Nine of the Portland Trail Blazers have adhered to a request from head coach Nate McMillan to report to Portland by Sept. 5 for pre-training camp activities that include daily scrimmages and workouts with strength and conditioning coach Bobby Medina, Jason Quick of The Oregonian is reporting.

"I told our guys I wanted them back Sept. 5 to start playing together as much as possible, and we've had just about everybody here," McMillan said. "We can't make it mandatory, but you throw that out there and hopefully guys will come. And our guys have responded."

Blazers guard Juan Dixon said the players are just following the lead of their head coach in an effort to improve last season's 21-61 record, the NBA's worst.

"It starts with that guy right there," Dixon said, pointing to McMillan, who came out of his office to watch the end of a scrimmage. "He told guys at the end of the season he wanted us back by a certain date, and the turnout has been great. I think guys are showing the coaches and the organization that we are dedicated to turning this around, that we want to win."