The Blazers are so close to greatness right now -- like two to four knees ... Those belonging to Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, for example. Imagine if one or both had kept their health and where this team would be right now?

It's just one player short of making everything happen.

Of all the Portland great ones, Bill Walton had the quickest Blazers flame-out (feet, 4 seasons), Roy is next (knee, 5 seasons) and then Geoff Petrie (knee, 6 seasons). ...

Brandon told me he wanted to play 10 to 12 seasons in Portland. It was a nice idea.