PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS TEAM PAGE

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 2007-2008 SEASON ANALYSIS

The common conception around the League is that young teams are not battle-tested and thus are incapable of playing winning basketball in the NBA. Some statisticians might even stretch this idea to its breaking point by proposing that there are now three things guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and young teams losing in the National Basketball Association! The Blazers apparently didn�t get the memo; they have won an unprecedented amount of games in the 2007-08 season. Although the Trail Blazers are greatly inconvenienced as a Western Conference team, they reached their goal by obtaining the distinction of winning half of their games (going 500). The Rose Garden faithful have flocked back in gargantuan numbers, and more people are excited about this team now than ever before (with the exception of the Blazer�s championship year, 1977). Not only are the fans in love with the Blazers, but each player on the roster could not be more thrilled to wear the red and black. Yes, for all of those who are reading this article and haven�t followed the team for a while, I know what you are thinking. To be totally honest, a couple of years ago this franchise was not only struggling; its repeated off the court problems sent the team nose-diving down a bottomless pit toward its final demise. The Providence of God alone could rescue the Jail Blazers from this bloodcurdling predicament! Evidently, even though many fans ceased their lifelong practice of paying to watch the games live, the Portland faithful had not given up on their precious team just yet. Through a series of incredibly brilliant personnel moves, draft maneuvering, and a few lucky bounces of the lottery balls, Kevin Pritchard (G.M.) righted the ship at last. The Man Upstairs came through for the Trail Blazers; He alleviated the suffering of the city of Portland and redirected the team from its downfall to a new beginning. Look out, League; I am guaranteeing a Blazers title within five years. Mark your calendars. Enter it into your palm pilot. Heck, print this article and tack it to your wall or stick it on your refrigerator. Remember I was the one who predicted it all, and if I�m wrong (no worries, that�s not going to happen) then feel free to rub it in my face!
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -- TOP 3 PLAYERS

1. Brandon Roy � 19.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 75.3% (FT%), 45.4% (FG%), 34% (3p%), 37.7 mpg

There is a reason Oregonians tout Brandon Roy as �The Natural�. The man plays the game in such an effortless and free-flowing manner that I wouldn�t be surprised to see him dominate a game in his sleep. One must remember that B-Roy is only a second year guard, and he has already nestled two covetable awards in his trophy cabinet. Last year, Roy used the stellar skills he developed in four years at the University of Washington to reel in the NBA Rookie of The Year Award. As a sophomore, Roy progressed from a reliable contributor to a go to scorer, playmaker, and NBA All Star shooting guard in the loaded Western Conference. This means the likes of Baron Davis, Kevin Martin, and Tracy McGrady stayed home during the NBA�s annual star celebration because of B-Roy�s stupendous season.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge � 17.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, .7 spg, 1.2 bpg, 76.2% (FT%), 48.4% (FG%), 34.9 mpg

Likely the most scarcely mentioned second draft pick ever, LaMarcus Aldridge deserves so much more recognition. In his second year in the Association, Aldridge has turned the key, starting the car on his journey to stardom. Showcasing his skyscraper-high release jumper, an impressive array of oldschool jumphooks that Jabbar would envy, and a net-tingling midrange stroke. L.A. has already put the pedal to the metal and is on the fast track to reaching his goal � to be an All Star power forward in the NBA.

3. Travis Outlaw � 13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, .7 spg, .8 bpg, 39.6% (3p%), 43.3% (FG%), 26.7 mpg

Speaking of insufficient publicity, I must throw Travis Outlaw into the mix. T-Law has been disrespected on multiple occasions this season. After improving his game so much that he is currently the second highest scoring bench player in the League, Travis Outlaw needs to be given his due. In every one of the Portland games that have been selected as national broadcasts (I�m not going to throw any names out there, cough cough � TNT), the announcers have proclaimed his name to be Bo Outlaw! I might be able to understand this slip up if it was from a local broadcaster that is new to the job, but there is absolutely no excuse for long-time color analysts to botch the name of a top 6th Man of The Year candidate on more than one occasion. The guy deserves an apology; if you are listening (you know who you are) I would highly recommend apologizing immediately to Mr. Outlaw for your thoughtless slip-ups.

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