With LaMarcus Aldridge we have a top 10 big in the NBA under contract and in his prime still improving. Looking to solve our Center problem we bring in Joel Freeland, a top 3 euro center hopefully that will translate into a top NBA center? Why Joel? Simple its time, we have a cap hold of almost a million dollars so when we signed Joel we save that much over say Spencer Hawes, and there is no chance to sign Hibbert (RFA). So with Freeland we get a player still unknown to most of us but should be of starting caliber. Versatility is the word in building a team, also still under contract is Kurt Thomas he is our teaching big his experence teaches our future players. We need 4 other bigs 1) A big banger Joel Prizbilla. 2) High Motor JJ Hickson. 3) Shooter Luke Babbit. 4) Draftee best available player. My rational for these names? Priz is a Trail Blazer is a big banger no back down guy who will translate into a teaching big when older and make Freeland better trying to be the starter. JJ worked well in the time we used him and is a very good fit backing up LMA or playing along side him. Luke is under contract and will drive other bigs nuts when they have to guard him deep. This leaves us signing the best available big to be for understudy. With Nico being RFA knowing we will match hopefully he is our last sign

As we look into this year's season, one should, take a long look at the Blazers potential.

We played the NBA champs as tough as any team did in the playoffs, yet we were without Center strength, and shooting Guard's were injured, also.

This could be changed this year, the way I see thing G Oden will be healthy for the playoffs. Wes$ will have 2 good ankles, BRoy will have a chip on his shoulder. Portland's dream of a 2nd title could be a reality.

Poll

Do you have high hopes for this season?

19%

Yes championship year

35 votes

5%

No, there is no way we compete

10 votes

58%

Only if healthy, and we do well in free agency

103 votes

15%

There is significant short falls in our roster, so no way

28 votes

176 votes | Poll has closed

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Who? Rich, Who? Lots of names, Steven Hill, Leon Powe, Troy Murphy, Courtney Sims, Earl Barrons, Jemareo Davidson, Marcus Cousins. Sean Marks, Sean Williams, Joe Alexander, Jeff Pendergraft is probably tring to pass a physical right now. Any ero's out there that the scouts have OKed? We all know we are in dire need of a big A.S.A.P.

Rich to make this trade great ! Ideally a good big is signed this week, and the Bobcats release Joel. Then we get him back in time for the playoffs. (pray)  Boston was on top of things with the 10 day to Johnson. Any Thoughts on who Rich signs this week?

Why not set up the 1st Player retirement system really older players getting treated just like commodities. Wouldn't it be better if after a players last big contract we talk to them and see if they would be interested in doing teaching/assitant coaching. That way younger players get coaching could not Marcus Camby teach high post play? Andre Miller help our drafted point guards, Joel teach work ethic and toughness. It seems very hard to find good players in trade anyway, yet when we do they love it here. If we work out such a system maybe this past greats might sign for vet mins and still provide great worth more than just the Asset value of an exspiring contract, and our team more like a family than a cold hearted business? I'd like your thoughts. 

Poll

Assest as a player/coach or just a contract?

76%

Player/coach

16 votes

23%

contract

5 votes

21 votes | Poll has closed

The Lakers are in town tonight, what is the difference between winning and losing, is it attitude?

Look at LMA has not his attitude changed his play?

We have older players who really this could be their last chance.

Do others remember our championship team?

Remember our 50-10 start the next year (Spurs 46-10) this year.

We have talent, this is the time to get our championship attitude in order.

Step it up! Do not let the naysayers in it is just 1 game at a time, 1 play, 1 stop at a time

If this team plays like it is capable of playing each and every game that's left, put that chip on the shoulder.

A wonderful transformation takes place as raw athlete,Acquires the BBIQ of seasoned vet. Yet the player with the best BBIQ is qenerally thought of as trade bait for an ending contract.

On the Blazer's we have 4 players over 30 which seems to be the age of decline in athletic abilities, but experience counts. If Priz had not had his injury even tho he is at the 30 mark he would not be included in this group but more as an in his prime player.

I can think of nothing better for our team and city than to let contributing player retire here we have been short players for practice we have lots of young talent.  Both Camby and Miller not only contribute on the court but make our team better by teaching the younger players.

Let Rich develop a retirement to assistant coach program where we can have a win win for the older players and our team and community.

All this talk about BRoy coming back and what it would mean to the team. Some people have made all sorts of comments about fit, knees, etc.... Really BRoy has great BBIQhe's smart, a team player isn't his assists close to 6 a game. He has never been a volume shooter not just a chucker.

OK BRoy's been sitting on the bench for quite awhile now he has seen that most nights our bench has not kept pace. He'll start by coming in off the bench green lighted to shoot, no longer will our bench be out scored nightly.

I would hope they keep close watch upon his knees and health. This last stretch will be against the best teams we need 5 more wins than OKC for forth spot good news is we play them twice. We play all the the top 4 teams and can let them all know that they need to fear a first round match up with Portland.

Poll

So we are 2 points down, and you can have the ball in which players hands. 2.8 seconds on the clock.

42%

BRoy

97 votes

30%

LMA

69 votes

16%

Miller

38 votes

4%

WesMoney

10 votes

0%

Batum

2 votes

6%

other

14 votes

230 votes | Poll has closed

1. I want to see a team!, as "storyteller's fanpost" stated a TEAM one for all and all for one.

2. I do not wish to see anyone on the court for more than 30 miniutes a game,  I know LMA has averaged closer to 40 but really, if the mins. are held down by the starters. Hopefully less injuries as less stress on joints and bodies.

3. The team plays deep on to the bench. If the starters are limited to 30 mins. then 18 mins per game will have to be played by bench players right. So as for being a team let all who play put their foot to the metal and play hard enough that the + - stat is always in the plus every miniute every game.

4. That no one ever needs to feel like they are not important to the overall health and well being of this team!

5. That this year begins a jugernaut of power and strength which make the NBA pundits wonder why the even thought about the Thunder, Heat and l*ck*rs as contenders.

6. That no one get so much as a sprain this year.

7. That even though our small market, does not get our player as 1st team "all-stars" the coaches vote them in

8. Oden's 30 mins. will give him the highest ranking in per. in the NBA, and with the better outside defense no one talks about him and fouls again, Also no doubt is left as to the great choice Portland made in dafting him number 1.

9. That BRoy passes Kobe and Wade as the best shooting guard this year, not more shots but of so much greater %. his influence can not be overlooked

10. That  the comparisons of Batum and Pippen takes step forward, such that it put him as untouchable

Well those are my wishes for this season Yours?..
                    

France playing Canada
With out Nico, France is blown out 24 points, win the game at the moment. three steals and 7 rebounds also. It is good to see Nic being the go to guy. Can hardly wait to see him this season. 
Go nico. Leads all scorers. even on a bad scoring game. Sorry about not a fan shot but have never got those to work. Go Blazers. have you been watching Patty? he's been great in his play also. I hope the rumors of him in negotiations are true.

With all that has gone on this off season, the best addition is Buck! Why I say this is quite simple, Buck was what it took to make our Blazers Championship contenders in the 90's. His work effort, post pressence, is the big knock on LMA. I understand that Lucas was our championship team enforcer, but because of his health concerns we have not had full contact coaching. Now having someone who really understands that by establishing a good post position, will increase both rebounds and shot percentages. So many Blazer fans call LMA weak (because he plays more like Rashead), well Lucas taught Buck can now teach LMA. I believe that LMA can be all-star caliber. Just need to be willing to establish a better post moves, and by being deeper in will get more rebounds. By becoming a double double man, the nay-sayers will give up their down playing of one of the best in the NBA, with his speed, length, shooting ability, increased rebounding, and improved post game,

Portland's center should be > than Miami's, Power forward<, Small forward<, Shooting guard=, Point guard>. The star calls for the Heat>, Bench> Portland.

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James would make more in a sign and trade deal. Portland can afford to part with pieces to Cleveland. LeBron wants to be a very wealthy. Mr. Allen is the wealthest owner in sports. He wants to bring multiple titles to Portland. Portland's pieces are almost strong enough to win it all, add LeBron to BRoy, Batum, Oden (healthy) and either LMA or Bosh plus a ball handler in either Mills, Williams, Bayless or Johnson. Tell me what team could match up? LeBron matches both Anthony and Durant. BRoy matches Kobe, Johnson, Wade. Batum defends Paul, Williams, Rose, Dirk, Rondo ect.... Since there are 2 types of power forwards and centers in the NBA banger and fast, Oden takes the bangers and LMA or Bosh takes the fast as interchangeable parts.Now how does Paul Allen do this? Well since King James advertizing money is mostly coming fro NIKE Phil Knight could say double Nike;s ad budget and it would pay, if the Title follows. Right LeBron is worth much more being NBA champ nan chump. A lot of teams were very short sited and dumped players hoping to sign the holy grail of talent. Portland on the other hand accumulated talent and tradeable pieces. 3 euro's plus young good talent, and large dollars expiring contracts. Would not James be better off with the max contract Cleveland can offer? Would he be better with BRoy, Oden, Battum and LMA or Bosh, or whatever is managed to be put togther by the player dumping teams. I know that Cleveland would be better to get a sign and trade than a strait walk. I would hope that LeBron would still want to see his old team come out better than him just walking away. Another thought is if LeBron chose this way he could get out from William Weasly & Maverick Carter. It's time for Paul to talk to Phil and see what can be done, maybe he should send a plane to see if the King wants to go on a boat ride, I hear, Paul has a couple of nice ones. To let LeBron know that the Rings will go to Portland but it becomes a sure thing if he is on board. 

Travis Outlaw at 25 and Channing Frye at 23 neither started fo us. Though Travis was a great 6th man for us and if  the injury bug did not hit us so hard. Maybe we should take a good look at what we have here already. BRoy is the 3rd best shooting guard in the NBA.  When healthy Oden is a top 3 center. LMA is a top 10 power forward, with an unstopable outside shot. Batum is wanted by ever team in the NBA and europe and is just starting to begin to show us what he will be able to do. Andre is the NBA's ironman and easily at top 15 point., with a good group of young talented guards fighting to make him a great trading piece. 3 centers that could all start except for in 2 spots. I can hardly wait for summer league to start to see our young talent. Oh by the way Mills is playing internationally now and tearing it up! Yes we went thru the injuries last year. Yes we had to match up with Houston the year before but our core has grown. Do you honestly think that we would of lost to Phoenix if we would of been healthy? Get real.

Charles said on national TV that not one person in Portland believed that Portland could win this. I know he is only there to say stuipid things like that, but get real! We won the season against Phoenix. This team can play, yes we would be better with BRoy we won against the Suns this year without him. They certainly can do so again. Answer this poll tell us what you think, now. Go Blazers!

Poll

Do you believe Portland can win this playoff round>

55%

yess!

805 votes

1%

no way

29 votes

42%

Barkley's an idiot!

620 votes

1454 votes | Poll has closed

12 points 3 assists 1 steal 1st quarter did not start in less than 12 min.'s
can watch for free on NBA.com D-leage  playing like a very fast point guard

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I mean really  he is playing great everytime he has the ball, scoring about 1 point per min. when he's not ignored by the other players, defense, hustle, attacking the basket, hitting his shots. 17.06 tonight 14 points 2/3 assists 1/2 steals good D,  When will they really give him a look? He was the only bright spot out there tonight if the Blazers want to win some games they need to use effort that Jerryd's forte. Against New York we should of went to the rim, over and over again, thats Bayless.

On Monday The top team in the East Alanta, will play a road weary Best in the West team. You can only watch on NBA league pass Comcast sports net Northwest and Fox sports south.  This being a second match up of these teams with Alanta holding the advantage as they won in Portland already. Of this young season this one game will tell us what these two teams are made of. Alanta just beat Boston on their home court, Portland holds the longest win streak in the NBA. This will be the first match up with our 3 guard line up, and without Outlaw a 2nd squad player will really have to step up. As for me I believe Portland can dig deep and prove something in this contest, as I expect it to be a highly contested and hard fought game. Both teams mirror each other in talent! What do you think of this game?

Going into today we should of been 3 and 0, but the shoulder injury to Batum through off the game plan? It was going to be Hockey style change outs for this team durring the first half of these games. Either group could start but these would of been the groups B Roy's group was LMA, Batum, Blake and Prisbilla this group would play for about 8 to 10 min.'s the other Millers group would come in and play 8 to 10 min.'s before another group rotation came in. Only under the most dire cases would a sub be made Bayless for a Guard, Howard for centers and forewards. Durring the time on the bench coaches, and player could be formulating the game plan for their time on the floor. I know this sounds very unconventional to those who believe in traditional rotations but I'll give you the reasons for this.

1. Allows practice time and roles clearly defined, for all players. ( this is what people are complaining about that the players look a little lost out on the court)

2. Gives all player court time on a deep roster. Plus by using this Hockey style change of rotation players who are suited to each others style. Such as Miller and Oden together with a game plan could be devistating. B Roy and LMA would do excatly what they do together. Both units could be really aggresive, sorry but I really feel this would of been a lot better than what's been going on.

3. Plus minus would be clearly defined! Roles could be further defined and hot hands could be better used in the second half if needed.

The players are not being utilized to their fullest at this time B Roy has tried to put the team on his back these last 2 games, but if the roles were better defined. Hopefully this would not of been the case. So for those who thought Batum going down was not that big a deal for this team. I want to say NOT SO!

I wish Nico the best and a speedy recovery as he is really mised!

 With the Patty Mills signing Portland now has to make a choice between 3 players all at different spots all bring different abilities and talents. This is a list of what each has to offer.

 Jarron Collins an extra Big, not very likely to play at all, except if injuries  hit Oden or Prisbilla or if we are really ahead and the scrubs play the 4th quarter. But he does bring other +'s to Oden experance, I believe the best thing with Jarron Collins would be a staff position of assitant to Big Lucas, he's very smart has played under Slone which has always had good big men.

Ima Udoka, bottom of a SF rotation so not likely to play as above, except is not that far beneath the skill level of the other player, and is a very popular with the fans. So could play, also has played with the Spurs, and could help on defense.

Patty Mills, has a great up side, but a broken foot, broke at summer league training camp so we have not even really had a chance to take a real good look at him. But he did have his foot broke on the Blazers behalf. Those who saw him play against the U.S. in the games say that neither CP3 or Williams could keep in front of him. So could be extremely great find for us at a 55th pick. Odds are that only 4% of picks at that spot ever make anything of themselfs in the NBA.

Poll

If it was your choice who would you give the 15th spot to?

62%

Patty Mills

149 votes

16%

Ime Udoka

39 votes

21%

Jarron Collins

52 votes

240 votes | Poll has closed

Blazers Depth alows for more

Poll

Do you belive that the Blazers are the deepest team in the NBA?

53%

Yes

61 votes

46%

No

52 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

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