Blazer Season Preview

22 October 2012

Blazers Season Preview

Its been a long summer, and the Portland Trailblazers are stuck in a rebuilding year.  As the saying goes, "It's always darkest before the dawn," this is the year Blazer fans may have to watch in agony, as its the valley on the way to the to the top.  Our official rebuilding effort starts Oct. 31.  There will be bright spots, and signs to the future, but wins may not translate right away.  Regardless, here is what I think of the team going into tonight's preseason game vs. Utah:

LA will average 21 and 10, assuming in Terry Stotts offense he gets 8-10 touches per game at the left block, and many additional touches in the mid range area or off pick and pops. If he and Lillard can develop a rapport for alley-oops like he and Andre Miller had, LA can have a very promising season. He also needs to pass better out of the post to increase efficiency of our offense.  He makes his 2nd consecutive all-star appearance. (Sorry David Lee...)

Lillard will average 16 points and 7 assists per game. He won't win rookie of the year, because Davis will emerge as Griffin+defense, but he will be the 2nd best rookie in the draft class this year. He will go through some bumpy stretches, but have some moments that make us giddy as blazer fans. (hell go off for 30 multiple nights)  The potential is there, and he will have a learning curve, but he will be a top 10 pg in 5 years.

Wes will average 14 and 3 boards, as a catch and shoot player he is deadly, and if he can improve ball handling his at-the-rim effectiveness will improve.  Defensively he is best when he, not Batum, is on the other team's best player.  He needs to prove he can score when Lillard is cold.

Nic will average 12, 4 boards and 4 assists. He is a solid swingman, but must improve shooting off the dribble to score more, or get all the way to the rim instead of taking fade-aways, which he is ineffective with. At this point, catch and shoot should be his primary scoring method.  The huge contract he got this summer is one I am skeptical of, as it is too much for a rebuilding team to give to a player who is just a B player in the league.  He needs to break out this year, period.

Leonard will be the starting 5 by midseason. When he starts he will average 7 and 8 boards, and will show big improvements defensively from the start to the end of the season. Year 2 will have much more promise for Meyers.

JJ will average 8 and 9 boards, though struggle against taller posts, and will be traded midseason for a late rd. 1 pick from a contender.

Barton will be our 6th man by midseason, for his ability to score efficiently.  Of our reserves who can create their own shot, he has the best chance to do it consistently.

Nolan, E-Will, Babbitt, Jeffries will all have options declined at seasons end.

Freeland and Claver will show promise, but year 2 will be better for both.  They will both be very good role players over the course of the next 3 or 4 years.  Claver has potential to develop similarly to Batum in Nate's offense.  Freeland needs to work the pick and pop more.

IMO, Coby Karl should make the roster.

best case:  41-41
worst case:  26-56

There is reason for optimism, but be patient blazer fans.


RIP CITY!