I'm really enjoying watching the Blazers. I'm not going to play the Blame Game. Three guys are gone. We have new guys. The team seems to be playing hard. i can't for the life of me understand why players in their contract year sometimes don't. I also have no disallusions as to this being a Championship lineup. But, I am enjoying this.

I look at the remaining games as a prelude to next seasons preseason. The results of the minutes in real games could shape our draft. I hear people say, "Tank it and move up". I understand the sentiment, but differ.

If it turns out Johnny Flynn, JJ Hickson and Thabeet all just needed the right situation, we have gained top ten picks. So far, JJ shows the most promise. He is athletic and active. He seems to work well with LMA. I do realize teams will scout and prepare better for him. But, just after the trade, i would of said we need a guy drafted who plays like he is. it allows us to look elsewhere in the draft.

What if Flynn turns out to be that guy as well. It sometimes takes awhile at the point to get a feel for the system and players. But a serviceable good to great PG in Flynn makes drafting a Swing guy more attractive.

I like the prospect of two top ten picks. However, I also like the idea that we gained some players good enough to get us into the playoffs. if these new players are good enough to do that, we have really gained something in the trades beyond a good draft position. It changes what we do in Free Agency and the draft.