Daily Babble: A Feel-Good Story Worth Rooting For Out West

by Steve Weinman on Dec 20, 2007 9:34 AM EST in NBA Articles

Disclaimer: This is really premature. Really. Jumping the gun to fullest extent possible.

But the question presents itself all the same: Would there be any better story across the NBA than the Portland Trail Blazers sans Greg Oden going to the playoffs this season?

We discussed the Blazers in this space a few days back, when they had won seven in a row. Somehow, my usually jinxing touch didn't affect the Blazers, as they have won twice more since then and remain in the midst of a turnaround that has brought them from 5-12 and buried in the Western Conference to 14-12 and right in the thick of the action. Of course, it's early. There are 56 games to play and plenty of time for the Blazers to fade back into oblivion. There are plenty of teams out West that many think should be far better than the Blazers, and it is certainly likely that they will be when all is said and done.

But no one saw this coming. This team is playing and beating legitimate competition. These guys are playing team basketball and bringing excitement back to the Rose Garden. They are providing an unquantifiable boost to the basketball morale in Portland. This is a team that was left for dead without its savior from Ohio State. What a victory it would be for everyone involved if they could show the world that while the Buckeye man may be the deal-breaker, he isn't the whole story. Not even close. These folks -- multiple, not just one -- can really play.

They are hot right now. How long they can keep it up is anybody's guess, but it couldn't be more enjoyable to watch as long as it continues.

Count me on the bandwagon rooting for an extended season for the Blazers.

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Blazers are a reason why teams should have longer training camps and why Stern should get rid of pre-season games a week into camp. They are clearly better off for the time spent on the court learning how to play together.

What other team in the league would let their 7th man in Travis Outlaw make plays down the stretch of close games?

The trust and understanding between the players on the court is phenomenal. They all know each other’s strengths and how to get each other going on the court.

It’s fantastic to see a coach actually bother to develop a team, develop his bench.

Blazers are still only the 10th best team (last year’s playoff teams and NO) in the West though. Playoffs look a bridge too far.

But I’m hoping otherwise because they are a joy to watch

When Oden comes back this team might be an outside challenger for the West …. think about it. The boost he gives their D, an excellent finisher and a solid low post game. Plus Rudy Fernandez who gives them another scorer. They’ll be deeper and have more balance than just about every other challenger outside of San Antonio. That will help them make up for a lot of that inexperience and perhaps lack of top level talent (at least at this point in their career).

by Who on Dec 20, 2007 1:24 PM EST reply actions