Blazers report from ESPN Insider

For what it's worth.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

The more things change: Besides their draft picks, headlined by promising forward Luke Babbitt, the Blazers haven't done a ton this offseason. They added 2-guard Wesley Matthews, who made a name for himself with his surprising rookie play last season in Utah, and they're likely to lose Rudy Fernandez, the athletic wing who's demanding a trade or a return to Europe (anything but another year in Portland!). Those additions/subtractions mean little and won't move the Blazers' needle up or down much. But there's another addition coming in the form of 7-footer Greg Oden. After missing all but 21 games last season with yet another major injury, Oden is expected to be healthy for the start of this campaign. If he can play a whole 82 games -- and play them well -- the Blazers could be the best of the rest (besides the Lakers) in the West. Oh, and there's been a shake-up in the front office, with Rich Cho leaving Oklahoma City to replace Kevin Pritchard as GM. Cho hired the capable Bill Branch (formerly of OKC) and Steve Rosenberry (formerly of Atlanta) as his assistant GMs.

The more they stay the same: Head coach Nate McMillan is one of the best in the league. He and veteran point guard Andre Miller clashed early last season before eventually making peace. Despite that well-publicized beef and all the injuries, the Blazers still won 50 games. With McMillan and Miller on the same page, the Blazers, if healthy, will be dangerous.

Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

 

Key, besides Greg of-course. Hopefully B-Roy is right about the team coming back early September as well.

 

I like it! DANGEROUS!

 

Maybe the first time I've seen a fourth year player referred to, in the context of: "there's another addition coming" (minus Euro scrubs delaying their arrival - Sab excluded, naturally.)

 

Makes me wonder if replacing Rudy with Matthews will translate into more wins.

 

Broken record. Sorry about his cuckoldry. That must hurt.

 

One plays defense the other flops around and jacks up worse threes than jr smith.

 

Id take jr smith on or squad! We need a little gangster attitude on our team.

 

link?

 

Are you asking for a link showing that we need more gangsta' on our team?

 

JR Smith is good but he's a fucking idiot. Anybody that gets "YOUNG MONEY" tatted on their throat is a moron in my book....throwing up gang signs during the playoffs isn't usually a good look either.

 

Trade Rudy for Jordan Hill

 

Yeah, we need a guy who is being investigated for choking someone....

 

Why don't you go take a look at their shooting percentages and see if you are asking that question anymore.

 

If only PJ Carlisimo was still our coach...

 

Isn't that your job?

 

Maybe we can bring back Latrell Spreewell too and rename the team the Portland Stranglers! We stop opposing teams best players by sending in two guys to strangle them each game. Now THAT is a defensive stopper!

 

Very good point........ nevermind!

 

Bring Ruben Patterson again and advertise every game as "The Blazers taking on the (insert city here) Nannies".

 

Rudy holds the NBA rookie record with 159 3-pointers.