Blazer fans to prepare for a rebuilding season

Four months after LeBron James and the Miami Heat won the title, the NBA tips off a new regular season this Tuesday.

Lots of things have happened this off-season including Steve Nash and Dwight Howard joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Ray Allen joining the Miami Heat and Jeremy “Linsanity” Lin joining the Houston Rockets. The Western Conference looks even stronger this year and it will be interesting to see how the Trail Blazers will play this season.

The Blazers are a whole new team compared to last season including their new marketing motto “New Team New Dream”. When they open on Wednesday vs. the Lakers, all eyes will be on how they can match up with one of the best teams in the league.

During the preseason, the team looked more energized and fast-paced compared to last season under former coach Nate McMillian who ran a slower offense. But the Blazers do not have a lot of depth, especially at point guard. Besides Damian Lillard, they do not have anyone playing at a consistent level. Second-year Blazer Nolan Smith has played both point guard and shooting guard but he is not reliable in either role. Bringing in veteran Ronnie Price helps, but does not fill in the hole they have as a solid back up.

The Blazers have a lot of young players and their oldest is forward Jared Jefferies, who is 30 years old.  They recently have been known as a young team waiting to build its way up like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka. Now the Thunder, who play in the same division as Portland, are arguably the best team in the Western Conference.

The young Blazers team has potential; they just need more consistency from their roster and especially their bench. Personally, I think the team would fit better with big man J.J. Hickson coming off the bench for the spark that they need but the 6 foot 9 inch forward is now the starting center.

The Blazers have too many role players and not enough game-changers. LaMarcus Aldridge is no doubt their best player and an All-Star, but he can only go so far by himself. He needs consistent help from his teammates. This year guard Wesley Matthews and small forward Nicolas Batum, both veterans, are expected to play better and contribute every game any way possible.

As the roster looks right now, the sixth man is forward Luke Babbit, who has been inconsistent his whole career. I am confused as to why he is still with the team.

Usually, rebuilding takes time. We will have to wait and see how this team turns out in this already powerful conference. It is a new era with a new coach and new rookies.

Best-case scenario, I see Portland making the playoffs in the eighth seed, but that’s pushing it. All things will come in due time.