Slide Show: Sounds Like Team Spirit

Two-time All-Star and MVP candidate Brandon Roy describes the team’s development: "We’re not going through the learning process anymore."

The Blazers’ major free agent acquisition, point guard Andre Miller, jokes about season expectations: "The only thing guaranteed is the contract."

The Blazers’ major free agent acquisition, point guard Andre Miller, jokes about season expectations: "The only thing guaranteed is the contract."

Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was in a good mood despite the fact that his contract status is uncertain: "I didn’t think [negotiations] would be this hard."

Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was in a good mood despite the fact that his contract status is uncertain: "I didn’t think [negotiations] would be this hard."

Juwan Howard charmed the press during Media Day, talking about Portland’s fans: "They let the other team know it’s going to be a dogfight in here."

Juwan Howard charmed the press during Media Day, talking about Portland’s fans: "They let the other team know it’s going to be a dogfight in here."

Center Greg Oden spent the whole summer working with Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno on his defensive mobility to reduce his fouls.

Center Greg Oden spent the whole summer working with Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno on his defensive mobility to reduce his fouls.

After missing all but five minutes last season, Martell Webster, when asked about how far the team could go, had high hopes: "All the way."

After missing all but five minutes last season, Martell Webster, when asked about how far the team could go, had high hopes: "All the way."

One of the Blazers’ two early second round draft picks, Dante Cunningham, laughed with the press about getting dunked on by Greg Oden in summer pickup games.

One of the Blazers’ two early second round draft picks, Dante Cunningham, laughed with the press about getting dunked on by Greg Oden in summer pickup games.

Point guard Jerryd Bayless thought he had a shot at the starting position this season, right up until the Andre Miller signing.

Point guard Jerryd Bayless thought he had a shot at the starting position this season, right up until the Andre Miller signing.

French import Nicolas Batum knows Portland much better after spending a year in the Rose City. His favorite French restaurant? Fenouil.

French import Nicolas Batum knows Portland much better after spending a year in the Rose City. His favorite French restaurant? Fenouil.

With the signings of Andre Miller and Juwan Howard, center Joel Przybilla is excited that he’s no longer the "old man" of the team.

With the signings of Andre Miller and Juwan Howard, center Joel Przybilla is excited that he’s no longer the "old man" of the team.

Another year, another position controversy: eternally embattled point guard Steve Blake put on a happy face at Media Day.

Another year, another position controversy: eternally embattled point guard Steve Blake put on a happy face at Media Day.

Rudy Fernandez, fresh off a championship over teammate Nicolas Batum’s French team in the EuroBasket tournament, was una fantasma as his round with the media lasted for less than five minutes.

Rudy Fernandez, fresh off a championship over teammate Nicolas Batum’s French team in the EuroBasket tournament, was una fantasma as his round with the media lasted for less than five minutes.

Despite an injury that has wiped out the beginning of his rookie season, forward Jeff Pendergraph remains in good spirits: "I’m used to walking on crutches."

Despite an injury that has wiped out the beginning of his rookie season, forward Jeff Pendergraph remains in good spirits: "I’m used to walking on crutches."

Travis Outlaw drew laughs as he debuted a short ‘fro at Media Day with the explanation, "I forgot to cut it." He says he’s ready to "bust some new moves."

Travis Outlaw drew laughs as he debuted a short ‘fro at Media Day with the explanation, "I forgot to cut it." He says he’s ready to "bust some new moves."

What’s old is new again: Portland native Ime Udoka is happy to be back with teammates Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge as he returns to the Blazers after two years with the San Antonio Spurs: "They feel like baby brothers to me."

What’s old is new again: Portland native Ime Udoka is happy to be back with teammates Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge as he returns to the Blazers after two years with the San Antonio Spurs: "They feel like baby brothers to me."

Juwan Howard takes his role as a mentor on this team very seriously. "You know how coaches have an open-door policy? So do I," he said. "If any teammates want to soak up information like a sponge from me, they can."

Juwan Howard takes his role as a mentor on this team very seriously. "You know how coaches have an open-door policy? So do I," he said. "If any teammates want to soak up information like a sponge from me, they can."