Are the Blazers currently legit championship contenders as currently constructed?

[Wizard Mentor]

Cho says we're "one or two" pieces away

but in the last two Hoopsworld chats, when asked who was the biggest challenge to the Lakers making it out of the West...
Bill Ingram: "Blazers and Rockets (if healthy)"
Alex Kennedy: "OK City or Portland"

What say you?

 

[Wheels]

"Hoopsworld"

 

[Idog1976]

Cho says we're "one or two" pieces away

but in the last two Hoopsworld chats, when asked who was the biggest challenge to the Lakers making it out of the West...
Bill Ingram: "Blazers and Rockets (if healthy)"
Alex Kennedy: "OK City or Portland"

What say you?

If Oden and Roy were 100% we'd have a good chance to beat Lakers in 7. However, that would of course require fair refs. We really need to bring a pistol to a knife fight if we want to win in 5 on 8 though. I'm curious what "one or two pieces" do you think Cho envisions? Point Guard seems obvious to me and a good backup 4/5?

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

A number 1 player away ( i mean better than BRoy)

orrrrr

two Number two players away

 

[ironcrotch]

... meaning CP3.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Like I have said for several months, and now finally have a GM that agrees with me. NO.

 

[Minstrel]

Yes, if healthy. If Oden and/or Roy have significant injuries, Portland is more than "one or two pieces away" unless those pieces are superstars. In which case, every team is one or two pieces away.

 

[LameR]

Yep. If we get injured, nope.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If Oden and Roy were 100% we'd have a good chance to beat Lakers in 7. That would require fair refs. We really need to bring a pistol to a knife fight if we want to win in 5 on 8 though. I'm curious what "one or two pieces" do you think Cho envisions? Point Guard seems obvious to me and a good backup 4/5?

PG definately, and my guess is either back up or upgrade at 4, or upgrade at 3.

Upgrade at the C would be my first move though....and that doesn't stand for center

 

[The Professional Fan]

Yes, talent wise (healthy). No, toughness wise. If the Blazers had to play in a series as physical as the Lakers/Celtics series they would get crushed.

 

[LittleAlex]

No, I don't Portland is a serious contender, not because of the players but because of the coach.

Until Nate gets the boot this team will under achieve.

 

[hasoos]

The elite teams in the league have shown that they can take away your #1 and #2 option in the playoffs. That means you have to have more scoring options, and more balanced options. You need consistent players who will keep defenses honest. Portland needs a legit #2 scoring option so Aldridge can be happy just being an above average power forward, and Portland needs shooting to space the floor for the bigs and Brandon.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I said "almost", and my longshot guess is PG and starting 4. Whoever is not the starter b/w Oden and Camby should be able to play a passable backup 4 (with Dante or Babbitt in "small" lineups). I'd like to think that the team thinks they're pretty good with Roy/Batum/Matthews/Babbitt as the 2/3 (observant folks will notice neither Rudy nor Bayless in that mix). Oden/Camby/(Przy?)/Project are a decent C/buPF rotation

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Oden has to become the superstar we drafted him as. I do not see any other way.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Oden has to become the superstar we drafted him as. I do not see any other way.

Absolutely agreed. However, I think he will.

 

[ABM]

So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

...from title contention. (Per Cho)

Hmmmm............any guesses as to who those pieces might involve?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

Chris Paul and his backup.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

Like in the other thread, PG and either a 3 or 4

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

We should get CP3 AND Parker

 

[ABM]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

Like in the other thread, PG and either a 3 or 4

Sorry about that. Missed the other thread.

I'm certainly slipping.

 

[Idog1976]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

Sorry about that. Missed the other thread.

I'm certainly slipping.

You are but you can totally redeem yourself with a Chowdown with Cho.

 

[Idog1976]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

You are but you can totally redeem yourself with a Chowdown with Cho.

Which needs to be differentiated from a Chodown with Cho which is where KP as GM of New Orleans attempts a pritchslap only to get CHOWNED!!

 

[hasoos]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

You are but you can totally redeem yourself with a Chowdown with Cho.

Will they eat NaCHO cheese?

 

[Biggie]

I really do think we are. If you compare our rosters with all these other top teams, we almost look better than them by our depth... the only thing stopping us from being contenders are our injuries we always get hit with.

 

[e_blazer]

If healthy and if GO develops his game a bit, then this team as presently constructed could challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference title and potentially an NBA champhionship. Those are a couple of big IFs, but I don't think drastic changes to the lineup are warranted unless there's a legitimate chance to add a top player (CP3) through a trade.

 

[Nikolokolus]

They need two players who can command (and deftly handle) a double team. Roy can do it, Oden showed flashes, but doesn't possess the elite offensive game to be a natural number two and his health is a huge question mark, and LMA is not it.

I said "no" ... but if they make a move to add a legit 1b to Roy's 1a then they can get there (maybe?).

There's a certain amount of context to this question; there's a three headed dragon in Miami that this team has to get through for the next 7-8 years to be a Championship caliber team, otherwise all they are right now, as currently constructed, is an also ran.

 

[Idog1976]

Re: So, The Blazers Are "One Or Two Pieces Away.."...

Will they eat NaCHO cheese?

Only if the meeting is at this fine eating establishment as opposed to having it at his mother's place.

 

[Nate Dogg]

If we can get passed the first round for next year, than yes. This year no.

 

[bodyman5001]

Oden has to become the superstar we drafted him as. I do not see any other way.

Abso-freakin-lutely

 

[huevonkiller]

Depends on how many minutes you get out of Roy-Oden. I think if Roy can play at 2009 level (maybe a little better) and Oden can give you around 30 minutes a night, your team interests me. Not sure how likely that is to occur but you have a shot in the West.