For those of you that didn't get the opportunity to participate in today's chat session with Mike Dunleavy, here's a transcript: Head coach Mike Dunleavy took time out today to chat with fans on the ESPN SportsZone website. Here's transcript of what he had to say: Dunleavy: Blazers are young but confident ESPN SportsZone ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Portland Trail Blazer coach Mike Dunleavy told ESPN SportsZone users he feels his experience and confidence will be enough to take the Blazers to the next level. As this week's NBA In The Paint chat guest, Dunleavy touched on his plans for the team, what teams will be the biggest roadblocks in the West and how he hopes to handle Isaiah Rider. Dunleavy's file Dunleavy took over the helm of the Blazers on May 13 following his five-year run as the vice president of basketball operations/general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent the first four years as the team's head coach where he compiled a 107-221 record. Prior to his stint in Milwaukee, Dunleavy spent two years with the L.A. Lakers. He compiled a 101-63 record and took the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1991. Dunleavy takes over a Blazer team that was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs after compiling a 49-33 regular-season mark. The team is loaded with young talent and Dunleavy's task is to keep the franchise streak of 15 straight playoff appearances alive. Below is an edited transcript from his June 13 chat: Wiggum: You're very talented, but a very young Milwaukee Bucks team struggled. Is the experience factor going to change your methods with the Blazers? Mike Dunleavy: I think you have to look at how you handle different teams by the way they are made up. We really had a lot of player turnover in Milwaukee so that was tough. Here we have a lot of young talent but everyone knows their roles. I think I will have lots of success. P-town: How important is it to you to sign Cifford Robinson? If you don't sign Cliff, does that mean more minutes for Jermanie O'Neal? Mike Dunleavy: I would like to re-sign Cliff. I think it will come down to money and what it will do to our salary cap. And yes, if we don't sign Cliff, it will mean more minutes for O'Neal and Gary Trent. But we want to re-sign Cliff. Larry: What will be your approach towards Isaiah Rider? Mike Dunleavy: The first message I have to send is that I want everyone to make a commitment to this team. Whether it be in the game or off the court. We want people to think about bettering the team first off. I haven't really sat down and talked to him but if someone is always late or something like that, I think it can be correctable. I haven't had any troubles with players being late in the past. I have a good fine system, and late players are also forced to take extra shooting practice. So either they will be donating a lot of money to charity or they will be great outside shooters. I don't foresee any problems, but there is no telling if this will be a unique situation. Robert: How do you think the Blazers will do with you as the new head coach? Mike Dunleavy: I think, first off, all the outlook for next season will depend on what happens with our free agents (Cliff Robinson and Chris Dudley specifically). If we don't get them back, how we replace them will be the question we have to answer before we can predict anything for next season. But as always, we are trying to compete for a championship but foremost we want to advance in the playoffs. Blake: Would you ever consider picking up Shawn Kemp? What if Cliff won't sign, would that make it more of a possibility? Mike Dunleavy: I can't really talk about him because he still belongs to Seattle and that would be tampering. He is a very talented player and he got lots of praise this time last year because of his play in the playoffs. I think if a team is comfortable with the issues that have come up this year, I think lots of teams will try and trade for him if that is what Seattle wants to do. Chris: What players are you looking at for the upcoming draft? Mike Dunleavy: We are looking at many options. We have the No. 18 and 20 picks. Two picks gives us the ability to possibly move up. Some look at this draft as semi-weak and it cuts off at a certain point. I would rather have multiple picks then just one. It gives us lots of flexibility. We are talking with lots of teams. We also owe a pick to Minnesota for Isaiah Rider either this season or next. So we may look at doing that if we can't put together a good deal. Bush: Who do you think will be your biggest opponent next year? Mike Dunleavy: I think we are a very talented team and I have been to the championship before so I know what it takes. There are several great teams in the West. The Lakers are going to be tough. Remember they won 60 games last year. Plus, Utah is playing for a championship right now. San Antonio will also be formidable when they get David Robinson back and with the addition of Tim Duncan. There are a lot of veteran teams and they will all be obstacles for us. Tim: What coach has had the most influence on your coaching style? Mike Dunleavy: I think I have drawn from a number of coaches. Some that I have worked for and some I played for. The two that were the most prominent would be Don Nelson and Del Harris. Also, Jerry West. I had two years with the Lakers and I talked with him a lot about the Laker teams he played for and won a championship with and of course the great teams he put together as a GM. Fazal: What is your opinion towards underclassmen entering the NBA? Mike Dunleavy: If I could change it, I would. I don't think these kids are getting the experience and the education from college that will stay with them for a long time -- both on and off the court. I think these kids coming out early are coming to the NBA without the experience to play the game well. They have great ability and talent but not the experience. You also have to look at the lifestyle in the NBA, that is very hard on these young kids. Ryan: Why do you think you can take the Blazers to a title? Mike Dunleavy: I think we are a very talented team and I have been to the championship before so I know what it takes. I have confidence that I can do it. George: What do you think of Portland, Ore.? Mike Dunleavy: It is a great NBA city. I have been coming here since my rookie year and I have always been impressed with the fans' passion and knowledge of the game. I really like the organization and one of the biggest drawing cards was a chance to work with Bob Whitsitt. Spiffy: Why did you decide to come back into coaching? Mike Dunleavy: The main reason was that I never wanted to leave in the first place. I enjoy working with the players and the bench coaching part of it. I was lucky to hook on with a great organization. Billy Ray: How involved are you in personnel decisions? Mike Dunleavy: I think so far, Bob and I have had lots of discussions. We play the war games situations -- the "ifs" and "buts". We have been going through all the possible scenarios that could happen with the team. I think I will have lots of input and I think everything that happens, we both will be in agreement with. It was like that when I was with the Lakers. I think any coach wants that to happen. It all comes down to a mutual agreement to get things done for the better of the team. I want to thank everyone for your interest and for all the questions. The Blazer fans are terrific and I hope we can provide the excitement and success we all are hoping for. Take care. John Christensen Chuck Charnquist ************************************************************ Send subscribe/unsubscribe messages to majordomo@ripcity.com ************************************************************