Portland did another great job on draft night. Everyone knew coming into the draft that Jerryd Bayless will probably never be a suitable lead guard option in the league so you needed to put him with a guy who can handle and score on his own as well, while having the size and the ability to create for others. Brandon Roy is obviously a great fit there. Bayless may not start this year but the Blazer bench was dynamic at times last year and should be that much more explosive next season...and in two years they'll be ready for the playoffs with Bayless starting alongside Roy, Outlaw, Aldridge and Oden.
The only issue I see with this team is that they need a solid perimeter defender or they'll be in trouble (like last year) against a lot of teams in the West. They shouldn't have a problem at the rim with two of the best five or six shot blockers in the league in Oden and Pryzbila but that line-up doesn't have anyone to defend outside; that's why I had been hoping they'd take a Kyle Weaver with their first 2nd round pick...instead they went for broke on Nic Batum whom I've heard people argue very passionately about on both sides. Either way, they may've gotten too cute at the end of that draft for my taste. I liked Darrell Arthur as a gift late to them and I even like Mike Taylor, the PG they got late 2nd who ended up with LAC...I think he can definitely play in the league. Beyond the nitpicking however, the night had to be looked at as another success for Kevin Pritchard and Co.
Keywords: Portland Trailblazers
