FanPost

Lifes A Bench!




So the Blazer propaganda since the end of the season has been that The Blazers base for improvement was going to come from the core of relatively untested younger players already on the roster. We've been told that much confidence was to be put in the improvement possibilities of McCollum, Barton Crabbe, Leonard and anyone else in a Blazer uniform that you haven't really seen on the court that much the past 2 years.

Young, untested, not really afforded a whole lot of playing time opportunity but still in comparison to many Summer League rosters, a group that by comparison should have at least a residual NBA experience advantage over most rookie/free agent based Summer League line ups.

And yet? What is that sound? A distinct "Thud". The Blazers were suppose to be the "experienced" summer league roster, playing with focus and something to prove. Instead, they look the unfocused, inexperienced lot.

Should I be that much happier that we have Kaman and Blake? Should I temper my expectations in regards to how The Blazers "Win Now" mode might be very unforgiving for players like McCollum, Leonard and Barton?

I think "Don't Panic" needs to be the motto. But disappointingly, I have seen precious little in summer league that would suggest The Blazers "intrinsic" core of bench players have gotten much better.

If they wilt in the face of a game one playoffs for the summer league championship, then how ready can they be for REAL NBA games that actually count?

I think The Blazers bench will be better. The additions of veteran talents like Blake and Kaman I think make that an undeniable truth. But the hope all summer has been that The Blazers find as of yet unpolished gems. You want young players in McCollum and Barton legitimately challenging and pressing for playing time. They don't have to be at their career best tomorrow....but you have to see that they WILL have a tomorrow in the NBA someday.

I'm a little concerned that The Blazers hopes for assets as of yet undiscovered among the talent they already have, might be overly optimistic.

At this point, I'm concerned...but not panicked.