Of Blazers, broken bodies and boo-hoos

I cannot recount the number of post game conversations these past four season, huddled in the winter nights of dear Portlandia, that Simistar and myself have visioned the days of a healthy Oden and Roy dominating the League and playing for history. Oden is basically done before he started. Roy seems likely to have chronic knee issues.

What is awesome is that Portland still has an great squad. Aldridge is playing outstanding basketball. He got much stronger during the off-season, and he is playing with very high energy. Nic Batum seems to have taken that next step. And then the veterans Andre Miller and Marcus Camby have been exceptional. Free agent Wes Matthews is playing out of his mind. When Przybilla returns, the Blazers will boast one of the longest and skilled frontlines in the League. Roy isn't done, even if he is different.

The Championship dreams are fading like away like glowing faery dust caught in the tug of a gentle summer's breeze in that darkest hour before dawn. But that doesn't mean that Portland isn't gonna clown some suckers during the regular season.

3 for Week 3

Having watched Atlanta beat Portland twice and Boston once, I am sold they are now a force to contend with in the East. Al Horford and the newly focused Josh Smith are dominating opposing front lines. Zaza is even pitchin' in. Crawford and Joe Smith are perfect fits. Its Joe Johnson time.

Total changing of a guard at hand: Duncan is old. So is KG, Ray and Paul. Shaq's been old for awhile now. Iverson is toast. Age may just be catching up with the Kobster. The sun is setting on one of the NBA's most talented and controversial generations.

Greg Oden appears to have taken a huge leap forward. He had almost zero court sense last season. As a fan, I was shell shocked. And sorta pissed. But I have been very impressed with his growth. He is still rough offensively, but when he is on the court, good things happen for Portland.