Dame On Jrue, Scoot And Hansen, Blake Signed And Preseason Announced On The Brief Case, Ep. 164

Dame On Jrue, Scoot And Hansen, Blake Signed And Preseason Announced On The Brief Case, Ep. 164

For me personally, uh, well, first I want to thank Joe and I want to thank Chanty because, um, you know, obviously for this to even be possible, we all had to be on the same page about it. Um, but like they like they both said, um, it never felt right not being home. And, um, you know, through through it all, I found my way back. and um uh just fortunate to be back with the group that I was with prior to leaving um to be a part of a a great situation at home. Um and I’m just excited, you know, and really really thankful and appreciative of um the door being open for me to come back. Um even with me being hurt and uh you know, it means a lot to me to not only play for this organization again. Um, I never wanted to not be playing for this organization. Um, but to be back in this community, you know, that I’m most familiar with, um, the familiar faces, all of the things that I’ve been connected to, even during the time that I wasn’t playing here the last 2 years. So, um, it all just feels right. Um, you know, usually when I have to make a decision, I I put a lot of thought into it. I asked a lot of questions to the people around me, but this was a um a decision that wasn’t hard at all for me to make. And um you know, the people that I know love me and care about me um it was a a easy um piece of advice for them to give. It was easy for them to, you know, to support. So, um like I said, I’m just thankful to to be back. Um and it just feels like the the perfect situation at the perfect time. So, I’m just happy to be back. Hey, Rip City. This is Scoo Henderson, and it’s time to open a briefcase with Casey Hold. Greetings, Pleasure fans, and welcome to the briefcase presented by Spare Mount Casino. Episode 164 of the briefcase presented by Sparemount Casino. I am Casey Holdall and that was Damen Lillard at his reintroductory press conference on Monday at MOA Center with Joe Cronin and Chanty Bilips. Dame discussing his return to Portland after signing sometime this weekend, officially rejoining the Portland Trailblazers for his second stint after a couple years away in Milwaukee. We’ll discuss Dame’s reintroduction here in Portland and what that means for the team, the rest of the team going forward. I I thought, you know, more so than than kind of Dame being reintroduced, I felt like that press conference is more kind of about his thoughts about the current team and how he’s going to fit in, particularly this year, where he’s not able to play. We’ll also talk about the Trailblazers signing Blake Wesley to a contract. Trailblazers now with 15 roster spots on the team. The max usually Blazers go into a season with 14 guys this year going in with 15. Preseason schedule announced. Most of those dates were already kind of known because of the other dates that other teams have announced, but the Trailblazers officially announced their four game schedule. And Pup City is this weekend at Mo Center on this edition of the briefcase presented by Spirit Mount Casino. Well, as I mentioned, while it probably wasn’t necessary to reintroduce Damen Lillard to Portland, a place he spent so much time in and is such an important figure, maybe kind of if he would consider himself an Oregonian at this point, which I think he would, possibly the most famous Oregonian, I would imagine. But either way, it was less about kind of this is Damen Lillard and more about one just the the thoughts from both the team and from Damen’s side in terms of that reunion and the decision for both sides about why they decided to make that happen. For Dame, you know, I think he he sees where this team is at and feels really confident about where they are going forward. for the Blazers. I feel like they feel like they’re in a spot right now where they’ve already kind of taken some steps and have changed the way they’ve played since Dame has been here and now they feel like adding Dame is just a straight up value talent play that when he is able to play is really going to to add what they’re already doing here in Portland. Um, and and I think kind of the way that Dame views kind of his next season, I I think was was really the most important part for me and, you know, where his mind is at in terms of how he’s going to spend his time as he’s not able to play in the 2526 season. You know, I guess there’s always a possibility that he he rehabs and is able to get in at the end. You know, he talked he was kind of a little little uh little ky in his press conference about about, you know, his prideful self and and wanted to maybe get back out there. I I think it’s very unlikely that Damen Lillard plays in the 2526 season um just because it just doesn’t seem like it’s probably going to be worth the risk. But what it sounds like he is going to be doing is really, you know, conducting himself as a member of the team who would be able to play but otherwise can’t. So, you know, being around for every practice and shootarounds and road trips and games obviously and, you know, Chanty joked about him being, you know, the NBA’s highest paid assistant coach. And, you know, I think that’s a that’s a really good sign because, you know, sometimes, you know, players come into a situation and there’s an assumption that veteran guys are going to come in and want to be mentors and and want to kind of help younger guys, you know, in some respects kind of replace them. And not every guy is like that. And that’s all right, you know, like I don’t think it’s necessarily the responsibility of every individual to come in and say like, “Hey, I’m going to I’m going to help the young guys here and when you know, you are still a player and and have your own goals still.” But Dame is not like that. You know, he talked about, you know, him feeling like he’s he’s a much better version of himself when he has other players and other people to to mentor and to pour into, as he often says. And so, he’s going to be able to do that this year with the Blazers. And I think that’s a that’s a really good thing for this team. U particularly for for guys like Scoot Henderson and Shaden Sharp, you know, I think to to have a guy of Dame’s caliber and expertise on the team working with those guys alongside with the Trailblazers new coaching staff, which has a lot of talent on it as it is as well. You know, I I think you feel really confident about their ability to to help mentor and grow the the young players on Portland’s roster. And then you add in a guy like Drew Holiday to that mix as well. And we’re going to hear from Dame kind of talking about Drew. Uh he he spoke at at his his camp in Beaverton on Wednesday about kind of Drew Holiday and that matchup and and his thoughts on Drew throughout the years, you know. So to have a guy in Damen Lillard and a guy in Drew Holiday who are going to be able to to really not only help Portland’s players, their younger players kind of grow and develop and and help them through some of the tribulations you go through as a young player in the NBA. Oh yeah, and by the way, they’re also really good players, too. And so when obviously this year, Drew Holidayiday is going to be on the court, so that’s a that’s a great thing. But, you know, Dame is going to be out this year. But then when you’re adding Dame as a player and as a as a mentor and particularly as an offensive threat and you have Drew Holiday as just an elite defensive player and also a guy who who’s a pretty good offensive player in his own right and then you have Scoot and Shaden and Tumani and Denny and DC and Rob and Jeremy and Matise. like there’s just a there’s a lot of talent on this team and you know it it’s going to take a little bit of time for them to come together and mesh and you know but I think we we’ve already seen that that they’ve already started to make a lot of those strides that I think you want to see out of a young team particularly on the defensive end and so you know I think you know in that press conference I think we got a really good sense of of kind of how Dame views himself and where he’s at in his career and particularly how he’s going to approach you know this next season and for him to to really come out so strongly talking about Scoot and and wanting to be a part of of Scoot’s growth. And I think you’re going to see the same thing with Drew Holiday. And you know, when you have you have a guy like Dame and a guy like Drew, obviously Dame is a guy who, you know, has has made his career on being a a just a dominant offensive player, a guy who who can change a game, you know, almost through his will on the offensive end, who, you know, has put in so much work and preparation to to get to where he’s at now. and being a guy who again just throughout the league knows that like one of those guys that’s really changed the way that that that teams have to defend in the NBA because of their range and their ability to to score. You know, to have a guy like that in Dame and then to have another guy in Drew Holidayiday who’s kind of the same thing but on the defensive side just an elite wing defensive player, one of the best defensive guards in the history of the NBA. you know, to have those two guys and their experience and, you know, the successes that they’ve had individually with teams on on good teams and on not so good teams. To be able to bring that not only on the court, but in the locker room and from a mentorship perspective, I think is is really going to do great things for this team. And you know, so to have Dame, you know, in the locker room at practice, at shootound, helping coach these guys up, seeing what he’s seeing out there and helping guys better understand how they can get theirs in the NBA. And then to have, you know, a guy in Drew doing the same thing on the defensive end and positioning a and knowing what it takes to compete on that end and the the intensity and the preparation and the focus that you have to have to be a great defensive player in the NBA and then to have it with Chanty and his coaching staff like the the obviously Chanty really kind of made his bones as a two-way player as well and with a coaching staff that that has really I think taken a step forward in terms of of kind of some of the talent and some of the expertise that They bring guys who have had success on all levels internationally, domestically, in the G-League, in the NBA. Like, it it just really feels to me like it’s really starting to come together. And does that mean, you know, they’re going to be contender this year? No. Does that mean they’re going to be a playoff team this year? I think they feel like they can be a playoff team. I think they’re going to have to go out and show it. But I think you can’t say that there’s not a whole lot of reasons to be really bullish on this team going forward. like it just seems like the trajectory is consistently upward right now and adding talent and the right kind of talent at the right positions that are able to play on both sides of the ball. Again, I just think there’s a whole lot of reason to be really optimistic going forward. And I felt like Dane, even though he’s not going to be playing next year in that press conference, really kind of laid out the reasons for that. from the way the roster has been constructed to the mentorship piece to, you know, the what this team means in Portland and what they’re building here and the way that Joe and his staff h have have really been smart about utilizing their assets and oh yes, by the way, still having a lot of assets to use going forward. Again, I I just think that there’s there’s really a lot of cause for optimism. And I guess just to kind of put a point on it, you know, I also think too that, you know, you look at the roster and where they’re at and kind of their record last year and you wonder going into this year like what what’s the plan? Like is this going to be another rebuilding year? I I think for Joe to come out and just straight up say like it’s time for the Trailblazers to start winning. Like I I think that that tells you everything you need to know about kind of what this how this team views themselves, where they think they’re going, and and what they feel like their next step is. And you know, again, the Western Conference is incredibly difficult. It seems like it gets more and more difficult every year, which seems impossible, but it’s true. So, it’s going to be difficult to have success in the West. And that goes for for basically any team. So, that’s not to say that they’re going to necessarily get there this year, but I I think there’s a lot of reason to be very, again, optimistic about where they’re going. I think that they’re going to need a few things to probably break their way. But if that’s the case, like I I think this team in terms of being competitive in the Western Conference I is a lot closer than I think maybe some people at least nationally think they are. So, you know, I think that that press conference really did a nice job of kind of wrapping everything up a little bit in this off season in terms of of kind of letting everyone know where the Trailblazers feel like they’re at in their in their rebuilding process. And while there’s still a ways to go, I I do feel like they feel that they are a lot closer than than some think and that returning to to being a competitive team in the West. Maybe not a team that that’s going to be competing for championships next year, the year after that, but sometime in the not too distant future, I think that, you know, there’s a there’s a fair amount of cost for that. And I feel like that press conference once again was a really good indication of that. Well, even though the press conference did go on for a while, there were still a few things that we didn’t get to that I was kind of curious about. So, I was able to get Dame after the press conference to ask him to pitch him a few more questions about some of the things that that I think I was kind of interested in hearing him talk about. And I’m sure that some of you are as well. So, um, we got two clips here today, a little little different for the briefcase, but you know, it’s a it’s different days here in in Rip City, so might as well might as well mix things up here a little bit. So, this is is Dame talking after his press conference about Scoot Henderson and kind of the way that he approaches mentorship. And again, I thought he had a great quote in that press conference about mentorship and about feeling like he’s his best self when he’s working with guys and helping along other guys in their careers. And he’s going to really have a chance to do that with Scoot Henderson. And so, you know, he he talks a little bit more about about Scoot and being enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of helping Scoot along in his career both both on the court and kind of like just what it means to be a point guard in the NBA. And then his thoughts on Yong Hansen as well, you know, like I didn’t want to necessarily pitch him a Hansen question in the press conference because, you know, Young is a is a rookie and, you know, who knows how much he’s going to be playing next year. I think there’s a pretty good chance he does end up playing some rotation minutes, but not entirely sure about that yet. So, I was curious if Dame had any thoughts about what he had seen from Hansen. He absolutely did. So, here is Damen Lillard real quick talking about Scoot Henderson and his relationship with Scoot and how he wants to approach that going forward and his thoughts on Yong Hansen, particularly his play at the Las Vegas Summer League. You had talked about kind of your role next year and about mentorship and and feeling like your your your best self when you have someone to kind of put something into it and help kind of Can you just talk a little more about that particularly as it as it might relate to Scoops? I think a lot of people saw the move and wondered what that means for Scoot and it sounds like for you it’s like you really want to want to be a part of his growth. Yeah, I mean I think one one thing that I have always taken pride in um and that I’ve enjoyed a lot and that I feel like I’ve gotten something out of is when I’m able to pour into um another young player’s career and being able to do that for another young point guard um somebody with the type of ceiling and uh talent that he has. Um, you can tell that he works extremely hard. You can tell he loves the game. Um, and it’s a lot that I’ve experienced, you know, uh, being in the NBA, you know, I’ve experienced the top of the game, you know, in every way. Um, and it’s just a lot to share. And, um, for me to be able to come back and and be a part of his growth and and development, um, not just on the floor, but off the floor and how to navigate a lot of things that we experience, um, as NBA players, um, I get something out of that, too. So, you know, it’s going to be um a pleasure for me to do that, too. I know you spent a lot of time in China throughout the years with Adidas. Any thoughts on on Yong Hansen after summer league? Yeah, I mean, he I didn’t know much about him before. Um, one of my assistants in Milwaukee uh my first year, actually coached him, I think, in China. Um, and he spoke highly of him as soon as they picked him, but I hadn’t, you know, seen much. And then watching him during summer league, I was like, this is a real this a real player, you know. Um especially with the way the league is now with a lot of these bigs that teams use as a hub to you know playm make and kind of facilitate the offense at times. Um and he got like some swag to him too, you know, like he got he got some stuff to him and I think that’s good for a rookie especially somebody coming over um that’s not from the United States. Yeah. Cuz you know they’re going to get tried and so like to have that mentality probably helps. Yeah. Yeah. He got he got some personality on him. Um but you can tell the way he plays and how he goes about it, he has like some real confidence. Some great stuff there from Damon and really nothing necessarily not surprised by any of that, but it’s just it’s just great to hear kind of the the approach that Dame feels like he wants to take with young players because again I think particularly next year not being able to play like that is going to be I think his primary role on this team is is really being a mentor and a and an assistant coach on the bench. And I I think that all these guys could could really benefit from from not only Dame’s expertise, but just the way that he approaches the game and life in the NBA. I feel like Dame has a perspective that I I think is just a little uncommon in the NBA. And I think that that that’s a place where, you know, I think his influence is really going to be felt and I think that’s going to be really important in that season while he’s not able to play. Next up, let’s go and hear from Dame at his camp today in Beaverton. Uh every year Dame Lillard has a camp. It’s always very well attended. He was still having that camp even when he had moved or been traded to Milwaukee. I think they maybe skipped one year because of COVID, but other than that, you know, they’ve had that camp every single year. It’s always great attendance. I will say too, if you go to the Damian Lillard camp, you are going to meet Damen Lillard. Like I know some other players camps like are different. If you go to Dame’s camp, your kid is absolutely going to get to spend a little bit of time with Dame. Maybe I mean, and Dame is out there on the court. He’s not able to do as much as he usually does because of that injury, but he is still out there and he spends all day long at that at those those camps. So, if you’ve been considering going to one of those camps, Blazers have a lot of good camps, too. I know Scoot’s got a great camp coming up here as well. Dames camp has always been a good one. I always recommend people if they’re if their kids are at all interested in basketball, go to go to the Damon Ler camp because you’re they’re definitely going to get something out of it. And what I got out of it was we got to talk to Dame during his camp about Drew Holiday. Kind of the that video of him walking through the locker room, which I which I thought was great. Kind of talking about, you know, the emotions he had while he was he was kind of going back to the Trailblazers locker room. First time in a couple years he had done that. His relationship with Drew Holiday, they’ve have a lot more of history, I think, than people realize. His thoughts on teaming up with Drew. Dame may be finally breaking down and going to the Oregon coast, which is something that, uh, towards the end of his career in Portland the last time, starting to get a little crap for and rightfully so. So, uh, Dame may be relenting on that a little bit. Also talks about kind of some of the scholarships he does for his camp, which I think is really cool. The other part, too, is that that Dame is always really about being inclusive and making things approachable for for people despite, you know, what their background might be. So, I thought that was pretty neat as well. So, here is Damian Lillard at his camp on Wednesday discussing a whole host of topics. I mean, obviously you have the reception that you kind of see online, but seeing the reception from the kids over the last day, what has that been like? Uh, I mean, it’s it’s been great. You know, they’ve had a lot of energy. Um, and just excited. You know, a lot of them, as soon as I walked in yesterday, it was like, “My bad. I mean, it’s your mic. Not practice.” Um, they all walked up and was like, “Man, you back. You back.” You know, so um they was all excited about it. um last year when I did camp and I wasn’t on the team and that was like the main question they all kept asking like are you going to come back are you going to come back and I didn’t see it happening this soon so I was like maybe one day but uh you know it happened a lot sooner so um they have been excited jersey day today but pretty cool to see a lot of kids kept that letter O in the black and red man yeah I mean uh you know it’s not like I was here for a year or two um you know a lot of these kids have had these jerseys for a long time Um, so I mean it’s it wasn’t a surprise, but I think um due to the circumstances, a lot of them, you know, have worn their jerseys today and making sure this camp is still accessible for so many too. Your respect schools got scholarships kids here, BPI, Special Olympics here with the Unified Partners. Why is that important to you to still make this an accessible camp for so many kids to come in here? Uh because I I want it to uh be the type of experience that all kids can remember. you know, I know um everybody isn’t fortunate enough to afford what it costs, but I mean, the the camp coaches that we hire, the time that we put into it, um I’m here all day, you know, we got to be able to uh compensate people um properly so that they invest into it the way I want them to for it to be a quality camp. So, um even with that being said, I still want um it to be accessible, like you said, for for everybody. So, we we do a lot of scholarships like you said, um, Black Parent Initiative, SEI, um, through my respect program. Um, and many other people that I just might know somebody that knows somebody that want their kid to come to camp and I might just have at least 20 kids where I’m like, just bring them and when they check in, I’ll be out in the back and I’ll just get them on the list and get them on the team. So, I mean, we do a lot of that stuff so that all kids are, you know, able to have the experience. How tough is it for you to this year not be able to participate in some of the onc court stuff with the kids because of the injury? Uh, I mean it’s it’s different because I’m usually just so involved. You know, I demonstrate a lot of the drills. Um, a lot of times it’s a a segment with me specifically for about an hour or two toward the end of camp where I’m able to get on the court and show them specific things and I kind of do it in a way where like I’m working out in front of them. Um, I think another big part of camp is like I usually get here at 7:00 and when they all come in I’m toward the end of my workout and they get to see my last 30 minutes. So, it’s just um not doing so much talking and demonstrating, but they are able to see a real example, you know, of how I train and what I put into it. So, um those parts of it haven’t I haven’t been able to do, but um you know, I still think it’s a lot of ways that that I can make it a quality camp still. Does this year’s camp make it uh you know this year’s iteration, does it make it a little bit more special considering you back in a Trailblazers uniform? I mean, what’s the feeling like considering you actually back in town as a player? I mean, honestly, it was only one camp that I wasn’t in a Trailblazer uniform. It was like one summer that I wasn’t on the team. Um, but I think it it makes it special just because of, like I said, everything that’s taken place over the last week, you know, just um, being back here after being here for over a decade and then kind of being on the new team for two years and it being so unexpected, you know, all every part of the whole situation was just unexpected and um, it just happened so fast that, you know, even the parents and uh, outside of the the campers are just like you can just feel the energy. you know, the people are excited and more than anything just happy, you know, to to have me back here. That video of you walking into the locker room has gone pretty viral. Can you just kind of explain the emotions that were going through you as as you walked in there? Yeah, it was just a it was just a great feeling, you know, it it felt very familiar. Um I don’t know, in my adulthood, I haven’t had it’s been pretty consistent, you know, pretty stable in everything that I’ve done. Um, so like being here for so long and then being in Milwaukee for two years and it just wasn’t, you know, that type of feeling. You know, I had a a good two years, you know, a great organization. Um, everything was done proper and, you know, it was it was a a good situation. Um, I think it just wasn’t what my full uh adulthood and my career had been. You know, like this is where I built my life and my home and everything. So walking back through those doors and walking back to my locker was just like, you know, these types of things just don’t happen in the NBA. So, um, having that experience, you know, I, you know, I don’t I wouldn’t say I was overwhelmed, but I was like, I guess, um, feeling a lot of emotions because of that, you know, like, man, this really I never wanted to leave to begin with. And so now that it’s happening like this, it was just like, man, this is is almost too good to be true. Has this felt like a crazy busy week for you going from the signing to the presser to the camp the very next day? Yeah, it like I said, it all happened really fast. And um you know, I I feel like by the time I get home the last three or four days, it’s like almost time to go to bed. You know, I got to put my kids down, eat, take a shower, and then I get in my bed and I want to watch TV or something, but I just end up sleep. and then the next day is here and I got to get going again. So, I haven’t really even had the time to kind of sit back and even take in everything that’s taking place. So, um days day is happening fast right now. The number one thing that I think fans have wanted to know since the news broke that you were coming back. Are you going to get out to the coast finally? What’s funny is I was uh doing I was doing rehab and uh my PT who I’ve been with for years, he was like talking about going out to the coast and with his wife and all of that. And I was just like I guess now that like it happened this way, I guess I should probably get out to the coast and just have that experience since I haven’t done it yet. So I’m I’m definitely planning on doing it. I might as well. So, uh, one thing we didn’t get to at the press conference, uh, your thoughts on Drew Holiday and that signing and and being a teammate of his after playing against him so many times. Man, I that’s one of the things that I’m extremely excited about. Um, because I think obviously I’m going to bring experience and uh, leadership and um, just a vet who’s been on the floor. you know, I’ve done it um for a long time. But being able to to play alongside another guard that’s similar, you know, has won two championships. Um has a lot of experience. He’s been an all-star in the NBA. He’s been around a long time. Um and his personality, you know, who he is, I think it’ll be great for the team. Um especially combined with what I’ll bring to the team, uh because of those same reasons. And I remember when he was leaving New Orleans, like me and him tried to we talked about him coming here. Like that was like a a real discussion. Like we was like trying hard. Um so I’ve always been a a fan of Drew. I’ve always wanted to play with him. I think we’ll um play well beside each other. And um you know once he came here I was like man he was like can I wear your number? But he was joking. I was like no you can’t wear my number. Um, and it was just like a joke. But then like as soon as I was waved and um, obviously he knows that I live here and um, built my home here and stuff. So he just like sent me the eyeball emoji and I kind of knew already like I already knew where I was pivoting to when he sent it, but I just didn’t want to say nothing too soon. And um, here we are. So, and you played with him on the Olympic team, too. Yeah. Correct me wrong, wasn’t he the one that told you you had to get the core surgery? Wasn’t he the one that was like he had that? And yeah, we we talked about it like um during the Olympics cuz I was trying to explain to everybody cuz I couldn’t practice once we got to Tokyo cuz it was just killing me. And um he was just like, “Yeah, like you it’s going to stay that way.” Like we talked about it for like every day we’d sit there and talk about it and um that was kind of what pushed me to say like, “All right, I’m gonna eventually I’m gonna have to do it.” Not surprising after that Pelican series that you were interested in teaming up with him because man, I still got a lot of a lot of feelings about that one. Yeah, that was like one of the more like hurtful moments of my career, you know, just like ultimately it was a moment that um you know, I had already been an all-star a few times. Um and I think I was first team that year actually. I think I was first team all NBA that year. But um that was a turning point in my career where you know you reach that point where it’s like are you going to take another step and you know make another leap or are you just going to like stay in that that space and um I made my mind up and I did you know all of the things that I need to do and the next year I you know made another jump but that series and that moment definitely played a significant part in me you know growing a little bit more after that. There was a report that you actually reached out to Drew after he got traded to Portland and spoke like fondly of the franchise. Is is that true? And what was that conversation like? Yeah, he was um cuz when I lived in Milwaukee, I rented his house for two years. So I actually had been renting his house for the last two years. So we talked a lot like I was complaining to him about the Wi-Fi. Like it’s a clip online of like I shake his hand. We played him in Boston and we stood we had an interaction and people was like what? and we was literally talking about his Wi-Fi at his house. So, um he reached out just about like areas like to to live in and stuff like that and um a little bit about the organization and I you know I told him like I love Portland. I live in Portland. My family’s in Portland. Um and it’s it’s a place when people come here to play they just it’s probably raining. They here for a night, you know, it’s gray skies. You don’t really see much. So I was like, but it’s I mean I’m from California and I’ve been living here for the last 13 years. So I mean I think once you get here and you get on the ground, you know, you you learn to to like it or love it in my case. So um that was kind of what I shared with him. Really good stuff there from Damian L. And one of the things that I had mentioned, you know, at that press conference was it’s just so nice to hear Dame again. Like he he he has such a great way of speaking and like I I’m jealous of the way that Dame is able to talk. You know, I I do a lot of talking for a living, and I wish I was as smooth and and dialed in as Dame is when when he’s speaking because he just presents himself so well. He’s got such a great way. He really answers your questions, which, you know, you understand why some guys are a little more reluctant or maybe kind of give you canned answers. Dame listens to your question and really gives you a thoughtful answer. And that’s something that you really can’t say about a lot of guys. So, that’s always something I’ve really appreciated and it’s something that’s been really nice to have back in the fold. Um, because, you know, when you’re doing this job, it’s helpful when you ask a guy a question for him to kind of sort of answer that question and and Dame always does that. So, uh, really great to have him back. Really great to just hear his thoughts on a lot of different things. And again, I think a lot of reason to be excited, not because of what happened in the past, but because where this team is going forward. Hopefully Damen will be able to get out to the Oregon Coast at some point in time as And if he does, I definitely suggest he stops by Spiritmount Casino where you will get an unforgettable entertainment experience at their top golf swing suite. It’s tough to say. Enjoy your favorite virtual games on an immersive big screen now with discounted midweek rates. Grab five of your friends and book your bay now. Spirit Casino, Highway 18, and Grand Rond. Elevate your game. As I’d mentioned, most of the Trailblazer schedule, if you preseason schedule, if you really looked for it, you could have found most of the games because teams do their announcements of preseason at different times. It’s not nearly like the NBA full season schedule which is all announced on one day. Various teams can you can announce your preseason schedule basically anytime you want. NBA doesn’t really care. So Trailblazers announcing their preseason schedule on Monday. Starting off October 8th at Golden State Warriors. 7:00 start time for that one. 2 days later back home versus Sacramento Kings. October 10th 7:00 for that game. 4 days later also at home hosting the Golden State Warriors. 7:00 start time at Mo Center October 14th. And then wrapping up their four-game preseason schedule, October 16th versus the Jazz in Utah, 7:00 start time to that one as well. Not sure about broadcast for any four of those games. I wouldn’t be surprised if those ended up on KUNP and Blazer Vision, though not entirely sure what the case is. Wasn’t specified in the release, but I’m guessing at some point time we’ll we’ll get a little more uh information on that. Uh but four games for the Trailblazers at preseason, two games at home, 10th and the 14th, two games on the road, eighth and the 16th. And uh yeah, should be an interesting preseason for the Trailblazers as well. First chance to to really kind of see what how this team looks with, you know, with the departure of DeAndre and Ant and the addition of Drew Holiday, you know, Don Klingan moving into, I think, probably starting role. We’ll get a chance to see kind of where Young Hansen is at and what his role might be. So, should be a pretty interesting preseason for the Portland Trailblazers. So definitely worth checking out those games wherever they’re made available. I’m sure we’ll get more details on that at some point in time. But the four games Trailblazers playing at preseason, October 8th at Golden State, October 10th vers the Kings at Moenter Center, October 14th vers the Warriors once again, but this time at MOA Center, and October 16th at the Utah Jazz. All those 7 p.m. starts. Signing Damen Lotto as a free agent wasn’t the only signing the Portland Trailblazers had this week. They also signed Blake Wesley to it sounds like a one-year deal. Let’s go ahead and get to the press release here. The Portland Trailblazers have signed Blake Wesley, who was selected 25th overall in the 2022 NBA draft by San Antonio. Wesley 6’3, 190 lbs, has spent each of his last three seasons with the Spurs appearing in 156 games, four starts, averaging 4.3 points, 2.4 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 14.3 minutes per game. The South Ben, Indiana native, Wesley spent his freshman season at Notre Dame and earned second team allacc and all rookie team as he accrewed averages of 14.4 points, 2.4 four assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals in 29.3 minutes in 35 games. 25 of those starts during the 202122 campaign for the Irish. Uh Blake Wesley a just another kind of long lanky defensive presence from the guard position. You know, with Dame out, you know, they feel like Blake is going to be kind of a a change of pace guard for this team. I think much in the way Delano Banton was last year. uh and a guy who they I think they feel really confident can come in and contribute something to this team uh in a in a reserve role and a guy who, you know, I think it was maybe a little bit of surprise that he came out after one season at Notre Dame and now that he’s been in in a good organization with the Spurs, you know, they they obviously, you know, have moved on, but I I think a really nice value signing for the Trailblazers. He’s going to wear 99 according to one of the uh the uniform uh accounts on Twitter, I guess you would call them. Um, so yeah, another guy who just fills out that roster at that guard position. Again, another guy who who I think is really going to make his bones defensively, an athletic, long guard as well. And a guy who again, I think the Blazers is really just putting an emphasis on on players who can come in and defend. And I think they they feel like Blake Wesley can come in and and give this team something. And, you know, I was talking to, you know, we had a little bit of a chalk talk with uh with Andre and Mike Schmidtz a few nights ago with a kind of a smaller group of people. and you know, they just kind of talked about some of the the reasons why they’re enthusiastic about that signing and, you know, again, just another guy who they feel like, you know, is maybe a little bit undervalued and and really still has maybe more to show in the NBA and they’re hoping that that he’s able to do that with the Trailblazers. So, you know, I think a smart signing there to get them to 15. you know, they went from only having 13 guys, you know, a week ago and still needing to sign at least one player, if not two before the start of the of training camp, to now have a completely full roster, 15 guys on the roster, I think. And they have two two-way guys in City Soos and Caleb Love. So, I guess maybe they have one two-way spot open still. So, I guess still potentially a spot to fill there. And obviously, they they need to fill out the remix roster. But as far as the Trailblazers go, Blake Wesley, the 15th man on this roster, signed this week. And uh my expectation, I I don’t know that they’ll do necessarily a press conference. I know we’ve had some questions about Drew as well. Drew was already here, came with his family. You know, I think for vets that point in their career, you know, you only get so much time with your family in the offseason. And so to even burn a couple days by kind of coming back and having a press conference and then leaving, like guys got vacations planned. They they got they got things they like to do. So, I mean, at this point in time in the offseason, we’re getting to the point where, you know, once August comes, everyone kind of tries to to finally get some some a bit of a of a break. Um, so not sure if we’ll be doing a a a Blake Wesley uh press conference anytime soon along with through holiday, but at some point in time, those those two players will be introduced before training camp and uh we’ll maybe get a little more information then. But Blazers signing Blake Wesley as their 15th man. And finally, if you’re a Trailblazer fan who has dogs or loves dogs, I would strongly advise you head out to Mo Center this Saturday for the Pup City event presented by Tavo. Trailblazers are excited to bring together the dogs of Rip City at Pup City presented by Tavo on July 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Hosted at the Rose Quarter Commons. A ticketed 3 1.3K dogwalk. I don’t know that my Francis can get 1.3K, but we’ll try. and festival will feature 20 human friendly and dog friendly vendors like Tipsy Ice Cream, Portland Pet Food, and Tavo feature local nonprofits and dog rescue one tale at a time. PDX will be on site with adoptable dogs spreading awareness of their mission to give rescue dogs a chance to know the comforts of a loving home through adoption and foster families. Those of you who adopt dogs, you are doing great work. I I have purebred dogs. I should adopt more dogs. The next dogs I have will absolutely be adopted muts. Um, but I have been a purebre dog guy throughout the years, but I’ve tried to be responsible about where I purchased them from. But if you want to complain about that, I completely understand. You should adopt dogs. It’s a great thing to do. Animals in general, adopt them. They’re they’re great. And also too, a lot of times purebred dogs sometimes kind of have some health problems that you don’t necessarily have when you have uh less purebred dogs, muts, if you will. Um, in addition, the portion of each ticket will also go towards the efforts to take care of dogs that they rescue. Tipping off at 9:00 a.m., attendees can head straight to the registration to pick up their pup city tote bag, dog ball, and raffle ticket included with a res registration, then enjoy music by DJ OG1, Trailblazers DJ, and shop around the festival. Tavo will be joining and on the fun contributing a prize to the Trailblazers raffle for all registered guests and having travel carriers on site for pets to test drive. That’s a pretty cool thing. Um, I might be test driving a uh pet carrier. Uh, at 10:00 a.m. the 1.3k walk around Mo Center will officially start. Led by the only cat allowed, Travelers and Mascot, Blaze, a Trail Cat with Blazer Dancers helping guide the way. I think I will also be there helping guide the way as well. So, you want to come out and say hello, uh, I would love that. Bring your dog. Um, attendees are free to walk the loop as much as they’d like or return to the festival afterwards to continue the fun. With the sunshine and heat in the forecast, it is going to be hot this weekend, folks. It’s also hot in my upstairs right now. You might notice I’m sweating a little bit here because the ventilation is not great, but anything to uh to get this podcast out. Um, so since it is going to be hot this weekend, water stations will be available for pets and their adults and their pups alike. I don’t call them parents because you’re not that dog’s parent. You’re that dog’s friend who takes care of it. I am a friend to my dogs. I am not their parent. It’s one thing I always bristle at. I’m not a parent. I’m a friend. I have friends who just happen to be dogs. I’m not their parents. They have parents. They’re not here, but they do have parents. That’s not me. I’m just their buddy who takes care of them and pays for all their stuff. Um, so also if you are 21 and over, uh, 19 Acres and Alician Brewing will be outside Dr. Jacks with samples. That’s a nice way to cool down as well. Learn more about Pup City and purchase a ticket. Fans can go to trailblazer.com/pupcity. Head on over, get a ticket, you get some cool dog swag, you might win a few things. Fun little uh, little walkaround center as well. Should be a fun event. Saturday, July 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. And that’s going to do it for this edition of the Briefcase. Thank you so much for joining me as always. New edition next week most likely, though, it’s going to start to calm down here a little bit. Rip City, one would assume at least, but hey, I thought this week was going to be calm, too, and it’s been anything but. So, um, when there’s more news to cover, we will cover it here on the briefcase. But until then, thanks so much for joining me. As always, please like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I am Casey Holdall. Go Blazers. [Music]

On this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider discusses…

• The press conference to “re-introduce” Damian Lillard

• Lillard’s comments about the role he’ll play as he rehabs his Achilles injury during the 2025-26 season

• Dame’s comments about the importance of mentorship, Scoot Henderson and Yang Hansen

• Dame discussing his relationship with Jrue Holiday, maybe finally getting out to the Oregon coast and his yearly basketball camp in Beaverton

• The Trail Blazers signing third-year guard Blake Wesley to their 15th roster spot

• Portland’s four-game preseason schedule

• The “Pup City” event this Saturday at Moda Center (tickets available here)

𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 » http://www.instagram.com/trailblazers
𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 » http://www.twitter.com/trailblazers
𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗧𝗢𝗞 » https://www.tiktok.com/@trailblazers
𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 » http://www.facebook.com/trailblazers

🖥️ Visit our website for the latest news, videos, podcasts, photos and more: http://www.trailblazers.com
🎙️ Listen to Trail Blazers podcasts: http://www.trailblazers.com/podcasts
📺 Watch Trail Blazers games on Root Sports https://northwest.rootsports.com/trail-blazers
🏀 Subscribe to NBA League Pass: https://rip.city/LeaguePass
📲 Download the Trail Blazers mobile app: https://www.nba.com/blazers/app
🎟️ Buy game tickets: https://www.nba.com/blazers/single-game-tickets?utm_source=youtube
👕 Rip City Clothing : https://ripcityclothing.com/