The blazers are loaded?!?!?

[RobinsontoDuncan]

I see the blazers as a better team than the spurs in 3 years max.

They've got the potential to have all stars at every fucking position.

Jaret Jack and Sergio Rodriguez -- PG
Brandon Roy
Rudy Fernandez
LaMarcus Aldridge and Josh McRoberts
Greg Oden


Holy shit

this is fucking high way robbery

[Supergirl]

We'll see. Great teams take great coaching, as well as some luck in terms of health. Blazers could either fuck it up, or have some bad luck and have their guys turn out to not be all that durable.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

jesus! don't feed tlong!! his ego is big enough as it is!

[Vito Corleone]

We'll see. Great teams take great coaching, as well as some luck in terms of health. Blazers could either fuck it up, or have some bad luck and have their guys turn out to not be all that durable.

I think it is even money they find a way to screw it up.

[Thomas]

I see the blazers as a better team than the spurs in 3 years max.

They've got the potential to have all stars at every fucking position.

Jaret Jack and Sergio Rodriguez -- PG
Brandon Roy
Rudy Fernandez
LaMarcus Aldridge and Josh McRoberts
Greg Oden


Holy shit

this is fucking high way robbery

The Blazers had a couple of years an all star team and they didn't win anything. Team is everything

[RobinsontoDuncan]

I fucking hate the blazers, but that lineup could win 10 championships, god damn it

[mardigan]

And Channing Frye, not to mention Koponen, and they got James Jones. Complete roster turn-over

[RobinsontoDuncan]

The Blazers had a couple of years an all star team and they didn't win anything. Team is everything


Nate McMillan is a good coach, and greg oden is a once in a generation player

[RobinsontoDuncan]

And Channing Frye, not to mention Koponen, and they got James Jones. Complete roster turn-over


Koponen? they got him too?

And I think this Francis thing isnt a bad deal for them, i mean they deal with him for a few years while they're developing, im sure he'll help a bit, and then they let him walk

[freedom&justice]

Koponen? they got him too?

And I think this Francis thing isnt a bad deal for them, i mean they deal with him for a few years while they're developing, im sure he'll help a bit, and then they let him walk

Yes..they got the pick from Philly for cash, I believe; that was the one that turned into Koponen. There's talk that Francis will be bought out of his contract. Pritchard's assembled a hell of a lineup..Presti didn't do too bad either.

[michaelwcho]

They were a loaded team when they had Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi wells on their team, too.

[freedom&justice]

They were a loaded team when they had Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi wells on their team, too.

They were mostly very talented headcases then; now they're all talented good guys and they have a nice, self-deprecating big man to build around. They got like 8-9 players on draft night alone. And their coach is Nate McMillan; disciplined, defense-oriented coach whose offensive game plan doesn't entirely suck. And he's capable of developing young players and recognizing good young talent. If we could switch coaches with them I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[MoSpur]

I think Francis will be bought out. They want to get rid of all the bad apples. What is up with Darius Miles?

[mardigan]

I think Francis will be bought out. They want to get rid of all the bad apples. What is up with Darius Miles?
Trade bait, two years left on his deal at 9 mil each, gona be hard to move him

[degenerate_gambler]

i bet Aldridge gets moved before the trade deadline next Feb.

[MoSpur]

Miles was a player I liked when he was a Clipper. I thought he would actually grow up and play up to his potential.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

i bet Aldridge gets moved before the trade deadline next Feb.


That would be stupid, they have the potential to have a pretty dominant fornt court right there.

If anything i expect them to parlay a few of their prospects for a vet, but it wouldnt be anyone significant (probably mcroberts and Rodriquez or jack) for a mario elie like player

[Beaverfuzz]

There is one more trade Portland is going to make, in the next two weeks.

[MoSpur]

They have young guys like Outlaw, Webster, and Brandon Roy who might get better. They drafted McRoberts and Taurean Green. I don't know if any of them were traded w/the deal to NY. However, this team is going to be good if they manage it right.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

They have young guys like Outlaw, Webster, and Brandon Roy who might get better. They drafted McRoberts and Taurean Green. I don't know if any of them were traded w/the deal to NY. However, this team is going to be good if they manage it right.


There has to be some way to sabotage this.... wait, I have an idea!

Do you think these young guys have ever heard of weed?

[MoSpur]

I believe they will do it the right way and will be a good team.

[Warlord23]

That is a roster loaded with youth, deep at every position

Bigs: Oden/Aldridge/Frye/McRoberts
Swingmen: Roy/Fernandez/Outlaw/Webster
Point Guards: Jack/Rodriguez/Koponen/T Green

They got rid of Randolph, will almost certainly cut/buyout Francis. LaFrentz's contract expires in 08-09, Miles' contract expires in 09/10.

They have all the cards to put out a top contender on the hardwood in the 2009-10 season. They'll probably keep the Euros out for a year or two, and develop the rest. They will look to trade LaFrentz's expiring K next year, and Miles' expiring K the year after that along with some young talent for proven players/veterans. At the start of the 09-10 season they would know which of their young-uns are the real deal. Even if half of them pan out (which is very very possible), they'll be able to field a deep, versatile group that will have played together for 2 years.

It's hard for even an incompetent GM or coach to screw up their situation as it stands now. But they have a good coach and GM combination, plus an owner who doesn't mind spending. Scary.

[mardigan]

And they got Joel at center as well, they almost have to trade him, he makes to much money to be a back-up

[J.T.]

Greg Oden couldn't win the NCAA championship and you are expecting him to come into the NBA and instantly give his franchise 10 rings? That's ridiculous. I'd like to see a team of rookies and sophomores win the NBA title. I really would. Greg Oden was on a really good Ohio State team and he couldn't beat the Gators because they had great players who all came back committed to win another title, and the right coach to lead them there.

Funny how the 07 Gators sound a lot like the San Antonio Spurs.

The Blazers have the potential to be a dominant team, and a team that can win championships, but not while the Spurs, Mavs, and Suns are still competing with their current lineups. We should bump this thread at the All Star Break and see who was tripping and who wasn't.

The difference between Duncan and Oden is that Duncan came into a team with solid veterans and a great role model to follow in David. The Blazers are rebuilding around Oden, and they have good talent with Roy and Aldridge, but that team is very young. The Spurs just SWEPT the youngest average-aged team in the NBA Finals, and arguably one of the best if not the best young talents in Lebron James. You expect a team full of rooks and 2nd year players to challenge for TEN NBA rings in the near future? Please. The Western Conference will continue to run through San Antonio until #21 is hanging in the rafters at the AT&T center alongside our seven NBA championship banners.

[genghisrex]

The Blazers are going to be an interesting team over the next several years. They're loaded up on young talent, but I think they may be too young, a la the Bulls of a few years ago. It'll take them a while a mature and they could use some good veterans with deep playoff experience on that team. Of course, unlike the Bulls, the Blazers have a player to build around in Oden who can be a legit superstar so that's a tremendous advantage right there.

Now that Portland has remade itself over the last two drafts, hopefully the front office will settle down a bit with the trades and build some continuity with their new core group of players. If they do, they could really build something special, although it'll also be interesting to see what happens once the rookie contracts start coming off the books in a few years. Will the Blazers go back to the top of team payroll (lord knows Paul Allen can afford it) or will they institute some kind of fiscal responsibility that'll give them more flexibility down the line?

Overall, the Blazers are in great shape and even though the Cavs just made the finals, you have to think that another young superstar like Lebron James wishes his front office could give him so many weapons and build so intelligently for the future.

[tlongII]

We will be playing for the championship within 3 years and we will be a contender immediately. We're back!

[Shred]

We will be playing for the championship within 3 years and we will be a contender immediately. We're back!

You're welcome.

Sincerely,

The Phoenix Suns

[Fast Dunk]

Young team while the Spurs window of opportunity is closing really fast and getting older...and older...and older...

[genghisrex]

We will be playing for the championship within 3 years and we will be a contender immediately. We're back!
Maybe so, but as the championship gets decided out west, you'll still lose to the Spurs for the next few years.

[BacktoBasics]

They really need a vet pg...a healthy Brevin Knight maybe?

[mardigan]

They really need a vet pg...a healthy Brevin Knight maybe?
Easier said than done

[Fast Dunk]

We will be playing for the championship within 3 years and we will be a contender immediately. We're back!

Great young team tlong, team built for the future, too bad the San Antonio "never repeat" Spurs are getting older by the minute!

[JamStone]

Lots of talent. One problem might be paying all of them. They're all about the same age, and all of their rookie contracts will end in about a 3 year period. Keeping the ones that end a little later might be difficult, especially if you consider some of them might want to become stars of their own team (any of them not named Oden and Roy who they'll likely build around). Jarret Jack might want to jet, same with guys like Aldridge and Martell Webster. Channing Frye might want to get a chance to start somewhere.

Paul Allen obviously has the resources and willingness to spend money, but it may come down to the players wanting their big payday to also include a better situation where they can shine, just like Joe Johnson leaving the Suns.

But, there's no doubt about it, they have a lot of great, young talent.

[TDMVPDPOY]

frye is a fuckn joke though....dunno why they need him and francis buyout

wtf dont they just buyout miles contract, and just keep zbo? seriously

[ShoogarBear]

You're welcome.

Sincerely,

The Phoenix SunsReally. WTF, Sarver?

[freedom&justice]

Great young team tlong, team built for the future, too bad the San Antonio "never repeat" Spurs are getting older by the minute!

Funny...coming from the guy whose team traded away/gave away/ kicked away draft picks in a deep draft, no real tradeable assets, at least 2 bad contracts and a GM who moves like a lumbering barge... I'd worry more about what's gonna happen to your team before criticizing the 'old' Spurs who just. swept. your. team.
Wanna become a blazer fan? I'm a part-time Sonics/Lakers fan myself. :lol

[Budkin]

tlong is happy

[ShoogarBear]

Realistically, the odds are that only about 50% of those guys will pan out to near-expectations. That's still pretty good. The question is going to be who will step up as a team leader, and whether McMillan has what it takes to get them to a championship.

[Leetonidas]

I'm extremely impressed with the Blazers. That city deserves a good team finally. They have players that could be all-stars soon. Martell Webster, Jarret Jack, LaMarcus Aldrige, Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, Channing Frye, and not to mention their foreign prospects and role players. Getting Frye was a great move for them because he can back up Aldrige and Pryzbilla (unless he is moved) can play behind Oden.

This team, if kept in tact, managed well, and develops good chemistry will be a nightmare in 2 or 3 years. It's just a shame that Darius Miles is a little bitch and won't play a team game there.

[The Go For 4]

Is it me or does Oden looks like he is 40.

[Guru of Nothing]

Has anyone started a bandwagon to get Travis Outlaw into a Spurs uniform? Splitter for Outlaw straight-up seems about right, provided the front office can work the $$$.

[mardigan]

Has anyone started a bandwagon to get Travis Outlaw into a Spurs uniform? Splitter for Outlaw straight-up seems about right, provided the front office can work the $$$.
Trade Scola, f giving up Splitter

[dallaskd]

stevie franchise

[Fast Dunk]

Funny...coming from the guy whose team traded away/gave away/ kicked away draft picks in a deep draft, no real tradeable assets, at least 2 bad contracts and a GM who moves like a lumbering barge... I'd worry more about what's gonna happen to your team before criticizing the 'old' Spurs who just. swept. your. team.
Wanna become a blazer fan? I'm a part-time Sonics/Lakers fan myself. :lol


Hey and your team got back swept as well... :lol

Four straight losses after leading 2-0.


Fact of the matter is both the Spurs and Pistons are done!

[mardigan]

Hey and your team got back swept as well... :lol

Four straight losses after leading 2-0.


Fact of the matter is both the Spurs and Pistons are done!
This from a fan of a team begging the SPurs for beno

[Fast Dunk]

Funny...coming from the guy whose team traded away/gave away/ kicked away draft picks in a deep draft, no real tradeable assets, at least 2 bad contracts and a GM who moves like a lumbering barge...

Well, we have an inept front office molded by example (Spurs' example)

[ShoogarBear]

ineptEnglish not your native language?

[dbreiden83080]

Who knows it hard to predict. I mean look at how long Malone and Stockton played together. Both players are top 5 ever at their position and they only made the finals twice.

[dbreiden83080]

Hey and your team got back swept as well... :lol

Four straight losses after leading 2-0.


Fact of the matter is both the Spurs and Pistons are done!

Pistons are done even they were telling you guys that you were about to get your asses kicked by us. Dumb ass Cavs fans and some of the media convinced themselves you beat the Pistons of 04 and 05 they are a shell of what they were then. Those Piston teams would have manhandled you guys. Spurs are still as good as they were in 05, maybe better Pistons are not.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Greg Oden couldn't win the NCAA championship and you are expecting him to come into the NBA and instantly give his franchise 10 rings? That's ridiculous. I'd like to see a team of rookies and sophomores win the NBA title. I really would. Greg Oden was on a really good Ohio State team and he couldn't beat the Gators because they had great players who all came back committed to win another title, and the right coach to lead them there.

Funny how the 07 Gators sound a lot like the San Antonio Spurs.

The Blazers have the potential to be a dominant team, and a team that can win championships, but not while the Spurs, Mavs, and Suns are still competing with their current lineups. We should bump this thread at the All Star Break and see who was tripping and who wasn't.

The difference between Duncan and Oden is that Duncan came into a team with solid veterans and a great role model to follow in David. The Blazers are rebuilding around Oden, and they have good talent with Roy and Aldridge, but that team is very young. The Spurs just SWEPT the youngest average-aged team in the NBA Finals, and arguably one of the best if not the best young talents in Lebron James. You expect a team full of rooks and 2nd year players to challenge for TEN NBA rings in the near future? Please. The Western Conference will continue to run through San Antonio until #21 is hanging in the rafters at the AT&T center alongside our seven NBA championship banners.

you're a dumbass, learn to fucking read

[T Park]

Lots of potential.

Time will tell if any or all of em play well together, and play the right way. Or if they can play well at all.

[tmtcsc]

Young team while the Spurs window of opportunity is closing really fast and getting older...and older...and older...

And we've all seen what youth got you.

SWEPT

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Broom_icon.svg/400px-Broom_icon.svg.png

[Ya Vez]

Young team while the Spurs window of opportunity is closing really fast and getting older...and older...and older...


So what young team has won the championship lately?

I believe most of the recent champions have been a very good mix of veterans and a few young players...

Besides we have a farm team now and players overseas that are getting developed..

[michaelwcho]

Spurs championship teams...mostly old.

Heat...mostly old.

Pistons...mix.

Lakers...mix.

later Bulls...mostly old.

It seems that young teams rarely win, and old teams often do.

[mikejones99]

You fucking morons. They are too young and some of them will leave for more money soon enough. get this shit out of the spurs topic. PHX and Denver are the only teams that can challenge the Spurs for now.

[CosmicCowboy]

The scariest thing about the Blazers is Paul Allen. You can tell that he's gotten over his disilluionment with that old jailblazer team and has gotten personally involved in rebuilding that franchise. He's already proven once he will spend whatever it takes to get and retain talent and a couple dozen million of luxury tax is totally irrelevant to him. His ability to pay makes Mark Cuban look like trailer trash and Sarver look like a homeless vato.

[mikejones99]

Paul is too concerned about the image of the team. you got to have some crazy fuckers on the team to win. Sheed, patterson and Bonzi are all good players that you cannot just get rid of without the teams wins falling off.

[T Park]

Im glad Paul was.

I wish all the teams in the NBA worried about their team having good people.

Are you listening Indiana?

[CosmicCowboy]

At least with the Blazers coming back and Presti blowing up/rebuilding Seattle, Denver won't be a guaranteed lock at the 3 seed many more years LOL

[mikejones99]

Denver will be #2 with a healthy Kmart

[x_roux_x]

I believe we are putting the wagon before the horse here....Who knows who pans out and who doesnt...and again the youth thing...a team needs a few playoff proven vets...even if this team stays intact they will not be a championship team IMO...alot of maturity is needed....and lets face it....a Oden or Jack or whoever you want to name from the roster in 4 years doesnt mean WINNER....You have to learn to win....You have to have vets...and you have to have chemistry...And as said before even if all these players are all stars I am willing to bet half of em wont be there when there contracts are up...Especially if they all do become all stars.....Potential and talent are different then being proven...some seem think the blazers already are....I would be willing to bet they do not turn out to be what some of you say...to long of a time for what ifs...and everyone knows in pro sports there are alot of those....

[DDS4]

Oden hasn't played a damn minute in the NBA and people are ready to hand out championships to the Blazers.

It takes more than talent on paper to win it all.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We will be playing for the championship within 3 years and we will be a contender immediately. We're back!

Um, no. You will be a contender in 3 years.

You've got a bunch of nice young players, most of whom haven't even played in the NBA yet, and the next two years will tell you who the keepers are. You'll also be able to use those expiring contracts to bring in the kind of veteran leadership young teams need to succeed.

Great draft, well done, but don't get ahead of yourself. You haven't leapfrogged the Jazz, Mavs, Suns or Spurs yet.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Denver will be #2 with a healthy Kmart

Hahahahahaha... that was a joke, right?

Nene is far better than Kenyon at this stage. His only value is his bloated contract.

Most over-rated player in the league and always was.

[freedom&justice]

Hey and your team got back swept as well... :lol

Four straight losses after leading 2-0.


Fact of the matter is both the Spurs and Pistons are done!

heh, a six-game series is not a sweep. Who cares if we lost 4 straight? We won two. Your cavs couldn't even win ONE. :rolleyes
Done? Dude, people have been saying that about the Pistons for at least 2 years - the Spurs have been called too old and slow pretty much every year 3-5 years running; they've won about two championships in that span.

Fact of the matter is, the cavs have little to no room for improvement themselves without picks and players of value to trade - and in about 2 years Lebron will be out playing for his buddy Jay-Z in Brooklyn.

[milkyway21]

one thing people don't know about Oden. He likes fushia umbrella

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/basketball/nba/img10241367.jpg

Spurs dumped pink and fushia colors long ago right?
:D

[Fast Dunk]

English not your native language?

What part of the word "inept" you don't understand?

in·ept(n-pt)
adj.
1. Not apt or fitting; inappropriate.
2.
a. Displaying a lack of judgment, sense, or reason; foolish: an inept remark.
b. Bungling or clumsy; incompetent: inept handling of the account.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ShoogarBear]

Inept = "four rings" in your world?

[Man of Steel]

Note to asshole Cav moron:

1. '05 Pistons would have swept your fucking one-dimensional "team." BTW--hope you like the new Addidas commercials--if you haven't seen them to need to "witness" them.

2. Your biggest problem--keeping Queen Lebronze. Luckiest team in the history of the NBA Playoffs--your sorry ass "team." Series against injury depleted Wizard team--wow--fantastic achievement. How does it feel now that the Caves are being considered as being the WORST team to ever contend for an NBA title? Hey buddy--look at the bright side--the Caves are at the top of the list in at least one category.

3. Giving shit to Piston fans is fucking moronic--they will re-group and will be back in the Eastern Con finals AGAIN next year--the Caves--if they even get into the playoffs at all--will probably lose in the first round (who knows--may even get swept again).

4. Reading smack from a Cave fan? Damn! Like having George W. Bush lead a reading group.

5. Hope you enjoyed the Spurs celebration on your home floor a few weeks ago. Better get a copy of the Spurs Championship DVD--it will probably be another 40 years before you get in the NBA Finals again.

Conclusion:

Your team is fucked.

You're fucked.

Your city is fucked.

CLEVELAND SUCKS!

CLEVELAND SUCKS!

(Performed while Drew Carey jacks off to a poster of Queen Lebronze sucking Boobies boobs)

PS--"inept": See--Cleveland Cavaliers

[Fast Dunk]

Inept = "four rings" in your world?

We were talking about the Cavs front office and coaching staff, something Spurs fans always brag about.

We were not taking about your "every other year" titles.

[Fast Dunk]

Note to asshole Cav moron:

1. '05 Pistons would have swept your fucking one-dimensional "team." BTW--hope you like the new Addidas commercials--if you haven't seen them to need to "witness" them.

2. Your biggest problem--keeping Queen Lebronze. Luckiest team in the history of the NBA Playoffs--your sorry ass "team." Series against injury depleted Wizard team--wow--fantastic achievement. How does it feel now that the Caves are being considered as being the WORST team to ever contend for an NBA title? Hey buddy--look at the bright side--the Caves are at the top of the list in at least one category.

3. Giving shit to Piston fans is fucking moronic--they will re-group and will be back in the Eastern Con finals AGAIN next year--the Caves--if they even get into the playoffs at all--will probably lose in the first round (who knows--may even get swept again).

4. Reading smack from a Cave fan? Damn! Like having George W. Bush lead a reading group.

5. Hope you enjoyed the Spurs celebration on your home floor a few weeks ago. Better get a copy of the Spurs Championship DVD--it will probably be another 40 years before you get in the NBA Finals again.

Conclusion:

Your team is fucked.

You're fucked.

Your city is fucked.

CLEVELAND SUCKS!

CLEVELAND SUCKS!

(Performed while Drew Carey jacks off to a poster of Queen Lebronze sucking Boobies boobs)

PS--"inept": See--Cleveland Cavaliers

Kill yourself!!

You are like that dude TPark that not even Spurs fans like

[ShoogarBear]

So, they are molded by the Spurs example, but the inept part is a little sumptin-sumptin extra bonus thrown in by Quicken?

[tlongII]

Um, no. You will be a contender in 3 years.

You've got a bunch of nice young players, most of whom haven't even played in the NBA yet, and the next two years will tell you who the keepers are. You'll also be able to use those expiring contracts to bring in the kind of veteran leadership young teams need to succeed.

Great draft, well done, but don't get ahead of yourself. You haven't leapfrogged the Jazz, Mavs, Suns or Spurs yet.

Pfffft! Puhleeeeeaze! We are definitely contenders now. I wouldn't say we have leapfrogged those teams yet, but we can definitely play with them.

[Fast Dunk]

Pfffft! Puhleeeeeaze! We are definitely contenders now. I wouldn't say we have leapfrogged those teams yet, but we can definitely play with them.

I remember the Spurs-Blazers contests being really close last year.

Next season the Blazers can definately win 3 out of 4 from the Spurs

[tlongII]

I remember the Spurs-Blazers contests being really close last year.

Next season the Blazers can definately win 3 out of 4 from the Spurs

A lot of that is because the Spurs weren't motivated against us. I think we can get a split against them this year though.

[ShoogarBear]

Motivation against the Blazers won't be a problem now with Old Man Oden.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Pfffft! Puhleeeeeaze! We are definitely contenders now. I wouldn't say we have leapfrogged those teams yet, but we can definitely play with them.

A "contender" generally refers to a team that is "in contention for the championship". The Blazers cannot claim to be a contender yet.

Let's see how they play together before we make championship predictions. :rolleyes

Hey, not trying to rain on your parade, your team has enormous POTENTIAL, but right now that's all it is. Enjoy watching them develop.

[SRJ]

Hey, I'd be thrilled if I was a Blazer fan. But frankly, teams need a little less talent too.

Every championship team I can think of had two or three All-Stars (94 Rockets and 03 Spurs were exceptions), a solid starting five, two or three guys on the bench that can play, and junk at the end of the bench. There are only so many minutes to go around. And in the playoffs, rotations get shorter.

It will be interesting to see what happens once it becomes apparent that Portland will have to let go of some of this talent. Will they keep the right players? Will they cut the right players? Cleveland once had Mark Price and Kevin Johnson as young players on their team together and decided to keep Price. That move worked out for Cleveland, but KJ had a very good career too. That could have easily backfired.

Good luck, Blazer fan! Hope management doesn't screw this up!

[LaMarcus Bryant]

LaMarcus Aldridge will feed off of practicing and being in the constant court presence of a purely dominant big man like Oden. Oden's 1on1 D will only get better having to defend Aldridge in practice.
They will make each other way better than if they were on seperate teams.

Very scary.

[CosmicCowboy]

You guys that are dissing the moves made by Seattle and the Blazers are kidding yourselves. The West just got even tougher.