.18l-.2-.227c-20.314 22.325-20.304 58.33.023 80.543h-.008z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 512 832.328" id="icon-norgie-right" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M98.278 817.088l397.038-364.076c22.245-20.243 22.245-53.13 0-73.373-.608-.51-1.47-.71-2.077-1.25L98.27 15.18c-22.218-20.24-58.32-20.24-80.54.005-.1.202-.202.53-.404.734C6.74 25.24 0 38.31 0 52.95v726.43c0 14.85 7.07 28.022 17.963 37.5l-.228.2c22.32 20.32 58.324 20.32 80.543 0z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 47.3 34.3" id="icon-opentable" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M30.1 0C20.7 0 13 7.7 13 17.2s7.7 17.2 17.2 17.2 17.2-7.7 17.2-17.2C47.3 7.7 39.6 0 30.1 0zm0 21.5c-2.4 0-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3s1.9-4.3 4.3-4.3 4.3 1.9 4.3 4.3c0 2.3-1.9 4.3-4.3 4.3zM0 17.2c0 2.4 1.9 4.3 4.3 4.3s4.3-1.9 4.3-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3-4.3S0 14.8 0 17.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 12 12" id="icon-pencil" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1.3 8.4c0 .1 0 .1 0 0L0 11.6c0 .1 0 .2.1.3 0 .1.1.1.1.1h.1l3.1-1.2s.1 0 .1-.1l6.2-6.2-2.2-2.3-6.2 6.2zm10.5-7L10.6.2c-.3-.3-.8-.3-1.1 0L8.2 1.5l2.2 2.2 1.3-1.3c.4-.2.4-.7.1-1z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 60.7 93.3" id="icon-pin" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M57.2 34.6c0 4.8-1.3 9.3-3.5 13.2L31.8 87.5c-.3.5-.9.8-1.5.8-.7 0-1.2-.4-1.5-.8L6.9 47.7c-2.2-3.8-3.5-8.4-3.5-13.2 0-14.8 12-26.9 26.9-26.9 14.9.1 26.9 12.1 26.9 27zm-16.8 0c0-5.6-4.5-10.1-10.1-10.1S20.2 29 20.2 34.6s4.5 10.1 10.1 10.1 10.1-4.5 10.1-10.1z" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-285 377 40 40" id="icon-pinterest" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M-265 377.1c-10.9 0-19.7 8.9-19.7 19.8 0 8.1 4.9 15 11.8 18.1-.1-1.4 0-3 .3-4.5.4-1.6 2.5-10.8 2.5-10.8s-.6-1.3-.6-3.1c0-2.9 1.7-5.1 3.8-5.1 1.8 0 2.7 1.3 2.7 3 0 1.8-1.2 4.5-1.7 7-.5 2.1 1 3.8 3.1 3.8 3.7 0 6.3-4.8 6.3-10.5 0-4.3-2.9-7.6-8.2-7.6-6 0-9.7 4.5-9.7 9.5 0 1.7.5 2.9 1.3 3.9.4.4.4.6.3 1.1l-.4 1.6c-.1.5-.5.7-1 .5-2.8-1.1-4-4.1-4-7.5 0-5.6 4.7-12.3 14.1-12.3 7.5 0 12.5 5.5 12.5 11.3 0 7.7-4.3 13.5-10.7 13.5-2.1 0-4.1-1.2-4.8-2.5 0 0-1.1 4.5-1.4 5.4-.4 1.5-1.2 3-2 4.2 1.8.5 3.7.8 5.6.8 10.9 0 19.7-8.8 19.7-19.7 0-11-8.9-19.9-19.8-19.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-230 372 50 50" id="icon-play" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#999" d="M-214 376l25.6 21.1L-214 418v-42z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 17 17" id="icon-rec" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M7.544.405l2.305 4.64 5.15.743L11.27 9.4l.88 5.1-4.61-2.407-4.6 2.407.88-5.1L.087 5.79l5.153-.744L7.545.404z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 450 386" id="icon-refresh" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M352.629 288.14l96-111.9h-64.7c-2.3-27.9-10.5-54-23.5-77.3-27.4-49.2-75.8-85.1-133-95.6-.7-.1-1.5-.3-2.2-.4-.5-.1-.9-.2-1.4-.2-10.1-1.7-20.6-2.6-31.2-2.6h-.4c-90.9.2-167 63.6-186.7 148.6v.1c-.3 1.1-.5 2.2-.7 3.3-.1.5-.2.9-.3 1.4-.1.7-.3 1.4-.4 2.1-.2.9-.3 1.7-.5 2.6-.1.4-.1.7-.2 1.1l-.6 3.6v.2c-1 6.3-1.6 12.7-1.9 19.1v.8c-.1 1.4-.1 2.7-.2 4.1 0 1.6-.1 3.3-.1 5 0 1.7 0 3.3.1 5 0 1.4.1 2.7.2 4.1v.9c.3 6.5 1 12.9 1.9 19.1v.2l.6 3.6c.1.4.1.7.2 1.1.2.9.3 1.8.5 2.6.1.7.3 1.4.4 2.1.1.5.2 1 .3 1.4.2 1.1.5 2.2.7 3.2v.1c19.7 85 96.1 148.4 187.1 148.6 42.9-.1 83.1-14.2 116.9-40.7l7.5-5.9-43.2-46.2-6.2 4.6c-22.1 16.3-47.5 24.2-75 24.2-70.6 0-128-57-128-128s57.4-128 128-128c66.4 0 122.8 46.6 129.5 112h-73.5l104 112z" xmlns:bx="https://boxy-svg.com" bx:origin="0.5 0.5"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-27.7 455.1 337.2 791.1" id="icon-right" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="inherit" d="M6.9 455.1c9.5 0 19.8 4 27.7 14.3l262.9 350.1c7.9 9.5 11.9 22.2 11.9 31.7 0 11.9-4 22.2-11.9 31.7l-262.8 350c-11.9 14.3-31.7 17.4-47.5 7.9-15.8-9.5-17.4-31.7-7.9-45.9L239 850.3-20.8 508.2c-11.9-14.3-7.9-35.6 7.9-45.9 6.4-5.6 11.9-7.2 19.8-7.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1000 1000" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" id="icon-rss" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M0 866q0-55 39-94t94-39 94 39 39 94q0 56-39 94.5T133 999t-94-39-39-94zm0-335V340q179 0 331 88.5T571.5 669t88.5 331H468q0-194-137-331Q193 531 0 531zm0-339V0q203 0 388 79.5T707 293t213.5 319 79.5 388H808q0-164-64-314T571.5 428t-258-172T0 192z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="373.3 133.3 533.3 533.3" id="icon-search" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M754.7 468.7l-22.3-22.3c24.3-33.3 37.5-73.4 37.7-114.7 0-109.5-88.8-198.3-198.3-198.3s-198.3 88.8-198.3 198.3S462.1 530 571.7 530c41.2-.2 81.3-13.4 114.7-37.7l22.3 22.3 152.7 152 45.3-45.3-152-152.6zm-183 0c-75.8 0-137.3-61.5-137.3-137.3S495.8 194 571.7 194 709 255.5 709 331.3c.2 75.7-61 137.1-136.7 137.3-.2.1-.4.1-.6.1z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="206 29.9 642.1 681.3" id="icon-settings" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M843 467.2c4.8 3.2 6.3 9.5 4 15-13.5 41.2-36.4 79.2-64.2 111.7-4 4.8-9.5 6.3-15 4l-81.6-28.5c-20.6 16.6-43.6 30.1-67.3 39.6l-16.6 84.7c-.8 5.5-5.5 10.3-11.1 11.1-21.4 4-42.8 6.3-64.2 6.3-22.2 0-43.6-2.4-64.2-6.3-5.5-.8-10.3-5.5-11.1-11.1L435.2 609c-24.6-9.5-48.3-23-67.3-39.6l-81.6 28.5c-5.5 2.4-11.1.8-15-4-28.5-32.5-51.5-70.5-64.2-111.7-2.4-5.5-.8-11.9 4-15l64.9-57c-2.4-12.7-3.2-26.1-3.2-39.6s.8-26.9 3.2-39.6l-65-57c-4.8-3.2-6.3-9.5-4-15 13.5-41.2 36.4-79.2 64.2-111.7 4-4.8 9.5-6.3 15-4l81.6 28.5c19.8-16.6 43.6-30.1 67.3-39.6l16.6-84.7c.8-5.5 5.5-10.3 11.1-11.1 42.8-8.7 86.3-8.7 129.1 0 5.5.8 10.3 5.5 11.1 11.1l15 85.5c24.6 9.5 47.5 23 67.3 39.6l81.6-28.5c5.5-2.4 11.1-.8 15 4 28.5 32.5 51.5 70.5 64.2 111.7 2.4 5.5.8 11.9-4 15l-65.7 57c2.4 12.7 3.2 26.1 3.2 39.6s-.8 26.9-3.2 39.6l66.6 56.2zm-190-95.8c0-69.7-57.8-127.5-127.5-127.5-70.5 0-127.5 57-127.5 127.5s57 127.5 127.5 127.5S653 441.9 653 371.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 16 16" id="icon-snapchat" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M8.155.48c.662 0 2.903.185 3.96 2.552.354.797.27 2.15.2 3.237l-.002.04c-.008.12-.015.23-.02.34.05.03.135.06.268.06.2-.01.44-.08.69-.2.11-.06.23-.07.31-.07.12 0 .24.02.34.06.3.1.49.32.49.56.01.3-.26.56-.81.78-.06.02-.14.05-.23.08-.3.09-.76.24-.89.54-.06.15-.04.35.08.58l.01.01c.04.09 1.02 2.32 3.2 2.68.17.03.29.18.28.34 0 .05-.01.1-.03.15-.16.38-.85.66-2.1.85-.04.06-.08.25-.11.38-.02.12-.05.24-.09.37-.05.18-.18.27-.37.27h-.02c-.09 0-.21-.02-.36-.05-.24-.05-.51-.09-.85-.09-.2 0-.4.01-.61.05-.4.07-.75.31-1.15.59-.57.4-1.22.86-2.2.86-.04 0-.08-.01-.12-.01h-.1c-.98 0-1.62-.45-2.19-.86-.4-.28-.74-.52-1.14-.59-.21-.03-.42-.05-.62-.05-.36 0-.64.06-.85.1-.14.03-.26.05-.36.05-.25 0-.35-.15-.39-.28-.04-.13-.06-.26-.09-.38s-.07-.33-.11-.38C.89 12.9.2 12.62.04 12.23a.413.413 0 0 1-.036-.15.332.332 0 0 1 .28-.34c2.18-.36 3.16-2.59 3.2-2.684l.01-.02c.12-.23.15-.43.08-.58-.13-.29-.59-.44-.89-.54-.08-.02-.16-.05-.23-.08-.74-.29-.84-.62-.8-.85.06-.32.45-.53.78-.53.097 0 .18.02.256.05.28.13.527.2.737.2a.63.63 0 0 0 .31-.07l-.03-.38c-.065-1.086-.15-2.438.205-3.23C4.94.67 7.175.49 7.835.49l.28-.01h.04z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 17 17" id="icon-star" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M7.544.405l2.305 4.64 5.15.743L11.27 9.4l.88 5.1-4.61-2.407-4.6 2.407.88-5.1L.087 5.79l5.153-.744L7.545.404z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="19.3 54.3 26.9 33.7" id="icon-thumb-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>no</title> <path d="M19.3 84.4c0-4.8 0-9.4.1-14 0-.4 1-1 1.6-1.2 4.2-1.1 7.7-3.2 9.6-7.3.7-1.6.9-3.4 1.5-5 .4-.9 1.2-1.7 1.8-2.5.7.8 2 1.6 2.1 2.5.2 2.2 0 4.5-.2 6.8-.1.9-.4 1.8-.6 3h5.1c1.2 0 2.4 0 3.5.2 1.9.3 2.4 1.3 2.2 3.2-.1 1.2.1 2.4.1 3.6 0 1 0 1.9-.1 2.9-.1 1.1 0 2.2-.3 3.1-1 2.6-2.1 5.2-3.4 7.6-.3.6-1.8.7-2.7.7-2.4.1-4.8.2-7.2 0-1.4-.1-2.9-.5-4-1.3-2.2-1.7-4.4-2.3-7.1-2.1-.6-.1-1.2-.2-2-.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="19.3 54.3 26.9 33.7" id="icon-thumb-up" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>yes</title> <path d="M19.3 84.4c0-4.8 0-9.4.1-14 0-.4 1-1 1.6-1.2 4.2-1.1 7.7-3.2 9.6-7.3.7-1.6.9-3.4 1.5-5 .4-.9 1.2-1.7 1.8-2.5.7.8 2 1.6 2.1 2.5.2 2.2 0 4.5-.2 6.8-.1.9-.4 1.8-.6 3h5.1c1.2 0 2.4 0 3.5.2 1.9.3 2.4 1.3 2.2 3.2-.1 1.2.1 2.4.1 3.6 0 1 0 1.9-.1 2.9-.1 1.1 0 2.2-.3 3.1-1 2.6-2.1 5.2-3.4 7.6-.3.6-1.8.7-2.7.7-2.4.1-4.8.2-7.2 0-1.4-.1-2.9-.5-4-1.3-2.2-1.7-4.4-2.3-7.1-2.1-.6-.1-1.2-.2-2-.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 60.7 93.3" id="icon-topics" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M2.5 21.5h55.2v11.8H2.5zM2.5 42.1h55.2v11.8H2.5zM2.5 64.3h55.2v11.8H2.5z"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 87 60" id="icon-trending" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1.906 46.826c2.213 1.787 5.466 1.46 7.262-.743v-.006l5.26-6.45 8.378 11.286a5.171 5.171 0 0 0 4.827 2.035 5.128 5.128 0 0 0 4.124-3.215l7.96-20.208L51.26 56.577a5.155 5.155 0 0 0 4.754 3.13c.097 0 .19 0 .286-.007a5.172 5.172 0 0 0 4.66-3.667l10.98-36.787 4.854 9.902c1.234 2.552 4.33 3.613 6.89 2.37 2.56-1.234 3.636-4.314 2.386-6.86L75.42 2.888a5.15 5.15 0 0 0-5.067-2.87 5.135 5.135 0 0 0-4.52 3.653L55.146 39.42 44.28 13.93a5.142 5.142 0 0 0-4.827-3.127 5.157 5.157 0 0 0-4.73 3.263L25.56 37.343l-6.79-9.148a5.197 5.197 0 0 0-4.033-2.08 5.139 5.139 0 0 0-4.124 1.897L1.153 39.6a5.125 5.125 0 0 0 .753 7.226" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 23.62 41.098" id="icon-tumblr" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M21.643 32.826c-.764.364-2.226.682-3.316.71-3.29.088-3.927-2.31-3.955-4.052V16.69h8.252v-6.22h-8.222V0h-6.02c-.1 0-.272.087-.296.307C7.734 3.512 6.234 9.135 0 11.382v5.31h4.16V30.12c0 4.595 3.39 11.126 12.343 10.974 3.02-.053 6.375-1.318 7.117-2.408l-1.977-5.86z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 44.71 36.327" id="icon-twitter" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M44.71 4.295c-1.656.724-3.415 1.242-5.278 1.45A9.146 9.146 0 0 0 43.468.673a18.75 18.75 0 0 1-5.796 2.225C35.965 1.138 33.584 0 30.945 0a9.145 9.145 0 0 0-9.16 9.16c0 .724.052 1.448.208 2.12-7.607-.413-14.335-3.88-18.888-9.417-.777 1.345-1.242 2.742-1.242 4.45 0 3.157 1.604 5.95 4.088 7.607a9.376 9.376 0 0 1-4.14-1.138v.103c0 4.45 3.16 8.176 7.35 9.004-.77.2-1.6.31-2.43.31-.57 0-1.14-.06-1.71-.16 1.14 3.62 4.56 6.31 8.54 6.36-3.1 2.48-7.09 4.34-11.38 4.34-.72 0-1.45-.05-2.17-.16 4.04 2.59 8.9 3.72 14.08 3.72 16.87 0 26.08-13.97 26.08-26.08V9.05c1.76-1.294 3.32-2.9 4.56-4.76"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-235.8 423.2 35.7 21.3" id="icon-up" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" d="M-200.5 444.2L-218 424l-17.5 20.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="373.3 133.3 533.3 533.3" id="icon-user" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M640 400c73.6 0 133.3-59.7 133.3-133.3S713.6 133.3 640 133.3 506.7 193 506.7 266.7 566.4 400 640 400zm0 66.7c-89 0-266.7 44.7-266.7 133.3v66.7h533.3V600c.1-88.7-177.6-133.3-266.6-133.3z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1146 1000" id="icon-vimeo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M0 272q55-65 110-116t95.5-77.5 72.5-43T326 14l17-4q12-2 24-2 19 0 35 6 26 10 42.5 34.5t29 55 21.5 72 15 77.5 13.5 79.5T538 403q32 125 51.5 177.5T631 633q24 0 66.5-55.5T791 426q26-48 26-91 0-13-2-23-9-52-51-65-11-4-24-4-35 0-83 26 22-130 134-209Q876 0 965 0q12 0 24 1 102 8 139 90 18 38 18 88 0 29-6 61-18 102-69.5 208t-113 187.5-132.5 155-123.5 117T611 976q-42 24-78.5 24T463 979t-56-48-38-57q-18-38-97.5-298.5T175 295q-1-2-4-4t-13.5-4.5-24 0-36.5 14T47 333z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 86.965 87.642" id="icon-whatsapp" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M44.038 13.007c-16.58 0-30.02 13.44-30.02 30.02a29.883 29.883 0 0 0 4.307 15.503l-5.418 16.106 16.62-5.32a29.915 29.915 0 0 0 14.512 3.733c16.58 0 30.02-13.45 30.02-30.03C74.06 26.44 60.61 13 44.03 13zm0 55.013a24.85 24.85 0 0 1-13.75-4.132l-9.604 3.074 3.122-9.28a24.858 24.858 0 0 1-4.76-14.653c0-13.79 11.212-25 24.993-25 13.78 0 24.99 11.21 24.99 24.99 0 13.78-11.22 24.99-25 24.99zm14.075-18.17c-.753-.412-4.45-2.407-5.143-2.69-.693-.28-1.2-.427-1.74.32s-2.072 2.418-2.538 2.913c-.467.495-.916.54-1.668.128-.752-.41-3.19-1.31-6.02-4.03-2.202-2.11-3.646-4.68-4.065-5.46-.42-.78-.01-1.18.39-1.55.35-.33.8-.86 1.2-1.3.4-.43.54-.74.81-1.25.27-.5.16-.95-.02-1.34s-1.57-4.22-2.15-5.77c-.58-1.56-1.23-1.32-1.68-1.34-.45-.01-.96-.1-1.47-.12-.51-.02-1.35.14-2.08.89-.73.74-2.78 2.52-2.92 6.29-.14 3.77 2.47 7.52 2.83 8.04.36.53 4.98 8.7 12.66 12.06 7.67 3.36 7.71 2.34 9.12 2.26 1.41-.07 4.6-1.68 5.31-3.45.7-1.76.76-3.3.58-3.62-.18-.32-.68-.54-1.43-.95z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="130.35156 177.43359 300 300" overflow="visible" id="icon-yahoo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M420.926 272.27c-5.2.514-26.85 5.365-34.13 6.925-7.79 2.073-78.983 57.075-83.66 70.58-1.036 4.674-1.556 11.866-1.556 18.624l-.52 10.91c-.002 7.79 2.162 20.35 3.198 27.1 4.68 1.04 38.555.13 44.79 1.17l-.768 13.97c-6.09-.45-49.106-.34-73.68-.34-12.475 0-52.576 1.37-64.897 1l2.33-13.29c6.755-.53 34.728 1.2 40.878-5.29 3.06-3.22 2.09-6.67 2.09-25.38v-8.83c0-4.16 0-11.96-1.04-19.24-2.59-7.8-65.3-86.09-81.41-98.56-4.68-1.56-33.99-4.49-41.26-6.05l-.36-11.97c3.63-1.82 36.22.44 67.85-.73 20.79-.77 68.22 0 74.07.7l-1.5 10.55c-6.23 1.56-36.26 2.14-44.06 4.21 20.27 30.14 52.31 68.94 62.71 84.01 5.72-8.31 55.96-42.87 57.51-54.82-7.79-1.57-33.6-5.28-37.76-5.28l-2.47-13.61c7.08-1.11 44.28 0 62.78 0 15.96 0 50.07 0 59.76.79l-8.86 12.81"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 462 325" id="icon-youtube" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M234.28 1.691c-53.492 0-132.53 3.24-156.188 4.031C52.396 8.02 42.884 9.366 28.811 21.41 7.368 40.48 2.28 77.954 2.28 135.285v54.562c0 65.439 8.69 98.684 23 110.844 16.517 14.17 27.407 15.302 38.406 17 4.27.646 34.49 6 168.594 6 83.626 0 155.507-3.95 162.937-4.906 11.945-1.508 29.104-3.696 42.063-18.094 19.183-21.803 23-57.999 23-110.437V126.69c0-33.943-1.891-81.916-23-102-15.991-13.536-21.848-17.367-54.938-19.031-9.358-.462-91.02-3.969-148.062-3.969zm-49.5 97l123.5 63.75-123.5 64.25v-128z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 155 277" id="icon-mobile" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>mobile</title> <g id="Page-1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g id="mobile" fill="#304148"><path d="M140 0H14.737C6.597 0 0 6.595 0 14.733V261.58c0 8.137 6.598 14.736 14.737 14.736H140c8.138 0 14.737-6.6 14.737-14.737V14.73C154.737 6.595 148.137 0 140 0zM77.368 14.733a7.372 7.372 0 0 1 0 14.742A7.37 7.37 0 0 1 70 22.105a7.37 7.37 0 0 1 7.368-7.372zm-11.056 231.49h22.105v14.737H66.312v-14.737zM22.105 44.21h110.527v187.895H22.105V44.21z"></path></g></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 20 20" id="icon-phone" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M8.08989 4.94032C8.52492 5.31261 8.52492 5.99582 8.08989 6.43028L6.90852 7.67232C7.71631 9.47239 9.51945 11.2733 11.3218 12.1422L12.5655 10.9002C13.0005 10.4657 13.6846 10.4657 14.1196 10.9002L15.6737 12.4523C16.1088 12.8868 16.1088 13.57 15.6737 14.0045L14.1196 15.5566C11.384 18.2887 0.754248 7.61001 3.42748 4.9402L4.98162 3.32586C5.41665 2.89138 6.10071 2.89138 6.53575 3.32586L8.08989 4.94032Z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 20 20" id="icon-world" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M9.32249 3.02754C8.31491 3.17207 7.60562 3.37708 6.90982 3.72493C4.93764 4.71072 3.6026 6.43771 3.12982 8.61461C2.98016 9.30383 2.98016 10.6963 3.12982 11.3855C3.7475 14.2296 5.89244 16.3337 8.73916 16.8879C9.39851 17.0163 10.7361 17.006 11.3846 16.8676C12.9114 16.5417 14.2208 15.7811 15.239 14.6284C16.0403 13.7214 16.5987 12.5923 16.8677 11.3349C17.0154 10.6447 17.0144 9.34121 16.8656 8.64672C16.407 6.5064 15.1006 4.7698 13.2192 3.79964C12.2017 3.27497 11.3346 3.05363 10.1858 3.0253C9.78799 3.0155 9.39949 3.01648 9.32249 3.02754ZM10.2877 4.87839C10.4316 5.11578 10.6386 5.48855 10.7476 5.70672C10.9584 6.12891 11.3058 7.01502 11.3058 7.13071C11.3058 7.19044 11.1236 7.20005 9.99412 7.20005H8.68237L8.71447 7.07172C8.77533 6.82849 9.07787 6.05597 9.23989 5.73005C9.44369 5.32013 9.95917 4.44672 9.99734 4.44672C10.013 4.44672 10.1437 4.641 10.2877 4.87839ZM7.85609 5.3836C7.70563 5.72931 7.50697 6.25081 7.41457 6.54247C7.32222 6.83419 7.22291 7.10145 7.19388 7.13645C7.15235 7.18643 6.93246 7.20005 6.1668 7.20005C5.63092 7.20005 5.19249 7.18255 5.19249 7.16113C5.19249 7.10443 5.54459 6.61042 5.79402 6.31712C6.07967 5.98135 6.62978 5.51501 7.04768 5.25452C7.35316 5.06412 8.08755 4.71291 8.11756 4.74292C8.12423 4.74954 8.00654 5.03785 7.85609 5.3836ZM12.4978 4.9846C12.9646 5.21905 13.5479 5.67209 14.0365 6.17969C14.3959 6.55307 14.8058 7.08231 14.8058 7.17294C14.8058 7.18787 14.3674 7.20005 13.8315 7.20005C13.1083 7.20005 12.8451 7.18503 12.8102 7.14172C12.7844 7.10966 12.668 6.79727 12.5516 6.44755C12.4353 6.09783 12.2334 5.58548 12.1029 5.30898C11.9726 5.03248 11.8658 4.79626 11.8658 4.78403C11.8658 4.72864 12.1984 4.8342 12.4978 4.9846ZM6.89582 10V11.4H5.76985C4.92546 11.4 4.63207 11.3854 4.5966 11.3417C4.36943 11.0617 4.37032 8.94529 4.59768 8.65838C4.6324 8.61461 4.92486 8.60005 5.76985 8.60005H6.89582V10ZM11.6646 8.82172C11.6855 8.94361 11.7025 9.47388 11.7025 10C11.7025 10.5262 11.6855 11.0564 11.6646 11.1784L11.6268 11.4H9.99916H8.37157L8.33367 11.1784C8.31286 11.0564 8.29583 10.5262 8.29583 10C8.29583 9.47388 8.31286 8.94361 8.33367 8.82172L8.37157 8.60005H9.99916H11.6268L11.6646 8.82172ZM15.3998 8.65838C15.4705 8.74915 15.5517 9.23056 15.5827 9.74338C15.6124 10.2339 15.5015 11.2228 15.4036 11.3408C15.3662 11.3858 15.0785 11.4 14.2107 11.4H13.0671L13.0987 11.0376C13.1161 10.8382 13.1304 10.3713 13.1304 10C13.1304 9.62877 13.1161 9.16187 13.0987 8.96251L13.0671 8.60005H14.2107C15.0703 8.60005 15.3657 8.61452 15.3998 8.65838ZM7.21918 12.8734C7.2595 12.9137 7.29352 12.9925 7.29473 13.0484C7.29599 13.1043 7.48303 13.612 7.71039 14.1767C7.98848 14.8673 8.10468 15.2079 8.06534 15.2171C7.94391 15.2456 7.45494 15.0197 7.04674 14.7467C6.53052 14.4014 5.72668 13.638 5.41929 13.2011C5.29455 13.0238 5.19249 12.861 5.19249 12.8394C5.19249 12.8177 5.632 12.8 6.16918 12.8C6.9948 12.8 7.15716 12.8114 7.21918 12.8734ZM11.3058 12.843C11.3058 12.9378 11.0031 13.7362 10.8117 14.1461C10.5957 14.6088 10.0503 15.5534 9.99916 15.5534C9.94806 15.5534 9.40262 14.6088 9.18665 14.1461C8.99522 13.7362 8.69249 12.9378 8.69249 12.843C8.69249 12.8179 9.23457 12.8 9.99916 12.8C10.7637 12.8 11.3058 12.8179 11.3058 12.843ZM14.8058 12.8384C14.8058 12.9057 14.4188 13.4353 14.1354 13.7558C13.6561 14.298 12.7783 14.9136 12.1108 15.1758C11.9761 15.2287 11.8658 15.2644 11.8658 15.255C11.8658 15.2457 11.9175 15.1251 11.9807 14.9871C12.0682 14.796 12.5032 13.6312 12.7756 12.8584C12.7913 12.8141 13.0393 12.8 13.801 12.8C14.3537 12.8 14.8058 12.8173 14.8058 12.8384Z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 14 14" id="icon-link-out" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M6.8999 0.400024H10.8999V4.40002H9.8999V2.10713L4.8999 7.10713L4.1928 6.40002L9.1928 1.40002H6.8999V0.400024ZM2.3999 2.90002C2.12604 2.90002 1.8999 3.12617 1.8999 3.40002V8.90002C1.8999 9.03263 1.95258 9.15981 2.04635 9.25358C2.14012 9.34735 2.26729 9.40002 2.3999 9.40002H7.8999C8.03251 9.40002 8.15969 9.34735 8.25346 9.25358C8.34722 9.15981 8.3999 9.03263 8.3999 8.90002V5.90002H9.3999V8.90002C9.3999 9.29785 9.24187 9.67938 8.96056 9.96068C8.67926 10.242 8.29773 10.4 7.8999 10.4H2.3999C2.00208 10.4 1.62055 10.242 1.33924 9.96068C1.05794 9.67938 0.899902 9.29785 0.899902 8.90002V3.40002C0.899902 2.57388 1.57376 1.90002 2.3999 1.90002H5.3999V2.90002H2.3999Z"></path></symbol></svg> <div class="l-root l-reskin"> <div class="l-header"> <div class="chorus-emc__content" data-emc-slug="UnisonCustomNavCell" data-emc-bucket="37::"> <header class="c-global-header " data-cid="site/global_header-1739847020_3437_125250" role="banner" data-analytics-placement="navigation" data-cdata='{"nav_items_limit":0}'> <div class="l-wrapper"> <div class="c-global-header__logo "> <a href="/" id="chorus-brand" data-analytics-link="home"> <span class="sr-only">Blazer's Edge homepage</span> <span class="c-global-header__logo-large" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/37/large_Blazer_s_Edge_Full.200282.png" class=""> </span> <span class="c-global-header__logo-small c-global-header__logo-lockup"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/37/large_Blazer_s_Edge_Full.200282.png" class=""> <span class="c-global-header__logo-network "> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-global-header__logo-community"> Blazer's Edge </span> </span> </span> </a> <span class="c-global-header__topic">a Portland Trail Blazers community</span> </div> <h2 class="sr-only" id="global-header__social--label">Follow Blazer's Edge online:</h2> <ul class="c-global-header__social" aria-labelledby="global-header__social--label"> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/Blazersedge" class="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon"><title>Follow Blazer's Edge on Twitter</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blazersedge/107095322667861?ref=mf" class="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon"><title>Follow Blazer's Edge on Facebook</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> </a></li> </ul> <div class="c-global-header__actions"> <div class="c-global-header__login logged_out_menu"> <a class="c-global-header__login-icon" href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/login?community_id=37&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F" data-return-to data-ui="icon"><svg role="img" class="c-global-header__login-svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-user"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Log in or sign up</span> </a> <ul class="c-global-header__login-menu" data-ui="menu"> <li class="c-global-header__login-menu-item logged_out_item"> <a href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/login?community_id=37&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F" data-return-to data-analytics-link="login">Log In</a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__login-menu-item logged_out_item"> <a href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/signup?community_id=37&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F" data-return-to data-analytics-link="signup">Sign Up</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="c-global-header__search" aria-labelledby="global-header__search--label"> <h2 class="sr-only" id="global-header__search--label">Site search</h2> <button type="submit" class="c-global-header__search-trigger"> <span class="sr-only">Search</span> <svg role="img" class="c-global-header__login-svg" aria-hidden="true"><title>Search</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-search"></use></svg> </button> </div> </div> <nav class="c-global-header__links" aria-labelledby="global-header__links--label"> <h2 id="global-header__links--label" class="sr-only">Blazer's Edge main menu</h2> <ul> <li class="c-global-header__link is-pinned" data-nav-item-id="fanposts"> <a href="/fanposts"> Fanposts </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link " data-nav-item-id="sections" data-nav-list-trigger="sections"> <a href="/sections"> Sections <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="betting" data-nav-list-trigger="betting"> <a class="c-global-header__label"> Betting <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="about"> <a href="/masthead"> About </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="masthead"> <a href="/masthead"> Masthead </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="community-guidelines"> <a href="/community-guidelines"> Community Guidelines </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link-more " data-nav-list-trigger="more"> <a class="c-global-header__label"> More <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> <span class="c-global-header__link-hamburger"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-hamburger"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="c-global-header__primary-community "> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/blogs"> All 300 communities <span class="c-global-header__primary-community-tag">on</span> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="p-input-header c-global-header__search-menu" data-analytics-class="search"> <form action="/search" method="GET" id="global_search_form" data-analytics-class="search"> <input class="p-input-header__input" name="q" placeholder="Search"> <input type="submit" class="p-input-header__link p-button" value="Search"> </form> </div> <div class="chorus-ad-placement chorus-ad-placement__site_sponsorship_logo"> <div class="site_sponsorship_logo "></div> <div class="site_sponsorship_logo_mobile "></div> </div> </div> </header> <section class="c-nav-list" data-cid="site/nav_list-1739847020_1526_125249" data-cdata='{"tab_id":"more"}'> <div class="c-nav-list__inner"> <ul class="c-nav-list__main" data-nav-list-id="more"> <li data-nav-item-id="fanposts"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/fanposts"> Fanposts </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="sections" data-nav-list-id="sections"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/sections"> Sections <span class="c-nav-list__arrow-down"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> <ul class="c-nav-list__sub-items"> <li class=" "> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/24168313/trail-blazers-roster-salaries-cap-space-draft-picks"> Blazers Salary Cap and Draft Pick Info </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/blazers-history"> History of the Portland Trail Blazers </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="/archives/full"> Full Archive </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="betting" data-nav-list-id="betting"> <span class="c-nav-list__label"> Betting <span class="c-nav-list__arrow-down"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </span> <ul class="c-nav-list__sub-items"> <li class=" "> <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="sponsored nofollow"> FanDuel NBA Odds </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=nba-finals" rel="sponsored nofollow"> FanDuel NBA Championship Odds </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/teams/nba/portland-trail-blazers/odds" rel="sponsored nofollow"> Portland Trail Blazers Odds </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="https://www.fanduel.com/research/nba" rel="sponsored nofollow"> NBA Picks and Predictions </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="about"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/masthead"> About </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="masthead"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/masthead"> Masthead </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="community-guidelines"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/community-guidelines"> Community Guidelines </a> </li> <button data-ui="close-nav" type="button" class="c-nav-list__close">✕</button> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="c-ad-allowlist" data-ui="ad-allowlist" data-cid="site/ad_allowlist-1739846146_6443_126866" data-cdata='{"adblocker_allowlist_prompt_enabled":true,"messaging_urls":["https://cdn.concert.io/lib/adblock/sbnation.html"],"selector":".l-header"}'></div> </div> <style id="custom-entry-styles" type="text/css"> </style> <main id="content" tabindex="-1" class="l-wrapper"> <article class="l-segment l-main-content"> <span data-content-admin-id="366887"></span> <div class="l-segment"> <div class="c-entry-hero c-entry-hero--default "> <div class="c-entry-group-labels c-entry-group-labels--article"> <p class="sr-only c-entry-box--compact__labels-title" id="heading-label--dt5nic2u">Filed under:</p> </div> <div class="c-entry-hero__header-wrap"> <h1 class="c-page-title">Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II</h1> </div> <div class="c-byline"> <span class="c-byline-wrapper"> By <span class="c-byline__item"> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Ben%20Golliver" data-analytics-link="author-name"><span class="c-byline__author-name">Ben Golliver</span></a> </span> <span class="c-byline__item"> <time class="c-byline__item" data-ui="timestamp" datetime="2008-08-28T05:46:33"> Aug 27, 2008, 10:46pm PDT </time> </span> </span> <span class="c-byline__gear"> <a data-entry-admin="366887" data-cid="tools/entry_admin_button-1739847019_1734_125235" data-cdata='{"id":366887}'></a> </span> </div> </div> <div class="c-social-buttons c-social-buttons--popover main-social" data-cid="site/social_buttons_list/popover-1739847019_2281_125236" data-cdata='{"entry_id":366887,"services":["twitter","facebook","reddit","pocket","flipboard","email"],"base_url":"https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par"}'> <h2 class="sr-only" id="heading-label--5avsjfef">Share this story</h2> <ul aria-labelledby="heading-label--5avsjfef"> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?text=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?counturl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par&text=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par&via=Blazersedge" data-analytics-social="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-buttons__reddit"> <a class="c-social-buttons__item" href="https://reddit.com/submit?title=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="reddit"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 17 17" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M8.5,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.5S3.8,17,8.5,17S17,13.2,17,8.5S13.2,0,8.5,0z M14,10.2c0,0.1,0,0.3,0,0.4c0,2.2-2.5,3.9-5.6,3.9 s-5.6-1.8-5.6-3.9c0-0.2,0-0.3,0-0.5C2.5,9.9,2.2,9.4,2.2,8.9c0-0.8,0.6-1.5,1.4-1.5c0.4,0,0.7,0.2,0.9,0.4C5.2,7.3,6,6.9,7,6.8 c0.3-0.1,0.3-0.1,0.7-0.1l0.7-3.1C8.6,2.9,8.8,2.9,9.3,3C11.1,3.5,12,3.7,12,3.7c0.2-0.3,0.5-0.3,0.8-0.3c0.6,0,1.1,0.5,1.1,1.2 s-0.5,1.2-1.1,1.2c-0.5,0-1-0.5-1.1-1c0,0-0.7-0.2-2.2-0.6C9.1,5.9,8.9,6.7,8.9,6.7c1.3,0.1,2.6,0.5,3.5,1.1c0.3-0.3,0.6-0.4,1-0.4 c0.8,0,1.4,0.7,1.4,1.5C14.8,9.4,14.5,9.9,14,10.2z"></path> <path d="M10.2,12.2c-0.3,0.4-0.9,0.5-1.7,0.5l0,0l0,0c-0.8,0-1.4-0.2-1.7-0.5c-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.1-0.3,0c-0.1,0.1-0.1,0.2,0,0.3 c0.4,0.4,1.1,0.7,2,0.7l0,0l0,0c0.9,0,1.6-0.2,2-0.7c0.1-0.1,0.1-0.2,0-0.3C10.4,12.1,10.3,12.1,10.2,12.2z"></path> <ellipse cx="6.6" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> <ellipse cx="10.4" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Reddit</span> </a> </li> <li data-ui="more"> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__more" href="#" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 21 20" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M18.4,12.9c-0.3,0-0.6,0.3-0.6,0.6V17c0,1-0.8,1.8-1.8,1.8H3c-1,0-1.8-0.8-1.8-1.8V4C1.2,3,2,2.2,3,2.2h8.4 c0.3,0,0.6-0.3,0.6-0.6S11.7,1,11.3,1H3C1.3,1,0,2.3,0,4V17c0,1.6,1.3,3,3,3H16c1.6,0,3-1.3,3-3v-3.5C19,13.2,18.7,12.9,18.4,12.9z"></path> <path d="M20.9,5.3C20.9,5.3,20.9,5.3,20.9,5.3c0-0.1,0-0.1,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0 c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0,0l-4.6-4.6c-0.2-0.2-0.6-0.2-0.8,0s-0.2,0.6,0,0.8l3.3,3.3c-2.1-0.3-5.5-0.3-8.5,1.5 C7.6,7.5,5.9,10,5.2,13.5c-0.1,0.3,0.1,0.6,0.5,0.7c0,0,0.1,0,0.1,0c0.3,0,0.5-0.2,0.6-0.5c0.6-3.1,2.1-5.4,4.3-6.8 c3-1.8,6.7-1.5,8.5-1.2l-3.8,3.9c-0.2,0.2-0.2,0.6,0,0.8c0.1,0.1,0.3,0.2,0.4,0.2s0.3-0.1,0.4-0.2l4.6-4.6c0,0,0,0,0,0 c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0-0.1C20.9,5.4,20.9,5.4,20.9,5.3 C20.9,5.4,20.9,5.4,20.9,5.3z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons--label" aria-hidden="true">Share</span> <span class="sr-only">All sharing options</span> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover" data-ui="popover"> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover-header"> <h3 tabindex="-1"> <strong aria-hidden="true">Share</strong> <span class="sr-only">All sharing options for:</span> <span>Mike Barrett Interview -- Part II</span> </h3> </div> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover-body"> <ul> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__reddit" href="https://reddit.com/submit?title=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="reddit"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 17 17" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M8.5,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.5S3.8,17,8.5,17S17,13.2,17,8.5S13.2,0,8.5,0z M14,10.2c0,0.1,0,0.3,0,0.4c0,2.2-2.5,3.9-5.6,3.9 s-5.6-1.8-5.6-3.9c0-0.2,0-0.3,0-0.5C2.5,9.9,2.2,9.4,2.2,8.9c0-0.8,0.6-1.5,1.4-1.5c0.4,0,0.7,0.2,0.9,0.4C5.2,7.3,6,6.9,7,6.8 c0.3-0.1,0.3-0.1,0.7-0.1l0.7-3.1C8.6,2.9,8.8,2.9,9.3,3C11.1,3.5,12,3.7,12,3.7c0.2-0.3,0.5-0.3,0.8-0.3c0.6,0,1.1,0.5,1.1,1.2 s-0.5,1.2-1.1,1.2c-0.5,0-1-0.5-1.1-1c0,0-0.7-0.2-2.2-0.6C9.1,5.9,8.9,6.7,8.9,6.7c1.3,0.1,2.6,0.5,3.5,1.1c0.3-0.3,0.6-0.4,1-0.4 c0.8,0,1.4,0.7,1.4,1.5C14.8,9.4,14.5,9.9,14,10.2z"></path> <path d="M10.2,12.2c-0.3,0.4-0.9,0.5-1.7,0.5l0,0l0,0c-0.8,0-1.4-0.2-1.7-0.5c-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.1-0.3,0c-0.1,0.1-0.1,0.2,0,0.3 c0.4,0.4,1.1,0.7,2,0.7l0,0l0,0c0.9,0,1.6-0.2,2-0.7c0.1-0.1,0.1-0.2,0-0.3C10.4,12.1,10.3,12.1,10.2,12.2z"></path> <ellipse cx="6.6" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> <ellipse cx="10.4" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Reddit</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__pocket" href="https://getpocket.com/save?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="pocket"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 16 14" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M14.4,0.1H2c-0.6,0-1.1,0.5-1.1,1.1v4.6c0,4,3.3,7.3,7.3,7.3c4,0,7.3-3.3,7.3-7.3V1.2C15.5,0.6,15,0.1,14.4,0.1 z M12.5,5.4L8.9,9C8.7,9.2,8.4,9.3,8.2,9.3C8,9.3,7.7,9.2,7.5,9L3.9,5.4C3.5,5,3.5,4.4,3.9,4c0.4-0.4,1-0.4,1.3,0l3,3l3-3 c0.4-0.4,1-0.4,1.3,0C12.9,4.4,12.9,5,12.5,5.4z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Pocket</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__flipboard" href="https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?title=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par&v=2" data-analytics-social="flipboard"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 16 16" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M0,0v16h16V0H0z M12.9,6.4H9.6v3.2H6.5v3.2H3.2V3.2h9.7V6.4z"></path> <polygon opacity="0.13" points="6.5,3.2 6.5,6.4 9.8,6.4 12.9,6.4 12.9,3.2 "></polygon> <polygon opacity="0.23" points="6.5,9.7 9.7,9.7 9.7,6.4 6.5,6.4 "></polygon> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Flipboard</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__email" href="mailto:?subject=Mike%20Barrett%20Interview%20--%20Part%20II&body=Mike%20Barrett%20Interview%20--%20Part%20II%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="email"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-email"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span class="c-social-buttons__popover-caret" data-ui="caret"></span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-sidebar-fixed l-segment l-article-body-segment"> <div class="l-col__main"> <div class="c-entry-content "> <p>Check it out bredren, shotta here with the realness. Part II of the Mike Barrett Interview is now in full effect.  If you missed Part I, <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/23/599951/mike-barrett-interview-par">go here</a>.</p> <p>In this section we pretty much dork it out, talking at length about blogs.  But, hey, that's what bloggers do, right?  We also discuss whether he is a "company man" and whether team websites should break stories, before we probe the details of his more-than-a-friendship with Kevin Pritchard.  Simmah down now.</p> <p>Perhaps my favorite part of this section is hearing him self-critique his blogging.   He is so dang critical of himself and I think that this constant self-criticism is something that a lot of writers can relate to.  Bloggers, especially, who know that they will receive instant feedback from thousands of readers.  I know I can relate to what he's saying; I mean, I'm already regretting the lame opening to this post and I still have 3,000 words left to edit. </p> <p>Please note in this section of the interview there were no Tom Penn interruptions.</p> <p>There are (probably) 2 more parts to this coming later this week.  <span style="text-decoration: underline;">If you are enjoying this interview, I encourage you to head over to </span><a href="http://mikebarrettsblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mr. Barrett's blog</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> and thank him for taking the time to speak with Blazersedge at such length</span>.</p> <p><b>-------------------------------------------------</b></p> <p><b>Blazersedge: You do the TV play by play obviously.  You're now a radio host, filling in on 95.5FM and also you do your own Courtside show. You write for Rip City Magazine. You're also blogging.  Does anyone else do all four of those?  Is this some kind one-of-a-kind 4 tool announcer setup they've got going for you or what?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>The funny thing is that when the blog started at Summer League like 3 or 4 years ago, they said write some stuff for training camp, and that was kind of strange, but then they saw I could write in a real conversational way, that involved people. It was one of those odd things that you stumble into and all of a sudden you've created a lot of work for yourself.  It's not a bad thing it's a good thing. </p> <p>It takes a lot of time, as you know. To do something like that and to maintain it-I moderate 95% of the comments, I see them all, I put the picture up, I do the headline, it's like my own little newspaper.  And that's pretty cool for somebody who was into journalism anyway. Writing has always been pretty easy.  To sit down to write after a game or after an event, positive or negative news, it's almost my way of going home and unwinding and reliving it.  I think a lot of writers would say that.  That's my way of going home and coming down from the high of the night...</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: And processing?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Yeah exactly.  But there are nights when we are out on a road trip, the 8<sup>th</sup> or 9<sup>th</sup> day, and we just played, and I don't want to go to the hotel [and write] at 3AM in Boston and it's 5 degrees outside, I want to go to bed. </p> <p>But once you started it, you owe that to the people who are there for you.  I think I've created a lot of relationships. Whether or not it's a 2 way relationship I don't know, but I've created a lot of relationships through that website, through that blog, and you get different things on a blog that you can't get in a newspaper.  Although our writers are great: Quick, Freeman, Hendrickson, all of our writers are great. </p> <p>But the funny thing about what you asked is that in the 2<sup>nd</sup> year, I didn't know of any other broadcasters that were doing blogs like that, now they all are.  There are a few of them that joke that walk up to me and say, "thanks a hell of a lot," because as soon as other teams saw it was working all of a sudden they made their guys doing it.  I'm not going to say I started it, but I don't remember it being around a lot until this. </p> <p>I know for some guys that don't have a writing background it's probably not as fun to do.  I get wordy, I get long, I start writing.  They tell me, "just write a paragraph," and I said, "I get going, I can't.  The next thing I know I'm at 2,000 words. I've enjoyed sitting down after my kids and wife go to bed, sit down, and process through some things. It helps me remember the game better, it helps me realize it, the next time we play somebody, I remember not only the game but the blog. I can go back and review it if I want to. </p> <p>The comments to the blog, and the people who read it, I moderate the comments, in the past year I have probably rejected one comment, because it had a foul word in it.  It's just great people who read the blog and they all respond really well to it. That's reflective of our fans. They are good people. They are educated.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: It seems like in all of your roles you are really out front acting as a face for the organization.  Is that something that has come down from up top?  Is that a calculated thing, you've said you stumbled in to the blog, but with 95.5FM it seemed like a no-brainer that your role would be expanded.  Is this a structured thing putting you at the forefront or ...?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>No. It just kind of organically grew.  It's funny because there are certain things where, I've talked to my wife about this too, you get asked to do a lot of things, it's expanded, different auctions, not to get overly spiritual here, but I feel like some of this is me, some of this is stuff I've worked through, you're given certain gifts, and I owe that to my creator, to make the most of what he's done for me.  If I can help not only the organization but a group of people while still maintaining a healthy balance with my time at home, I want to do it.  That's where some of that has been born.</p> <p>I think a lot of people thing that in business everything is contrived and everything is born in a meeting or something. No. This blog just started happening.  People thing, somebody is picking your photo, somebody does the headline, somebody moderates the comments... no, it's just a one man operation.  It's like a back room newspaper. People would probably be disappointed if they knew how many people were involved in that. </p> <p>When it started out, an entirely different group of people were running things then, it was like "well, when you write something we need to run that through a couple of people first," then I said, "well I don't want to do it then. I don't want to have people changing what I've written. If you want me to do this, and you trust me to be on the air live on TV for 8 hours a week, then you sure as hell better trust what I'm going to write. I think through time I've earned that trust through them, so they don't even think about that now.</p> <p>The only thing that becomes a sticking point is if there is [a situation] like Brandon's surgery last week on his knee.  I knew 2 hours before anyone else knew that everything was ok. And I had a blog post written and ready to publish. I could have clicked and had it done."</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: So why hold off?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Because I work for the team and because it's the team's website and because I don't want my access to be thrown in the face of the local media or our writers, who do a great job. I have access they can't get.  And that's obvious. And they understand that. I don't want to say, "I broke this first."</p> <p>My job is not to break news. I'm not going to get into battles like that. That's never been the way I've felt about the radio show or the blog.  We're a team website and I'm going to do what's best for the club.  Some guys think differently. </p> <p>Some broadcasters think differently. Some people in the organization think, "put it on our website first and we'll drive traffic." Not only are the other media guys friends of mine, I get emails and I get phone calls, and I have guys that I talk to that trust me to use better judgment than that.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: As kind of an ethical issue, do you think your stance developed from your journalism background? Do you think it's motivated not only by your friendships with the other writers but also by the relationship that should exist between a team and an independent media?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Yes. And that's not even an issue now. It used to be. When there was such an adversarial relationship between the club and the media. You can't fool people. If you've got bad guys, you've got bad guys. You can't polish that. You can try, through PR.  Some teams try to do that. </p> <p>As Beijing has found out, you can't fool people.  You can try. </p> <p>Whereas that was an issue in the past, it's not an issue now.  If you can find a negative story, I guess you can always find one, when you are truly doing it right, being honest and open, with nothing to hide, there's no reason to have a bad relationship with the media. </p> <p>It comes down to managing things story by story, if there is an injury or some troubling news at some point, a a fight in practice, or little silly things that happen, you just deal with them then.  If you go to the writer and say, "I'd really appreciate it if you'd let us get our ducks in a row before you bust the story, so we can at least come up with a statement that makes sense," then they're going to give you that latitude.  If you don't treat them that way, then they're going to look to burn you.</p> <p>And I'm part of that. And if I were coming out and throwing news up, things that I knew early, not only would I tick off our PR department, I'd probably upset local writers-I mean Jason Quick and I went to college together.  I want our club and our PR people to trust me with our judgment, just like I would trust them with their job, and I feel pretty good about that.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: You said your first loyalty before anything is to the team, and if there's a criticism of you that I've heard, it's that you're a "company man."  Do you perceive that as a criticism or do you flip that back as a positive?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>You mean, being a homer on the air?</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: No, not only that, but also your overall portrayal of the players, their personalities.  Perhaps there is a disconnect between when they are your players compared to when they're not your players? Or perhaps it's in your support of management decisions, like trades?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Well, since when I've been in the job to where I've had any experience to the point where I could have that attitude, there hasn't been anything to get upset about. There hasn't been anything to be dishonest about. I mean, Kevin hasn't made a bad move. He's going to... but he hasn't yet.   </p> <p>Our players haven't run afoul... and I guess the most recent guy was Zach [Randolph].  When Zach was here, I did my best to look at the positives, and if negatives were there, I think we were fair. When Darius was on the floor, I think we tried to call it like it is.  Again, you can't fool people. But I'm not going to go out of my way to crack somebody. </p> <p>And when it comes to actually calling a game, is being a homer to want your team to win?  I'm not sure.  Or is a homer hiding news or always supporting the team?  I don't know what that means.  I don't want to be a ridiculous homer to the point where you get sick or it sounds pathetic.  But at the same time, I'm not going to hide it if the team is doing well.  The people who feel that I'm a homer, well that's ok, it just depends on what your style is.  I think they're in the minority.</p> <p>I'm not going to sacrifice the access I have to the players and the management group and the coaches which can bring me a whole lot better news than it can at a time when it would be worth it to me to fracture a relationship over one incident or one bad night.  Why would I put that at risk? </p> <p>I mean, the last 80 blogs you've read are because I have access, because I'm in the locker room, on the team plane and in practice, that's why you got all this.  Now you want me to potentially fracture that relationship and end all of this good? Just to bare my chest and rip a guy or crack a guy?  It's just not worth it to me. It's all risk/reward. </p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: How would you describe your relationship with Kevin Pritchard?  It's an ongoing friendship?  </b></p> <blockquote> <p>Yeah.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: Business relationship?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Yeah.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: More than that?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>... Yeah.  When Kevin got here, he was something like Assistant GM.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: Director of Player Personnel?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>Yeah.  He didn't know a lot of people and he didn't have his staff in place as much as he does now obviously.  And we're exactly the same age.  Yeah, I spend a lot of time with him.</p> <p>He would come on road trips. Then he took over as interim coach of that team for that short stretch and we were both on the road, and I spent a lot of time with him. </p> <p>I think we identified with the same things growing up, he went to the NBA obviously so our athletic careers went to a Y in the road, but the thing I used to see about Kevin was that he always had these big ideas, he always had these semi-cheesy catchphrases he would use about what he wanted to do.</p> <p>I remember one of our former GMs telling me as I'm sitting next to Kevin at a Christmas party, and we're talking about trades and what we should do, and then I heard the comment "Oh, Kevin is a little naïve... he has some good ideas but, well, whether or not that could get implemented...." </p> <p>But then I realized once he took over, is that he could do it.  He makes everybody feel like everybody has an equal share in what's happening.  He's the least arrogant executive. Of anybody I know who could be arrogant or full of themselves, he isn't at all.  He has a belief in the way that you do things and the way that you treat people and we've all gotten on board with that. He's genuinely a good guy and has terrific values.  </p> <p>I know things about Kevin that I would never say in our personal relationship. Does that make me root harder for him or protect him?  Maybe. I don't know. But I'd do for him what I would do for any friend.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: So when are we going to get KP bobblehead night?</b></p> <blockquote> <p>That's gotta happen doesn't it.  People were wanting a Mike Rice bobblehead night. The Indiana announcers actually had a bobblehead night, with a little desk, a few years back. That's a good idea but he'd fight it. He wouldn't like it.</p> </blockquote> <p><b>Blazersedge: What I'm getting at is that there's almost as much excitement among hardcore Blazers fans around him as there is about anybody on the floor. He's almost as good a selling point in terms of generating interest and getting the message out, "here's where we were, here's where we are, here's where we are going."</b></p> <blockquote> <p>But he's as bad at taking a compliment as I am.  I can't take a compliment and Kevin is the same way.  Kevin will never admit that this is all because of him, or that this wouldn't have happened without him - which it wouldn't have-there's no question in my mind that we would not be here, we would not be talking about this if he were not here.  We might be better, a better team with some decent players, but this wouldn't have happened.  He'd argue against that. </p> <p>And at times I've tried to be there to remind him.  Rough times, last season, once in awhile I'd just fire off an email because everyone needs to be propped up once in awhile.  To remind him that, "hey, you're the reason why this is happening.  Your vision and what you've started here."  We all kind of do that for each other.  It comes off as strange when somebody doesn't want to take credit for anything, Kevin is certainly like that. But I do think he realizes what he means to the fans and to the team.</p> </blockquote> <p>Again, big ups to Mike Barrett.</p> <p><strong>-------------------------------------------------</strong></p> <p>-- Ben (<a href="mailto:benjamin.golliver@gmail.com">benjamin.golliver@gmail.com</a>)</p> </div> <div class="u-hidden-text" id="formatter-datter" data-cid="site/entry_formatter-1739847019_2307_125237" data-cdata='{"svg_hr_illustration":""}'> </div> <section class="c-nextclick"> <div class="c-related-list" data-cid="site/related_list-1739847020_7350_125238" data-cdata="{}"> <h2 class="c-related-list__head"> More From <span class="c-related-list__community-name">Blazer's Edge</span> </h2> <ul> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="What Blazers Jersey Do You Hold Most Dear?" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367576/portland-trail-blazers-nba-jerseys-damian-lillard-clyde-drexler-bill-walton-przybilla-carmelo">What Blazers Jersey Do You Hold Most Dear?</a> </li> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="Lillard’s ‘All-Snub’ Team and Other All-Star Suggestions" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367511/damian-lillard-suggests-all-snub-team-other-nba-all-star-suggestions">Lillard’s ‘All-Snub’ Team and Other All-Star Suggestions</a> </li> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="Making Sense of the Trail Blazers’ Trade Deadline Inertia" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367404/portland-trail-blazers-trade-rumors-deaaron-fox-zach-lavine-mark-williams-spurs-kings-lakers-bulls">Making Sense of the Trail Blazers’ Trade Deadline Inertia</a> </li> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="Portland Given ‘B’ for Their Season So Far" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367415/portland-trail-blazers-nba-grades-deni-avdija-toumani-camara-all-star-break">Portland Given ‘B’ for Their Season So Far</a> </li> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="Blazers Drop in NBA Power Rankings" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367386/portland-trail-blazers-nba-power-rankings-denver-nuggets-all-star-break">Blazers Drop in NBA Power Rankings</a> </li> <li> <a data-analytics-link="nextclicks" data-analytics-viewport="nextclicks" data-vars-analytics-link-title="Avdija’s Career Arc Similar To An Interesting Group" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24364589/blazers-deni-avdija-comparison-lonzo-ball-coby-white-spud-webb">Avdija’s Career Arc Similar To An Interesting Group</a> </li> <div> <div class="m-native_ad_unit dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link"></div> </div> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="l-col__sidebar" data-analytics-placement="sidebar"> <div class="u-desktop-only "> <aside class="c-rock-list c-rock-list--image c-rock-list--trending" id="rock-"> <h3 class="p-rock-head c-rock-list__title"> <svg version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 300 50" style="enable-background:new 0 0 300 50;"><g><polygon points="31.1,0 26.1,0 21.7,3.2 35.7,46.2 -0.1,20.1 -0.1,23.7 36,50 40,50 25.1,4.3 "></polygon><polygon points="14.7,0.9 15.9,0 11.3,0 18.7,22.8 -0.1,9.1 -0.1,12.7 24.2,30.4 "></polygon><polygon points="106.9,0 102,0 74.1,20.2 83.8,50 86.8,50 77.5,21.3 "></polygon><polygon points="-0.1,34.7 20.9,50 25.8,50 -0.1,31.2 "></polygon><polygon points="-0.1,42.2 -0.1,45.8 5.7,50 10.6,50 "></polygon><polygon points="76.6,0 71.6,0 53.2,13.4 65,50 68.1,50 56.6,14.5 "></polygon><polygon points="91.7,0 86.8,0 63.6,16.8 74.4,50 77.5,50 67,17.9 "></polygon><polygon points="61.4,0 56.5,0 42.7,10 55.7,50 58.7,50 46.1,11.1 "></polygon><polygon points="46.2,0 41.3,0 32.2,6.6 46.3,50 49.3,50 35.6,7.7 "></polygon></g></svg> <span class="c-rock-list__title-wrapper"> <span class="c-rock-list__title-text"> Most Read </span> </span> </h3> <div class="c-rock-list__body"> <ol class="c-rock-list__items"> <li class="c-rock-list__item" data-analytics-placement="sidebar:1"> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367404/portland-trail-blazers-trade-rumors-deaaron-fox-zach-lavine-mark-williams-spurs-kings-lakers-bulls" class="c-rock-list__link" data-analytics-link="trending" data-analytics-viewport="trending" data-chorus-optimize-id="24131445" data-chorus-optimize-module="entry-list"> <div class="c-rock-list__image"> <picture class="c-picture" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" data-cid="site/picture_element-1739847020_6260_125240" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911364,"ratio":"standard","dynamic_type":"picture","lazy":true}'> <script type="text/template-picture" style="display: none;"> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8OllL5IVeILiwquWR09XkN90oG4=/0x0:4666x3111/250x167/filters:focal(2106x490:2852x1236):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oFEz7H9CYLykaYaECL8llakLJyU=/0x0:4666x3111/500x333/filters:focal(2106x490:2852x1236):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" type="image/webp" > <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oLx7bpJ9at_1vlsFegd9J9B5Etg=/0x0:4666x3111/250x167/filters:focal(2106x490:2852x1236)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fY22HNgQqZ2dw45AUqj7aXWjN_0=/0x0:4666x3111/500x333/filters:focal(2106x490:2852x1236)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" alt="Portland Trail Blazers v Dallas Mavericks" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="4666" width="4666" height="3111" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WIRYSTCcSrlzHnkUrtHAIp-v8lg=/0x0:4666x3111/1200x800/filters:focal(2106x490:2852x1236)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg" /> </script> <script type="text/template-dynamic" style="display: none"> <img class="c-dynamic-image " alt="Portland Trail Blazers v Dallas Mavericks" width="4666" height="3111" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs" data-cid="site/dynamic_size_image-1739847020_6919_125239" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911364,"ratio":"standard"}'> <noscript><img alt="Portland Trail Blazers v Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911364/1905818697.0.jpg"></noscript> </script> </picture> </div> <span class="c-rock-list__item--body"> <span data-chorus-optimize-field="hed">Making Sense of the Trail Blazers’ Trade Deadline Inertia</span> <span class="c-rock-list__entry-blurb">If Portland had moves, why didn’t they make them?</span> </span> </a> </li> <li class="c-rock-list__item" data-analytics-placement="sidebar:2"> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24364589/blazers-deni-avdija-comparison-lonzo-ball-coby-white-spud-webb" class="c-rock-list__link" data-analytics-link="trending" data-analytics-viewport="trending" data-chorus-optimize-id="24128630" data-chorus-optimize-module="entry-list"> <div class="c-rock-list__image"> <picture class="c-picture" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" data-cid="site/picture_element-1739847020_4411_125242" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911157,"ratio":"standard","dynamic_type":"picture","lazy":true}'> <script type="text/template-picture" style="display: none;"> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OnHBUgAHwKwgpseKGjEnE1eqlu8=/0x197:3200x4800/250x167/filters:focal(1402x631:1914x1143):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lHVcPX5yOlsj2FtTod5NcgUAK2c=/0x197:3200x4800/500x333/filters:focal(1402x631:1914x1143):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" type="image/webp" > <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vEHknifnO79ak-FMtbLLvwnpvSU=/0x197:3200x4800/250x167/filters:focal(1402x631:1914x1143)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e-RLsG9QESQqHnHYAVZdGGDLN_Q=/0x197:3200x4800/500x333/filters:focal(1402x631:1914x1143)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" alt="NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="3200" width="3200" height="4800" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VXvd5DpNkXb31_NOnq1tCpqKBG4=/0x197:3200x4800/1200x800/filters:focal(1402x631:1914x1143)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg" /> </script> <script type="text/template-dynamic" style="display: none"> <img class="c-dynamic-image " alt="NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic" width="3200" height="4800" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs" data-cid="site/dynamic_size_image-1739847020_9073_125241" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911157,"ratio":"standard"}'> <noscript><img alt="NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911157/usa_today_25253767.0.jpg"></noscript> </script> </picture> </div> <span class="c-rock-list__item--body"> <span data-chorus-optimize-field="hed">Avdija’s Career Arc Similar To An Interesting Group</span> <span class="c-rock-list__entry-blurb">Portland’s new forward has career similarities to a series of reliable rotation players of the past and present.</span> </span> </a> </li> <li class="c-rock-list__item" data-analytics-placement="sidebar:3"> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/16/24366934/portland-trail-blazers-nba-all-star-history-damian-lillard-mccollum-zach-randolph-kersey-strickland" class="c-rock-list__link" data-analytics-link="trending" data-analytics-viewport="trending" data-chorus-optimize-id="24130975" data-chorus-optimize-module="entry-list"> <div class="c-rock-list__image"> <picture class="c-picture" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" data-cid="site/picture_element-1739847020_1179_125244" data-cdata='{"image_id":73910106,"ratio":"standard","dynamic_type":"picture","lazy":true}'> <script type="text/template-picture" style="display: none;"> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JCpcDmUcz9JKpioROmA2GLCaJ4k=/0x0:2430x3600/250x167/filters:focal(802x871:1190x1259):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7E-3xxYABfQNIAYMu7vCGshn2bY=/0x0:2430x3600/500x333/filters:focal(802x871:1190x1259):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" type="image/webp" > <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OUM0nuJ7izuAUdLYUBS0OB17dH4=/0x0:2430x3600/250x167/filters:focal(802x871:1190x1259)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eK-c4AnZkT9sX_DQ33EWeL_zN5c=/0x0:2430x3600/500x333/filters:focal(802x871:1190x1259)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" alt="Portland Trailblazers v Washington Bullets" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="2430" width="2430" height="3600" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zlRWD0L6ntmOCG5VgiVzhExSPHA=/0x0:2430x3600/1200x800/filters:focal(802x871:1190x1259)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg" /> </script> <script type="text/template-dynamic" style="display: none"> <img class="c-dynamic-image " alt="Portland Trailblazers v Washington Bullets" width="2430" height="3600" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs" data-cid="site/dynamic_size_image-1739847020_10_125243" data-cdata='{"image_id":73910106,"ratio":"standard"}'> <noscript><img alt="Portland Trailblazers v Washington Bullets" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910106/89775974.0.jpg"></noscript> </script> </picture> </div> <span class="c-rock-list__item--body"> <span data-chorus-optimize-field="hed">Who is the Best Blazer to Never Make the All-Star Game?</span> <span class="c-rock-list__entry-blurb">The franchise has rostered 16 All-Stars through 55 seasons.</span> </span> </a> </li> <li class="c-rock-list__item" data-analytics-placement="sidebar:4"> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/16/24367050/nba-all-star-2025-team-shaquille-oneal-charles-barkley-stephen-curry-lillard-wembanyama-tatum-herrro" class="c-rock-list__link" data-analytics-link="trending" data-analytics-viewport="trending" data-chorus-optimize-id="24131091" data-chorus-optimize-module="entry-list"> <div class="c-rock-list__image"> <picture class="c-picture" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" data-cid="site/picture_element-1739847020_2640_125246" data-cdata='{"image_id":73910320,"ratio":"standard","dynamic_type":"picture","lazy":true}'> <script type="text/template-picture" style="display: none;"> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wxaYqX8eDVMzwY7z85qWLlk5f20=/0x0:4221x2814/250x167/filters:focal(2336x401:3010x1075):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kVR2YAOiMDyigmm7I_L6rUVM3pY=/0x0:4221x2814/500x333/filters:focal(2336x401:3010x1075):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" type="image/webp" > <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/deCYZrlky_Kekv7qLxGivZUov-g=/0x0:4221x2814/250x167/filters:focal(2336x401:3010x1075)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mft4LXv6YTnbYh_TSZiLkFErDEo=/0x0:4221x2814/500x333/filters:focal(2336x401:3010x1075)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" alt="74th NBA All-Star Game" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="4221" width="4221" height="2814" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ksn5YL4Hut63w5IsE0CV6MF6Ox0=/0x0:4221x2814/1200x800/filters:focal(2336x401:3010x1075)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg" /> </script> <script type="text/template-dynamic" style="display: none"> <img class="c-dynamic-image " alt="74th NBA All-Star Game" width="4221" height="2814" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs" data-cid="site/dynamic_size_image-1739847020_8739_125245" data-cdata='{"image_id":73910320,"ratio":"standard"}'> <noscript><img alt="74th NBA All-Star Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73910320/2200094327.0.jpg"></noscript> </script> </picture> </div> <span class="c-rock-list__item--body"> <span data-chorus-optimize-field="hed">Team Shaq Defeats Team Chuck to Win NBA All-Star Game Final</span> <span class="c-rock-list__entry-blurb">Stephen Curry took home MVP honors in front of the San Francisco crowd.</span> </span> </a> </li> <li class="c-rock-list__item" data-analytics-placement="sidebar:5"> <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/2/17/24367511/damian-lillard-suggests-all-snub-team-other-nba-all-star-suggestions" class="c-rock-list__link" data-analytics-link="trending" data-analytics-viewport="trending" data-chorus-optimize-id="24131552" data-chorus-optimize-module="entry-list"> <div class="c-rock-list__image"> <picture class="c-picture" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" data-cid="site/picture_element-1739847020_5077_125248" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911508,"ratio":"standard","dynamic_type":"picture","lazy":true}'> <script type="text/template-picture" style="display: none;"> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pbuCBHNFttvM9FYF9WJD_phTqhE=/0x0:3080x3523/250x167/filters:focal(1095x919:1587x1411):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hyT8xnT2TQ_bxxK-R2LRtZpHAKY=/0x0:3080x3523/500x333/filters:focal(1095x919:1587x1411):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" type="image/webp" > <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fw5WYafPQUR2L4PO9VFmEW2w2yM=/0x0:3080x3523/250x167/filters:focal(1095x919:1587x1411)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg 250w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3rA-yzFpRa7pfQgUXXNv6VfyekQ=/0x0:3080x3523/500x333/filters:focal(1095x919:1587x1411)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg 500w" sizes="250px" alt="2025 NBA All-Star - Practice &amp; Media Availability" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="3080" width="3080" height="3523" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fwL7lMBHWhxR-5tnRYzMEYk0kxw=/0x0:3080x3523/1200x800/filters:focal(1095x919:1587x1411)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg" /> </script> <script type="text/template-dynamic" style="display: none"> <img class="c-dynamic-image " alt="2025 NBA All-Star - Practice &amp; Media Availability" width="3080" height="3523" data-chorus-optimize-field="main_image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs" data-cid="site/dynamic_size_image-1739847020_7117_125247" data-cdata='{"image_id":73911508,"ratio":"standard"}'> <noscript><img alt="2025 NBA All-Star - Practice &amp; Media Availability" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73911508/2199174921.0.jpg"></noscript> </script> </picture> </div> <span class="c-rock-list__item--body"> <span data-chorus-optimize-field="hed">Lillard’s ‘All-Snub’ Team and Other All-Star Suggestions</span> <span class="c-rock-list__entry-blurb">Damian Lillard has some ideas on how to make the All-Star game better next year</span> </span> </a> </li> </ol> <div> <div class="m-native_ad_unit dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_latest"></div> </div> </div> </aside> <script type="text/javascript">concertAdsQueue.push(function() {concertAds.addVariable("trending_sidebar", ["true"])});</script> </div> <div class=" "> </div> <div class="u-desktop-only sticky-ad-wrapper"> <div class="sticky-ad-section"><div class="sticky-ad"></div></div><div class="sticky-ad-section"><div class="sticky-ad"></div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-segment outbrain-container"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par" data-widget-id="AR_10" data-ob-template="SBNation_1" ></div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> (function(){ // load outbrain js function loadOutbrain(){ var ref = document.querySelector("div.OUTBRAIN"); var script = document.createElement('script'); script.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'); script.setAttribute('src', 'https://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js'); script.setAttribute('async', 'async'); ref.appendChild(script); } // Disable on mobile and tablet screens // 880px is the upper bound for the `medium` breakpoint defined in UserAgent JS lib. var shouldDisable = false && screen.width <= 880; var hymnalPreviewContent = !!(window.location.href.indexOf("concert_preview") > -1); if (!shouldDisable && !hymnalPreviewContent) { // first, set a timeout to loadOutbrain, in case no ads load in 5s // (i.e., blocked). once an ad has loaded, create a new timeout that // will load outbrain if openmic doesn't get loaded in 2s // var adBlockerTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 5000); document.body.addEventListener('first_ad_rendered', function(){ clearTimeout(adBlockerTimeoutId); var outbrainTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 2000); document.body.addEventListener('playlistRendered', function(){ clearTimeout(outbrainTimeoutId); }); }); } })(); </script> </div> <div class="l-segment outbrain-container"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par" data-widget-id="AR_2" data-ob-template="SBNation_1" ></div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> (function(){ // load outbrain js function loadOutbrain(){ var ref = document.querySelector("div.OUTBRAIN"); var script = document.createElement('script'); script.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'); script.setAttribute('src', 'https://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js'); script.setAttribute('async', 'async'); ref.appendChild(script); } // Disable on mobile and tablet screens // 880px is the upper bound for the `medium` breakpoint defined in UserAgent JS lib. var shouldDisable = false && screen.width <= 880; var hymnalPreviewContent = !!(window.location.href.indexOf("concert_preview") > -1); if (!shouldDisable && !hymnalPreviewContent) { // first, set a timeout to loadOutbrain, in case no ads load in 5s // (i.e., blocked). once an ad has loaded, create a new timeout that // will load outbrain if openmic doesn't get loaded in 2s // var adBlockerTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 5000); document.body.addEventListener('first_ad_rendered', function(){ clearTimeout(adBlockerTimeoutId); var outbrainTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 2000); document.body.addEventListener('playlistRendered', function(){ clearTimeout(outbrainTimeoutId); }); }); } })(); </script> </div> <div class="l-sidebar-fixed l-segment"> <div class="l-col__main"> </div> <div class="l-col__sidebar" id="comments-sidebar" data-analytics-placement="sidebar"> </div> </div> </article> </main> <footer class="c-footer c-footer__community" role="contentinfo" data-cid="site/global_footer-1739846129_4880_87122" data-cdata="{}"> <div class="l-wrapper c-footer__wrapper"> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-logo"> <a rel="nofollow" href="/" class="c-footer__logo-link"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/37/large_Blazer_s_Edge_Full.200282.png" class=""> <span class="u-hidden-text">Chorus</span> </a> </div> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-links"> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li data-title="FanPosts"><a rel="nofollow" href="/fanposts">FanPosts</a></li> <li data-title="Masthead"><a rel="nofollow" href="/masthead">Masthead</a></li> <li data-title="Community Guidelines"><a rel="nofollow" href="/community-guidelines">Community Guidelines</a></li> <li data-title="Facebook"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blazersedge/107095322667861?ref=mf">Facebook</a></li> <li data-title="Twitter"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/Blazersedge">Twitter</a></li> <li data-title="YouTube"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/blazersedgedotcom">YouTube</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-network"> <span class="c-footer__network-logo "> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> </span> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="/contact?community_id=247">Contact</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="/contact?community_id=247#sports_tips">Have a News Tip?</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/blogs">Browse Blogs</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/masthead">SB Nation Masthead</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://blog.sbnation.com">Company Blog</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/pages/openings">Blog Openings</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/guide/disclosure">Editorial Ethics and Guidelines</a></li> </ul> <a rel="nofollow" class="u-block" href="https://www.voxmedia.com"><span class="u-hidden-text">Vox Media</span><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 254.42 33.54" aria-labelledby="title" aria-describedby="description" role="img" class="c-footer__vox-logo"><title id="title">Vox Media</title> <desc id="description">Vox Media logo.</desc><path d="M229.88,262.35a16.77,16.77,0,1,0,16.77,16.77,16.77,16.77,0,0,0-16.77-16.77m0,25.08a8.32,8.32,0,1,1,7.92-8.31,8.12,8.12,0,0,1-7.92,8.31" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path><polygon points="0 0.66 16.97 33.38 33.95 0.66 24.05 0.66 17.07 14.31 10.09 0.66 0 0.66"></polygon><rect x="208.65" y="0.66" width="9" height="32.26"></rect><polygon points="170.15 8.74 170.15 0.66 145.41 0.66 145.41 32.92 170.15 32.92 170.15 24.84 154.82 24.84 154.82 20.68 169.01 20.68 169.01 12.91 154.82 12.91 154.82 8.74 170.15 8.74"></polygon><path d="M367.39,263H353.84v32.27h13.55a16.14,16.14,0,1,0,0-32.27m-.71,24.09h-3.74V271.19h3.74a8,8,0,1,1,0,15.91" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path><polygon points="131.07 14.94 131.07 32.92 140.17 32.92 140.17 0.66 128.9 0.66 121.92 14.12 114.94 0.66 103.67 0.66 103.67 32.92 112.57 32.92 112.57 14.94 121.82 32.77 131.07 14.94"></polygon><polygon points="83.11 24.43 88.78 32.93 99.44 32.93 88.44 16.79 99.34 0.66 88.88 0.66 83.21 9.16 83.31 9.16 77.63 0.66 67.08 0.66 77.98 16.79 66.98 32.93 77.43 32.93 83.11 24.43"></polygon><path d="M412.55,284.07l4-11.53,4,11.53ZM422,263H411.38l-11.62,32.27h9l1.41-4.15H423l1.4,4.15h9.21Z" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path></svg></a> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/privacy-notice">Privacy Notice</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/cookie-policy">Cookie Policy</a></li> <li> <button id="ot-sdk-btn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings use-non-ot-styles">Cookie Settings</button> </li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/pages/licensing">Licensing FAQ</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://status.voxmedia.com">Platform Status</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/vox-advertising">Advertise with us</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://jobs.voxmedia.com">Jobs @ Vox Media</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="l-wrapper c-footer__wrapper"> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-copy"> © 2025 <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com">Vox Media</a>, LLC. All Rights Reserved <br><p style="text-align: left; margin: 20px auto 3px; font-size:12px;">Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (<a href="tel:18004262537">1-800-426-2537</a>). Hope is here. <a href="https://gamblinghelplinema.org/">GamblingHelpLineMA.org</a> or call <a href="tel:18003275050">(800) 327-5050</a> for 24/7 support (MA). Visit <a href="https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/">www.mdgamblinghelp.org</a> (MD). Call <a href="18779467369">877-8HOPE-NY</a> or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call <a href="18887897777">1-888-789-7777</a> or visit <a href="https://ccpg.org/chat">ccpg.org/chat</a> (CT) or visit <a href="https://www.fanduel.com/rg">FanDuel.com/RG</a>.</p> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="c-tab-bar " data-cid="site/tab_bar/index-1739847020_2333_125252" data-cdata="{}"> <a href="/" class="c-tab-bar__logo"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/37/large_Blazer_s_Edge_Full.200282.png" class=""> </a> <div class="c-social-buttons" data-analytics-placement="sticky" aria-labelledby="heading-label--5q1j1ct2" data-cid="site/social_buttons_list-1739847020_7633_125251" data-cdata='{"entry_id":366887,"services":["twitter","facebook"],"base_url":"https://www.blazersedge.com/2008/8/27/602846/mike-barrett-interview-par"}'> <h2 class="sr-only" id="heading-label--5q1j1ct2">Share this story</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?counturl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par&text=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par&via=Blazersedge" data-analytics-social="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text"> Twitter </span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?text=Mike+Barrett+Interview+--+Part+II&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2008%2F8%2F27%2F602846%2Fmike-barrett-interview-par" data-analytics-social="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text"> Facebook </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span class="c-tab-bar__sponsorship"></span> </div> </div> <script src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/packs/js/chorus-2d627f862595f2af640a.js" async="async" integrity="sha256-j8ISJGFcI2tMPK74/wOdnlC5Ep8wXnJPdygMv2aqtg0= sha384-WVnASct6XqOP48643RoXql4fId36yNgBnPf0womoTEhoryZKhcOMN0pM6mZujJ45" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <style type="text/css"> .sticky-ad .josh_wrap hr.border, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap hr, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap h2, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap .description { display: none ; } </style> </body></html> <script type="text/javascript"> window.onload = function() { var links = document.querySelector('.c-entry-content').querySelectorAll('p [has-subtag="true"], li [has-subtag="true"], div [has-subtag="true"]'); links.forEach(link => { var subtagData = link.getAttribute('data-cdata'); if (subtagData) { window.Subtags(link, JSON.parse(subtagData)); } }); } </script>