Input Needed

[LA12]

Hey guys. I am a huge NBA fan like most on realgm.com. I am also a big Portland Blazers fan. We have a poll running on our team board wondering what everyone thinks of how our team measures up. Most everybody has 'homer goggles' on to a certain degree so of course, it is difficult to ask such a question like this to fans of the team.

I was hoping that those with an outside perspective on our team, could take the time to take our poll and tell us how good or bad we are as it stands today.

Thanks for your time

Link - http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=931672

[Paydro70]

Umm... the Blazers are really good, presumably this is something like the lineup:
Miller/Blake/Bayless
Roy/Fernandez
Batum/Webster
Aldridge/Outlaw
Oden/Przybilla

I think that's very good, and could very well win the West. Most likely it still loses to the Lakers, though. The real key is how much improvement you see out of Batum and Oden. If Oden becomes uber-all-star-godmode-pwnage center, then sure, this is a title contender. If he stays kind of where he is, or gets hurt most of the year/misses the playoffs, then I think it's not much better than last year. Miller is a good point guard, but Roy duplicates a lot of his best skills and Miller doesn't help stretch the floor at all. I don't think he's a great fit, but he won't take anything OFF the table, and I guess Roy can get more rest during the regular season.

[BigSlam]

I went with "Needs Icing: Specify that one thing that'll put the Blazers over the top."

I agree with Paydro. While Miller wont hurt at all, I don't think he is the PG that the Blazers really needed. I think they need some better shooters in the starting 5. Miller isn't a good shooter, Batum doesn't seem to be a good shooter, so that pretty much leaves only Roy to carry that load.

[fatlever]

blazers still need to consolidate assets in order to find another superstar to play along roy.

so good team, solid playoff team, wont get anywhere near the finals until they make a MAJOR trade for another superstar.

[arh1109]

They need Chris Paul to team up with Roy, Oden, Aldridge, etc. Now that team would win championships.

[dmutombo321]

I went with "Needs Icing: Specify that one thing that'll put the Blazers over the top."

I think they need some better shooters in the starting 5. Miller isn't a good shooter, Batum doesn't seem to be a good shooter, so that pretty much leaves only Roy to carry that load.

Remember that they'll have Webster healthy who is a phenominal shooter that they can swap out for Batum in the starting lineup if needbe. Outlaw can shoot at the three spot also but i think they prefer his offensive punch off the bench. SF isnt necessarily one of their strongest positions but they have depth there.

I think what they lack most is a reserve banger, a kurt thomas, type player at the 4. Outlaw is really soft if used as a PF.

[Rich4114]

Blazers need veteran leadership. They're too young to beat out the experience of the Lakers or even teams like Utah / Denver. I don't think they necessarily need a superstar but the Miller signing does help a big deal. I think someone more experienced at SF could help them out a lot.

I'd personally love to have the Blazers team, and it sucks because we could've had all of the same players in a way.

[thruthefire]

Immortals ... we'll put their name to the test.

[Paydro70]

Well, now that I think about it, the Blazers were the #1 offense last year, so I suppose the real issue was their defense (13th). Most of the problem lies with Oden; the Blazers were flat terrible with him on the court defensively (they were about as good as the Knicks on D) and actually quite good with Przybilla (would have ranked ahead of Houston, #4). Of course, the problem was reversed on the offensive end.

The issue is that the Blazers' offense really hummed with Blake on the court, in large part because he shot 3s so well. Miller can't do that. So will his defensive improvement over Blake be enough to offset a potentially serious offensive fault? The worst case is that you have him split time, I suppose, and in that case it's probably about the same for the Blazers next year.

[SteveMorrison15]

Here's my input. Go to that board and talk about your boring ass team.

[Paydro70]

Damn, Steve is hurtin' em.

[e4Nf6]

Damn Steve....