Season of surprises

Down by 25 points against the Houston Rockets and looking like an NBA Developmental League squad with scrubs like Raef LaFrentz and Luke Schencher tallying significant minutes, the Blazers dropped another game last Wednesday night.

Down by 25 points against the Houston Rockets and looking like an NBA Developmental League squad with scrubs like Raef LaFrentz and Luke Schencher tallying significant minutes, the Blazers dropped another game last Wednesday night. However, I can honestly say I wasn’t surprised to see the Blazers rally to within 2 points in the final seconds. It’s just been that kind of unpredictable year in Blazerland.

Coming into this season, which has been deemed a year of great development for a young team and an absolutely wild, surprising ride, I learned a lot about the Blazers that I just didn’t know prior.

I didn’t know former Portland State standout Ime Udoka would transform from a journeyman player who was the last to be invited to training camp to a 75-game starter at small forward. If someone told me that before the season, I would’ve laughed and told them to pick up the latest NBA for Dummies book.

I really didn’t know the Blazers would charge back from a seemingly insurmountable 27-point deficit to steal a victory from the Hornets back in early November. The debacle was the biggest collapse in Hornets’ franchise history. It was also Zach Randolph’s personal coming-out party, as the former Michigan State star proved he was worthy of being Portland’s star, scoring 31 points and knocking down key free throws to ice the game down the stretch.

I had no idea Blazer owner Paul Allen would have the audacity to sell the Rose Garden during the off-season, making a huge stink over it being a poor financial endeavor, and then decide he wanted it back after witnessing the much-improved Blazers club. I guess when your bank statement says you have a balance totaling 11 digits ($18 billion) and teeth as yellow as the Sonics’ alternate uniforms, you can pretty much do whatever your heart desires.

I didn’t know a rookie crop as rich as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez would have solidified the future of this franchise. We will never know who was making the selections, Kevin Prichard or Steve Patterson on that glorious draft day, but whoever that genius is he handed the Blazers quite a future. A rookie of the year and eventual all-star in Roy, a soft-shooting big man with the potential to be a force inside once he adds some muscle in Aldridge, and one of the most invigorating and electrifying players to hit the NBA in Rodriguez.

I didn’t have a clue the aforementioned Randolph would explode onto the scene as the team’s undisputed leader and number-one option, then receive nothing but flak for it. After compiling incredible numbers, Z-Bo was conveniently snubbed by NBA Commissioner David Stern multiple times for an all-star bid, giving players of lesser talent and ability a trip to Las Vegas at Randolph’s expense. Then, right when the guy establishes himself as a formidable player and actually keeps his nose out of trouble for a while, many plead for him to be traded. Some people just can’t win.

I didn’t know Portland hometown product Freddie Jones would return home in a trade that shipped disgruntled guard Juan Dixon to Toronto. Although Jones has failed to make a case for a second season in the Rose City, averaging 4.1 points a contest in 20 games with the Blazers this season, the former Oregon Duck improved his chances of a second tour in the red and black against the Rockets last Wednesday, firing huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter and ending the night with an impressive 18 points.

I didn’t know the Blazers would put Prichard, who is the youngest general manager in the league, in the front office after Patterson unceremoniously resigned on March 1. Despite his baby face, Prichard is actually an upgrade as the GM, finally giving Portland a mastermind who has the testicular fortitude to wheel and deal with the best. Prichard may still be somewhat of a spring chicken, but that’s exactly what the doctor ordered for this young roster.

As this season comes to a close, there are a few things I do know. The Blazers are an up-and-coming team that has vastly improved both in personnel and on the court. Roy is the R.O.Y., and if he isn’t, Stern should be arrested on the spot. And with 10 more wins than last season and counting, the Blazers are making strides in fan relations, actually selling out the Garden against Houston last Wednesday.

As for the Blazers’ prospects next season, specifically their chances at making a full-fledged playoff run–well, that is something I just don’t know.