TUALATIN, Ore. — The figurative phrase is heard constantly in sports.
“We’re not where we want to be.”
The expression generally refers to a team’s play failing to reflect potential or meet expectations, but for Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla, it takes on a more literal meaning.
He hasn’t been where he wants to be all season — which is on the court helping his undersized teammates. And Wednesday, he really wasn’t where he wanted to be: in a hospital.
According to Portland coach Nate McMillan, Przybilla woke up with a stomach virus and was receiving IV fluids early in the day.
What’s particularly discouraging is that Przybilla was aiming to play against the Hornets Friday after spending the past year rehabilitating his ruptured right patellar tendon.
That is still a possibility.
McMillan said Friday that Przybilla suiting up is more contingent upon his response to the virus, not the readiness of his knee.
“He had a good practice (Monday) He’s been moving well. We just want to make sure he can run without dragging his leg. A lot of the rehab is going to have to be in the game,” McMillan said. “We feel now is the time to put him n a game and give him a few minutes.”
What about Roy?
Mixed messages from Brandon Roy and McMillan prevented the public from truly knowing how much Roy practiced Monday, but there was no confusion this time. Roy, who has sat out the past three games due to knee problems, participated in most of the practice Wednesday and said he felt good.
And while he did chastise his team’s offensive execution during the workout, he sounded as though his chances of returning to the lineup Friday are promising.
“If I feel the way I feel now then I’m pretty sure I’ll play Friday,” Roy said.
Dr. Thomas Reis, the Blazers’ internist, spoke to the team after practice. McMillan said it was to consult players about flu-prevention
But Roy might need a refresher course.
“We were sort of in a daze by the end of practice,” Roy said laughing. “We were looking to get out of there.”
Monty’s back
A familiar face will be returning to Portland when New Orleans head coach Monty Williams saunters into the Rose Garden. Williams was an assistant under McMillan from 2005 to the end of last season before accepting the job with the Hornets in June.
Current Blazers remember him fondly.
“On the court we were really cool, but we were much better friends off the court,” Roy said. “We’ll text every now and then … he helped through a lot last year and continues to be a voice for me.”
Added McMillan: “He did a good job of playing off of me. When I would be hard, he would go in and take some guys to lunch. He individually did a great job of developing some of the players … He was a very good assistant, that’s a tough job to do also. Especially when you have in your mind that you want to be a head coach.”
As far as the difference between being a head coach and assistant?
“It’s a challenge,” McMillan added. You get graded every time you go out and perform.”
Contact Matt Calkins at 360-735-4528 or matt.calkins@columbian.com. Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/blazerbanter
