Cross Your Fingers: Portland Trail Blazers In The Running For Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Portland Trail Blazers are suddenly looking more and more like the team we thought they were.

but who would have thought that it would have happen like this?

You start the season with easily the best center duo in the league, then you lose both of them to season ending knee injuries. Then before the trade deadline you trade for a double double type of center and your All star guard misses 12 games. Now you are looking at making a playoff run with what could be one of the best center duos in the NBA, but with two guys you didn't start out training camp with.

But that, what could be, hinges on the signing of big Z.

 Reports have surfaced via the Trail Blazers organization that the Portland Trail Blazers would be in the running for Zydrunus Ilgauskas, a center that is averaging 13.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game over his career.

I'm hoping the Blazers snag Big Z because the Blazers go from a one and done team in the playoffs to being a potential Western Conference final threat with a solid seven-footer paired with Marcus Camby. Not to mention we would have LaMarcus Aldridge, a power forward that has developed his game in so many ways.

In a little less than a month, the Blazers went from having a throw away season and hoping for the eigth seed in the playoffs, to being in a position where they could really make a run.

Listen, I don't want to exaggerate Big Z's talent because he isn't a "great player", he is a pretty good player than happens to be taller than anyone currently active for the Portland Trail Blazers.

and that means more than you know.

If the Blazers end up snagging the battle hardened center and earn the eighth seed in the Playoffs, they will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Going into the last game against the Lakers, the Blazers had won the past nine meetings at home against the top-seeded team in the West.

Even with this success, the Lakers were able to dominate the paint, forcing the Trail Blazers to shoot well from the outside to win games. With someone as big as Big Z, the Blazers would have the opportunity to run the Lakers to game 7, or better.

Z would provide a bit of post scoring at 14 points a game, and offer another threat in the paint when Aldridge is struggling with his shot.

But I don't see it being that competitive without him.

Within the week we should know the future of the Trail Blazers and Ilgauskas.

Until then, we can only cross our fingers and wait.