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| Thursday, September 7 Users: Deep Blazers can beat Lakers ESPN.com |
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Was Portland the best team in the NBA last season? Some say yes, some say no. What nobody can argue is that the Blazers had the Lakers in a position to put them away in Game 7 of the West finals, but eventually went on to lose their big lead. The Lakers won the title. Frankly, we expected Blazers fans to be a lot more confident than they seemed to be in their e-mails to us. We'll let you be the judge.
Here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Blazers and our Team Offseason Spotlight. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
Even with Portland as my home, I can't honestly say that Portland has a chance at the championship. An always strong Lakers team, a healthy Spurs team, and a newly structured Miami team will all be too much to handle for the Blazers. Last year, the team was experienced, this year, they are old. Expect them to make the conference semifinals, Finals if they are lucky, but nothing more. Deshaun Williams Portland, Ore.
I agree with every point stated. It was amazing the way the Blazers let it all go away. I really don't believe the Lakers won it! Portland lost it! They have a chance to redeem themselves this season, though I really do not believe this weakness has gone away. Portland is not a young team. They were a veteran team and they should have never allowed such a choke job to happen. I truly believe that Portland should have tried to trade for a true leader. A baller who would not allow his team to fail in such a way. I have a feeling the Blazers will realize what they threw away last year and get that monkey off their back. John Herndon Chicago, Ill.
Your key comparison came up a bit short. Not only does LA have the top two of the 10 players you compare, but they are probably the top two (or at least two of the top five) in the entire league. Portland's best -- Wallace -- is not even in the top five at his position in the West (behind Webber, Malone, Duncan, McDyess and Garnett). Nobody on the team, at this point in their career, are in the upper half of the top 50 players in the league. Sure this team has great depth and balance but unless Shaq or Kobe get injured, look for a Laker repeat. Jon Alder Portland, Ore.
I think Kemp will be a better fit than you guys think for two reasons. First, he is insurance in case Rasheed does get ejected because he can can score and dominate. Brian Grant could not. Second, he is insurance at center to keep the big guys' minutes down during the regular season. Meanwhile, Damon Stoudamire is a liability on defense and this showed against the Lakers. You heard it hear first: the addition of Kemp and the Lakers' pickup of Rider equals a Blazers championship. Matt Spencer Milwaukie, Ore.
Did anyone notice that the Blazers led at the half of every game in the Laker series except the first? Did anyone notice Shaq averaged less than 20 points a game in Games 2-6? Name another team that did that to Shaq last year. People focus on offense, but the Blazers are the best defensive team in the league, and that includes the Lakers. The season will be decided between the Lakers and Blazers again. Are the Lakers better with Rider instead of Rice? Will Kobe and Shaq continue to coexist peacefully, especially with Rider around? Despite the late choke in Game 7, the Blazers have more character -- aside from Kemp -- than the Lakers. Don't forget, the Lakers choked as much as the Blazers in that series by losing Games 5 and 6, and needed the Blazers' help to avoid losing Game 7. I favor the Blazers this year. The Lakers are not mature enough to deal with prosperity. Brian Nemhauser Seattle, Wash.
Very nice assessment. The loss of Brian Grant is unfortunate, and Shawn Kemp will, like you mentioned, not be happy as the season rolls on; I am always amazed that Dunleavy is able to keep all the egos happy. What bothers me most is that the team lacks an overall game plan -- it's mostly one-on-one with the mismatch. If they can play with more structure, there's no telling how many wins the Blazers will have this season. Kevin Chen Cambridge, Mass.
I feel the Trail Blazers will have more pressure this year than last. I do, however, believe that the Lakers are going to self-destruct before they meet Portland in the West finals. Look, J.R. Rider is a self-first player. He'll want the ball, Kobe will want the ball, and, yes, Shaq will want the ball. They know down deep the Trail Blazers are better all-around. The Trail Blazers are going to come out this coming season and I believe that they will not play nice. Showing their dominance will be the issue. They were 10 minutes from what should of been there West title. There will be NO Laker repeat. You can count on that! Ricky Yeager Jr. Portland, Ore.
This has been a great offseason for the Blazers. I bet we're the only team ever to trade a sixth man (Grant), a bench player (O'Neal), and a bench warmer (Kleine) and get two All-Stars in return. Now with Wallace, Sabonis, Kemp and Davis we have the quantity and quality big men to throw at Shaq in the Western Conference finals, and sail through the Finals against (my prediction) Miami. Whit Perkins Portland, Ore.
The last statement made in the Blazer Team Spotlight about Portland having eight of the best 10 players between them and the Lakers could not have been more true. The difference came down to the two Laker players playing when it mattered most, and the Blazers disappearing. If the Blazers want it badly enough and play like they can, the Lakers cannot stay with them. No way around it. The Blazers are too strong, too tough defensively, and far too talented and deep. If heads and egos are kept in check, there is little question that these will be the 2000-2001 NBA champions. Lakers or no Lakers, the Blazers are now playing against themselves. If they gel more efficiently this year ... turn out the lights, baby! Mark Baines Fountain Valley, Calif.
I agree with your assessment that Kemp may not be happy in Portland too long. I recall that he had the reputation in Seattle of being a moody cry baby. Blazer fans have to hope that he has grown up some. If Dunleavy can channel Kemp's ego and help him feel comfortable as a role player, then the rest of the NBA better look out. Blazer fans are starting to see a run and gun team that will run Shaq into the ground. Can he keep up with Wallace and Kemp on the same floor? Only to be followed by two, maybe three, pairs of fresh legs. Portland is deep again, but more experienced. How about that O'Neal for Davis trade!!! More experience hopefully will get the Blazers to the promised land. Patrick Mogan Portland, Ore.
I am still in shock of having to watch the final 10 minutes of that Game 7, but I will say this: the Blazers had LA's number. They figured out exactly what to do to slow down Shaq and frustrate Kobe. Why they stopped doing it in the closing minutes of that game, I don't know. But I do know that the Blazers have figured out how to beat the Lakers, they should have plenty of confidence playing them this year and be out to prove that last season's breakdown was a fluke. Props to LA for jumping all over a team that couldn't handle the pressure last year. Matthew Portinga Portland, Ore.
I don't know, Blazer fans, this is getting really ridiculous. How many big guys do you need to stop Shaq? Here's what I see in the future; Kemp mad at not starting and causing problems. Davis, who didn't want to go to Portland, gets mad with no playing time and playing behind Kemp. I see yet another loss to the Lakers in the West finals because no matter how much money Paul Allen spends for another monopoly there is no go-to guy like Shaq and Kobe for the Blazers. Brian Long Beach, Calif.
I agree with most of what you said, except these are the faults I see with the Blazers, and why they may not win the NBA title. First, none of the big people Portland has acquired (i.e. Kemp and Davis) have ever effectively guarded Shaq, EVER. The whole reason for acquiring more big men is to go against Shaq. Also, Stoudamire, despite what most think, is the wrong type of PG for this team. For a team with mostly post-up guys and lane fillers you need a true assist man, and better defender. Do not underestimate the importance of Isiah Rider on the Lakers. Most of you media types have condemned him, but he will shine with the Lakers. Certain players are made to star together (which is why Duncan is an idiot for not going to Orlando, he will never get another ring). Rider will shine with Kobe, believe me, neither one has ever played with another guard like themselves. Lakers will repeat. Joachim Peats San Francisco, Calif.
The Blazers are clearly the team to beat this season. Thanks to Paul Allen's complete disrespect and negligence toward the salary cap, the Blazers have one on the best front lines in the NBA, ever. The Blazers' second team is filled with names like Greg Anthony, Bonzi Wells, Dale Davis and Shawn Kemp. They are truly two deep in every position, and are now three deep in power forwards and centers. Unlike when the Blazers fell asleep on the court in Game 7 to the Lakers, they will be focused. Dale Davis and Shawn Kemp are both great veterans that would be starting on most other teams. More importantly, they both have NBA Finals experience, which will be instrumental in preventing the Blazers from choking this season Young Ha Koh Closter, N.J.
This was a great article. That last game against the Lakers hurt this town. I cannot imagine how it affected the players. One thing I cannot understand is how good Whitsitt is at acquiring key forwards. Every year he seems to add more and more depth to the forward positions -- and now they are all going to fight for time. Pippen, Wallace, Davis, Schrempf, Kemp, Augmon and Harvey are all going to be competing for minutes. And I don't need to remind anybody that four out of those seven are All-Stars. I just hope that we don't end up with too much talent. It could very well be Portland's biggest weakness.
I have mixed emotions about Jermaine O'Neal. Nobody outside of Portland could possibly comprehend how much this town loved that kid. When he came onto the floor, he got more cheers from the crowd than any other player. And the energy he created whenever he got his hands on the ball reminded me of Jordan in his early years. This kid will truly make a name for himself. I just wish that the Blazers franchise invested more playing time in him. I have a feeling that this trade will one day come back to haunt us. O'Neal is truly a force in the NBA -- but when you are on an All-Star team, it's only a matter of time before you get frustrated.
I have, as always, very high hopes and expectations for the Blazers this season. But I have also learned that predicting how the Blazers do in the playoffs is about as easy as predicting the weather here in the Northwest! All here can do is pray for sun; but never, NEVER, leave your umbrella home.
Expect Portland to be a much better team then last year. I know that's hard to believe. But now with that addition of Kemp and Davis, Portland improved on the deepest bench in the league. They now have four players that can contain Shaq and with the defense Dunleavy employed last year that should be enough bodies to put them into the Finals (As long as they can make their shots in the fourth quarter). Rip City! Emrance Berger Salem, Ore.
I think most people are wrong when they say that Kemp won't be happy in Portland. He has been trying to carry an entire team on his shoulders for the last two years and the pressure was obviously starting to get to him. I think he'll be happy to come off the bench behind 'Sheed and put up some good numbers without the heavy pressure of having to have his best game every night. Don't get me wrong, everyone wants to be a starter and an All-Star, but getting that championship ring means more to most players, even if they get it coming off the bench. Torry Shepherd Battle Ground, Wash.
I have lived in agony ever since June but I believe the Blazers will defeat the Lakers this time around. The additions of Kemp and Davis are great but the Blazers' success this year will fall on the shoulders of Rasheed. If he can show the kind of maturity and poise all year that he did in the playoffs, they will eat through the league for breakfast, devour LA for lunch, and still have room to finish off the East for the title and wash it down with an iced cappuccino. Kelly Knox Portland, Ore.
The Blazers are going to get to the Finals and win it this year. With that said, let me emphasize the fact that this will only happen if certain chips fall in place. Although this is a team of All-Stars it must find a floor leader from the guard position. I think this leadership will come from Steve Smith. He has hit many clutch shots in the past and you will see the ball in his hands more often at the end of the game this year. It will be a high-low game of Rasheed Wallace and Steve Smith at the end of games this year with Pippen, Kemp and Davis all crashing the boards for the putback. Coach Dunleavy also has to do the best coaching job of his career this year in order to get everyone on the same page. The thing that separates coach Jackson from the rest of the coaches in the league is that he gets everyone on the team in the same mind frame. Everyone believes and everyone does their part. If Dunleavy can do that this year (maybe trying meditation along the way) then the Blazers will win it all. But if even one of those big egos aren't in check, then the Lakers will repeat. Adnan Jalali Houston, Texas
The Blazers are probably the deepest team in recent NBA history, but are they too deep? Are there enough points to go around to keep everyone happy? Is Kemp going to be content with scoring 8 to 12 points a night? And who is the go-to guy? Wallace? Not if he's sitting in the locker room after another ejection. Yes, he is the most talented on this incredibly talented team. Pippen, Smith, Sabonis, Schrempf, Kemp and Davis are all past their prime. The Blazers' biggest foe, the Lakers, have Shaq and Kobe, and they aren't. But the biggest disadvantage for the Blazers is that they do not have Phil Jackson commanding the sidelines. In conclusion, the Blazers will not beat the Lakers. Ben Brinkley Cary, N.C.
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