This is the year the Blazers will reach the next level in their development and become a true Western conference contender.
We have said that for the last four years, and each year, we are disappointed. Loaded with young talent, the Blazers have battled injuries and inconsistency for the last few years, making the playoffs but failing to make any noise in May.
While Brandon Roy has been one of the NBA’s best players since his rookie year, fellow teammate LeMarcus Aldridge has not lived up to his true potential. Aldridge is a very good player, but every year critics are left wanting more from him. Maybe he’ll never be a 20ppg and 10rpg game, but if he can become a dominant power forward, the Blazers will be a very tough team to defend.
Former number one pick Greg Oden’s time in Portland has been disappointing to say the least. Injuries have destroyed any progress he has tried to make, but in the time he has played, he has played well. His health is the primary reason the Blazers will succeed in 2011, or fail.
If he is healthy, him and Aldridge will be one of the best center/power forward combonations in the NBA, and together with Roy, will make their offense very hard to contain.
Oden’s defense is his biggest help to the Blazers. At Ohio State, he dominated the Big Ten Conference defensaively, and in the NBA, he will be veru good defensively too. He will give Portland an inside defensive force they have never had, and if a guard gets beat, Oden will be there to help out.
Oden’s defense and offense will dictate the type of season the Portland Trailblazers will have. If their young players improve, and Oden is healthy for an entire year, the Blazers might finally become an elite team, we have expected them to be.