by trading only Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush (and I think McRoberts). It's just unfair... unbelievable. PG: Bayless SG: Roy SF: Outlaw PF: Aldridge C: Oden That's a dynasty.
I totally agree. They basically have borderline/future all-stars at the 1 and 4 and have franchise players at the 2 and 5. They have up and coming players at basically all their positions and also their bench. Rudy Fernandez is also coming next year, along with Bayless and Oden. This is just not fair man.
Another thing I'd like to add is that the Blazers have ultimate chemistry. Whenever I read their articles or interview, it's like they're a family. Man, their starting 5 are all 20 ppg potent players (Outlaw still has amazing potential). The thing that could only prevent them from really winning a title is if Oden is injury prone or not. We'll see... but they're my favorites if any team is going to win a title 3 times in a row in the next decade. And I still believe another trade is in the works... Hands up for GM Pritchard - best GM ever.
Being from Portland and Blazers as my 2nd favorite team this is good news but bad at the same time cause this makes it that much tougher on the Rockets way to a ring.
Let's look at this realistically... Oden has never played a minute in the NBA. He's already continuing the tradition of Portland big men like Bowie and Bill Walton by missing as many games as possible. Bayless has never played a minute in the NBA either. It remains to be seen if he can actually be a serviceable starter. Aldridge is a chucker. Roy is good, but he's nowhere near a franchise level player right now. Seriously, Portland is going to be good. But to declare them a dynasty...
Is it OK to say they make playoffs as the 8th seed next year? Beating out both maybe Dallas, Denver, or Golden State?
I can't seem to find what they gave up to NO for Arthur. Anyone have an article summing up the moves they've made?
Have you seen the Blazers play? Judging by your statements calling Aldridge a chucker and Roy NOT a franchise player I don't think you have. Aldridge is one of the best up and coming PF's and Roy is absolutely a franchise player. I would rate him a slight notch below CP3 and Deron Williams. Sure Oden and Bayless haven't played a minute but it's hard not to be excited about those 2 here in P-town. If they come anywhere close to there capabilities and live up to their standard/hype of where they were picked watch out! To call them a dynasty is too early but they have all the pieces now and they're going to be better than just "good".
I have to admit, I don't watch a lot of Portland games. Maybe I just catch the ones where LMA just decides to go all mid-range and chucks it; I'm not denying that the guy is one good and upcoming power forward...but from what I've seen, he was overutilized in a Portland team that didn't have many options in terms of post play. Maybe my opinion isin't worth much here. However, I stand by my conviction that Roy isin't a franchise-level player. He hasn't been consistently excellent for enough time to be elevated to the same level as a Lebron or a Chris Paul. Also, Portland will be good. I can't see them overtaking any of the Western elite for a long time though, with the way the WC is stacked. (I mean look at GSW...Baron, SJax, Monta, Big Al, Andries...and only a 48 win team.)
You have a lot to be excited about. I'll be staying up late a lot during next season watching Blazers home games. People that missed what Brandon Roy did last December cannot appreciate what he can do. If he stays healthy, Roy will be a franchise player.
They won 41 games without Greg Oden. Imagine if they did. Jerryd Bayless is an absolute scoring machine. Trust me, I'm an UofA fan. The guy score over 100 points in a span of three games. Aldrige has potential and would add depth to any team. Roy is a poor mans Dwayne Wade. I'd say they have a rather good team don't you?
There are a lot of franchise players. There are only a few players who will lead and carry a team to seriously challenge for and possibly win a NBA championship. From what I've seen of Roy, he has yet to show he will be able to do that. He could be a wingman to another player how leads the team to that contender status, such as Aldridge, Oden, or even Bayless but I have not seen them play enough to comment on them.
Roy will get there. He's only been in the league 2 years and Portland has been shifting him around to find out where he fits best. He will be the leader of this team as they move into contention in the west.
Then you haven't seen enough of Roy yet. IMO, only injuries will stop him. When healthy, the guy is money in crunch time. He hits from outside and it's almost impossible to stop him from getting to the rim when he wants to get there, where he is a dynamic finisher (i.e, you must foul him or he will slam). He is a natural leader on floor who controls the flow of a game. In fact, he was the best PG on their team. On defense, he can guard PGs, SGs & SFs. He stuffed a potential last second, game-winning shot by Melo who tried to back him down. Seriously, during their hot streak, Roy made so many plays on offense in 4th quarters to bail the Blazers out I lost count. But he was bad in both Rockets games and was mediocre in their one national game against the Sonics. But he has to stay healthy. He played 74 games last year but injuries hampered his effectivenes the 2nd half of the season.
If the Rockets had Roy...man we would be looking at 2 consecutive 2nd round appearances, last year and this year. Possibly even deeper into the Playoffs. So close, yet so far.
Bayless, Blake, Rodriguez Roy, Fernandez, (Jones/FA) Webster, Outlaw, Batum Aldridge, Frye, Diogu Oden, Przybilla, LaFrentz + Draft rights to Freeland 6-11 PF/C, Koponen 6-5 PG, Asik 6-11 C Webster so far has started over Outlaw. If Bayless clicks instantly, one out of Webster, Outlaw and Fernandez are going to be unhappy over their playing time. Too much talent that deserves floor time but not enough minutes to spread.
that is a sick potential team. i am scared of the trailblazer....they seem to be getting everyone they want.
