- Joined
- Oct 5, 2008
- Messages
- 127,012
- Likes
- 147,624
- Points
- 115
The Portland Trail Blazers enter this season with a clean slate. They completed a roster overhaul, parting ways with veterans such as Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby, Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford, replacing them with young talent. This offseason, the Blazers hired a new general manager, Neil Olshey, and head coach, Terry Stotts. Portland is clearly rebuilding, but they’re hoping for a quick turnaround that puts the team back into the playoffs sooner rather than later. The Blazers seem headed in the right direction and could exceed expectations this year.
HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the 2012-13 Portland Trail Blazers:
Five Guys Think…
The Portland Trail Blazers have entered a new era. Understandably not content with where they stood, they decided to make wholesale changes. LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are the two players of note who survived the clean sweep. Aldridge is a proven All-Star in the league and someone who the Blazers were wise to keep around. Batum is still more promise than production at this point, but he’s projected to breakout over the next few seasons. The Blazers tried to add Roy Hibbert to the frontline with Aldridge and Batum, which would have sped up their rebuilding process significantly. Since the Indiana Pacers kept him, though, they are now more reliant on the development of rookie lottery picks Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard. Due to their lack of experience and depth overall, the Blazers are headed towards the Northwest’s cellar. However, the step back this year could be followed by several steps forward down the line.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Yannis Koutroupis
The Portland Trail Blazers entered into the 2012 offseason understanding that they had significant rebuilding to do, and while they attempted to warp forward with an offer to Roy Hibbert, they wound up very much in the middle of the rebuilding process. After officially parting company with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, the Blazers used two lottery picks to land Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard, both of whom looked great in summer league play. The Blazers aren’t likely to be particularly successful this year with rookies starting at center and point guard, but the experience that duo gains will pay huge dividends long-term and likely accelerate the rebuilding process.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Bill Ingram
This time last year, the Portland Trail Blazers were a veteran-laden team that hoped to be a dark horse in the Western Conference. But after parting ways with Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby, Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford, Greg Oden and Nate McMillan, this is the start of a rebuilding effort in Portland. After taking over as general manager of the Blazers, Neil Olshey made it his priority to build around LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum and he has done an excellent job surrounding his franchise cornerstones with young talent. Damian Lillard is Portland’s point guard of the future, Meyers Leonard has a ton of upside and Will Barton is a potential steal. This may not have been the step back that Portland fans wanted to take, but it was necessary and it’ll pay off down the road once these talented young players come into their own. The Blazers may not win a ton of games this year, but they’ll be a team to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Alex Kennedy
When you take a look at Portland’s starting lineup, you can’t help but think to yourself, “Hey, that looks pretty good!” With Rookie of the Year candidate Damian Lillard and All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge leading the charge for the Blazers, there’s a lot to like about the direction this organization is headed. But, once you get past that starting lineup the bench looks terribly thin, which is why I tend to think this year is going to be a bit of a struggle for the young (albeit talented) Portland Trail Blazers.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Joel Brigham
The 2011-12 campaign was a disastrous one for the Portland Trail Blazers as injuries, locker room turmoil and a midseason coaching change all permeated the air there. The 2012-13 season will be one about changing the course, but the rebuilding project isn’t as large as some other franchises are undergoing mainly because the Blazers have talent on the roster led by All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The team’s 2012 lottery pick Damian Lillard turned plenty of heads during summer league play and is a preseason Rookie of the Year candidate. The Blazers will be competitive on most nights, but in the end expecting a playoff appearance from this squad isn’t realistic in 2013.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Lang Greene
Top Of The List
Top Offensive Player: Not only is LaMarcus Aldridge the best offensive player in Portland, he has emerged into one of the top scorers in the league. Last season, Aldridge averaged 21.7 points per game, the seventh-highest average among all players. This season, Aldridge will once again carry the scoring load for the Blazers, especially after the departure of Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton – three veterans who averaged double digits for the Blazers last year. Aldridge will pick up the slack and should benefit from an offensive-minded coach in Terry Stotts. The 27 year old is just entering his prime and could be poised for a career year.
Top Defensive Player: Entering the offseason, the number one priority for the Blazers was re-signing restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, who is the team’s top defensive player. The Minnesota Timberwolves tried to sign Batum for $46.5 million over four years and, when it became clear that Portland would match the deal, tried to initiate sign-and-trade talks. However, the Blazers jumped through every hoop and retained the 23 year old. He is by far the team’s best, and most versatile, defender. He’s still developing, but he has shown glimpses of brilliance and he’s one of the Blazers’ cornerstones going forward.
Top Playmaker: In college, Damian Lillard was more of a scorer than a playmaker, but he insists that’s because Weber State needed him to put him the ball in the basket if they wanted to be competitive. Now, Lillard is surrounded by talent and he won’t be expected to singlehandedly take over games. Lillard was projected as a second-round pick entering last season, but had an outstanding year, climbing draft boards and emerging as the top point guard in this year’s draft class. In the Las Vegas Summer League, Lillard scored the ball at will, but he also showed off his playmaking skills by averaging 5.3 assists per game. The rookie will have to make the transition from scorer to distributor, but he seems up for the challenge and he’s looking forward to having equally talented weapons around him for the first time in his life.
Top Clutch Player: Believe it or not, Raymond Felton was Portland’s top clutch player last season, averaging 28.9 points and 9.2 assists per 48 minutes of clutch time, which is defined as less than five minutes in the fourth quarter or overtime when neither team is ahead by more than five points. With Felton’s departure, LaMarcus Aldridge is the team’s best clutch player entering this season. He’ll have the ball in his hands late in games. Last year, the power forward ranked just behind Felton in late-game scoring with 26.8 points per 48 minutes of clutch time. Last season at Weber State, Damian Lillard was able to score the ball late in games with defenders draped all over him. He could emerge as a clutch performer for Portland, but the rookie will have to prove himself first. Aldridge enters the season as the number one option in clutch situations.
The Unheralded Player: Wesley Matthews is every coach’s best friend. He works extremely hard and accepts whatever role is given to him. Last year, Matthews was content with coming off of the bench when Nate McMillan tinkered with the starting lineup, but ultimately won back his starting job by the end of the year. Then, after last year’s disappointing season, Matthews decided to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League, which is unheard of for a three-year veteran who is 25 years old and well paid. When the season ended, Matthews challenged all of his teammates to spend the summer working as hard as he does. He may not receive a lot of attention, but he’s an important piece for the Blazers going forward. Matthews, who went undrafted before becoming a significant contributor for the Utah Jazz in 2009-10, is used to flying under the radar, but he’s respected by those who matter – his coaches and teammates.
The Best New Addition: The Blazers have made it clear that Damian Lillard is their point guard of the future and he was the team’s best offseason addition. They were extremely impressed with him throughout the pre-draft process and used the sixth overall pick on the 22 year old from Weber State. During the Las Vegas Summer League, Lillard was the most impressive player to take the court, averaging 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists and earning co-MVP honors. Not only is Lillard an electrifying scorer, he’s also an underrated playmaker who should be able to make Portland’s other starters better. Neil Olshey made the right pick and Lillard should make the Blazers better in the immediate future as well as long-term.
– Alex Kennedy
Who We Like
1. Neil Olshey: Since being hired by the Blazers in June, Neil Olshey has been very busy. The man who helped turn the Los Angeles Clippers into a contender is hoping for a similar turnaround in Portland. He inherited the team in the midst of an overhaul, but has made some excellent additions in a short period of time. He made the most of his three draft picks, adding Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard and Will Barton. He managed to retain veterans Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson, which was a priority entering the offseason. He has also sold LaMarcus Aldridge on the direction of the team, which is extremely important since the star power forward has just two more years on his contract after this season. Olshey has done a terrific job in Portland and has the team headed in the right direction.
2. Meyers Leonard: Damian Lillard has dominated the headlines after winning the starting point guard job and earning co-MVP honors in the Las Vegas Summer League, but Meyers Leonard is another rookie to keep an eye on in Portland. Leonard is very athletic with an improving offensive game. His length, quickness and mobility allow him to thrive as an interior defender. Leonard is still very raw – foul trouble and inconsistency were issues in college – but he has a lot of potential and he could end up being the Blazers’ center of the future. He has already developed a great relationship with Lillard and the rookies could form a great one-two punch.
3. J.J. Hickson: Last season, J.J. Hickson struggled with the Sacramento Kings and was ultimately waived by the team. The Portland Trail Blazers claimed Hickson off of waivers, but expectations were low given how badly he played in Sacramento. In 19 games with the Blazers, Hickson surprised everyone and emerged as a significant contributor for Portland, averaging 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. In 10 games as a starter, Hickson averaged 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds. Hickson played so well that the Blazers decided to re-sign him this summer, inking him to a one-year deal worth $4 million. Hickson has showed glimpses of brilliance and, at 24 years old, his best basketball is likely ahead of him.
4. Terry Stotts: After serving as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks for the past four seasons, Terry Stotts was hired by the Blazers this offseason, becoming the 14th head coach in the franchise’s history. Stotts is respected around the league and has head coaching experience after two-year stints as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. Stotts is someone who can come in and help Portland’s young nucleus develop. He also has a reputation for being an excellent offensive coach. The Blazers did their due diligence and interviewed plenty of candidates before deciding on a head coach, and it seems they made the right hire.
5. Ronnie Price: Damian Lillard is Portland’s point guard of the future, but the Blazers wanted to bring in a veteran floor general to show him the ropes and contribute off of the bench. Nolan Smith will likely see some time at the one, but the 24 year old is still developing and could use some mentoring as well. That’s where Ronnie Price comes in. The Blazers signed the 29 year old over the offseason to serve as a mentor to Lillard and Smith. Price and Lillard are close friends and they have spent the last few offseasons working out together so bringing in the veteran point guard made perfect sense. This move didn’t receive a ton of press, but it will help Lillard realize his full potential and gives Portland an experienced option off of the bench.
– Alex Kennedy
Strengths
Portland has one of the best scorers in the league in LaMarcus Aldridge and this could be the year that he takes his game to the next level. He’ll have every opportunity to succeed in Terry Stott’s offense as he should get plenty of touches. The Blazers should also have fewer distractions this season. Last year, players butted heads with coaches and there was a lot of negativity in the locker room, which shouldn’t be an issue this year. Damian Lillard will add a new dimension to Portland’s offense. He has drawn comparisons to point guards such as Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook because of his scoring ability. If he can hit the ground running, he could help improve Portland’s offense and compete for the Rookie of the Year award.
– Alex Kennedy
Weaknesses
The Blazers need to improve on the defensive end. Not only did they give up the thirteenth-most points per game (97.82) last season, they allowed their opposition to shoot 46.5 percent from the field, the fifth-highest percentage in the league. Portland wasn’t very efficient on offense either, finishing last season with the tenth-worst field goal percentage in the league (44.3 percent). Terry Stotts, who is known as a great offensive coach, will have to keep his team from settling for bad shots. Rebounding was an issue for Portland last year, as they averaged the fifth-lowest rebounds per game (40.67). The Blazers also need to play better on the road this year. Last season, they had the second-worst road record in the Western Conference, going 8-25 away from home.
– Alex Kennedy
What Needs To Be Said On Opening Day….
We’re going to hear a lot of one word in particular over the next few months, men. “Potential.” It can be a dangerous word for us, though – because it makes it sound like we are already on the way somewhere. The reality is this opportunity will only turn from fiction to fact if we make it so. LaMarcus, it is time for you to take the next step in your career, and become the kind of leader we need. Damian, there will be a lot on your shoulders from day one but every piece of evidence I’ve seen leads me to believe you can handle it. By accepting roles and taking a workmanlike approach to each and every day, we can turn that ugly potential word into reality.
– Anthony Macri and Brett Koremenos
The Burning Question
Will the Blazers’ rebuilding effort lead to LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure?
LaMarcus Aldridge made an appearance during the Las Vegas Summer League and while he said all of the right things about the direction of the Blazers, one has to wonder just how patient he’ll be as Portland enters their rebuilding mode. Adding young talent such as Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard will certainly help the Blazers in the future, but Aldridge is 27 years old and may not be willing to wait for the team’s young pieces to mature while he’s in his prime. He has emerged as one of the best power forwards in the league and he can test free agency following the 2014-15 season. If Portland is a lottery team over the next few years as they develop their young nucleus, Aldridge may weigh his options and leave for a team that’ll compete right away.
– Alex Kennedy
http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-2013-portland-trail-blazers-season-preview/
HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the 2012-13 Portland Trail Blazers:
Five Guys Think…
The Portland Trail Blazers have entered a new era. Understandably not content with where they stood, they decided to make wholesale changes. LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are the two players of note who survived the clean sweep. Aldridge is a proven All-Star in the league and someone who the Blazers were wise to keep around. Batum is still more promise than production at this point, but he’s projected to breakout over the next few seasons. The Blazers tried to add Roy Hibbert to the frontline with Aldridge and Batum, which would have sped up their rebuilding process significantly. Since the Indiana Pacers kept him, though, they are now more reliant on the development of rookie lottery picks Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard. Due to their lack of experience and depth overall, the Blazers are headed towards the Northwest’s cellar. However, the step back this year could be followed by several steps forward down the line.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Yannis Koutroupis
The Portland Trail Blazers entered into the 2012 offseason understanding that they had significant rebuilding to do, and while they attempted to warp forward with an offer to Roy Hibbert, they wound up very much in the middle of the rebuilding process. After officially parting company with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, the Blazers used two lottery picks to land Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard, both of whom looked great in summer league play. The Blazers aren’t likely to be particularly successful this year with rookies starting at center and point guard, but the experience that duo gains will pay huge dividends long-term and likely accelerate the rebuilding process.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Bill Ingram
This time last year, the Portland Trail Blazers were a veteran-laden team that hoped to be a dark horse in the Western Conference. But after parting ways with Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby, Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford, Greg Oden and Nate McMillan, this is the start of a rebuilding effort in Portland. After taking over as general manager of the Blazers, Neil Olshey made it his priority to build around LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum and he has done an excellent job surrounding his franchise cornerstones with young talent. Damian Lillard is Portland’s point guard of the future, Meyers Leonard has a ton of upside and Will Barton is a potential steal. This may not have been the step back that Portland fans wanted to take, but it was necessary and it’ll pay off down the road once these talented young players come into their own. The Blazers may not win a ton of games this year, but they’ll be a team to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Alex Kennedy
When you take a look at Portland’s starting lineup, you can’t help but think to yourself, “Hey, that looks pretty good!” With Rookie of the Year candidate Damian Lillard and All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge leading the charge for the Blazers, there’s a lot to like about the direction this organization is headed. But, once you get past that starting lineup the bench looks terribly thin, which is why I tend to think this year is going to be a bit of a struggle for the young (albeit talented) Portland Trail Blazers.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Joel Brigham
The 2011-12 campaign was a disastrous one for the Portland Trail Blazers as injuries, locker room turmoil and a midseason coaching change all permeated the air there. The 2012-13 season will be one about changing the course, but the rebuilding project isn’t as large as some other franchises are undergoing mainly because the Blazers have talent on the roster led by All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The team’s 2012 lottery pick Damian Lillard turned plenty of heads during summer league play and is a preseason Rookie of the Year candidate. The Blazers will be competitive on most nights, but in the end expecting a playoff appearance from this squad isn’t realistic in 2013.
5th Place – Northwest Division
– Lang Greene
Top Of The List
Top Offensive Player: Not only is LaMarcus Aldridge the best offensive player in Portland, he has emerged into one of the top scorers in the league. Last season, Aldridge averaged 21.7 points per game, the seventh-highest average among all players. This season, Aldridge will once again carry the scoring load for the Blazers, especially after the departure of Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton – three veterans who averaged double digits for the Blazers last year. Aldridge will pick up the slack and should benefit from an offensive-minded coach in Terry Stotts. The 27 year old is just entering his prime and could be poised for a career year.
Top Defensive Player: Entering the offseason, the number one priority for the Blazers was re-signing restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, who is the team’s top defensive player. The Minnesota Timberwolves tried to sign Batum for $46.5 million over four years and, when it became clear that Portland would match the deal, tried to initiate sign-and-trade talks. However, the Blazers jumped through every hoop and retained the 23 year old. He is by far the team’s best, and most versatile, defender. He’s still developing, but he has shown glimpses of brilliance and he’s one of the Blazers’ cornerstones going forward.
Top Playmaker: In college, Damian Lillard was more of a scorer than a playmaker, but he insists that’s because Weber State needed him to put him the ball in the basket if they wanted to be competitive. Now, Lillard is surrounded by talent and he won’t be expected to singlehandedly take over games. Lillard was projected as a second-round pick entering last season, but had an outstanding year, climbing draft boards and emerging as the top point guard in this year’s draft class. In the Las Vegas Summer League, Lillard scored the ball at will, but he also showed off his playmaking skills by averaging 5.3 assists per game. The rookie will have to make the transition from scorer to distributor, but he seems up for the challenge and he’s looking forward to having equally talented weapons around him for the first time in his life.
Top Clutch Player: Believe it or not, Raymond Felton was Portland’s top clutch player last season, averaging 28.9 points and 9.2 assists per 48 minutes of clutch time, which is defined as less than five minutes in the fourth quarter or overtime when neither team is ahead by more than five points. With Felton’s departure, LaMarcus Aldridge is the team’s best clutch player entering this season. He’ll have the ball in his hands late in games. Last year, the power forward ranked just behind Felton in late-game scoring with 26.8 points per 48 minutes of clutch time. Last season at Weber State, Damian Lillard was able to score the ball late in games with defenders draped all over him. He could emerge as a clutch performer for Portland, but the rookie will have to prove himself first. Aldridge enters the season as the number one option in clutch situations.
The Unheralded Player: Wesley Matthews is every coach’s best friend. He works extremely hard and accepts whatever role is given to him. Last year, Matthews was content with coming off of the bench when Nate McMillan tinkered with the starting lineup, but ultimately won back his starting job by the end of the year. Then, after last year’s disappointing season, Matthews decided to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League, which is unheard of for a three-year veteran who is 25 years old and well paid. When the season ended, Matthews challenged all of his teammates to spend the summer working as hard as he does. He may not receive a lot of attention, but he’s an important piece for the Blazers going forward. Matthews, who went undrafted before becoming a significant contributor for the Utah Jazz in 2009-10, is used to flying under the radar, but he’s respected by those who matter – his coaches and teammates.
The Best New Addition: The Blazers have made it clear that Damian Lillard is their point guard of the future and he was the team’s best offseason addition. They were extremely impressed with him throughout the pre-draft process and used the sixth overall pick on the 22 year old from Weber State. During the Las Vegas Summer League, Lillard was the most impressive player to take the court, averaging 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists and earning co-MVP honors. Not only is Lillard an electrifying scorer, he’s also an underrated playmaker who should be able to make Portland’s other starters better. Neil Olshey made the right pick and Lillard should make the Blazers better in the immediate future as well as long-term.
– Alex Kennedy
Who We Like
1. Neil Olshey: Since being hired by the Blazers in June, Neil Olshey has been very busy. The man who helped turn the Los Angeles Clippers into a contender is hoping for a similar turnaround in Portland. He inherited the team in the midst of an overhaul, but has made some excellent additions in a short period of time. He made the most of his three draft picks, adding Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard and Will Barton. He managed to retain veterans Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson, which was a priority entering the offseason. He has also sold LaMarcus Aldridge on the direction of the team, which is extremely important since the star power forward has just two more years on his contract after this season. Olshey has done a terrific job in Portland and has the team headed in the right direction.
2. Meyers Leonard: Damian Lillard has dominated the headlines after winning the starting point guard job and earning co-MVP honors in the Las Vegas Summer League, but Meyers Leonard is another rookie to keep an eye on in Portland. Leonard is very athletic with an improving offensive game. His length, quickness and mobility allow him to thrive as an interior defender. Leonard is still very raw – foul trouble and inconsistency were issues in college – but he has a lot of potential and he could end up being the Blazers’ center of the future. He has already developed a great relationship with Lillard and the rookies could form a great one-two punch.
3. J.J. Hickson: Last season, J.J. Hickson struggled with the Sacramento Kings and was ultimately waived by the team. The Portland Trail Blazers claimed Hickson off of waivers, but expectations were low given how badly he played in Sacramento. In 19 games with the Blazers, Hickson surprised everyone and emerged as a significant contributor for Portland, averaging 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. In 10 games as a starter, Hickson averaged 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds. Hickson played so well that the Blazers decided to re-sign him this summer, inking him to a one-year deal worth $4 million. Hickson has showed glimpses of brilliance and, at 24 years old, his best basketball is likely ahead of him.
4. Terry Stotts: After serving as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks for the past four seasons, Terry Stotts was hired by the Blazers this offseason, becoming the 14th head coach in the franchise’s history. Stotts is respected around the league and has head coaching experience after two-year stints as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. Stotts is someone who can come in and help Portland’s young nucleus develop. He also has a reputation for being an excellent offensive coach. The Blazers did their due diligence and interviewed plenty of candidates before deciding on a head coach, and it seems they made the right hire.
5. Ronnie Price: Damian Lillard is Portland’s point guard of the future, but the Blazers wanted to bring in a veteran floor general to show him the ropes and contribute off of the bench. Nolan Smith will likely see some time at the one, but the 24 year old is still developing and could use some mentoring as well. That’s where Ronnie Price comes in. The Blazers signed the 29 year old over the offseason to serve as a mentor to Lillard and Smith. Price and Lillard are close friends and they have spent the last few offseasons working out together so bringing in the veteran point guard made perfect sense. This move didn’t receive a ton of press, but it will help Lillard realize his full potential and gives Portland an experienced option off of the bench.
– Alex Kennedy
Strengths
Portland has one of the best scorers in the league in LaMarcus Aldridge and this could be the year that he takes his game to the next level. He’ll have every opportunity to succeed in Terry Stott’s offense as he should get plenty of touches. The Blazers should also have fewer distractions this season. Last year, players butted heads with coaches and there was a lot of negativity in the locker room, which shouldn’t be an issue this year. Damian Lillard will add a new dimension to Portland’s offense. He has drawn comparisons to point guards such as Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook because of his scoring ability. If he can hit the ground running, he could help improve Portland’s offense and compete for the Rookie of the Year award.
– Alex Kennedy
Weaknesses
The Blazers need to improve on the defensive end. Not only did they give up the thirteenth-most points per game (97.82) last season, they allowed their opposition to shoot 46.5 percent from the field, the fifth-highest percentage in the league. Portland wasn’t very efficient on offense either, finishing last season with the tenth-worst field goal percentage in the league (44.3 percent). Terry Stotts, who is known as a great offensive coach, will have to keep his team from settling for bad shots. Rebounding was an issue for Portland last year, as they averaged the fifth-lowest rebounds per game (40.67). The Blazers also need to play better on the road this year. Last season, they had the second-worst road record in the Western Conference, going 8-25 away from home.
– Alex Kennedy
What Needs To Be Said On Opening Day….
We’re going to hear a lot of one word in particular over the next few months, men. “Potential.” It can be a dangerous word for us, though – because it makes it sound like we are already on the way somewhere. The reality is this opportunity will only turn from fiction to fact if we make it so. LaMarcus, it is time for you to take the next step in your career, and become the kind of leader we need. Damian, there will be a lot on your shoulders from day one but every piece of evidence I’ve seen leads me to believe you can handle it. By accepting roles and taking a workmanlike approach to each and every day, we can turn that ugly potential word into reality.
– Anthony Macri and Brett Koremenos
The Burning Question
Will the Blazers’ rebuilding effort lead to LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure?
LaMarcus Aldridge made an appearance during the Las Vegas Summer League and while he said all of the right things about the direction of the Blazers, one has to wonder just how patient he’ll be as Portland enters their rebuilding mode. Adding young talent such as Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard will certainly help the Blazers in the future, but Aldridge is 27 years old and may not be willing to wait for the team’s young pieces to mature while he’s in his prime. He has emerged as one of the best power forwards in the league and he can test free agency following the 2014-15 season. If Portland is a lottery team over the next few years as they develop their young nucleus, Aldridge may weigh his options and leave for a team that’ll compete right away.
– Alex Kennedy
http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-2013-portland-trail-blazers-season-preview/
