Blazers to make Playoff Run in 2008-2009 Season

Greg Oden may be Rookie of the Year Candidate

Jul 8, 2008

The Portland Trail Blazers surprised the NBA last season by making a playoff push in the deep Western Conference.

Despite low expectations and being without the 2007 number one overall draft pick, Greg Oden, Portland leaned heavily on defensive-minded Coach, Nate MacMillan, and emerging star Guard Brandon Roy and gave Blazers fans something to be excited about for the 2008-2009 season.

Portland will add Oden to an already talented cast of inside players, including LaMarcus Aldridge, a long power forward who flirted with 18 ppg and 8 rbpg last season, Joel Przybilla, a defensive big with tremendous shot-blocking ability, Channing Frye, a lean, jump-shooting forward with good length and mobility, and Ike Diogu, a strong, athletic forward acquired as part of the trade that also landed Portland first round pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, Jerryd Bayless, from the Indiana Pacers.

Though expectations for Oden will be rather high, it's important to remember that he's still years away from being a star in the NBA. He'll likely be more of a defensive presence his first few years. He will also be rusty having missed an entire season to injury. If he musters 10 ppg and 10 rbpg, fans should consider it a successful season for him.

Portland will rely on the athletic and long Travis Outlaw at the small forward spot. Barring injury, Outlaw has shown himself as a solid finisher and even a clutch player. Martell Webster will split time with Outlaw at the three spot, while filling in at shooting guard on occasion. Webster is a top-notch perimeter shooter, who's still trying to refine his skills to match his athleticism.

The Blazers have a few options at point guard. Steve Blake will most likely start, with rookie combo-guard Jerryd Bayless backing him up. However, Portland also has international prospect Sergio Rodriguez to plug there, and Brandon Roy can also fill time at the point.

Though Roy will be the predominant shooting guard for the Blazers, Webster will fill some time there and newly signed international star Rudy Fernandez should also see plenty of minutes.

Add to this already deep roster, prospects Von Wafer and Nicolas Batum. Assuming players develop as they are expected to, Portland should be in the playoff mix next season.

The copyright of the article Blazers to make Playoff Run in 2008-2009 Season in NBA is owned by Phil Partington. Permission to republish Blazers to make Playoff Run in 2008-2009 Season in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.