Together now.
Deep breath in… And out.
The blood-boiling, tortuous, dead-end Portland Trail Blazer campaign has finally, thankfully, come to a close.
The Trail Blazers limp into the offseason with the 20th-best record in the league (glass-half-full approach) after a season that began to crumble after a 7-2 start, then was tossed into the nearest trash can at the trade deadline.
New faces graced the Portland sideline, while familiar ones were cast aside in an effort to end the Fail Blazers era and start fresh.
This season was burned long ago, with hopes of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Unroll the blueprint, and let the rebuild – er, “reload” – begin.
This design sketches out the structure of a championship team, one that has propelled franchises like the Lakers, Mavericks and Bulls to NBA titles.
Fortunately for the Trail Blazers, Step One is taken care of: Build around one great player. That player exists. That player is climbing toward his cruising altitude, within sniffing distance of his prime. That player is LaMarcus Aldridge.
The problem with this step is that the “face of the franchise” is often measured with the greats. We expect them to win MVPs, lead the league in scoring, maybe even face a controversy or two.
False.
What qualifies Aldridge for this step is his ability to do two things: a) He can take over a game, and b) He leads by example. He sets the tone for his squad both on the court and behind the scenes. The fact that he’s an All-Star just makes him more suitable for this role.
Aldridge is the guy. The Leader. Step One.
Next on the agenda: attaining sidekicks. We’re talking a Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan, a Jason Kidd to Dirk Nowitzki, or James Worthy to Magic Johnson. Step Two calls for the go-to ‘s No. 2, a guy who defers to the leader but has the ability to turn up his game when necessary or when an opportunity presents itself.
That guy doesn’t have a locker at the Rose Garden. That guy is not going to be in the draft. That guy has a few years under his belt, has proven his abilities to perform at or near All-Star levels, but hasn’t been able to carry the load alone.
Ideally, this player calls the backcourt home, someone who can balance out Aldridge and space the floor. Look a guy like Steve Nash, a guy who has playoff experience and has shown he can put the team on his shoulders every now and then. Even Goran Dragic or Aaron Brooks would suffice, as they are a pair of quick point guard that can split defenses, make pin-point passes, and knock down shots.
Perhaps a wing man is the way to go. Maybe going after a long shot like Ray Allen would pay off. Maybe a well-rounded player like Eric Gordon is the answer.
Then again, Batum has gradually molded into the sidekick Portland hoped for. This season, Batum racked up career-highs in points per game (13.9), rebounds per game (4.6) and field goals made and attempted per contest. His usage rate continues to increase and his effective field goal percentage ballooned to 53.4%, well above the league average.
An important piece of the lineup earns an award of its own, one that Jamal Crawford once claimed. Now, with reports of Crawford choosing to opt out of the final year of his contract, that spot opens up.
Preferably, Lou Williams is the target. Then again, the 76ers have put together back-to-back playoff appearances and continue to inch closer to its first division title in more than a decade, so Sweet Lou will likely return to Philly.
Williams is the measuring stick for Portland’s sixth man. As the first man off the bench, he holds the responsibility of bringing instant offense and energy. That’s Williams, who led the 76ers in scoring without starting a single game. That’s what Portland has lacked. That’s what Portland should seek.
Can that needle be found in the haystack that is this year’s draft? Possibly. North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, although streaky, is a pure shooter. He creates space for himself and can hit from all over the floor. Weber State’s Damian Lillard is the same way, as shown by his 24.5 points per game – second-best in the nation – on nearly 41 percent shooting from three-point range.
The rest of the roster is filled out with role players, guys the Trail Blazers have unfortunately had the most success in luring to the Northwest.
Think of Wesley Matthews – an above-average defender who can be deadly from long range. Throughout the season, he’s improved his driving skills and court vision, but inconsistency has dampered Matthews’ confidence, preventing him from moving up to the next rung. But who knows? Maybe his involvement in the summer league this offseason will provide some support for extra improvement.
J.J. Hickson finds himself in a similar position. While he’s become reliable as a starter (put up as many as 29 points against the Clippers while averaging 18.5 points and 10.7 boards per game), it’s difficult to put him alongside Aldridge. The best impact he can have is as the No. 2 power forward, where he compiled 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 53 percent from the field.
Hickson’s an energetic player, always with a lead foot on the gas pedal and fighting until the whistle. He’s an effective second-unit guy in the frontcourt that the Trail Blazers have lacked for some time. It may not necessarily be a sidekick role, but it could be considered as the most important role position.
The draft is the place for the best role players. Portland can pick up young, fresh talent and put them through an unsung player development system. They begin as role players as veterans and leaders mold them into well-rounded and well-tuned athletes.
Whether it’s through the draft or via free agency and trades, the Trail Blazers have the space to put together a surprising roster, with as much as $27 million available if Batum doesn’t re-sign or around $19 million if he does. Either way, the carrot at the end of the stick is almost too enticing to turn down.
Finally, what’s an army without a general, someone who maps out attack points while bolstering its weaknesses? A guy who’s tread the battlefield and has tasted the nectar of the promised land.
Kaleb Canales could be that guy, an Erik Spoelstra-style coach who can better relate to his players yet is respected as a superior. He’s been in Portland through the good and bad, through the league-worst 21-61 season in 2005-06, through the 54-win campaign three years later.
His interim track record may not be overly appealing, but with a full offseason, a summer league, and familiarity should earn Canales at least a one-year trial run. Well, that plus the overwhelming support and endorsements from his players.
This is the structure of a great championship team. It begins with a star, who receives wingman help from his trusted sidekicks, who get breathers thanks to great role players, who are all led by the general.
That’s the blueprint for success. That’s an army not to mess with. That’s the phoenix rising from the ashes.
@Grant_Lucas
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