Portland Trail Blazers (41-41, 10th Western Conference, 3rd Northwest division)
Key Additions: Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, Iku Diogu, Nicolas Batum
Key Subtractions: Jarrett Jack, James Jones
Once word spread that #1 overall pick Greg Oden would miss last season after micro-fracture surgery, the Blazers were pegged by the masses as a potential rich team too young to do damage in the ultra-competitive West (an assessment also made by yours truly). The masses, it turns out, are all dumb and stuff, having underestimated the skills of Brandon Roy (a natural leader and serious all-around player), LaMarcus Aldridge (not much on D, but a demon with the ball in his hands), Travis Outlaw (absurdly long arms) and Martell Webster (good stroke from all over). The stars were well complimented by Steve Blake, Joel Przybilla, Channing Frye, Jarrett Jack and James Jones, the latter two gone but potentially not missed with rooks Rudy Fernandez (outstanding for Spain's Olympic bunch), Jerryd Bayliss (an SPL standout) and Nicolas Batum (playing well in preseason) on board. Sucks that Webster will miss 8-10 weeks with a stress fracture, but that laundry list of players likely drives home that Portland is blessed with some depth. Any way sliced, the Blazers are a team stacked for the future and ready to make a playoff run as we speak. So what, if anything, could derail an expected leap?
The weight of expectations, whether collective or the poundage specifically on Oden's shoulders.
In my eyes, the latter concern is more potentially legit. Huge anticipation for Oden's career has led to "the next Bill Russell" talk. Comparisons can even include Oden's beard, which is not just a beard, but a spectacular, dual-tiered, beard atop a beard! Big shoes to fill, and from the few occasions I've met Oden, he's struck me as introspective, thoughtful and earnest. All great traits, for sure, but too much of that mix and you have a guy perhaps detrimentally concerned about excelling, as suspected by the Oregonian's Jason Quick.
Oden should cut himself a break, because Portland success doesn't require an immediate second coming of the NBA's most dominant player-coach. If Oden is merely a solid addition (I actually think he'll be more, but for argument's sake), Portland automatically becomes that much better. That's not to suggest Oden set his goals low, just not so high that he frustrates himself out of a good performance in search of sheer brilliance. Coach Nate McMillan just wants Oden to have fun, an objective his teammates will hopefully prod along. Or just bring to fruition by example, since I don't see these cats crumbling under a brighter spotlight.
I was recently at a Nike commercial shoot with Oden, Roy and Aldridge and asked about increased eyes on them. As far as everyone was concerned, the more retinas, the merrier. "I don't look at it as pressure," shrugged Roy. "We've got the talent to do it. I don't feel like I've got to shoulder a certain amount of weight. I look over at LaMarcus, Travis. We've got Greg. We're so deep, I don't think we feel that pressure. We just feel that we need to find a way to learn to play together. I think that's going to be our biggest obstacle."
Considering they've already shown an ability to work as a unit, doesn't sound like an unrealistic goal. If anything, the pressure may be on everyone else to win a chip before these guys figure out how good they can truly be.
PREDICTION: Portland hasn't reached the playoffs since 2003, when the "Jail Blazers" were in full effect. They've successfully erased that image and this season, the drought also ends. I'm going six or seven seed, with a win total around 50.
