We arrived in Portland yesterday after flying all day. It is a very long flight and then we had to stop to refuel as well. After arriving at the Sheraton Airport Hotel and checking in, a few of us went over to the NIKE employee store. I bought a couple of things for my wife and daughter. Got back to the hotel and watched the second half of Portland and Seattle. Seattle pulled out the win. Ordered some room service as there are no restaurants around the airport. Watched a bunch of Seattle as they are my scout.
Up early today to the sounds of jets landing and taking off. Started my day off as I do everyday with my readings of the Daily Bread and the Upper Room and of course the Bible. The Bible contains so much knowledge, wisdom and insight about everything. The lessons that it talks about years ago are still useful today. I am amazed by the book each and every day. I am blown away by it and how it relates to me and my family. I have read it five times now going on six and there is so much that I learn from it each time. Praise the Lord.
Had our breakfast meeting and then went to shootaround at the Rose Garden. It is a nice day for Portland, OR as it is not raining and the sun has actually peeked through some clouds. Came back to the hotel and I continued to work on the Seattle report. Headed over early to the gym with Phil Chenier, Steve Buckhantz and Eric Waters. Put Gilbert through some drills. After Gil went through movement drills he wanted to shoot some long jumpers. He made 47 out of a 100 from at least 10 feet beyond the NBA three point line. Truly amazing and he is shooting a normal jumpshot without his form breaking down. The Portland guys were all amazed too.
We could have used some of those shots tonight as Portland beat us up. They took it to us from the opening tip until the final buzzer. They had more energy than us and they shot the ball really well. They made shots from inside and outside of the arc. We just couldn’t get going. Portland is going to be tough as they have a very good nucleus to work with in Aldridge, Roy and Oden. I also got to see my friend Billy Bayno before tip off. After the game I caught up with Price Johnson’s kids James and Dane. Price is a very good friend of mine since I first met him at the Final Four in Seattle the year UCLA won with Toby Bailey and the O’Bannon brothers.It is always a pleasure to see friends while traveling.
Flew into Seattle, checked into the Fairmont and started writing the blog for this week. I will be up early starting with my devotionals and then put the finishing touches on the scouting report. Meet with the coaches and then get ready for the game.
I will keep you posted as this trip is quite long. We also have Sacramento on Friday, Lakers on Saturday and Utah on Monday.
Take care and God Bless. Please pray for our soldiers and their families and loved ones.