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| Pictured: Greg Oden |
2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Rich Cho (GM), Luke Babbitt (Draft), Armon Johnson (Draft), Elliot Williams (Draft), Wesley Matthews (FA), Moody Fernandez (evolved from Rudy Fernandez at level 25, learned Pout)
Subtractions: Kevin Pritchard (GM), Martell Webster, Juwan Howard, Travis Deiner, Jeff Pendergraph (tore ACL, likely out for season), Rudy Fernandez (bruised ego)
What a rough couple of seasons its been for Blazers fans. So much hope going in, but all the injuries have been piling up and knocking morale down. Last year, only Andre Miller, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Martell Webster were really healthy for most of the season. Brandon Roy suffered a big knee injury and somehow managed to come back in time to play in the playoffs, but it was clear he wasn't the same. Will anything change for Portland?
The potential is huge for this team if they can all stay on the court together. Roy has proven he is a star in this league, and his coming back from that supposedly season ending knee injury in the playoffs last season tells you a ton about his intangibles. If his knee heals alright, he'll continue to be one of the league's best guards for a while. LaMarcus Aldridge hasn't quite reached that level yet, despite high expectations, but he's a solid second fiddle, and even if he simply averages 18 and 8 his career, I'd take that from my starting Power Forward any day.
The Blazers also have a few young guys deserving of attention. Nicolas Batum is a phenom, combining great length and defensive instincts with an absurdly smooth shooting stroke. Jerryd Bayless came into his own a bit last year as a scoring punch off the bench, increasing his efficiency while making way fewer mistakes. Luke Babbitt was a surprise trade on draft night, but all indications are that this guy can shoot the lights out, while Elliot Williams, Portland's other draft pick, is an athletic freak. Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph were also solid for the Blazers last year, although Pendergraph has already torn his ACL and is set to miss the season (it has to be a curse or something).
The Blazers aren't entering this season without some turmoil other than injury woes however. General Manager Kevin Pritchard was bafflingly ousted this summer despite having done a fantastic job building this team. Whatever the reason, it took everyone by surprise. His replacement, Rich Cho, formerly Asst. GM for the Thunder, looks to be a good one, although he hasn't really been tested yet.
There also is the ongoing Rudy Fernandez drama, where Rudy refuses to accept a smaller role in the Blazers offense and instead wants to be released from his contract to go back home to Spain. Why Cho hasn't traded him for whatever he can get at this point is confusing to me, especially since offers of picks and other young players have reportedly been made.
The biggest question surrounding Portland (as it has been for the past couple years) is the health of Greg Oden. He still doesn't have a timetable set for his return, and all the injuries have to be weighing heavily on him. The reason people aren't ready to give up on him yet is the fact that he's an absolute beast when he can play. In his 21 games last year, he had a PER of 23.1, highest on the team. He's an incredible shotblocker, rebounder, and efficient scorer. He just needs to be healthy.
But if he can't, Marcus Camby proved to be a reliable option last year after Portland traded for him. He'll provide his usual great defense and rebounding to the team, and along with a hopefully healthy Przybilla will provide an intimidating tandem for opposing bigs.
The signing of Wesley Matthews also adds some depth for Portland, although the amount of money used to sign him seems exorbitant. Matthews is coming off one solid rookie season after being undrafted, and he also plays the same position as two of the Blazers best players in Roy or Batum. Was it worth it? Matthews is a nice player, but the price to get him seems heavy.
Kevin Pelton picked the Blazers to win the West, but so many things will have to go right for a Franchise so used to having everything go wrong. I hope for their sake that this time around, its different. Look at what McMillan did with that injury riddled roster last year, and imagine the possibilities if they were healthy.
Projected Win Range: 50-60
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