New Blazers point guard Andre Miller is introduced to the Portland media Tuesday, July 28, 2009.Trail Blazers practice on Thursday was halted nearly 60 minutes into the workout when veteran point guard Andre Miller and coach Nate McMillan engaged in a shouting match that lasted for nearly 30 minutes.
Miller shouted throughout the exchange, and McMillan mostly listened, but at times broke in with shouting of his own.
One of the topics discussed was an incident late in Tuesday's game with Memphis, when Miller told Jerryd Bayless to make his second free throw with 4.3 seconds left and the Blazers trailing by two. The coaching staff and team captain Brandon Roy told Bayless to miss the free throw so the Blazers could attempt to rebound and make a tying basket.
When practice was opened to the media, Miller and McMillan were not on the court.
UPDATED: General manager Kevin Pritchard was on hand for the incident and said he was hopeful that it could result in a positive.
"I encourage open and honest dialogue, I think that is always good,'' Pritchard said. "I think it can be (healthy). We have the ability to take it one of two ways and I believe in the character of this team, and you know, I think we can come together.''
Pritchard said the exchange was "normal".
"On every team I have ever been on ... guys have opportunity to speak what they feel. That's OK. The question is, can we become better because of it. Either you can or you can't. I'm hoping we can.''
Pritchard and McMillan both said there would be no punishment forthcoming.
"Absolutely not,'' Pritchard said. "We don't muzzle people. It's like being in a marriage. If you don't say something it builds and builds, then it's said, and when it is and it is honest and open, you can get better from it.''
McMillan was sharp when asked about the exchange between he and Miller.
"I'm not going to comment on my talk with the team. It wasn't with Andre, it was with the team,'' McMillan said. "We talked as a group.''
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