It's_GO_Time

"While Portland has shown improvement in the last six weeks of the season, it isn't because its young stars of the future have made significant steps in their development. In fact, none of the Blazers' draft picks from the last three years are currently in the starting lineup, and three have raised significant questions."

I read this on the Blazer blog and thought I would plagerize it since it sums up a lot of my feelings. I'm enjoying the suprise play of the ex-wizards, Jack has shown signs of being a main stay in theNBA, needless to say I'm excited about Miles coming back, and the center duo is even hanging tough . . . but what would excite me more than all that is to see development in what management has deemed to be the future of the team.

wastro

I was thinking about that quote earlier today, too.

And for what it's worth, Viktor's been starting pretty regularly.

But at this point in the season, none of the young guys have really proven what we saw in flashes at the end of last season or even so far this year.

I think it's too early to decry them as busts, move them all and go from there. I guess the best we can do is hope that one or two pans out later this year (I'm thinking of you, Mr. Outlaw).

With his job in the balance, Nash can't afford to say, "give the young guys another season." Portland has to be among the off-season movers and shakers (well, as much as they can move and/or shake, considering the salary cap space) this off-season, and if some of the young guys don't pull their weight, you'll more than likely see a fair number of new faces next year.

You can't really blame Nate, because he has started Sergei, Martell, Travis and Telfair, and they haven't responded the way management hoped they would.

Fork

Well...first of all, the person who wrote that is wrong. Viktor Khryapa is currently in the starting lineup.

Aside from that...it takes time, especially when you draft so many high schoolers.

And just because we have a bunch of young guys, doesn't mean they're meant to be the future of the team. In fact, it doesn't even make sense to keep all of our young players. I still think we'll consolidate some of this talent into a better player at some point down the road.

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When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis, 1935

If you sit by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by. -- Japanese proverb

hasoos

I think the big question is: How long should it take? Its hard when your losing to have patience, but at the same point, you need to start getting a contribution from a player at a certain point, or you might as well have a 6'8" version of me out there.

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Hasoos

barfo

And those signficant questions are:

Telfair: "Why didn't the documentary focus more on me?"
Ha: "Guess where I had my hair done?"
Viktor: "Why this person does not know I am starter for Blazers?"

barfo

myELFboy

I was curious on how some of you felt about that; concede wins to develop ALL the young guys or attempt to win by mixing in some vets & young guys?

ThatBlazerGuy

Come on. I love this team. We have a great group of young talent, but we are developing them slowly. We didnt give Nate a long term contract for nothing. Give them time. I would rather have them learn and progress in a positive atmosphere where we are competitive than start Telfair-Webster-Outlaw-Zach-Joel.

Lets not jump the gun. If Webster, Telfair and Outlaw are still bench players when they are old, and by old I mean like 24-25, then we can begin to write them off. We need to build a winning and positive atmosphere.

Schilly

Track record for HS players in general...In regards to Travis, late 1st HS players, Telfair mid and Webster mid lottery.

Travis is looking on about the right pace.

Telfair is too, but I like that he is coming off the bench right now.

Webster, too early to tell yet.

mgb

They don't have to start to develop. They wouldn't learn much getting blown out every nite. This way they can see how it's done and play on a team that is doing it the right way. This is actually working out perfect since if they improve they will get more playing time. Hopefully eventually it'll turn around and our young players will be the starters while the vets will be back ups, but this might take 3 or 4 years. The whole thing is will management have the patience to stick with what they have started? Also, that's not saying there won't be any additions/subtractions, but the last thing we want to see is one or more of our young players bloom on another team after we pay for their education financially and by going through this rebuilding stage.

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Michael



"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
-Margaret Lee Runbeck

"Science is built with facts as a house is with stones--but a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house."
-Jules Henri Poincare (1854-1912)

"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."
-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

dhoff

Blake and Dixon aren't exactly veterans, you know. This is only their second and third year since college respectively, and Blake was injured for most of last year.

mgb

They have done their time on the bench and compare to most of our young guys they are vets.

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Michael



"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
-Margaret Lee Runbeck

"Science is built with facts as a house is with stones--but a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house."
-Jules Henri Poincare (1854-1912)

"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."
-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Utherhimo

but not true vets like ruben and theo to be a true vet you have to have at least 6 years in the league imo.

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WELCOME RUDY, BAYLESS and Batum to the Blazer Tribe: wear the Scarlet and Black with Pride. HAIL THE NORTH WEST! LONG LIVE OREGON!

00 this season is for YOU!!!! RIP!