How good will the Blazers be when Greg Oden returns?

Comet · Post #1 » by **Comet** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:27 am

Right now they're in the playoff hunt, and although they might not get far in the playoffs (assuming they make it), they're a young team and will get much better. Just imagine Greg Oden in the middle for that team.

PG Steve Blake
SG Brandon Roy
SF Martell Webster
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
C Greg Oden

That's just sick right there. They're not exactly the best rebounding team in the league, so Greg Oden will be a welcome addition in that category. Their defense is already good, just imagine Greg Oden in the post. And imagine LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden owning the defense together down low in the post.

They could very well win 50 games next season. Inexperience might prevent them from going too far, but they've got a bright future over there in Portland.

A.J. · Post #2 » by **A.J.** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:28 am

i dont thin they will be in the playoffs this year, but next year watch out

Taiwan Killa · Post #3 » by **Taiwan Killa** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:32 am

I don't think Greg Oden will be that great. I mean he had microfracture knee surgery afterall, and he won't get too many shots with all the great ballhandlers and scorers on that team.

MagicFan3 · Post #4 » by **MagicFan3** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:32 am

It all depends on exactly how good he is in the NBA, and how well he recovers from the surgery... but he'll make a strong impact no matter what.

They'll be a better PG away from serious contention.

MagicFan3 · Post #5 » by **MagicFan3** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:34 am

Taiwan Killa wrote:I don't think Greg Oden will be that great. I mean he had microfracture knee surgery afterall, and he won't get too many shots with all the great ballhandlers and scorers on that team.

Jason Kidd - microfracture surgery - another HOF-caliber year this season

Amare Stoudemire - microfractuce surgery - came back stronger and maybe even a better overall player

Marcus Camby - microfracture surgery - possible DPOY

I think we can officially stop calling microfracture surgery a career-ending surgery.

farzi · Post #6 » by **farzi** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:41 am

MagicFan3 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Jason Kidd - microfracture surgery - another HOF-caliber year this season

Amare Stoudemire - microfractuce surgery - came back stronger and maybe even a better overall player

Marcus Camby - microfracture surgery - possible DPOY

I think we can officially stop calling microfracture surgery a career-ending surgery.

No but see, he's a Laker fan, so he has to find a reason why Bynum will be better than him, despite being less athletic etc.

_BBIB_ · Post #7 » by **_BBIB_** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:41 am

If Oden has the inside presence of Dikembe Mutombo his Rookie season on both sides of the ball, they could win it all.

But I think the young fella has to learn first that you can't try to block every shot. I think he will struggle to stay out of foul trouble his first season.

Patterns · Post #8 » by **Patterns** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:43 am

farzi wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

No but see, he's a Laker fan, so he has to find a reason why Bynum will be better than him, despite being less athletic etc.

Bynum has the 4th highest PER among C's at just 20 years old. Let me know when Oden players a single NBA game, ok?

farzi · Post #9 » by **farzi** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:45 am

Patterns wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Bynum has the 4th highest PER among C's at just 20 years old. Let me know when Oden players a single NBA game, ok?

Let me know when Bynum and Bryant are healthy so I can start working on that championship banner.

J~Rush · Post #10 » by **J~Rush** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:46 am

Oden fills all of the blazers major holes. Interior defense and rebounding. 13 or so points his rookie year will still be 10 more (I'm guessing) than Przybilla averages. I can see them winning ~50 games next year.

Comet · Post #11 » by **Comet** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:48 am

Yes, it will take time for this team to mesh together and for Greg Oden to mature. They aren't doing to overtake Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, etc. etc. but they will generate quite a buzz.

But once Portland does mesh together and gain further experience, they will be just a move or two away from being a legit title contender.

Post #12 » by **Spykes** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:24 am

The Blazers are still a few moves and a few years away from truly competing for a title, but they'll definitely be expected to make the playoffs next season and beyond.

As J~Rush said, Oden fills some of Portland's biggest needs. If he can get us 10-13ppg, 10 rebs and around 2 blocks per game, that should be enough to lift Portland from the 40ish win team they are right now to a 50 win team next season.

The Blazers will still have some holes to fill (a consistent SF and a better PG), but they should have the pieces to make something happen via a trade.

Taiwan Killa · Post #13 » by **Taiwan Killa** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:29 am

farzi wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

No but see, he's a Laker fan, so he has to find a reason why Bynum will be better than him, despite being less athletic etc.

No, it didn't even come to mind. I mean that surgery is only a temporary fix it's downright foolish to say microfracture doesn't affect a player.

Yao and Dwight are better and will always be better than Bynum, but you're the one that brought Bynum into this, Farsi.

farzi · Post #14 » by **farzi** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:36 am

Taiwan Killa wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Yao and Dwight are better and will always be better than Bynum, but you're the one that brought Bynum into this, Farsi.

Hmm, it must be every Laker homer other than yourself who brings up how bad Oden will be in every Blazer thread then.

Mateen Cleaves · Post #15 » by **Mateen Cleaves** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:50 am

Not really that great next year, hes gonna struggle of course like all rookies do in their first year. In 2 years they will be a better team and obviously he will be better and getting better.

bigballa3jj · Post #16 » by **bigballa3jj** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:00 am

possibly 2nd round playoffs good

and they should draft dj augustin from texas / ty lawson from unc to improve the pg spot

Post #17 » by **Spykes** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:58 am

bigballa3jj wrote:and they should draft dj augustin from texas / ty lawson from unc to improve the pg spot

Should Portland keep their pick, they'll have a lot of options during this draft. There are 4 solid scoring PG's; Gordon, Bayless, Mayo and Collison. They'd all be good fits for Portland and assuming the Blazers end up picking in the 10-14 range, one of them should be available. They also could have a decent shot a moving up in this years draft, should they choose to go that route.

Also, if the Blazers want to target a SF in the draft, there are about 4 of them who would be really good fits. Between Greene, Batum, Gallinari and Smith, 1 of them should be available near Portland's pick.

Of course, if you're of the belief that Portland already has enough young players, there's a chance they trade out of the draft for a proven NBA veteran. They'll have Raef LaFrentz who will be a expiring contract this summer, which combined with the pick and a young player or two, could potentially net a nice player.

Post #18 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:03 am

J~Rush wrote:Oden fills all of the blazers major holes. Interior defense and rebounding. 13 or so points his rookie year will still be 10 more (I'm guessing) than Przybilla averages. I can see them winning ~50 games next year.

This guy's got it right.

Post scoring, post D, and rebounding is what they need, and its what he gots.

nba_addict · Post #19 » by **nba_addict** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:18 am

Portland should try to run for J-Kidd. They have the assets to do so. Not to mention J-Kidd will reinforce thier rebounding woes.

candy for lunch · Post #20 » by **candy for lunch** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:19 am

Taiwan Killa wrote:I don't think Greg Oden will be that great. I mean he had microfracture knee surgery afterall, and he won't get too many shots with all the great ballhandlers and scorers on that team.

Indeed, none of our players, especially Brandon Roy, are smart enough to pass Oden the ball when he's in position.