Who's on the Blazers any more?
These are not ordinary times. It's mid-December and we'd have trouble reciting the Trail Blazers roster. Roy's gone, Oden's out, and as we dimly recall, a lot of other Blazers have been dealt away in the last year or two. Martell, Rudy, Dre, Przybilla -- they're all gone. Travis Outlaw, too, thank heaven. So who's left?
LaMarcus Aldridge, if his ticker will allow it. He's the best they've got, we think. But the way they relentlessly overwork that guy, he's a medical case waiting to happen. O.k., who else? We hear they now have Ray Felton as their point guard, Gerald Wallace as an enforcer, and geezerific big men Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas. Portland will be lucky if Camby and Thomas have one good knee between the two of them. So far, that lineup is a veritable Goodwill store of pro basketball talent. Then what -- Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews? Those guys are more at the Nordstrom Rack level.
Can good chemistry come out of a group like that, especially with the sphinx-like Coach Nate setting the level of excitement? One can hope, but fan expectations are likely to be pretty low. And with all the personnel turnover, including in the front office, the team isn't inspiring abiding loyalty at the moment. The short season could be downright unsightly.
But never say never -- especially not a couple of weeks before they even start playing the games. Maybe something will happen that will pleasantly surprise us.
| Posted at 8:45 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (9)
ESPN is reporting that the Blazers are involved in the Dwight Howard trade talks, and would ship Gerald Wallace to Orlando in exchange for some combination of first round draft picks. Sounds like rebuilding is in full effect!
Posted by Dave J. | December 14, 2011 9:05 AM
I think one day soon you'll regret including Batum in your Nordstrom Rack reference. For Matthews, that's about right (if he's your starting 2-guard). As Dave J mentions the possibility of moving Wallace. Namely because he and Batum play the same position. The only benifit of having them both is when Camby has a stroke they can go small with LMA at the 5 and Wallace moving down to the 4.
Posted by Chris | December 14, 2011 9:38 AM
You failed to mention the owner, who, over the years, has appeared to be some sort of space cadet with some of his ventures and business moves. After yesterday's announcement in Seattle, he's now definitely certified. Go by space ship helmed by Captain Paul!
Posted by veiledorchid | December 14, 2011 9:53 AM
This is exactly why I stopped caring several seasons ago. Gone are the days where the players and organizations were loyal to eachother. Not to mention the ever increasing ticket prices, parking fee, etc. I can go to a few timbers games and have beer money to spare.
Posted by Chris | December 14, 2011 10:09 AM
I'm a Blazers fan for the entertainment so right now I'm focusing on the turmoil the Lakers are going through. Phil Jackson's gone, Lamar Odom's gone, Pau Gasol is only there because the Chris Paul trade got nixed. You know Derek Fisher's attitude is fried from the meetings and Kobe's furious.
These are good times for Blazers fans.
Posted by Bill McDonald | December 14, 2011 10:17 AM
Roy's retirement is forcing the Blazers to make smart decisions for the long term. This year will be a throw-away, then the re-build begins. That's why Wallace is expendable. He was not coming back next year anyway.
Posted by benschon | December 14, 2011 10:43 AM
"Gerald Wallace as an enforcer"
Rumors are Gerald Wallace is on the trading block for draft picks as part of some Dwight Howard deal.
That is up on the stupid-meter scale. Thank god, the Warriors signed Kwame Brown or he might've ended up here.
Posted by Steve | December 14, 2011 10:56 AM
I quit caring a long time ago, too. Hey, the Miami Dolphins had an all-time great year with a starting team half-filled with no-names. Just "play ball!" Let 'im rip!
Posted by Mojo | December 14, 2011 9:55 PM
'em rip!
Posted by Mojo | December 14, 2011 9:56 PM