For their efforts, they each won two tickets to a Blazers home game. Congrats and enjoy.

Oliver:

Danny:

JOE FREEMAN
The Oregonian Staff

TUALATIN -- Channing Frye returned to Trail Blazers practice Tuesday, roughly three weeks ahead of his projected return date, and you know what that means: The Northwest-loving, glass-half-full, down-to-earth personality of this revitalized franchise was back.

Post-practice interviews turned into Night at the Improv.

On his speedy recovery from Sept. 8 surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle: "There's been a lot of prayers and a lot of milk," Frye said, laughing. "Hopefully I can get a milk contract."

On when he might be game-ready: "I'd say tomorrow. I might die in the first five minutes, but I'm just going to continue to work on my conditioning. I think that's the biggest thing. Like coach says, 'I have a little money in the bank and I'm taking a deposit out.' "

But in the midst of all the humor, Frye revealed a hint of his serious side, dissecting opinions on a host of issues, including the fact that this season, his fourth in the NBA, might be his most important. It's the last year of his rookie contract and Frye has made no secret that he loves living in Portland and longs to be a part of the Blazers' long-term future.

"I think that's No. 1," Frye said. "It's probably not the right thing to say, but I really want to stay here. And I think at the end of the year it's going to be evaluated. I don't think anyone on this team is about numbers, it's about your value to this team and how you're going to be able to fit into this program for the next few years. So that's a unique position. I'm focused on (being) the best player I can be and (figuring out) how I'm going to fit in here."

Frye -- who was jerked in and out of the starting lineup, and sometimes out of the playing rotation altogether -- says he feels more comfortable entering his second season with the Blazers. He's a reserve power forward behind starter LaMarcus Aldridge, a role he embraces, and figures to be an integral part of a second unit that could be an exciting, high-scoring group.

Although his ankle surgery was a setback, Frye said his offseason regimen should help him get back in shape quickly. He spent much of the offseason working on his outside jump shot and working out at the Blazers' practice facility in Tualatin -- so much so that he earned the team's most outstanding worker award, given to the player who demonstrates the best offseason work ethic in Portland.

Much of the extra work focused on three-point shooting. Already a standout mid-range shooter -- remember that 20-point outburst in Denver last season when Aldridge was hurt? -- Frye has added a three-point shot to his offensive repertoire.

In addition to his on-again, off-again playing time last season, Frye also routinely played out of position at center because of Greg Oden's injury. And while Frye had his standout moments -- he averaged 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds in the final five games of the season as a substitute starter for Joel Przybilla -- Frye is more suited for his role this season.

But the question remains: With so many offensive weapons and only so many shots to go around on the second unit, will Frye get many opportunities to flash that newfound three-pointer? That's irrelevant, Frye said. Although it's a contract season, he refuses to dwell on individual statistics. Like seemingly everyone on this team, Frye said he believes his value will be measured in how many games the Blazers win.

"It really comes down to . . . one of two things," Frye said. "I can either come out here (and) be a jerk and be selfish and think about myself and ruin everything that everyone's worked on. Or I can trust in this program and everyone here and myself and just be a great team player. And I'm not trying to be cliche, but you figure the farther we get the better everyone looks. So the better we are, even if I have to sacrifice a few minutes, teams are going to see that. I'm able to put my pride to the side and fit in and do what's best for this team and not just for me."

Frye participated in all aspects of practice Tuesday and said his ankle was 95 percent healthy. His conditioning is another story. He estimates he's at 75 percent game shape and said it should take approximately two weeks for him to return to normal.

That said, if coach Nate McMillan gives the OK, Frye would like to play between 10 and 15 minutes in the Blazers' exhibition game Monday night at Sacramento. Either way, Frye is three weeks ahead of his projected return date and that much closer to deciding his future.

"We worked out all the time (in the offseason) when I first got back," Oden said. "It was good to get him back out here. He's going to bring a lot to this team."

So here it is: if you were a coach and it was a perfect world, like all the players are healthy and ready to play during pre-season, what would you do? How would you run the team during pre-season?

By Steve Brandon
The Portland Tribune, Sep 29, 2008

The Blazers said they expected Channing Frye to fully recover in eight to 10 weeks from Sept. 8 arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle.

But Frye has his own timetable.

The fourth-year forward says he hopes to be practicing 10 days before the start of the regular season. That would be Oct. 18; the Blazers open Oct. 28 at the L.A. Lakers.

“It’s pushing it a little, but I think it’s reasonable,” Frye says.

Frye says he wants the 10 days of practice so he can be in good shape for the opening game.

“I don’t want to be dragging,” he says.

“I don’t have any time to waste this year,” he adds. “I’m determined to keep my spot and maybe get some more minutes.”

Frye came to Portland last season in the Zach Randolph deal with New York. He averaged 17.2 minutes, 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting .488 from the field.

He says he’s 80 percent recovered from the surgery but hasn’t started running. He wants to be as close to 100 percent as he can before he plays and admits that his 10 days before the season timetable is a “best-case scenario” that might not sit well with team trainer Jay Jensen.

"I'll have to listen to my body," he says.

In the surgery, doctors “were amazed at all the stuff — the loose bodies — they found inside” his ankle “and how I played on it,” he says.

Frye says he feels his flexibility returning and that it was great for him to have the procedure.

He’s been hoisting 3-pointers in the offseason, hoping to extend his range and take advantage of defenses he figures will have to sag on Greg Oden and double-team the rookie center and returning power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Frye is only 9 of 37 on 3s in his three NBA seasons. He was 3 of 10 last season. But since he’s often close to the arc as the Blazers try to spread the floor offensively, he figures “why not take one step back and shoot a 3?”

Will coach Nate McMillan go for that?

“If I make it, he’s going to let me shoot it,” Frye says.

Beyond that, Frye says his goal is “to really work on my outside defense” as well as do the “little things.”

But “putting the ball in the hole, that’s what I do best.”

And he says he sees the Blazers playing a more fast-paced brand of basketball this season. And he thinks point guard Steve Blake is ready to lead and distribute at a high level.

Blake has been the most eye-catching, improved team member “by far,” this summer, Frye says. “He’s tenacious. Steve’s a winner. People really underrate him, and that’s extra motivation.”

To view the original article, click here.

In a short period of time the Blazers staff helped me to identify the problem and quickly schedule surgery to allow time for healing and rehab, in order to get back out on the court.

Though no one ever wants surgery, I feel better for having taken care of the ankle before the season got started. I want to thank the fans, especially the BLAZER FANS for their continued support.

From the Trail Blazers site:

Channing Frye Undergoes Successful Arthroscopic Ankle Surgery

Forward/center Channing Frye underwent arthroscopic surgery today to remove bone spurs from his left ankle. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Saturday and Computed Tomography (CT) Scan today revealed the spurs.

"Channing underwent arthroscopic surgery today on his left ankle after recently experiencing discomfort," said Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. “We expect him to make a full recovery in 8-10 weeks.”

Dr. Richard Ferkel performed the surgery at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys, Calif.

by Casey Holdahl

Sitting backwards on a chair in a stuffy gym, Channing Frye makes a telling declaration.

“I don’t want to be a lottery bust,” Frye says. “I’m going to say that, though people would probably tell me not to.”

Frye swears he’s never heard his name attached to the phrase, but somehow the notion has made its way into his consciousness. Maybe it’s a residual effect of playing...read more