A couple players finish dressing before heading for the door, while a few members of the media slowly filter out to pound keys and meet deadlines. It's almost an hour after a recent Blazers home game, and while coaches, teammates, and even some of the Blazers media relations department have gone home for the night, Travis Outlaw continues to punch the clock.

Since the start of the season, Outlaw spends about a half-hour lifting weights after every home game. Some writers joke it's the shy Mississippi country boy's way of avoiding interviews. But for Outlaw, it's simply a way to "wind down" from a hard days work.

"I always do it," he told HOOPSWORLD. "I don't know what made me start. That's just a thing I do now."

Add it to the list with another feat Outlaw has achieved this season: Impressed the masses.

It's been an exciting year to say the least for the fifth year swingman, particularly since he signed a three-year contract extension last July for an estimated $12 million. Many might find it difficult to perform under the pressure of such a price tag, but Outlaw – who is still only 24-years-old and the longest tenured member of the Blazers – has surely earned his praise this season.

"We've had high expectations, but I think he's surpassed a lot of those," General Manager Kevin Pritchard told HOOPSWORLD. "Patience is the key. Everyone wanted it to happen for Travis a lot earlier than that, but it took him a while. Once he got it, I think the sky is the limit for him.

"He's shown improvement every year and that's what we ask of our players. He made a commitment off the court, away from the season, to make himself a better player and he was a big part of the success we've had this year."

Patience and persistence have paid off.

Outlaw is putting up some career numbers (13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists) this season, currently ranks second in the league among reserves that have played at least 60 games, and he could even receive some votes for the Sixth Man of the Year.

That campaign started back in December- initiated by head coach Nate McMillan - when Outlaw was playing his best basketball of the season. And while that argument may not hold weight now with the San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili poised to take home the hardware, McMillan continues to be forthright about his 6-9 forward's versatile abilities.

"I think he can be just as good as some of these top scorers. I think he can be a Tracy McGrady.  I think he can be a Kobe (Bryant) in the sense of their ability to score over the defense," McMillan admitted.

"They have a better point guard skill, but as far as scoring, I have confidence in him and he has confidence in himself."

For McMillan, Outlaw needs to get better at "making decisions without the ball" and feels he can challenge for the starting small forward position next season in Portland. But the confidence is there. McMillan sees it.

And Outlaw knows it.

"My confidence," Outlaw said when asked what's changed for him the past seven months.  

"I'm definitely not that same person from the beginning of the season. At the beginning of the season I was just trying to make sure I didn't do anything wrong. But I do play in an imperfect game. You can't really be perfect.  So now I just play off what I think should happen, not if it's right or wrong."

So when did the confidence kick in? Outlaw claims it was during the Blazers 13-game win streak back in December when his "aggressiveness" soared.

"That's when I realized I had a part in the team. They always said I did, but I didn't realize how much it was until the winning streak when I had to be consistent."

Outlaw's impressive habits this season extend well beyond the court and all the way into the Blazers weight room at the Rose Garden.

That's where you can find him after the game, win or lose.

All you have to do is be patient and wait.