With one game looming in the preseason its time to get ready for the real thing, 82 games of joy, sadness and overall drama. In seven preseason games the Blazers have a record of 3-4 and McMillan has been able to see 7 different starting lineups in as many games.
So with such a poor start, little continuity and seemingly no chemistry what do we know of the 09-10 Portland Trail Blazers team?
THE BAD
Lets start with the biggest stand out figure. 3-4. The record thus far for the preseason. The is a sharp contrast to last years preseason record of 5-2. Preseason records do not reflect how good a team might be but they do reflect how well a team might be playing together, they reflect how well they are running the offense, defense and system put in by the coach. At 3-4 it seems the Blazers are not yet clicking.
Rudy, L.A. and G.O. have missed preseason games due to some sort of injury. Rudy has been having "back spasms" Aldridge has a bruised knee, and G.O. well I think hes just resting. These injuries are just preseason excuses to rest. The problem with this is it takes away from development of these keys players with the rest of the team. Not really a big deal for the three sitting out but a bigger deal for the new comers.
The bottom line is the chemistry just isnt there. Whether its new players coming to the team or its just preseason, the chemistry just isnt there.
THE GOOD
L.A. just signed a 5 year 65-70 million dollar contract extension with the Blazers. This warps up an ongoing distraction that had most of Portland confused for some time.
Andre Miller is proving he can be a scorer when scoring isnt easy to come by. He is able to create for himself which leads to a shot for him or a pass to an open man.
Greg Oden seems to be a player we havent seen in Portland. Dominating on both offense and defense. He is showing us in one summer he has matured mentally and physically.
Brandon Roy is on our team. Enough said.
What do we know? We know the young Blazers are good if not great. They have an elite leader in B. Roy and they are probably the deepest teams in the NBA.
We know the chemistry is just not there yet. Cause for concern? No, I dont think so. With a 54 win season and the playoffs behind them I look for the Blazers to get out of this funk October 27.
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