Their team is just oozing with potential right now... and it's better than the Warriors IMO Check out this lineup: PG: Jerryd Bayless, Steve Blake, Sergio Rodriguez SG: Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, Rudy Fernandez SF: Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum PF: LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye, Ike Diogu C: Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla, Channing Frye Almost all are guys I'd want on the Warriors. Jeez... That's scary. We know Roy and Aldrige are awesome. Greg Oden could be a defensive stalwart and inside scorer. Webster could be a pretty good scorer. Bayless is projected to be a Gilbert Arenas type of combo guard. That's just too scary... their future is definitely bright. Lately, the Blazers moves have been awesome.
Kevin Pritchard is the second best GM in the league. And it took him only about 2 seasons to prove that. I think every team is envious of the Blazers' current situation.
I thought their athleticism is pretty decent, maybe some of the players aren't as high jumping, but they're definitely quick and quickness counts more on the defensive end than leaping ability. I think the only guy in question was Martell Webster at SG. Roy looks like Ginobilli at times. Bayless should burn up the pavement. Oden's got pretty good all around physical skills at 7 feet tall or else he'd never been #1 overall. Aldridge was also another top guy that should have gone #1 overall and he's very athletic. I mean Andrea Bargnani my ass, not to pick on the guy, but a team should never ever draft a big guy that starts outside in and doesn't rebound well, it was only better than picking Darko Milicic at #2. It should have been Aldridge all the way for #1 pick overall. Travis Outlaw is also a good athlete and so are many of the backups outside Ike Diogu, Joel Pryzbilla, Channing Frye. But Diogu and Pryzbilla have the edge when it comes to strength. Frye and Diogu have the edge when it comes to skill level.
If Batum develops like a lot of people think he can, he'd certainly help solve that problem with athleticism. And I'd get into it with you about that Bargs vs. Aldridge thing CR, but it'd be way too off-topic and frankly, I don't blame anyone for doubting Andrea at this point. I'm just hoping he proves a lot of people wrong this season (like I know he's capable of).
Lets wait a year and see how Oden does first and then we can crown them as a contender. (if he averages 20 and 10)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lets wait a year and see how Oden does first and then we can crown them as a contender. (if he averages 20 and 10)</div> I'm sorry but Portland will be a contender even if Oden doesn't average 20 and 10. I see Oden starting off at 16 and 10 with 2+ blocks a game. I also see Fernandez becoming a huge impact player. After next season, Portland is a contender. Pending injuries, Portland will be THE team in about 3-4 years.
That division in a whole is going to be sick in a few years: Portland leading the way IMO, Minnesota, Seat... Oklahoma City are all going to be very good team and have very good young players on each team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JFizzleRaider @ Jul 9 2008, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lets wait a year and see how Oden does first and then we can crown them as a contender. (if he averages 20 and 10)</div> I'm sorry but Portland will be a contender even if Oden doesn't average 20 and 10. I see Oden starting off at 16 and 10 with 2+ blocks a game. I also see Fernandez becoming a huge impact player. After next season, Portland is a contender. Pending injuries, Portland will be THE team in about 3-4 years. </div> They'll be a playoff team but without Oden dominating, they won't be a contender IMO. The Lakers, the Hornets, Utah, etc will be too good for them. (for now of course, that could change as well)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JFizzleRaider @ Jul 9 2008, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lets wait a year and see how Oden does first and then we can crown them as a contender. (if he averages 20 and 10)</div> I'm sorry but Portland will be a contender even if Oden doesn't average 20 and 10. I see Oden starting off at 16 and 10 with 2+ blocks a game. I also see Fernandez becoming a huge impact player. After next season, Portland is a contender. Pending injuries, Portland will be THE team in about 3-4 years. </div> They'll be a playoff team but without Oden dominating, they won't be a contender IMO. The Lakers, the Hornets, Utah, etc will be too good for them. (for now of course, that could change as well) </div> I could understand the Lakers and the Hornets, but in 3-4 years kobe will be on the downfall of his career. I see New Orleans and Portland building a rivalry for sure. You have to remember though that some of these owners are cheap and aren't wiling to fork out the cash to keep these guys like Paul Allen has stated he will (as long as they win)
Anyone think they'll pull a Celtics and trade a couple of young talents for a veteran star who can carry them over the top and win the finals in 1-2 years time? It's been proven over and over again you need to have a great player on your team (Shaq, Duncan, Jordan) or several of the best in the league (Pierce, Garnett) in order to win. The only exception being the Pistons who had a bunch of solid all-stars and the right chemistry. Right now they have a lot of good, not great talent but if they traded a couple of their players say next year or the year after, they could get perhaps even Lebron in a sign and trade if he won't stay with the Cavs, or Kobe if the Lakers don't reach the Finals again to help them win a title. Perhaps Dirk, but he doesn't have that 'it' that makes you think he can lead a team to a title. Otherwise I think they'll have a very good team, that does well in the playoffs but never gets a championship (think Utah Jazz) Now if Oden is better than advertised and becomes one of the ten best players in the league within 2-3 years.. all bets are off.
