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.
