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

[digitaldropoff]

Are you here rubbing the Foye/Roy trade???
But you guys just got Miller...your only a step or two behind LA and San Antonio.

[casey]

Blazers>all

[collin_k41]

I said they are still baking. I def think they have the right pieces now it's just about developing the youth a little more and meshing the team together to play the type of basketball it will take to win championships. If Oden can ever turn into anything near what he's capable of and can stay healthy I fear what the Blazers can become.

We are still in the adding ingredients stage but hopefully; if Kahn sticks with his timetable, all the major pieces will be in place in about another 15 months I think. It's kind of exciting with Kahn around actually, I'm kind of unsure of him sometimes, but then again this is the first time in a long time that I don't think any team we assemble is bound to fail. Hope the Wolves can develop into a power alongside the Blazers and we duke it out at the top in the very near future. Until then, good luck.

[shrink]

Half-baked.

Roy's the real deal, and Aldridge looks good (not great), but I can't trust Oden yet.

Blazers have a good bench too, but they haven't proven that their young players are elite, or can match up with the vet powerhouses out there.

[prefuse73]

I hate and envy the Blazers at the same time. You have all the pieces potentially, but its youth that holds you back. I would love the wolves to be in their position. I really question the Miller signing. It seems like desperation. He is an upgrade over Blake but is way past his prime. If you had gotten Turk, we could be talking WCF.

[tviper]

Shrink has it right. I would add that until they win a playoff series, there isn't much to discuss. I also agree with prefuse re: the Miller signing. As a Laker fan, I was semi-relieved because I don't think it helps them at all and burns their cap (not sure why they didn't pursue Sessions instead).

[shrink]

I agree on Turkoglu as well.

Your team needs a play-off tested vet, and one that can make the players around him better with the ball in his hands. That's not Roy .. at least not yet. I like Andre Miller and I think he will help you, but Turkoglu would have had you guys approaching the elite teams.

I didn't follow the situation closely, but a few POR posters come off a little smug, suggesting that since their owner is so super-rich, he can buy them anything they need, and that with their mega-talented bench players, they can easily trade for other team's stars. I hope this off-season has brought a dose of humility.

POR can still be a contender, but their front office didn't do it this year, despite opportunities. They need to hope that their young players, particularly Oden, start performing up to high expectations. It can certainly happen though. I just think Turkoglu would have made other teams fear POR.

[Krapinsky]

It all depends on Oden's chances of becoming a great defender.

I would like to see them make a move for Battier, whether it's Bayless/Outlaw or Rudy/Webster -- I think he could make them the best in West -- next year.

[revprodeji]

The team would drastically improve if oden shot more and LMA shot less. Simple and hopefully they notice it too.

[dunkonu21]

Roy is everything he is said to be. Cept Artest may have went a tiny bit too far

LMA=Soft as shhhh

Rudy is prolly the player I like the best on Port, but they have buried him on the depth chart. I doubt he plays the 3 very well.

Andre Miller is good, but I think Philly is gonna be better without him.

Oden is gonna get better, but his game isn't going to change his philosophy from now. He's a defensive post presence, never offensive.

Their coach is really what makes them good tho IMO, without him they'd be average.