in NBA Articles

I don’t know what it is about the Portland Trail Blazers, but it seems as though they are always in a perpetual state of disarray. They have changed coaches and players, but it seems as if their franchise is always one step away from totally imploding.

Now, with Nate McMillan entering his second season at the helm of this once proud franchise, the Blazers are hoping to change their image – and their recent trend of futility. Unfortunately, images are hard to change when you have players on your roster like Zach Randolph, who just so happens to be a police blotter’s best friend these days. Here’s my preview on the Blazers for 2006-07:

Point Guard

Here is problem number one for Portland: the Blazers apparently believe that Jarret Jack is the answer at the point. I like Jack a lot, but I prefer to withhold judgment until I see for myself if he’s the real deal or not. Backup Dan Dickau is absolutely atrocious and I’m surprised he’s still in the league.

Shooting Guard

Brandon Roy would seem to be tailor made for the Trail Blazers. He’s a talented, but mature, player who plays smart basketball at both ends of the floor. So why is McMillan playing Roy at the point? I don’t have the foggiest idea, but someone should talk to him immediately. Backup, Martell Webster, will actually play a lot of minutes at the small forward position with veteran Darius Miles being injured to start the season.

With Miles out, it would appear that Webster is going to start and split time veteran Travis Outlaw. Either way, the Blazers will take some hits here. It looks like Webster is going to be a player at some point in his career, but he will go through the inevitable growing pains all young players go through. Unfortunately, I don’t think Blazers are prepared for this process.

Power Forward

Let’s see, Zach Randolph is supremely talented. Unfortunately, he’s in court more than on the court. If the Blazers are truly serious about heading in a new direction, they should part ways with this head case. However, they need to get back a legitimate player in return in any trade because Randolph is talented. Besides, I wouldn’t worry too much – Blazers rookie, LaMarcus Aldridge is going to be a fine player for years to come.

Center

Joel Przybilla is not the answer. Jamaal Magloire is pretty solid and Raef Lafrentz is a shooter. I guess if you combine all three of these players, they add up to a pretty good player. However, I’d be really worried about the middle if I were McMillan.

Prognosis:

Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t see the Blazers improving much this season. I could be wrong, but I think Portland will be hard pressed to reach 30 wins this season. However, keep this young nucleus together and give this team two more years and they could be something else. Right now, I don’t know what I’d call them.

Bet on the Portland Trail Blazers to win the Northwest Division in the BetUS.com Sportsbook!

See this section tomorrow for our continued look at every NBA team.

Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun and nationally syndicated freelance writer who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15 eastern on www.BetUSradio.com. Contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com.