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Joel Przybilla: "I definitely would like to come back here." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

The Blazers locker room had McMillan detractors previously during the coach's seven seasons in Portland. But there was always someone -- be it James Jones, Joel Przybilla, Brandon Roy or Juwan Howard -- to extinguish the fires and remind teammates that personal agendas never trump the team. It's why I cornered LaMarcus Aldridge shortly after McMillan was fired. I told him that I was disappointed in him. I said that part of the responsibility of being a star is leading. I expected him to tell Felton to zip it when the point guard was making his poisonous locker room rounds. I expected him to tell Crawford to quit worrying about where he was playing and focus on how he was playing. As not only a star but an All-Star, it was his job to get guys focused on the team. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, James Jones, Nate McMillan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Juwan Howard, Brandon Roy, Joel Przybilla 

John Canzano: Przybilla said he would consider Portland but needs to weigh options. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

What's the situation with your left foot and your playing status past this season? Joel Przybilla: “I might have to have a minor surgery when the season is over. I'll be out a couple of weeks, nothing serious. But I definitely want to probably play next year...I definitely want to play. I really enjoyed it this year and I think next year if I did decide to come back, I'll be more prepared because this season had so many games crammed together.” CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Chris Haynes: C Joel Przybilla says he's trying to avoid having surgery on his left ankle. Wants to wear a boot for 2-3 weeks after the season instead. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Injuries, Joel Przybilla 

Chris Haynes: Joel Przybilla looked at the scouting report on the Kings and said to Wesley Matthews, "Jimmer Fredette is on this team?" Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Wesley Matthews, Joel Przybilla, Jimmer Fredette 

John Canzano: Matt Lindland trained w Joel Przybilla MMA training: "If that guy wanted to get into it, he could be a monster." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

Jason Quick: Przybilla said he doesn't regret his decision to return to Portland instead of Miami or Chicago: "I've had fun.'' Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

As for his own future, Przybilla, who is nearing completion of a one year contract, said this. "I just want to get through this season, get to the summer and see what my options are. I would definitely love to come back. That's up to the team... A lot of it depends on what [my family wants]. I definitely do what my wife and kids say. Deep down that's what really matters to me. If they want me to play or not play or where they want me to play, that will be a family decision." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Would you endorse (Kaleb Canales) for next season as the full-time head coach? Joel Przybilla: "Definitely. I'm definitely comfortable playing for him. He's learning, this is his first head coaching job. The progress he's made in just a few weeks is so significant. Talking in front of the guys, the referees, whatever it may be. He's made such strides in a few weeks. I'm excited for the future for him. He has great potential to be a great coach for many years." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Joel Przybilla 

Blazers C Joel Przybilla on his bizarre jump ball disagreement with a referee: "He was just pointing at the ground. He told me to line up there, and I lined up on one side, and then he told me, 'No not there,' so I lined up on the next spot. He said, 'No, not there,' and he pointed back to the previous spot. I don't know if he was speaking another language or what. I didn't realize lining up for a jump ball was that complicated." Sulia

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla, Referees 

Ben Golliver: Joel Przybilla to Carlos Boozer: "Meet me after, meet me after, I'll f*** you up" http://youtu.be/9w0Jl34IGvg Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Carlos Boozer, Joel Przybilla 

So he turned down overtures from Miami and Chicago and signed two weeks ago for the league's veteran minimum with a Trail Blazers team chasing a playoff spot because both his sons were born in Portland and he still owns a home there. "It wasn't easy, I'll give you that," said Przybilla, who grew up in Monticello and played one season with the Gophers before embarking upon a 12- year NBA career. "I kind of looked in my heart. I may not have used my head. I don't use my head too much, but I looked in my heart and I knew what was best for me and my family." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

"I just said to my wife, 'Let's go to Portland,' and I could tell I made the right decision from her face, the big smile," said Pryzbilla, who played seven seasons there before the Blazers traded him to Charlotte at last year's trade deadline. "I could tell that was the right move. The people who are closest to me, friends and family who know me best knew it was best for me. That's what matters to me. What other people say doesn't bother me." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

Joel Przybilla was ticked after the game, and bee-lined to the locker room from the bench like a guy thinking, "I came back ... FOR THIS?!?" Gerald Wallace was so angry that he slammed over a large recycling bin in the arena tunnel, out of sight of fans, spilling paper and plastics that had to be picked up by some poor guest services guy in a red vest. Jamal Crawford sat by his locker, with a blank expression, and said, "It gets old." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Gerald Wallace, Nate McMillan, Jamal Crawford, Joel Przybilla 

Kevin Pritchard: Congrats to @JoelPrzybilla for signing with the #Blazers. Happy for him and the team. One of the great kids in nba. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla 

Veteran center Joel Przybilla, who was shut out of the abbreviated free agent market in December, re-signed Monday with the Portland Trail Blazers. Przybilla spent six-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers until being traded to Charlotte with other goodies at last year’s deadline for Gerald Wallace. He gives Portland depth at center, where the club is a tad long in the tooth. Portland’s starting center is 37-year-old Marcus Camby. His backup is 39-year-old power forward Kurt Thomas. At 32, Przybilla is a comparative spring chicken. His presence will allow Thomas to spell All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward. “We’ve been actively trying to get Joel to return to Portland for some time now and we’re thrilled with his decision to come back to the Trail Blazers family,” Blazers acting GM Chad Buchanan said in a statement. “Joel is a hard worker, a great teammate and a player that does the little things to help you win, all qualities that will help us down the stretch run.” SheridanHoops

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Center Joel Przybilla is set to return to the Trail Blazers after he said he passed a physical by the team on Sunday in Portland. The team is expected to sign the 32-year-old Przybilla on Monday for the remainder of the season. First, however, they must waive a player from their roster to create room. The decision figures to be between second-year guard Armon Johnson and injured center Greg Oden. Acting general manager Chad Buchanan on Sunday said the team will not discuss the move. "We aren't going to comment on anything until (Monday),'' Buchanan said in a text message. "Our focus today is on LaMarcus (Aldridge) and the All-Star Game.'' Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Armon Johnson, Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla 

Center Joel Przybilla is set to return to the Trail Blazers after he said he passed a physical by the team on Sunday in Portland. The team is expected to sign the 32-year-old Przybilla on Monday for the remainder of the season. First, however, they must waive a player from their roster to create room. The decision figures to be between second-year guard Armon Johnson and injured center Greg Oden. Acting general manager Chad Buchanan on Sunday said the team will not discuss the move. "We aren't going to comment on anything until (Monday),'' Buchanan said in a text message. "Our focus today is on LaMarcus (Aldridge) and the All-Star Game.'' Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Armon Johnson, Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla 

"At that moment, I realized I want to be with these guys," Przybilla said of his family, which also includes son Jayden, who is almost 2. "I didn't want to leave them." He internalized that thought as he went to bed. And he thought about it into the night. When he awoke, he faced his wife and shocked her. "I looked at her and said, 'Let's go back to Portland,'" Przybilla said. "And I could see a smile on her face." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Przybilla