TUALATIN, Ore. — It is either a necessity or a formality, depending who is asked.
The Blazers host the Denver Nuggets in their final preseason game tonight, and it is hard to tell what is the greater priority: Getting tuned up, or not getting banged up.
Coach Nate McMillan’s two most frequently discussed topics over the past two weeks have been his team’s inconsistent play and the injuries afflicting his players — so one can understand his ambivalence regarding this final exhibition before Tuesday’s regular-season debut.
Asked Wednesday how the Blazers have looked through six preseason games, McMillan replied, “Not good,” then emphasized the importance of improving every time they take the floor. Shortly after, however, he noted how, “It’s a weird time of year” and that, “The veterans are just trying to stay healthy to get to the regular season.”
Portland center Marcus Camby is a veteran who has had trouble staying healthy. Hamstring and hip injuries have kept out of three games games this preseason. And while he said he would play tonight if it were the regular season, Camby will rest the hip as a precautionary measure. What does he hope his teammates will get out of the contest?
“Knock on wood, no injuries,” Camby said.
Wesley Matthews will also sit tonight due to a sore Achilles tendon, but he views the upcoming 48 minutes as an opportunity for team progression.
Harping on how certain teammates need to find their inner tough guy Wednesday, the Blazers swingman hopes such discoveries can be made before Oct. 26.
“We still got some room to grow, and that’s good because it’s not time for the regular season yet,” Matthews said. “There are some personalities — not that anyone’s a bad guy, but some of these personalities it’s hard to get that fighting dog out of them. We need to be a little uncharacteristic to get to where we want to be.”
Portland waived center Steven Hill and forward Raymond Sykes on Wednesday, dwindling the roster to 16 players. Only 15 make the team, and considering point guard Patty Mills is the sole remaining Blazer without a guaranteed contract, his future with the club does not look too bright.
Not that one would know by talking to him.
“You can come in with the mentality that I’m here for a reason, and while you’re here, make the most of an opportunity, or you can just pretty much give up and throw it all away,” Mills said. “The mentality I have is that you gotta work hard, because if it doesn’t work out here, it will work out somewhere else.”
Mills, who hails from Australia, has averaged 1.7 points and 4.3 minutes in the three games he has seen court time this preseason. He is also behind three point guards in the rotation (Andre Miller, Jerryd Bayless and Armon Johnson), obviously making it difficult to showcase his skills.
“It’s a little window to show a whole range of stuff,” said Mills, 22. “You get that (boost of confidence) when the first shot goes, and you feel like, ‘Maybe I can another one.’ ”
Mills said he will still pursue an NBA contract if it does not work out for him in Portland.
