What are the Blazers going to be?

Much has been said about this being a young team and the growing pains that they'll endure, and it raises the question about what they're growing to become? What identity will these young men claim for themselves? The system that Nate employs will be a large determining factor in how this team evolves over the next few seasons. He will be building the framework for these vines to climb and reach the sun. Although the season is young and we're expecting one, if not two, soild pieces next season, I believe we can see the framework of our long-term offensive and defensive strategy taking form.

Blitzkrieg. That is what I hope to see. Not the Suns run-run-run style, but with their relentless energy and ability to exploit a weakness or turnover quickly. We've seen a few moments of it this season, but I expect to see more as things develop. It's a fusion of many styles that rely on having intelligent players that can think quickly and react quickly with their teammates. The Spurs and Suns are two examples, but neither embodies the whole concept. The Spurs are intelligent, and will compensate for their lack of true quickness with execution. Boring, but effective. The Suns are a potent and efficient offensive machine, but their system exerts so much effort and emphasis on the offensive end that the defensive side takes a backseat to the halftime show. Exciting during the regular season, but to win the ring you've got to play teams in best of seven matchups. Eventually the offense will falter, and there won't be any defense to keep you in the game. I hope to see the heady execution of the Spurs combined with the quick and instinctive offensive motion of the Suns, and we've got the perfect personnel for the job.

Brandon Roy. Elusive-quick. He's not the fastest cat on the court, but he'll make you look twice as he jab steps you and rises up for the jumper or stutter steps right past you for the layup. His court vision and unselfish play mesh perfectly with being the leader of a five-man special forces team. Versatile and dangerous.

LaMarcus Aldridge. In your face quick. He can post up or face up. He can defend from 5 to 3. He'll beat any other big man in transition. Give him another year to develop and he'll be undefendable.

Greg Oden. Sleeping Giant. Even if we only get the Ohio St. version of Oden, we'll be ahead of the most teams in the NBA. If we get Greg 2.0, lookout.

With those three pieces developing an identity of quick thought and action within a framework of balanced offensive and defensive thought, we'll be a juggernaut.