Portland Trail Blazers poised to be West's new power when Greg ...

Impressive article. However, there was an error I believe. You said, "a team that had last season's third-youngest roster", when the real fact was this year it was the NBA's youngest team and the third youngest in league history!

Rip City doth return! Now remember, fellas: you've got to make your free throws.

Sod wrote:

trensaun:
Martell for who? Doubtful, maybe Jack,#13, our 3 2nd rounders, MAYBE Frye or Martell, and McRoberts for your first round pick and we'll have a deal. The only thing we need now is Derrick Rose to come home to the Rose Garden.

You clearly know nothing about the salary cap and the factthat there is a limit on how many players you can have on a roster

The Blazers are actually the youngest team, not the third youngest, they will still be the youngest team next year.

we drafted Alexander Johnson last year and traded him on draft night. We do not need to trade for anyone.
WE DO NOT NEED TO TRADE FOR ANYONE.

Clark wrote:

<quoted text>
You clearly know nothing about the salary cap and the factthat there is a limit on how many players you can have on a roster

Really? I don't know anything about salaries? Since you know me so well appearently, why don't you teach me. The first or second pick in the draft makes somewhere around 4-4.5 million in the first year of their rookie contract. Jack makes around 1.5 while Martell and Frye both make around 2.5...hmmm that's 4 million. Josh McRoberts makes 400k, so he's filler, the 13 pick would be about 2-3 million while the 2nd rounders would be filler as well. There is nothing to say that you can't bring in more than 15 players before the season starts next year, Miami could then either cut the second rounders or trade them off for future picks during the draft. With that, we'd have an excess of around 2.5-3.5 million going to Miami for the pick. You have to be with in 25% of matching cap space if you're over the cap, so they would have to either deal someone else in return or send us the league max cash at 3 million. Congratulations we have a viable trade. How about next time you think before you speak.

Sign Baron Davis and get a championship next season!!!! OH Boy, GO BLAZERS

This is a scary column! I was hoping no one would notice the awesome potential of our team at least until mid-year next year when their accomplishments will be reality.

Well written colum, Rudy fernandez is 90% sure he's coming and has swept awards in the spanish league,some say as a prospect he looks better than manu ginobli, (we all know how he's doing with the spurs).As for brandon roy he is a shoe in for the all star team next year.with oden coming back this team should be a title contender in the next 2 years.

Do you see what i see?I see a dynasty in the making!Much love to kevin pritchard and coach mcmillan and staff.I am a true portland fan for life and i am so exited about this next season and the future for this team.Go Blazers!

Mr. Winderman,

I believe your assessment of the situation which is developing in Portland is accurate. What you did not say and should have is that you will be watching "team basketball" develop as well. And as we know, team basketball will ultimately beat superstar basketball in a series. The Trailblazers have been instilled with an unselfish desire to win as a unit by their coach, Nate McMillan who is the right guy, at the right time. Kevin Pritchard is a very astute GM and the entire coaching staff is in harmony. Each member brings a necessary piece together to create the right formula. Maybe it won't all come together next year. However, I agree that they will make the playoffs. The year after, the other teams in the West better take them seriously. They surprised a lot of teams during their 13 game winning run last Fall and that is just the beginning. This team is red hot and rolling again. Fasten your seat belt Western Conference. You guys are in for a bumpy next five to seven years at least.

be afraid be very afraid!!!