The hot subject of the current offseason is definitely the Blazers and their attempt to build around the Centerpiece they got in the draft. Some experts are excited, others are concerned there might have been some questionable moves, but the consensus is that thefranchise finds itself in a really good situation.I know everybody has an opinion on the subject, but I am really intrigued and I don't think I can keep myself from giving up my two cents on the subject. Besides, isn't this what the whole Blogging stuff is about? Here it is, then:
The most important person for the Blazers franchiseis undoubtedly Paul Allen. The multimillionaire, after a string of questionable hirings that led to the "Jailblazers" team, now seems to have gotten the right persons to lead his business to prominence. The most important fact though, is that he is providing Nate Mc Millan and Kevin Pritchard with whatever they ask him. Mr Allen might be a very rich guy, but that doesn't mean he had to pay 33.6 million for a player that would never wear a Blazers jersey.
With that said, the rest of the Blazers pesonnel isn't looking half bad. The afformentioned Presti must have had the best back to back drafts since the Jazz drafted Stockton and Malone in the 84 and 85 drafts respectively. on the other hand, McMillan might have not showed the results that he displayed in Seattle, but he had to work with a team that can hardly be described as a McMillan kind of squad. Besides, it took him some years to deliver in Seattle too, and he had the best imaginable situation there, as far as respect from the franchise and players go.
As for the guys that actually get to compete in the court, you can argue that it's the greatest concentration of talent in the league you've got here. Raw talent, it might be, but still. The Blazers as of now have 15 players under contract. If you assume Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Kopponen are staying in Europe for another year and that they'll excersise the teams option forTravis Outlaw fourth year (Ime Udoka is most likely not going to be resigned, with Jones' acquisition), then we have:
- Gregg Oden
- Brandon Roy
- LaMarcus Albridge
- Chnning Frye
- Jarrett Jack
- James Jones
- Martell Webster
- Sergio Rodriguez
- Travis Outlaw
- Taurean Green
- Josh McRoberts
- Joel Przybilla
- Raef LaFrentz
- Darius Miles
It is more than obvious, that there are 5 groups of guys in this list:
First, are the Cornerstones. Oden and Roy. Roy and Oden, if you want to keep seniority in place. If the Lakers proposed a trade giving up Kobe and a future first rounder for those two guys, I am sure the Blazers paople would laugh. And with good cause! The duo is pretty much untradable, except if something apsurd is proposed in return for the R.O.Y.
Then come the keepers. Jarrett Jack, James Jones, Channing Frye and LaMarcus Albridge might not project as perennial al stars (with the possible exception of the latter), but certainly have the quality to be starters in an NBA team. They provide a nice array of skills (defence, shooting, shot blocking, athleticism, rebounding) and the team figures they will be Blazers for a long time.
Next up, are the projects. Webster, Rodriguez, and Outlaw were all First rounders with great potential, but they haven't been able to consistently show that talent in the court. They are still young, and they can atleast be solid role players for this club. Martell' s shooting touch, Travis' shot blocking and athletic ability, and Sergio's court vision can really be the difference between a contender and a Dynasty.
Closing out the group of players that might have a future with the team, are the Longshots. Taurean Green, Josh Mc Roberts and stashed in Europe Draft picks Fernandez and Kopponen, have the talent to be important parts, but to find PT some of the previous players must fail to fullfill the roles that the mangement projects for them. Fernandezis slightly different, since hae is a big name overseas, and might never want to come if he thinks he won't have an important role with the club.
The last three names in this list are of negative value, luggage carried from the franchise's worst period, that followed an impressive streak of 21 concecutive Playoffs appearances. LaFrentz's contract is mostky irrelevant, if Allen was willing to buyout Steve Francis, he would do the same, should Pritchard requested so. If he isn't gonna cause any problems, or the Blazers don't want to use the spot he's taking up in the Roster, he might serve as the most expensive practise dummy in NBA history, for the next couple of years. Przybilla might be overpaid, but he is big, can block a shot or two, and with a couple of second rounders to sweeten the deal, there might be a team that will take him for a contract expiring in the summer of 2009. (more on this timemark in a bit).
The Darius Miles issue, though, is quite complex. He's got another 34 million in his deal, that will be off the salary cap no sooner than 2010. At first glance, this looks fine, their projected to be key guys aren't going to be out of the rookie scale until the summer of 2011 or later. This way, they can make a run at a freeagent in the previous offseason, to fix any holes in the roster they might have, and make some serious runs on that coveted trophy. If you take a closer look, though, you'll see that they have three players that will demand an extension in that same summer. If they don't want to have the same dilemma the Magic had with Darko and Rashard, they'll want to move Miles' contract earlier. If they can do that, with Lafrentz and Francis off the books, they'll get themselfs a chance for a quick fix, just in case. That, of course, if they don't give James Jones a Max deal earlier!So, to sum it all up, it's more than clear that the Oregon state has finally a potential champion to root for. So, barring a serious injury, or immense stupidity by the front office, it might be 1977 again before long, in Portland. More than once, this time, too!
