Portland started this season with a solid (if not spectacular) collection of veteran talent. A starting lineup of Raymond Felton-Wesley Matthews-Gerald Wallace-LaMarcus Aldridge-Marcus Camby, and a couple experienced subs in Nic Batum and Jamal Crawford. After trades and expiring contracts, only two of those 7 are definitely on next year's roster - Aldridge and Matthews (Crawford has a player option that he may take, and Batum can get a qualifying offer). With Aldridge under contract through 2015, the Blazers can afford another rebuilding season or two, and are likely to approach the draft looking to simply stockpile talent (4 picks, including 2 lottery selections, help). Best available player, regardless of position, is likely to be their approach throughout.
Thankfully, the best available player here happens to also be in a position of need, and the Blazers take Harrison Barnes. Small forward is a blank slate, and Barnes projects as a player who can start from Day 1. We hope to see him develop into a volume scorer who can take some of the load off of Aldridge and pair with him as an inside-outside threat. Plus, we know Harrison's brand will be thrilled to be just down the road from Nike.
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke