30 Teams In 30 Days: Portland Trail Blazers

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 41-41
Western Conference Seed: 10

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Greg Oden (via health), Jerryd Bayless (via draft), Rudy Fernandez (via 2007 draft, signed), Nicolas Batum (via draft), Ike Diogu (via trade).

Key Losses: Jarrett Jack (via trade), James Jones (via free agency), Josh McRoberts (via trade).

Just when you thought that the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t get more stacked with young talent, Kevin Pritchard proved you wrong for the third consecutive year.

Active as always, Pritchard once again took the 2008 NBA Draft by storm. Portland headed into the night owning the rights to the 13th overall pick, in which they used to select Kansas swingman Brandon Rush, and came out with the rights to one of the top rated prospects in the draft - Jerryd Bayless. The electrifying 6’3’’ guard was touted as high as a top four selection leading up to the draft, but somehow managed to fall all the way down to Indiana at eleventh overall.

Soon after, the Pacers and Blazers pulled off a deal that brought Bayless and Ike Diogu to Portland in exchange for combo guard Jarrett Jack and 2007 draftee Josh McRoberts.

With this deal, the Trail Blazers may very well have found themselves their ideal match with Brandon Roy in the backcourt. Bayless is lightning-quick, can get to the rack at will, has a beautiful stroke, can create or play off-ball, and slash to the rim with the best of them. In essence, he’s almost like a young Tony Parker with a better jump shot. He may not be a prototypical point guard, but with a handler and playmaker like Roy alongside him, he won’t have to be. This is a big time offensive talent with star qualities, and Portland is once again fortunate enough to come away with another draft day steal.

Later on in the draft, Portland acquired the rights to Nicolas Batum via trade. The long 6’8’’ forward has been compared to high-profile guys like Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson, as he has a great deal of raw talent and a world of potential. Don’t expect a whole lot out of the French rookie right away, but down the line, he could very well become a long-term steal.

A recently acquired wing that you can count on to contribute this season, however, is Rudy Fernandez, who Portland acquired the rights to from Phoenix in 2007. There is absolutely nothing that this guy can’t do. He’s a big (6’6’’) versatile guy with a great handle, remarkable court vision, freakish athleticism, a ridiculously high basketball IQ, one of the most beautiful shooting strokes in the game, and perhaps one of the biggest hearts to boot. Any coach would kill to have a 23-year-old player like Fernandez, who can also get even better, on their roster.

Then there’s the big fella’; the number one selection in 2007’s draft, Greg Oden, who missed the entire 07-08 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee last September. The seven-foot man-child is back in action this fall, and he has been fairly impressive this preseason. In addition to that, he’s bulked up a great deal since being drafted last June.

If Oden can manage to stay healthy from here on out, watch out. That’s all I can say. Watch out.

Depth Chart

C: Greg Oden / Joel Przybilla / Raef LaFrentz
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge / Channing Frye / Ike Diogu
SF: Martell Webster / Travis Outlaw / Nicolas Batum
SG: Brandon Roy / Rudy Fernandez
PG: Steve Blake / Jerryd Bayless / Sergio Rodriguez

Biggest Strength

Depth: The Trail Blazers are almost unfairly deep at each and every position on the floor, and the best part about it is that the majority of the team is relatively young.

In the backcourt, Portland has a few guys that give them completely different looks. All-Star guard Brandon Roy of course highlights this group, as he is one of the most well-rounded players the league has to offer and can create for both himself and his teammates at either guard position. Then there’s veteran Steve Blake, who has a knack for getting his teammates open looks in the right spots, and can help stretch the floor with his respectable long-ball. Competing for minutes with Blake is the aforementioned rookie, Jerryd Bayless, who gives the Blazers a new dimension in the backcourt that they did not have last season - a quick slasher with a mid-range game.

Alongside Roy on the wing is sharpshooter Martell Webster (who will begin the season on the pine due to a stress fracture), complete youngster Rudy Fernandez, and one of the best sixth men in the NBA, Travis Outlaw. With those three guys, they get ample shooting, defensive activity, length, and a great deal of hustle. Each of the three are worthy of large minutes, as well, giving Nate McMillan plenty of options in certain situations.

Up front, the Blazers are golden as well. You’ve got a big time mid-range shooter to stretch the defense in LaMarcus Aldridge (who also defends), one of the best interior role players in the NBA in Joel Przybilla (who has also started 212 games for Portland since 2004), and a 20-year-old enforcer in Greg Oden. Even Channing Frye has shown flashes of promise, while Ike Diogu is hungry for a home.

This core will be in place for a long time together, thus creating a scary squad for many years to come.

Biggest Weakness

Youth: While one of this team’s biggest strengths is their young core, as it will have an opportunity to grow together and establish an outstanding foundation, you’ve still got to expect some ups and downs with such a ripe group. As promising as this team may look, it’s only fair to anticipate cold streaks, winning streaks, untimely turnovers, some shaky decision making, and some x’s and o’s malfunctions.

X-Factor

Greg Oden: Many “experts” and fans have pegged the Trail Blazers as 2009’s NBA team most likely to make the jump into the postseason. A lot of that pending success rests on Greg Oden’s shoulders… or rather his right knee. If “the next great center” can keep healthy and become the player we all know he can be, then Portland is going to be one scary young team this season and many years ahead.

However, a jump into the Western Conference playoffs is going to be mighty difficult without a healthy Oden.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

Once again, assuming Oden can stay healthy, Portland looks more than primed to earn their fist playoff berth since 2003. This is a highly disciplined and hard-working club that can control the tempo of a game and hurt you in many different areas on both ends of the floor. Keep your eyes peeled.

Predicted Standings
45-37
2nd in Northwest Division
8th in Western Conference

Coming Soon: Sacramento Kings