Amidst a disappointing season, one thing that all Blazer fans were looking forward to was the selection of forward LaMarcus Aldridge to the 2012 All Star game.
However, when Aldridge was selected and when he played in the game in Orlando, his great season was overshadowed by one question: What is the Blazers’ future?
Aldridge is one player on the team who is unmovable. The Portland forward is having an incredible season and is blossoming into one of the best players in the NBA. But as Aldridge plays better and better, the Blazers seem to be getting worse and worse. Portland had so much potential to begin the season, and now with the trade deadline approaching, it seems like anyone could be traded.
This team is struggling. They are on the edge of the playoff race, with every win and loss putting them in and out of eighth place. They are floating around .500, and rumors of Nate McMillan not coming back next year surface after every loss.
As Aldridge played all of his nine minutes in Orlando, the second half of the season became so much more important. If the Blazers continue to play at their current level, this team could be blown up, and it could happen as early as this season.
One positive besides Aldridge this year is the play of forward Nicolas Batum. The Frenchman has had a great stretch of games since he has been starting, and he is looking more promising in every game he plays in.
Among the players on the team that are the most movable, Raymond Felton tops the list. Felton has already lost his starting spot, and his play has not been up to the expectations of Nate McMillan or the Portland fans.
The Blazers need a good starting point guard. Steve Nash comes to mind. But Nash’s contract runs out after this year, and is it worth renting him for half of a season?
When it comes down to it, unless the Blazers can win a championship this year, it is not worth trading a bunch of players to get Nash for 30 games. This team needs to get a player who will fit in with the atmosphere and who could be here for more than half a season.
Unless Portland pulls off a huge blockbuster trade, this year is not going to be their year. A playoff push is not going to happen with this team at the rate they are playing. For them to get past the first round, it is going to take a huge change in the way they are playing. And if that doesn’t happen, who knows what is going to happen to this team.
The Blazers open up a seven-game road trip tomorrow night at Minnesota. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.