FanPost

The so-called "Core"

This piggy-backs off of Dave's question on "How good is this team now?" and comments from Buchanan and McMillan about a "young core". There's been some rumblings about whether this description is useful or if this is really a "middling core" and therefore shouldn't really be considered a core at all.

In thinking about this issue I'm stuck on a question: What kind of center does this "core" need to be a title contender?

In the last press conference, Chad and Nate talked about adding Felton to a core of Wesley, Wallace, Aldridge and Batum (notice no Roy or Oden) and that Batum could play the 2 and did so for the French national team. I believe, with the pick of Smith over Faried, that the Blazers are expecting Smith and Freeland to take the bakcup PG and PF roles in the long term. That leaves us with an "extended core" of

Felton / Smith

Wesley / Batum

Wallace / Batum

LA / Freeland

??? / ???

Obviously, if an all-star comes along for the right price they'll jump on it, but I think the prevailing message is that the Blazers are comfortable with their 1-4 rotations for the next 5 years. I'm wondering if this is a good thing.

So: What kind of center does this "core" need to be a title contender? Why? And how likely is it we get that center without seriously damaging the "core"? Considering this, is it a good idea to think of these players as the Blazer core?

Before you answer, here's a couple assumptions I'd like to make. Feel free to disagree with them but, please, explicitly say so and discuss how they change your answer.

1) Smith and Freeland are capable back-ups. They don't compete for 6th man of the year but they aren't Patty Mills and don't lose you games either.

2) Ditto for the back-up center. I'm more concerned with what type of player people think needs to be starting.

3) This "core" plays together enough to gel. The chemistry is definitely there. It's not raved about as the best in the league but we're not constantly wondering about how the team would look if they got to play together with a stable roster.

I'd also like to suggest some possibilities to make the discussion a little more structured. Obviously feel free to answer however you want.

A. Dominates both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. Think Howard level.

B. Guy who dominates the defensive end and is average/above average offensively. Won't score 20 pts/game but controls the paint and if you try to put a PF on him he'll burn you. Think healthy Greg Oden or '09 Bogut level.

C. Really solid guy on both ends of the court. Think Nene, Horford, Gasol(s) level.

D1. Stud defender with limited offensive game. Think Chandler, Noah, Dalembert level.

D2. Offensive wiz who's a near liability on the defensive end. Think Kaman, Jefferson level.

So what do y'all think?