Can this Blazers contend for chip in the next 3 years?

[justinian]

Their core big three are all still quite young, and all three have all-star potential. Do they have a window to contend for a championship in the next few years?

LaMarcus Aldridge - 27
Nic Batum - 24
Damian Lillard - 22

LMA is the first option big guy, he is probably the 2nd best PF in the game today. Nic Batum can play the Pippen on this team, his all-around game with lockdown defense. Lillard is the x-factor.

[Knicks_Fan2]

no

[AI]

no

[Curmudgeon]

no

And another no.

[EricAnderson]

No..the teams stuck in mediocrity with this roster maybe at best they become a mid tier playoff team in a few years..

I like Lilliard but hes more of an undersized 2 i dont see him being the type of player you build around to win titles more of a great 2nd or 3rd option,,

If i were the blazers id actually trade Batumn and LMA and rebuild because you can get a lot of good young talent and picks for those two

[Spicy P]

If they can improve their bench, yes

[TARIQ]

They're lacking depth, they also need a defensive anchor in the paint.

ODEN
ALDRIDGE
ROY

[Nuntius]

If they acquire a solid bench (8-9 deep) and a defensive identity then yes.

[Brapman]

If Leonard develops into a quality NBA center, then I think you guys could have a contending team in a few seasons. You'd be more like a Pistons style no-star championship level team if it does happen, since I don't think any of your guys are elite players. Lillard and Aldrich could definitely be multi-time all-stars, but we aren't talking superstars here. Batum is very good, but I doubt he ever makes an all-star team.

I know Portland fans will argue a lot about Lillard's upside, or with people who like him a lot, like me, but don't see an elite player in him. Sorry about that. But seriously, the guy who is closer to elite player of the two is Aldrich. That guy's a monster talent.

[realball]

If they can get a better C and improve their bench, yes. It would have been great if they had managed to get Hibbert. Then they'd definitely be contenders. Unfortunately they don't have many assets for trade outside their core four of Lillard, Matthews, Batum, and LMA, so I don't think they'll be able to land a good C. I don't think Leonard is a starter in the long-term.

[USA]

NOPE!

[Scalabrine]

They are depending on the development of Meyers Leonard and Damian Lillard. They should have about 12 million this offseason to try to bring in some pieces, and they will have to decide if they want to resign Hickson, who would probably take at least half of what they have to spend.

I would dangle Aldridge around in the offseason to see what I could get honestly. His value is very high right now and by the time his contract is done hes gonna be 30. Hes a few years too old for that team...

They need someone on the bench because right now there best player off the bench is Meyers Leonard and he wouldnt get much PT on most teams as a rookie big man.

[TwentyOne920]

If Leonard develops into a quality NBA center, then I think you guys could have a contending team in a few seasons. You'd be more like a Pistons style no-star championship level team if it does happen, since I don't think any of your guys are elite players. Lillard and Aldrich could definitely be multi-time all-stars, but we aren't talking superstars here. Batum is very good, but I doubt he ever makes an all-star team.

I know Portland fans will argue a lot about Lillard's upside, or with people who like him a lot, like me, but don't see an elite player in him. Sorry about that. But seriously, the guy who is closer to elite player of the two is Aldrich. That guy's a monster talent.

The Pistons had a defensive star in Ben Wallace. Just because their team lacked a high-volume scorer and were so effective on defense that the league instituted rules to improve scoring doesn't mean they were totally starless.

That said, a defensive big man is what Portland needs... shame Oden's legs couldn't hold up.

[Jon1798]

My opinion is definitely a little warped after watching the Blazers completely not show up this last game against the Hornets. But I just don't see it. For all that Lillard is, and he's a great young player, he truly does have some limitations. He is not much of a shot creator for others, and he is small and weak on the defensive side. I also tend to wonder if he will struggle more in the playoffs when teams get more physical with him.

LA is tough to put a finger on. Sometimes I want to say he's as good as anyone, but other times he has a way of blending into the background. I would like to see him more assertive and really forcing his will on games sometimes. But when his shot is going, you can't stop the guy from shooting.

All in all, they aren't going to have a great pick, Hickson is looking for a deal and they only have about $15 million free. They need an entire bench, and I think another very very strong player.

I don't think it's in the next couple of years, and then LA is going to be hitting his 30's. We shall see.

[The Boot Room]

second round exit is all they can reach.

[LarsV8]

No.

They have a mismatched core. By the time Lillard is coming into his prime, Aldridge will be leaving his. They need to move Aldridge for a great pick, pick up one more of thier own and grow from there.

[TwentyOne920]

My opinion is definitely a little warped after watching the Blazers completely not show up this last game against the Hornets. But I just don't see it. For all that Lillard is, and he's a great young player, he truly does have some limitations. He is not much of a shot creator for others, and he is small and weak on the defensive side. I also tend to wonder if he will struggle more in the playoffs when teams get more physical with him.

LA is tough to put a finger on. Sometimes I want to say he's as good as anyone, but other times he has a way of blending into the background. I would like to see him more assertive and really forcing his will on games sometimes. But when his shot is going, you can't stop the guy from shooting.

All in all, they aren't going to have a great pick, Hickson is looking for a deal and they only have about $15 million free. They need an entire bench, and I think another very very strong player.

I don't think it's in the next couple of years, and then LA is going to be hitting his 30's. We shall see.

They need a player off the bench who can create his own shot (whether a guard, wing, or big, doesn't matter) and need to improve defensively.

They've won games on the strength of LA's clutch play as well as at least two of their core 3 having a good game on offense, but when you take out two of them on offense, their defense can't compensate.

[dreamchaser]

if they can get a better bench and another big then maybe but i doubt it. plus they're a small market team, i doubt they keep the core of lillard, lma, matthews & batum together for long...

[HornetJail]

If they tank and get Shabazz Muhammed or somebody, then maybe.

[ampheels]

there's a window of opportunity in the west with the spurs/lakers aging, mavs imploding, memphis unwilling to pay the tax...teams like houston, portland, golden state (in that order) all have an opportunity to make a big leap

2014/2015 is when we'll know if the blazers will be making a foreseeable run/here to stay..year 3 of lillard and meyers leonard, and the last years of aldridge and matthews contracts

if i'm portland, i'm moving hickson and his bird rights before the deadline and i'm actively shopping wes matthews..don't think either fit this roster and without a lot of assets rumored to being moved at the deadline, they should be able to see solid return

their core of LA/Batum/Lillard is very good, and if they can swing a few deals for depth purposes, draft well the next 2 years, make quality FA signings, they could conceivably take advantage of a depleted western conference