Could Be Time To Say Goodbye

I sat at my desk listening to Primetime (Isaac and Big Suke) regarding our beloved Blazers. There’s this buzz around the team as they struggle to win, find an identity, along with develop some form of cohesiveness, and finally locate the leader of this ball club. All problems facing an organization that, before the lockout, looked so promising with the new acquisitions.

As the season got started, I must say the hype almost consumed me as the Blazers raced to a 7-2 record, shocking last year’s Western Conference runner-ups at Oklahoma City. Since then, they have gone a paltry 8-12, falling to dweller cellar Washington in an embarrassing home loss, causing most of the state to scratch its collective heads, asking the all too familiar question, “What’s wrong with this team?” I’d like to add, “What needs to be done to improve the situation?” Well the guys on the radio touched on it, stating that the time has come to make some moves. I couldn’t agree more, although these moves have to be a bit more calculated than in recent memory.

The office brass has to sit down and define the needs of the team, followed by evaluating the best talent available and then going after said talent instead of doing what they’ve made a regular habit in the ten years I’ve lived in Portland: patching a team together.

What this team has got to find is a true floor general. Honestly, Raymond Felton’s best years are behind him at gyms in Latta, South Carolina where he fueled his high school to multiple state titles, or Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a line-up of All- Americans winning a national championship. Since being drafted 5^th by Charlotte in 05’ he’s had an average career never really upping his game or those around him. Portland was more efficient in transition and the half court set with Andre Miller, who effortlessly found teammates no matter the play (didn’t this squad lead the league in alley-oops last year?) He brought calmness to this young team when they got frustrated and, at times, took over like a leader does rallying the troops around him.

The Blazers have got to find a big man. We all thought Greg Oden was going to be that post presence, blocking shots, ripping down boards, starting the break and powering over the oppositions center for that dunk that found its way to SportsCenter highlights, taking pressure off LaMarcus, freeing him of defending bigger and more physical opponents. It just doesn’t look like that’s going to happen so let’s package him to either free cap space or possibly get something out of a trade.

This franchise has to stop picking up players that have bounced around the league. There’s a reason that these non-gems are so well travelled. Gerald Wallace has done little to justify the $9.5 million a year Charlotte gave him. Jamal Crawford has done exactly what he’s accomplished his whole pro career: a flash of greatness now and again with an over abundance of ineffectiveness. The one bright spot being Marcus Camby, the epitome of professionalism on and off the court, I can’t help but think he’s in the twilight of what eventually should be a hall of fame career though.

The guys on the radio said that all but coach and LaMarcus should be up for trade discussions. Although I think highly of McMillan, it could be time to say goodbye to him too. Yes he’s been effective in the years here in Portland especially with what he’s had to trot onto the court. Let’s be realistic though, six playoff wins and three first round exits against teams we could have beaten. At some point, you’ve got to hold everyone accountable for the product on the floor.

This buzz right now will soon become mumbling and grumbling around the water cooler, as fans begin to expect more from a team they strongly support. Paul Allen being the smart businessman might want to think about purging the system of present philosophies, bringing in new and fresh ideas to upgrade this product that has become stale and predictable, before finishing another season with the usual outcome or worse missing the playoffs altogether. So again I say, “Could be time to say goodbye!” Definitely too many of the Blazers’ old ways and maybe to some of the familiar faces we’ve grown fond of…