The Remedy: the post-pryzbilla/oden plan

Assuming that Joel and Greg are done for the season (Joel's injury definitely looked bad enough), the Blazers are probably going to do some shopping for another big man.  My suggestion is Marcin Gortat.  The rumor mills around the web have been saying that Gortat and Bass are both possibly available, and I urge the Blazers do go after either.  Both players are big enough and have enough talent to fill that spot, and we have enough people at that position to make it work.

The next step, which is in fact part of the first, is a trade.  We need to get rid of Steve Blake.  It is not that I think that Blake is a bad player, but rather that Andre Miller needs to know that he is starting point guard, and Jerryd Bayless needs minutes.  Since the recent string of injuries and Jerryd's increased playing time, Blake has been looking more and more complacent.  His numbers are down, and he does not look like the 13 assists in one quarter Steve Blake of last year.  Miller needs to be comfortable as a starter and someone with consistent minutes, and Bayless needs the minutes to develop into a potentially great NBA point guard.

The next step is also very similar to the previous.  In order to get Gortat or Bass, we will need to give up more than just Blake.  I suggest Travis Outlaw.  I have always loved Trav, and have never really wanted to see him traded, but we are now in dire straits and something needs to be done.  Another upside of trading Travis is that it will solve a lot of the chemistry issues that are sure to arise when we are back at full strength with Batum and Rudy.  In my opinion, they both should get more playing time than Outlaw, because they both have such great potential.  Batum specifcally is someone the Blazers need to develope.  In all honesty, I think that Rudy will be gone soon (not enough PT behind Roy and possibly Bayless), but Batum is someone I hope the Blazers hold on to.  His defense is impeccable, is athleticism is freakish, and his offensive game is rapidly improving.  He may have the highest ceiling of anyone on the team (besides maybe Oden).  I love Outlaw, but we need help, and we really do not need chemistry issues when people get back.  We will surely need a late season push to compensate for our less-than-spectacular start of the season (and the potential extra losses that will probably happen because of the injuries), and having players confused about their roles and wanting more playing time is not what we need.  

Lastly, I think we need to revamp the offense.  I am not going to go in depth with this one, because it has been covered extensively recently, but in short, we need more inside plays, more movement, and less dependence on Roy.

The season just got really interesting, and I hope the Blazers will respond.  Honestly, even if we make no trades and everything stays as it is, we may indeed still make the playoffs.  This team knows how to play together, and barring any new injuries, they can definitely pull it together and get back on track.  

In summation, somehow get Gortat/Bass, trade Blake and Outlaw, give Bayless the minutes he deserves, implement a more team-orieanted offense, and STAY HEALTHY.  

Hum now Blazers, we got this.