Portland TrailBlazers

[Basone's Blazers]

Franchise player: Brandon Rush

He is the elite scorer on my team, with the newly acquired James Worthy to the team brings great defense and a solid scorer, but Rush is an overall leading scorer on my team with good defense and has and hopefully will progress with age.

Strengths: Team is solid all around with defense coming from Donaldson and Worthy especially. We also have a strong scoring backcourt, and rebouding with our big men have improved.

Team Weaknesses: We will struggle handling the ball, with no really elite ball handler. We will give up turn overs, and struggle in depth at shooting guard and center positions.

Outlook: With my full first year season coming, I feel my team will be a playoff contender. Maybe this year go beyond the first or second round, with the improved talent I think I am a huge contender now in the Pacific. Though the top 4 or 5 players in the draft this year are in the same division it is going to be a very hard schedule.

Block: Looking for some depth, maybe a pg or a sg. Draft picks for the year coming, but mostly depth.

[Basone's Blazers]

Franchise Player: Thaddeus Young

I would love to say Brandon Rush, but Young ratings are better than his now, and Young is looking like he can take over the team. Young is solid in and out bringing a strong defensive player as well.

Strengths: We have a really strong outside shot, coming from Young, Rush and Livingston, players that can also drive to the basket as well. Lasalle brings a strong defensive player, though he is young, he brings a strong defensive/scorer center that we needed when we traded Donaldson. The back court is very strong, and there is depth that has been improved since last year.

Team Weaknesses: We lack an elite PF, though I believe Keith Brumbaugh and Eddie Griffin, can handle the spot, we are still seeking that PF that we once had in Semih Erden. We also lack depth at the SG position, but Jameer nelson or Mike Nardi I believe can take over that spot.

Outlook: Collapsing near the end of the season, taking the 7th seed, this year, I see the team as a 6th or 5th seed team. The newly acquired Shaun Livingston should address some of the needs we were looking for, and hopefully we can get past the first round in the playoffs this year, and maybe bring a Championship to Portland soon.

Block: Looking for a PF/SG, a PF that has starting qualities and can score. In the SG, someone who can play a solid B game, with strong Defense.