Well,
my hopes were fulfilled. We came out of the draft with
less questions than we went in with. The Blazers could
actually go into the season with their present roster and
have all the positions filled. We have two point guards,
two shooting guards, a plethora of small forwards and if
Ratliff backs up Randolph at power-forward that makes a
complete front-line rotation.
I like
what I’ve read about Webster. A mature young man
with a nice shot who can play within a system and has
a mind that quickly learns what it takes to be successful.
I don’t think Webster will ever be the flashiest
player, but in a few years he may well be someone who
quietly scores 20 a night within an offense, which is
a precious thing in the NBA.
Jack
was a bit of a surprise to me, but I am pleased with
the selection. I was expecting the Blazers to look to
find experience at the point guard position. However,
the Blazers have got themselves a change-up point guard
to handle all the times that Telfair may have difficulties.
Jack is big and physical, the things Telfair is not.
These two may handle the point guard spot for the Blazers
for the next ten years.
There
are still questions remaining, of course. The starting
shooting guard position at the moment would go to Derek
Anderson. Mr. Anderson has all the tools that would fit
what the Blazers want in this |
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situation.
With everyone else in the backcourt 21 or under an experienced
guard with ball handling and passing skills will be vital.
The question is whether Derek has the health and drive
necessary to grasp this opportunity. I would expect John
Nash to look to acquire a guard with these skills as insurance
or replacement, but so is most of the rest of the league
too.
There
is still a log-jam at small-forward. Nash would probably
prefer to be able to simply give Miles and Patterson
away, letting Outlaw start and Khyrapa and Monya back
him up. This would save $13 million and about a million
headaches as Miles and Patterson look to beat out the
rest of the team combined in obnoxious behavior. There
appear to be no takers at the moment, but this area needs
to be settled before training camp.
The Blazer
plan is taking shape, and I like the way it looks. The
Blazers they are bringing in are not only young talents,
but smart people with character. They are still looking
towards 2007-2008 as when they really make the push.
With cap space, a team averaging about 25 years old and
two years to develop chemistry that year looks like a
very bright future indeed. Let’s just relax and
enjoy watching this team grow up before our eyes.
-EnglandDan
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