Well to be honest, even with Hedo, I didn't think we had the weapons to compete with Lakers this year. If Oden, Batum, and Rudy take big jumps in their games next year, I expect us to be right there with the Spurs.
I hope you're right. I just can't envision us going through this off-season and end up solving none of the problems we had last year. Yuck.
I'm not saying I think it's going to happen, I'm just saying it wouldn't be out of this world to think that Oden, Rudy, and Batum improve a lot because most players do after their rookie season. Gun to my head, I would predict we win 52 games. I think the West got tougher and deeper. There was no FA that was going to help us win a title next year IMO.
The hard-eyed realist's view. Joel, Blake, and Outlaw aren't going to get better. Webster is fool's gold. Even if he can play, he isn't going to suddenly become a stud. Batum and Bayless need more time- and Bayless may never be more than a very good combo/3rd guard. If Rudy has his head on straight, he should refine his game....but factoring in his age and experience, it is unlikely he is going to make a *huge* leap forward. That leaves us with Oden as our great hope to really improve as a team. Color me skeptical.
Nah, I think Oden could, with someone actually playing PG or point-forward, be a Bill Gates Tyson Chandler. And that's on offense. In terms of rebounding I like what I see. He needs more lateral quickness on D, but that should come around. And not getting "rookie" fouls called on him should help. I'm not pessimistic about Greg. The others? I can see where you're going. Not that I totally agree, but at least it is plausible.
Rudy's age? So Brandon didn't improve from the time he was 23 and 24? If Rudy is done improving, due to his age, should we expect Roy to stop improving too?
"Age and experience" - the two are intertwined. Roy spent 4 years in college. Rudy spent that time playing *professional* basketball. Hardly a fair comparison. When comparing Rudy to Oden/Batum/Bayless, you're darn right his age is a factor. If Batum is this good at 19, then by the time he is 23, he has an excellent chance to have surpassed Rudy.
Yep, 3 full days into the free agent negotiating period and we still have virtually the same roster as we did 3 days ago. Imagine that. Good thing the off season isn't over. In fact, it's barely started. There's still plenty of time for a team that's almost $8 million under the cap to make a trade that will address one, or more, of our weaknesses. I actually enjoyed last season. Winning 54 games again wouldn't be the worst thing that's ever happened. Do you remember the last time the Blazers won at least 54 games in consecutive seasons? It was 1990-91 and 1991-92 - and we went to the NBA finals in the second year. That's right, we never won 54 (or more) games twice in a row during the entire 9-year Bob Whitsitt era. In fact, we only won more than 50 games once during that nine year period in Blazers history. So, 54 wins two years in a row isn't anything to get depressed about. I think we'll win more games, due to the improvement of Greg Oden and our other young players. But, even if we "only" win 54 games, I'm OK with that. BNM
Shrug. We blew the last trade deadline in hope of this free agency period. We blew the draft in hope of this free agency period. So far, we've blown this free agency period. Yes, there is time left - but not too much really. KP doesn't like midseason trades (and for good reason), so the window is starting to close. It's not a disaster, but "Color Me" Nervous.
fuck that shit. I need me at least one impact player and some consolidation (though the Sergio trade was nice, still need probably one SF gone). Rudy may be unhappy as well... Devin Harris would be rad. Still bummed (sp?) about Hedo though because If we did end up getting a PG after Hedo, our lineup would have been contention ready. Oh well.
I expect something more like this: Blake/Kopponen Roy/Rudy/Bayless Outlaw/Batum/ LMA/Outlaw/Freeland Oden/Joel With Rudy's departure inevitable in the next year or so (since Nate remained and Sergio didn't) Bayless will get a shot at his natural position backing up Roy. Webster may heal eventually, but will never be the impact player TO is already. Hopefully Paul puts his $8 mil in the bank and waits until someone worth getting is actually available. This year's FA market is patheticly over-priced.
You know if you take the narrow view that only what your team does is important, that might be true. But it's not. Every other contender loaded up with more talent. Even the champs. But us. So go ahead, keep your tunnel vision on if it makes you happy.
