NBA: 5 Reasons the Portland Trail Blazers Can Win the Northwest Division

The Portland Trail Blazers have struggled as a dominant force in a talented Northwest Division that includes Denver, Utah, Oklahoma City and Minnesota. 

The Blazers have yet to win their division since its inception in 2004-2005 and haven't won any division titles since 1998-1999.

This year, that could all change.

With several division teams in flux, Portland could see their chances of taking home top honors in the Northwest this season with a few strokes of luck and strong-willed leadership.

Here are five reasons they win the Northwest in 2011-2012.

The Denver Nuggets Are in Rebuilding Mode

Although the Nuggets were able to put together a spectacular run at the end of the regular season in 2011, Denver lacks star power without Carmelo Anthony.

George Karl is one of the elite coaches in the game, but the free agent uncertainty surrounding J.R. Smith and Nene may leave the Nuggets depleted for the 2011-2012 season.

Denver is obviously in rebuilding mode, gathering draft picks and young players such Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson as a core. The pieces to the rest of the puzzle are as of yet unsettled, and the Nuggets won't look to contend for the division crown next year. 

Ricky Rubio Will Need to Adjust to the NBA Game

When Ricky Rubio was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009, he sent shivers through David Kahn's spine with his flashy passing—and subsequent announcement that he would remain in Europe.

Rubio has since revealed he will join the Timberwolves for the 2011-2012 season, but his learning curve will be quite steep. The Spanish star is of slight build and will need to adjust to a more physical game in the NBA lest he fall by the wayside.

To add to the Timberwolves' troubles, they have a team that has been in flux for a few years and is finally starting to settle. Minnesota's 2011 second overall draft pick, Derrick Williams, is a candidate for Rookie of the Year, but young teams like the Timberwolves typically need time to gel.

The core of Rubio, Williams, Love and Milicic should be formidible in the years to come, but 2011-2012 will be a learning experience.  

Utah Has a First-Year Coach

Legendary Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan left the team with a 31-23 record last year, and assistant Tyrone Corbin managed the squad the remainder of the season.

Corbin will be the head coach for the 2011-2012 campaign and will be coaching in just his first full year as team manager. Although Corbin is a former NBA player and has coached under Sloan for the better part of a decade, the Jazz finished just 7-20 under Corbin in 2011.

The new coach will need time to mesh with his players, resolve depth chart issues and create an atmosphere of leadership in Sloan's absence. Jazz management needs to address the small forward position and Devin Harris' long-term status with the team. 

Russell Westbrook Needs to Mature

Russell Westbrook was one of the most polarizing figures of the 2011 NBA Playoffs, both for his spectacular play and bewildering shot selection.

Although the third-year guard was able to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 57-win campaign last season—along with the division title—come playoff time Westbrook's leadership capability was called into question.

His decision-making was ultimately the downfall of the Thunder, and that issue may continue to rear its ugly head next season as head coach Scott Brooks figures out which direction to push Westbrook for success. 

The Trail Blazers Finally Have a Leader in Raymond Felton

Since Damon Stoudamire was in a red-and-black jersey, the Trail Blazers have been looking for their "point guard of the future" and have struggled mightily in their search.

The Blazers traded for Felton, a move I had been hoping for since late April. Felton has career averages similar to Tony Parker in PPG, REB and AST, and is a great fit for the Blazers.

Whether he's running the break or playing pick-and-roll with LaMarcus Aldridge, Felton is going to shine tremendously for the Blazers. If he can put together a high-caliber season, the Trail Blazers may well end up atop the Northwest Division.