Joel Pryzbilla-the "fan thrilla".

In spite of having a bad season, Blazer fans are going gaga over Joel Pryzbilla. When Shareef, Zach, Darius and even Theo went down with injuries, Pryz found himself in the starting lineup. Joel has been lighting it up ever since. He has been called everything from "dunk-zilla" to "Pryzident of the boards". Fans are having a blast trying to come up with a names for him. He started it when he told our local broadcaster, Mike Rice, that he wouldn't do an interview with him until he got a nickname. It has snowballed from there. It has been a much needed diversion to losing for everybody. Nobody knows what the chosen name will be. I hear that it isn't considered an "official" nickname until Brian Wheeler uses it on the air during game. I'm dying to hear what he chooses.

The Portland Tribune considers Joel a possible candidate for Most Improved Player. That would be back to backs for us since Zach Randolph won the award last year. I would have to agree. Godzylla (one of my favorite names) has come on like a monster. Everyone expects him to take over the starting center position from Theo Ratliff. I think this is a move that will benefit both players greatly as well as the team. When Coach Cheeks was asked about Joel this is what he said:
“Shoot, yeah, I’ve been surprised,” Cheeks admits, grinning. “Joel rebounds, he blocks shots, he clogs up the middle, he sets screens all over the floor. I love him. He does what he can do and doesn’t try to do anything he can’t do.” Przybilla has little offensive repertoire, but it hasn’t mattered. Against Dallas on Wednesday, all four of his baskets came on dunks. Nick Van Exel has become especially proficient at setting him up, and Przybilla has done a nice job moving without the ball to the open spot. “Earlier in the season, he was laying the ball up all the time and missing,” Cheeks says. “I had to tell him, every time you get around the basket, dunk.” Source:PortlandTribune.com

Joel has won the hearts of Blazer fans, soon he'll be known by all. I consider myself lucky to have gotten to meet him just a few days ago.

My new friend and "our-zilla", Joel Pryzbilla:

Joel Pryzbilla