2009-2010 Portland Trailblazers Preview

2008 Record: 54-28, Tied for 1st in Western Conf. Northwest Division, lost in First Round
Head Coach: Nate McMillan, 5th season
Key Additions: G Andre Miller
Key Losses: F Channing Frye
1st Round Draft Picks: F Victor Claver
2nd Round Draft Picks: F Dante Cunningham, F Jeff Pendergraph

2008-'09 Trailblazers Review:

Coach Nate McMillan's bunch might have fallen short against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, but for a franchise that hadn't played in the postseason since 2003, the past season of hoops in the Pacific Northwest had to rate as an unqualified success. Brandon Roy continued to dazzle the residents of the Rose Garden, posting 23 points (rounded) and 5 assists per game to lead the Blazers to the promised land. The ugly memories of the mid-decade "Jail Blazers," who got into trouble with the law while playing some lousy ball on the court, have been wiped away in Rip City, as the combo of Roy and forward LaMarcus Aldridge has given the team a strong foundation for the future. Weaknesses at point guard and center caught up with Portland against the Rockets, but that's a nice problem to have for a team that won 54 games and finished the regular season by winning 10 of 11 tilts. Onward and upward certainly appears to be the justified mantra in Portland.

2009-'10 Trailblazers Preview:

Brandon Roy? Signed, sealed and delivered for the next five years. That's music to the ears of Northwest hoops fans. Now, if newly-signed point guard Andre Miller can blend into the scenery at the Rose Garden, the Blazers could very well win a playoff series, which should be the franchise's goal after last year's terrific season culminated with an opening-round exit against Houston.

The big question, then, is this: "What will enable the Blazers to win two playoff series, and not just one?" In order to pull off that feat, Portland would likely have to beat one of three teams: Denver, the L.A. Lakers, or San Antonio. At this early stage of the season, perhaps the best scenario for the Blazers would be to draw San Antonio in round two, given the Spurs' age and their vulnerability to injuries. Crystal ball-gazing aside, the main thing that's preventing Portland from being a true title contender is the center position. Greg Oden is busting his rear end in practice, but the Ohio State standout--once so imposing at the collegiate level--seems like an awkward and distinctly uncomfortable player on the court, bereft of the fearsome qualities that made the Blazers take him over Kevin Durant with the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. If this team is to become a member of the NBA's ruling class, a center of attention has to emerge for McMillan and team owner Paul Allen. It's just that simple.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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