forget about shaq, howard has more upside. And he would be a good pairing with rose.

Trade a similar contract like Hinrich. As long as we dont give up too much, I could see this potentially working out for us in the long run.

Then we could make a run at the 2010 free agent pool. Maybe pick up a nice little piece like Lebron James.

Think of the big three we would have: lebron, rose, howard. I think this is realistic and it would make the bulls a legitimate threat to make the playoffs. We could then just win the lottery two more times and fill the needs at sg and pf, then we'd be set.

Why not do this?

I was looking at the recent trade proposal for greg oden, and I went to the trade machine and I played around with a few other "very likely" options that the dubs should start thinking about...

Why not go after Lebron James? If the Warriors offered Al Harrington, Kosta Peroviv, and Brandan Wright, then I see no reason for the Cavs not to accept the offer. It works in the trade machine, which is the only requirements for making trade propsals (on GSOM) apparently.

The Cavs would be getting the best bigman in the game (kosta), along with two expiring contracts. Giving them four 7+foot centers. Why not do this?

As for the warriors, they would be getting the riskiest player in the proposal, thus making it good for both sides. I could see the warriors not accepting this trade because it leaves them somewhat small.

Let me know what you think...

Qyntel Woods? As I recall that guy, teamed with Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, made for a legit tandem. In the midst of all this "who should be our sf" talk, I feel like Qyntel Woods' name has not been brought up enough. Correct me if I am wrong, but he IS one of the all-time Blazers.

I know he got busted for dog-fighting in Bend, but does he still ball?

Any other all-time blazers I am forgetting?

You all know the roster. You all know the potential. And you all know the Oden factor.

I would like to know why someone might think that this team wont be as dominant defensively as the Celtics were last year... Thus making a playoff run reasonable for the 08-09 season...

What the Blaze are working with:

    -A potential Defensive player of the year in Oden

    -Length at the 4 in Aldridge

    -Joel 'ghost-face'-billa coming off the bench

    -The best fast-break defender in the league (Roy)

    -Possibilities defending the point-- rudy and/or JB can check

    -Ridding themselves of the most worthless player on the team in the best move of the off-season (jarret Jack)

Maybe its unrealistic to say they will give up under 90 points per game, but with the list above contributing to less zone next year, I see the Blazers being just as good on defense as they are on offense.

Potential problems:

    -Roy will miss his annual 20 games

    -Oden has a history of injuries

    -A couple of rooks defending the NBA's elite PG's

    -Not a  lot of grit at the 3

I hate when fans get too high on their team's potential, but I really feel that  Portland will be recognized as one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, and for sure in the West.