Q&A with … Trail Blazers C Joel Przybilla |
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One of the underrated factors in the emergence of the Trail Blazers has been the steady performance of 29-year-old center Joel Przybilla. As rookie center Greg Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, has dealt with great stretches interrupted by injuries and foul trouble throughout the season, Przybilla has twice seen his role swing from reserve to starter—he's had three games in which he's played fewer than 10 minutes and four games in which he's played more than 35.
Throughout those swings, though, Przybilla has maintained a steady level of play, averaging 5.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. When Oden suffered a knee injury just before the All-Star break, Przybilla filled in, and even with Oden back, Przybilla has remained the starter. In 20 games since the break, Przybilla has averaged 6.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. SportingNews.com's Sean Deveney talked with Przybilla about his role, working with Oden and how nice it is to no longer be part of the Jail Blazers.
Q: You've popped in and out of the starting lineup, as Greg Oden has been healthy, then hurt, then healthy again. Has that been tough on you?
A: No, not at all. I knew coming in, you have to be ready. I think, if you look at my career, there have been a lot of ups and downs. I've gotten used to that. So, the biggest thing is to be ready, to be ready for the ups and downs and take advantage when you have an opportunity. That's what I've tried to do.
Q: From the beginning of this year, you've made it a point to help Greg Oden, to show him the ropes. Here was a guy basically taking your job. Has that been awkward?
A: It could have been, and maybe, with some guys, it would have been. It could have been tricky. But, to me, the biggest thing was, this is my teammate. I wanted to help him. I knew that however I could help him, it would help us win. The organization has a lot invested in him, so it's important that everyone support him. It does get tricky sometimes.
Q: How does it get tricky?
A: It's not difficult for me personally; we have a good relationship. He's a good guy and he wants to learn. But, I know he is in a difficult position, the microscope he is under. It's a really tough situation for him, because there are so many people coming at him. Everyone has got advice for him—coaches, and trainers and players. He is always doing interviews and media stuff. So, when I have something I want to tell him—how to play a certain guy, little tricks different guys like to use—I have to pick my spots. He comes to me a lot. But I don't want to overwhelm him. He has a lot to deal with as it is.
Q: You have something in common with him, in that both of your careers got off to a slow start. After you were drafted, in Milwaukee in 2000, you never really seemed to get going. How did things turn around for you?
A: It was mostly a matter of maturity. It was a matter of realizing what my role is. Early in my career, I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing, I didn't know what was expected of me. And, to be honest, I didn't take care of myself as much as I should. I didn't understand how important it was to take care of your body to get through a whole season. I was young. I think that happens with a lot of young guys.
Q: But something seemed to click in Portland.
A: Yes, they told me what they wanted out of me. Rebound and block shots. That's been my focus.
Q: You arrived there with the Blazers while they were in some lean, difficult years. It's got to be rewarding for you to be part, now, of a team that is on track to win 50 games and could do some winning in the playoffs.
A: I've been through it all with this team. Not just the losing, but I was here when it seemed like everything was going bad. We were still the Jail Blazers at the time, and it seemed like every day, something new would come up and all you could do was shake your head. There was a lot of crap going on. There were a lot of people who were not happy. To see all of that be turned around, it's a good feeling. I've been through some ups and downs in this organization.
Q: Now you've got Brandon Roy, who is probably one of the more underrated stars in the league. He seems to be just scratching his potential.
A: I think he is already there. I think he is a star already. What impresses me most about him is that he is the same person now that he was when he was a rookie, when I first met him. I played with guys who changed when they became stars or who did not want to work when they got the big contract. You see it happen all the time in this league. But with Brandon, I can't imagine that happening. I think this team has a bright future as long as he is here.
Q: Would you like to stay there? Your contract is up in a couple of years; would you like to retire in Portland?
A: I wouldn't mind that. We'll see, you never know. Next year will be my 10th year; my contract is up in 2011. When I came in, it was my goal to play 15 years in the NBA, and that's still my goal. So, if I could sign on to stay here, I would. I love it here, my family loves it here.
Q: It's funny, it's been 10 years for you. After your first three years, in Milwaukee, you were averaging about two points per game, and it didn't look like you would last four years.
A: There were many times I didn't think I was going to make it. Many times. But I got through it.
Q: How?
A: My family was a big part. My wife, she was by my side the whole way. She helped me through it. Honestly, she told me, I'm going to love you no matter what, and you realize that's what is important.
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
Keywords:
trail,blazers,joel,were,start,slow
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