Not sure where we’re getting the GO = Joakim Noah scuttlebutt. If anything, I’d say GO has been hitting up the protein shakes a bit much, though.

Dave – I’m glad you called Fisher / Blake a push. Blake has been not getting the props he deserves as a smart, level-headed PG who can twist the dagger when needed. Plus, he’s a classy guy (like all the current crop of Blazers).

you’re undervaluing Brandon tremendously. It’s Brandon Roy that makes them the Big 3. He had clutch defensive plays to end games last year as well as offensive WITH Kobe defending him. Brandon will still be relied on the most to handle late game situations and will score more points down the stretch than Oden who’s offensive prowess is still dubious to say the least. Oden will be our enforcer, our Lambeer, but Brandon will still be needed on the perimeter to guard the array of shooters next season too afraid to enter the paint. I also think we’ll be hearing a lot from Greg this next year about how Brandon is such a great leader and Greg will actually defer to Brandon. My last point is that last year we were the 3rd youngest team in league history, and we got 41 double-yous. Even without Oden, Bayless, or Fernandez, I would expect last year’s team to continue to steadily improve by 5 wins or so. Brandon is still getting better! If the celtics had Dwight Howard they’d still be the big 3, but you’d say the leader was Pierce. It’s only because Garnett has been around for so long that he is the man. Oden hasn’t played a game, and he’ll have to play at least 82 and some change before he gets more props from me than our current all around best player (and one of the best all round players in the league)

That’s pretty debatable. I think Aldridge will surpass Gasol, potentially as soon as next year, but Pau was better last year.

I agree that Oden is the key though. If he’s dominant, this team will win championships. If he’s just ok, this team will be good but never win a title.

I’m a peaceful guy who did alternative service, but this analogy creates a funny picture in my head (hey, I didn’t bring arrows, bombs, jets and tanks into the discussion). Follow me to the battlefield:

Imagine a huge bomb on the court below the basket with Greg’s face on it, flanked by LaMarcus as a modern mobile tank on wheels. Channing is an infantry fighting vehicle, whereas Joel is a big classic tank on continuous tracks (limited firepower, but looks impressive). Same with the slightly undersized Ike model.

Then we have Rudy and Martell swarming in as the quick strike fighters for long range interdiction who can just as well operate deep behind enemy lines (Rudy is a proven Eurofighter right now, but considering his nickname he could also transform into a dangerous attack helicopter in the future. I can hear the Valkyries right now). Nicholas is the sleek multi-purpose joint strike fighter (still under development). Brandon is the best air superiority stealth fighter aircraft on the market, or at least on the Blazerforce. And Jerryd as the quick precise sidewinder missile that hits you without warning. Travis is the mobile artillery that gives the opposition heavy hits from which it can’t recover.

Steve “Lieutenant Dan” is the mobile command vehicle on the ground. And Sergio as a fire support combat vehicle (upgrade to a mobile gun system with command capabilities might be a future possibility, but still requires some work). We are sad to report that our expensive destroyer warship Raef is currently scheduled to go out of service next year after many years on duty, as generals Kevin and Nate (nicknamed “Sarge” despite his higher rank) are only seeing limited use for it in modern Blazerfare. We hope to find another friendly harbor for his old days in exchange for more fitting equipment, or retain him for the price of a swiftboat.

While there is still a position open in our forces, mobile command vehicle Petteri is in a maneuver in Italy for the foreseeable future, joining British Army “Warrior” infantry fighting vehicle Joel Freeland in Europe. And a lot of training is still required for all units anyway before we are ready for the final battle.

Cue the music: War, what is it good for,… until all enemies play “Surrender” (you can decide from which artist).
Now we can go back and imagine the Blazers as classic knights in the Official Blazersedge Bedtime Fairy Tale. Have a good night.

This stuck out

not the sleek fighter jet or the tricked-out tank, but the freakin’ nuclear bomb?

I just had to comment on that one line..corny! Its alright because I agree with the entire analysis-for the 100th time :)

People are debating the matchup paragraph. When I wrote that paragraph I purposely wrote it to be non-controversial to the main audience here, as I wanted to use it merely as an example of what people would say rather than an accurate analysis. So, as part of a throw-away example I made sure to put LMA over Gasol, knowing otherwise I’d see 92 posts saying, “How could you do that Lamarcus is better than Gasol I’d way rather have him than an old guy Memphis traded away for peanuts and Gasol didn’t win L.A. any rings and can’t play defense and I don’t think you’re a real Blazer fan anymore Dave so there!” when that little line wasn’t the point of the piece and didn’t matter to the piece except for illustrating the format used sometimes to predict playoff matchups.

So I check the site this morning and what do I find? A few dozen comments on how right or wrong it is that I rated Aldridge over Gasol.

(sigh) I cannot win.

—Dave

is where is the roy is better then kobe flame war.

phil jackson has edge over nate.

i meant at home watching television as opposed to being at staples.

I can’t really applaud this as great analysis. I think everyone in The Basketball world understands or should understand that Oden is the key. At least the key to how good we might become how quickly. As much was said about Oden before we even drafted him. Write a piece about how we reach Championship viability “if” we don’t have Oden. Everything you said about Oden and his value is correct, but also as you stated in the title you are rehashing. Oden is the key to our immediate championship, upper echelon team hopes but I think the “key” to The Blazers is ownership and management. I have a nice feeling and belief that as long as Paul Allen remains motivated and active as our owner and KP and excellent staff are supported with the mandate to improve, The Blazers one way or another will regain The Spot or one of the spots atop the N.B.A. again. We’ve got a shot with Oden, Brandon and LMA but even if by some dark force this incarnation should fail? I think the key is Ownership and Management.

to see our big three vs bostons in 3 4 years when were in our prime and theyll be on the down hillllll

Without Oden the Blazers would be a very solid team ala Detroit Pistons and could probably win a championship. With Oden the Blazers will dominate and win multiple championships.

this has been one of the more fasinating conversations ive read in a while, you really brought out the best in some people. so many participents were respectful in their aproach, so much knowledge, intelect, research, experience went into this very worldly debate, absolutly facinating. this made me realise with a sharp clarity what a generous facilitator you have been, allowing so many indeviduals to shine. you make people want to participate. something funny, is how highly valued, (like a rudy>howard dunk) making an iteligent, but desenting point to one of your posts seams to be. its becouse your so measured and acurate, even true hoop links to you on a consistant basis. funny, but ive been searching all over the internet to expand my knowledge base and perspective, and almost universally, the most enjoyable, and seamingly(to my eyes) most insightful, frequently link to your sight.

so greg is the bomb for the blasers,
then you are the bomb for this comunity, with out wich, we might exsist, but not in these numbers and certainly not this succsesfully or cohesivly. please dont ever get over us. this comunity would erode with out you.

sorry fot the excesive kissing up, its just after reading you state that sometimes you feal that you kant win for loosing, I felt compelled to express my thoughts of the matter. Dave, you the man.