Oden Not A Must For Blazers To Advance

Posted by Sujeet under SDC COMMENTARY

All right Blazer fans…take a deep breath and say AAAAAHHHHHH! You won a game without your “salvation” Greg Oden. I’m half joking here because we know how respectable the Blazers were last year without him. I have been high on the Blazers since early last year and I see no reason to jump off the wagon. This year they rise from “respectable” to the Northwest division winner.

It’s Roy and Aldridge’s 3rd year. Roy has established himself as a #1 option. Just look at his production last yr (19 PPG, 6 AST, 38MIN). Aldridge established himself as a down low presence by producing 18 PPG, 8RPG, and 34MIN. Oden gives them a bonafide center. Granted he isn’t the “skinny” athletic player they drafted but nonetheless he is 7ft and a mere 20 yrs old. Even if his first NBA year doesn’t reach the hype just having a true center that has physical tools will help to elevate Portland. Przybilla can now come off the bench and be more of a true role player and focus on rebounding. He is a suitable backup for Oden. Granted we see more of Przybilla then we like with all of Oden’s fluky injuries but I still feel Portland has enough to sustain their ascendancy.

The best pickup Portland made this off season was the acquisition of Rudy Fernandez. He is considered an NBA rookie but that is only in the definition. He played 3 years in Spain. Spain’s professional basketball is much more suited for the NBA. I have not seen Fernandez until this year and I am impressed. I have only seen him play two games but from what I’ve seen he is aggressive. He has a nose for the ball and has no fear throwing his body around. He has a quick shot and in his 1st game when 5-10 from the field for 16 points. He only scored six in his second game but I feel that once he becomes comfortable in the Blazer offense that he will give them depth at the SG position. His presence will give Nate McMillan even more flexibility.

Bottom line is this. If Oden can give them a rebounding presence and minimal scoring Portland is going to be a team to be reckoned with. Portland was only 25thin rebounding last year. Withthe addition of Fernandez and Roy/Aldridge coming into their own Portland’s potential is as high as the moon. With their development Oden no longer has to be your “salvation” just your average NBA 7 footer.

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2 Responses to “Oden Not A Must For Blazers To Advance”

BL’s Daily Buckets 11/31/2008 | on November 1st, 2008 7:59 pm

[...] Slam Dunk Central thinks the Blazers can win their division without Greg Oden. Maybe. But can they advance in the Western Conference playoffs with out him? I say not this year. [...]
nbathrice on November 2nd, 2008 2:06 am

BL’s daily buckets makes a good point. Division is one thing but advancing in the playoffs in the West is a whole nother story.

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