After an impressive 2015-16 season, the Portland Trail Blazers were gearing up for an even bigger 2016-17 season. With roughly $24 million in cap space to work with this past summer, the Blazers hoped to pair the dynamic back-court of Lillard-McCollum with some more help. After signing forward Evan Turner to be an impact player off their bench, Portland was in dire need of a true rim protector. The Blazers were said to be linked with a number of big men, but ultimately signed Golden State Warrior center Festus Ezeli to a contract for two years, $16 million.
On paper, the Ezeli signing looked great, because the Blazers finally got their rim protector. The only concern was Ezeli’s inability to stay healthy. In his four years in Golden State, Ezeli only played in a total of 170 games out of a possible 328 games. Ezeli then appeared in a few Blazer practices during training camp and was said to show no signs of injury. This was a huge sign for Blazers fans and their optimism was high. Sadly, Ezeli shut it down before the season started, because of complications with his knee and would eventually require season-ending surgery.
Fast forward to mid-season, the Blazers have been one of the most underwhelming teams in the league. Throughout the season, Festus Ezeli was said to be giving the team speeches following losses, as a form of motivation. Following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Ezeli reportedly gave one of his annual speeches. What makes this speech different than others? Ezeli was cut short by shooting guard C.J. McCollum and told Ezeli that was enough, according to Chris B Haynes of ESPN.com.
After suffering a challenging, 115-107 loss to Milwaukee, Ezeli, in street clothes, addressed the team in the locker room with a stern speech centered on playing with urgency, sources told ESPN. Then two games later, after a crushing defeat in Memphis, Ezeli once again started giving a team speech, but he was cut short.
McCollum interrupted Ezeli in midsentence and told him that was enough, sources told ESPN. Portland was in the midst of an emotionally draining December, losing 11 of 13 games. Players were desperately pouring out every ounce of effort trying to change the trajectory of the season, and being lectured by someone who wasn’t even playing wasn’t received favorably.
The frustration could boil from the simple fact that Ezeli has yet to play a game. As the Portland Trailblazers try and get back into the playoff picture, this will be an interesting storyline to follow, if losses continue to come the Blazers way.
