The name on the front of jersey is the same, but a few of the names on the back have changed since last season for the Trail Blazers.
When Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and the rest of the players return to the floor tonight at the Rose Garden for the annual preseason Wells Fargo Fan Fest, fans will get their first chance to see the new-look Blazers during an intra-squad scrimmage and an on-court Q and A session that drew 16,752 fans last season.
Gone are the likes of swingman Martell Webster and veteran center Juwan Howard.
They have been replaced by Wesley Matthews, plus rookies Luke Babbitt, Armon Johnson and Elliot Williams as the new kids on the block for a Portland team that is expected to reach the postseason for the third year in a row.
Whether Portland can advance past the first round of the playoffs is a lingering question entering the preseason. Much depends on keeping players healthy in a grueling 82-game season. Last year, the Blazers had 13 players miss time due to injury or illness and the roster combined to miss 311 regular season NBA games — second-most in the league in that category.
Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, Jeff Pendergraph, Dante Cunningham, Andre Miller, Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, and Joel Pryzbilla all return for Portland under coach Nate McMillan. Patty Mills, Dwight Lewis, Raymond Sykes, Seth Tarver and Eric Williams also are participating in training camp.
The Wells Fargo Fan Fest begins at 6 p.m., and doors open at 5 p.m. Free tickets and family passes are available at all Wells Fargo bank branches in Southwest Washington and Oregon, or fans can attend by showing their Wells Fargo bank card at any Rose Garden entrance.
Those who attend are encouraged to bring new school supplies to donate to Schoolhouse Supplies, a nonprofit organization that provides free supplies to area school teachers.
Inside the Blazers
Last season: 50-32, finished third in Northwest Division. Lost to Phoenix Suns (4-2) in first round of Western Conference playoffs.
Key losses: Martell Webster (Minnesota), Juwan Howard (Miami), Travis Diener (Italy).
New Additions: Wesley Matthews (free agent, Utah), Luke Babbitt (Nevada), Armon Johnson (Nevada), Elliot Williams (Memphis).
Front office makeover: Rich Cho (general manager), Bill Branch (assistant general manager), Steve Rosenberry (assistant general manager), Dean Cooper (player development director).
Coaching carousel: Monty Williams, Joe Prunty, Dean Demopoulos, John Townsend replaced by Buck Williams, Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka.
Expiring contracts: Andre Miller, Joel Pryzbilla.
Preseason storylines:
• Rudy Fernandez requests release from Blazers
• Patty Mills unsure of future in Portland
• Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla still rehabbing knee injuries, won’t be ready for start of regular season
First preseason game: Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Rose Garden.
First regular-season game: Oct. 26 against the Phoenix Suns at the Rose Garden
