By: Russ Loede

Russ Loede — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:47:29 +0000

Blazers remind me of that Jazz squad from last season, just without a true leader @ PG. By the way, if anyone is watching, Travis Outlaw is a flat-out scorer and has one of the best looking mid-range shots and a tremendous, unstoppable at times mid-range game ~ a lost arc in the NBA (besides for Kobe, Rip, and some others for the most part). Outlaw (Is Rashard Lewis-esque, as a player with size and length, thpugh he has a much better overall game for his reprotire) can become a 22-24 PPG scorer in this league with the added time on the court (starting role) and with more opportunites on the floor (attempts/off-season improvement on his game). The Core of Roy, Outlaw, Aldridge, and not to forget, the many and vast set of good role players that play aggressive and tough (fill-in perfectly and do the “right” things on the court which makes this team a team on the rise because of their different strengths and skills) for Coach McMillian, certainly offers team team a legitimate chance for years to come as a real contender well for now & the future ~ and as you get Mr. ODEN Back for next season, Watch Out 4 the Blazers to replace Dallas & Utah with the Spurs, Suns, and Hornets as the best teams in the West. The West is loaded w / solid teams that can score and the East is looking just as well on top, not too much @ the bottom… I hope NO and Portland make good moves/deals and get better to supplant the Mavs & Jazz, as I hope both these young teams progress from the inside (with the players they have now through their organization/draft picks) and from the outside (trades to bolster and improve their areas of neeed). NO = Versatile/Balanced SG/SF with Size that can defend the opposing team’s best players. Blazers = PG that can run the fastbreak and dish it off, to let Roy (Ultimate Swingman) play his natural 2-position. What will make or break these teams is how good their Clutch players will be down the stretch in KEY, Important, Close ballgames (PAUL has shown it so far), their overall team defense & defensive rebounding, and their will to win, as they improve to make it up their with the elite, upper echelon top class of the West/NBA. They are on the right track and making the right steps towards that category and department which holds the best.

Comments on: Webster Was Blazing as Portland Tops Utah 103-89

By: Russ Loede