Outlook for the 2013-14 Portland TrailBlazers

The 2012-13 Portland TrailBlazers were an average team that was incomplete and that's just about all you can say about them. From the core the Blazers already have, Liliard, Batum and Aldridge, the Blazers already have a bright future. Liliard and Aldridge are forming a formidable duo, after a stellar rookie season by Damian and another great year by LaMarcus, and have a chance to become like Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer if they put in enough work.

Batum is also coming into his self lately with a great all-around year with averages of 14.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.1 BPG.

They had a good enough starting five, which also consisted of Wesley Mathews and J.J. Hickson, to make the playoffs but their bench - the biggest names being Meyers Leonard, Eric Maynor and Nolan Smith; their big is pretty small - was atrocious and was their biggest downfall ensuite to them finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 33-49. To make it even worse for this up and coming season, they lost J.J. Hickson, who finally established himself as a starting C in the NBA

and Eric Mayor, who formed a great backcourt combination with Damian Liliard, with Liliard played off-guard. With Hickson gone, the Blazers traded for the underrated Robin Lopez.

Now I know what y'all think, "Robin Lopez? He's a joke". I have to completely disagree with you on that. In the 2012-13 season, the 7-footer averaged 11.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.6 BPG in 26 minutes of action per game on 53.4% from the field and 77.8% from the line, which is amazing for a C. Compare those to Hickson's numbers, 12.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 0.6 BPG in 29 MPG on 56.2% from the field and 67.9% from the charity stripe, and you reduce the amount a little bit of rebounding for a better inside presence who will get you close to the same amount of points. If you put those numbers into per 36 minute numbers, Lopez's stats are: 15.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 2.2 BPG. Hickson's numbers are 15.8 PPG, 12.8 RPG and 0.8 BPG. Now if you ask me, with LaMarcus Aldridge averaging 9.1 RPG, I wouldn't be worrying so much about the extra rebounds if you have a C averaging 2+ blocks per game. It goes like this: Lopez and Hickson are equal scorers, J.J. is a better rebounder, Robin is a better defender and better free throw shooter. The Portland TrailBlazers made up for the loss of J.J. Hickson with Robin Lopez and aren't losing much, if not gaining something better. Other than Lopez, they also traded for Thomas Robinson from Houston, in the middle of the season. For Eric Maynor, the Blazers drafted C.J. McCollum 10th overall to be their 6th man and possible starting SG if he dethrones Mathews for the job.

McCollum has a legit chance of winning ROY, even coming off the bench because he can score at will and is being given the opportunity to, with the situation he landed in. Along with McCollum, Mo Williams was also added

boosting the TrailBlazers chances of making the playoffs. They will be the team's 1-2 punch off the bench, solidifying it among the ranks of the NBA. The rest of the 2013-14 Portland TrailBlazers consists of Dorell Wright, the swingman who once led the NBA in 3-point field goals made in the 2010-11 season, Eliot Williams, who is coming off an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the whole 2012-13 season, Luke Babbit, the sharpshooting SF who can't do much, other than shooting, Earl Watson, who adds veteran leadership and Terrell Harris, who only adds to their depth. Also rookies Allen Crabbe and Marko Todorovic will add whatever they can to the table. Rounding out the roster are returning players, Will Barton, Joel Freeland, Victor Claver and Sasha Pavlovic. Of course, the TrailBlazers are going to be faced with tough decision on which 4 to cut because you can only have 15 players on an NBA roster at once. Whoever they decide on keeping, the 2013-14 Portland TrailBlazers are looking like an above-average team with their starting line-up intact from the previous season and a revamped bench, and might even make the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed with the already tough Western Conference. The TrailBlazers just might and surprise us all.

What Greg Oden Signing with the Miami Heat Means for Greg Oden and the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have added former No. 1 overall pick, Greg Oden, whose career has been hampered by devastating knee injuries that have caused him to play 82 games, which equals one full season, in 6 years! There are reasons why he was selected over Kevin Durant in the 2007 NBA Draft, from being a dominating presence on both ends of the floor that is a gifted athlete, with an NBA ready body at 7'0 tall, weighing in at 285 pounds.




He was described as a "once-in-a-decade" type player by Steve Kerr and still can be, since he's still only 25 and if his knees hold up as well. Unfortunately, that is a enormous if. Games like a 24 point and 15 rebound performance against the Bucks in the 2008-09 season and a 13 point, 20 rebound and 4 block performance against the Heat in the 2009-10 season showcased how dominating Greg Oden could be in the future.

Dec 5th, 2009 was the final game that he ever suited up for, for the Portland TrailBlazers suffering, yet again, another injury to his already fragile legs.

1500+ days later, 2 more micro-fracture knee surgeries and Greg Oden still hasn't played in an NBA game and no one knows how he'll be, back out on the court, banging bodies with 7 footers alike. However, according to the Miami Heat's head scout, legendary Tim Hardaway, Greg Oden is looking good on the court and is the missing link to the Heat 3-peating. At first, Greg Oden will be eased into action by the Heat, playing 12 or so minutes a game and receiving more and more minutes, once he gets comfortable. He probably will not start many games for the Heat in the 2013-14 season, maybe a few, but towards the end of the season, Oden will get significant minutes. Later in 2014-15, Greg Oden will seize the starting C job, putting Chris Bosh back into his natural position of PF. Of course, this all rides on if his knees hold up. The Miami Heat have an almost impeccable team, with its one glaring weakness being rebounding. They ranked dead-last in the NBA in rebounds per game, averaging 38.6. Yes, the Miami Heat averaged even less rebounds per game than the Boston Celtics, who rank 29th, averaging 39.3. With Greg Oden, the one weakness the Heat have is gone. No longer will teams like the Pacers, with Roy Hibbert, be able to dominate inside like they used to, which caused the Heat an agonizing amount of trouble, almost getting them eliminated from the playoffs. If everything goes well, the Miami Heat have got themselves a steal of a player for $2.17 million over 2 years, who can become a franchise player. Yes, adding to the 3 already on the Miami Heat's roster. Greg Oden could revitalize his career and possibly continue the Heat's dynasty that has already made the NBA Finals 3 times in a row, winning in 2 of their trips. The Miami Heat haven't had a dominating inside presence since the days of Shaq and with this signing, the Heat have gotten even more scarier.

The story of Greg Oden has been truly sad. Best wishes on those knees holding up, Greg Oden! We pray that you stay injury free.

Vegas Summer league

Vegas summer league has wrapped up and there were some rookies and sophomores who impressed. With all the different teams competing in sin city there was more talent on display then in Orlando. So with out further ado lets get into the players who impressed.


1. Josh Selby G Memphis Grizzlies 2nd round pick 49th overall 2011 draft

@joshselby2

The former Kansas Jayhawk saw little time in the Grizzlie rotation with Tony Allen and O.J Mayo at shooting guard for the grind house gang. With the departure of Mayo to the Dallas Mavericks Selby may have an opportunity to get significant time in the Memphis rotation. Selby proved to be one of the most outstanding players in summer league dropping 30+ points in 2 of his 4 games. He shot lights out from the perimeter putting up numbers you usually see from me playing NBA 2k12 . In all seriousness though if Selby can come off the bench and give the Grizzlies some consistent shooting from the perimeter he will stick around for a long time. Memphis desperately need shooting from the perimeter ranking 25th in the NBA  last year shooting 32% a team from dowtown. If Selby can fill it up from 3 he will add a whole new dimension to the grindhouse offense.

Summer league stats: 4 Games 29 Minutes 27.5 PPG 2.8 Rebounds 2.5 Steals 59 FG%  70 % 3pt FG


2. Kemba Walker PG Charlotte Bobcats 1st round 9th overall 2011 draft

@KembaWalker

Kemba Walker is known as a winner capturing a national title at Uconn in early 2011 but his NBA experience was vastly different. He played on the worst team in league history going 7-59 with the Charlotte Bobcats. Talk about being brought down to earth from being on top of college basketball to worst team in NBA history. Kemba Walker individually struggled for most of the season and his numbers reflect that. Walker did show some flashes of brilliance posting a triple-double vs. Wizards on January 25th . With Walker being given the job,having his 1st real camp and a quicker more up tempo system by new coach Mike Dunlap Walker is looking to prove all the doubters wrong that say he can”t be a starting point guard in the NBA. He silenced all the critics (for now) with his impressive summer league play. He had games where he didn’t play his best basketball and still impacted winning. For example in the 2nd game vs. Cavaliers Walker shot 2-14 from the field but with the game on the line and the Bobcats down by 1 he hit a floater to give the Charlotte the win over Cleveland. Kemba may not be your prototype point guard but playing to his attributes in the Dunlap system will allow him to flourish and I expect the starting point guard to be in the running for the most improved player of the year award.

Summer league stats: 5 games 31 Minutes 15.8 points 3.6 Rebounds 5.8 Assists 1.8 Steals 35 FG%

Damian Lillard G Portland TrailBlazers 1st round 6th overall

@Dame_Lillard

Considerd a reach by many experts Damian Lillard has a chip on his shoulder to hopefully prove the critics wrong that he wasn’t a reach. He is a  little known point guard from the miniscule college of Weber State where he put up big time numbers his sophmore and senior seasons putting up 19.9 and 24.5 points respectably. Lillard is a guy who can flat out score and I saw a lot of things I liked out of the summer league scoring champ. He broke down defenses and penetrated the middle of the floor and set up team mates making it look effortlessly at times. Although he was inefficient at times Lillard was aggressive and you like too see that out of  your rookie point guards,especially if he is projected as your starter. This kid has All-star potential

Summer League Stats: 4 Games 32.8 Minutes 26.5 PPG 5.3 Assists  4.0 Rebounds 0.5 Steals 43.8 FG% 37 3PT FG%

Jeffery Taylor F Charlotte Bobcats 2nd round 32nd overall

This too me is considered a steal in the 2nd round because Taylor posses 1st round talent his game is versatile. He takes pride in his defense 1st but on offense Taylor can shoot lights out from the perimeter but still posses the athletic ability to get to the rim and finish. At 6’7 him and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist  will likely see some playing time with each other which could make for some exciting basketball in the queen city this season. Taylor no matter where he plays will be an effective NBA pro. His perimeter defense and long range shooting will make him an asset in Charlotte  this upcoming season and the native of Sweden  has looked solid so far even though its only summer league.

Summer League Stats: 27 Minutes 11.8 PPG 1.3 Assists 4.5 Rebounds 0.2 Steals  40 FG% 37 3pt FG%

Bradley Beal G Washington Wizards 1st round 3rd Overall

@RealDealBeal23

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The St.Louis native is considerd by many to be the most NBA ready player in the draft and will be John Wall”s backcourt partner in crime for the Wizards. Beal will compliment Wall’s raw atheletisicm very well with his ability too shoot the ball from the perimeter. For the 1st time maybe ever in DC the wizards have a backcourt they can build around for a long time. I like what I saw from Beal he played solid defense hustled  in the open court to block players and in close outs. The effort level was really high and for a franchise that has a trend of having guys who take play off Beal should make a differnce.

Summer League Stats: 5 Games 30.6 Minutes 17.6 PPG 1.8 Assists 4.6 Rebounds 1 Steal 41 FG%  30 3PT FG%