Expect the Sonics, as all young teams do, to try to get out and run as much as possible. Expect a lack of defense, a lot of offense, and a fair share of growing pains. Expect the Sonics to experiment with different lineups, different strategies, and different methods of utilizing Kevin Durant’s skills.
The Sonics can afford to experiment. Their future is more important than their present.
4) Portland Trail Blazers
Like the Sonics, Portland will use this season to prepare for the future. The team has already caught a few bad breaks with the news of Greg Oden’s microfracture surgery, Brandon Roy’s oversized heel, and Darius Miles’ return to good health.
As the Blazers will be a huge longshot to make the playoffs this year, it’s been recommended that, aside from Oden taking a season off to repair his knee, Roy should take the time to shave his left heel so as to prevent chronic pain and injuries from hindering his growth.
Of course, it’s easy for me to offer advice about a shaving a bone when it isn’t my own. But if Roy doesn’t take care of the problem, pain and injury may become a routine part of his career.
And despite his improving back, there's no reason a selfish malcontent like Darius Miles should be around the new-image Blazers. Like Zach Randolph, he should be banished so the Blazers can fully embrace a pure youth movement.
LaMarcus Aldridge is evolving into a quick, strong post defender. His offensive game is still raw, but he should be given every chance to see if Portland can run an offense through him—especially if Roy is out for a considerable amount of time.
Channing Frye can use the season to figure out if he can offer a team something more than being a soft-bodied, soft-minded jump shooter.
Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw are still puppies, and will refine their games with each opportunity they’re given.
James Jones is a streaky-shooting gunner whose three-point potency will keep the Blazers in many a game over the course of a season.
With four point guards on the roster, the Blazers can use the season to determine if Jarrett Jack is their future starter or their future backup, and whether or not Taurean Green, Sergio Rodriguez, and Steve Blake are a part of their plans.
With Zach Randolph no longer around to provide comfortable scoring, the Blazers won't have an appreciably larger number of wins this season than they did in '06-'07. But progress isn’t always measured in wins.
Give the roster a few years to heal and grow, and watch the Blazers start making noise in 2010.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves will probably hit rock bottom this year before beginning the rebound back to respectability.
At least the T-Wolves now have a future after the Kevin Garnett trade, with Gerald Green and Al Jefferson to build around.
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