This team is done.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Is it really that bad if we don't make the playoffs this year. We're slotted for the 12th pick right now. That's an opportunity for us to get another player in a deep draft. We are essentially last years Trailblazers. They were a starting 5 and nothing else. Next year we'll have a healthier Bud which is important to come off the bench. We could possibly get a guy like Tyler Ennis in the draft to replace JJ. It is very unusual to make this many changes to a roster and expect the chemistry to be there and now we know who fits and who doesn't. It would have been nice to pay a little less to find that out, but I don't think anyone has an unmovable contract which is nice. Ricky didn't develop as much as we need him to in order to be a playoff team, so another year will get us fully healthy and give our young guys some more time to develop and we will probably have a new coach bringing new energy into the team. It's not ideal for the Love situation, but we should know pretty early next year if we are a playoff team or not. We knew this would be a tough year in the West and we just couldn't cut it. You learn, move on and try to get better for next year.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Hey Kahns,

I fundamentally agree with the sentiment, but I disagree with our ability to make the changes needed to win. While we don't have any albatross type contracts to move (i.e. $10M+), I certainly don't expected to be able to deal the middling players we would need to in order to pull off what the Blazers did going into the season. Brewer, Barea, Luc and Budinger all would need to be moved for virtually cap space to give us ANY room to maneuver in the offseason. We may get lucky and get rid of 1 of these guys, but multiple? Not likely IMO. Unfortunately, I think we are stuck without a big deal involving Pek or Love. Maybe Rubio still has flash value around the league (Rubio for Lowry???).

[KiwiMatt]

Is it really that bad if we don't make the playoffs this year. We're slotted for the 12th pick right now. That's an opportunity for us to get another player in a deep draft. We are essentially last years Trailblazers. They were a starting 5 and nothing else. Next year we'll have a healthier Bud which is important to come off the bench. We could possibly get a guy like Tyler Ennis in the draft to replace JJ. It is very unusual to make this many changes to a roster and expect the chemistry to be there and now we know who fits and who doesn't. It would have been nice to pay a little less to find that out, but I don't think anyone has an unmovable contract which is nice. Ricky didn't develop as much as we need him to in order to be a playoff team, so another year will get us fully healthy and give our young guys some more time to develop and we will probably have a new coach bringing new energy into the team. It's not ideal for the Love situation, but we should know pretty early next year if we are a playoff team or not. We knew this would be a tough year in the West and we just couldn't cut it. You learn, move on and try to get better for next year.

+1 Khans. I've been saying it all season, we are in the same boat as the 2012-13 Trailblazers team. Starters who can match it with anyone, but a bench which would probably wouldn't even win in the D League.

I am happy with the starting lineup and it's important we keep them together for another season. Brewer is probably best suited off the bench but him and Love on that outlet pass is a thing of beauty and normally good for 4 - 6 points a game.

Our bench is just woeful. We really lack a 3rd big. Turiaf is ok for 12 minutes a game, same with Cunningham, but any more minutes and they get exposed. LMAM is a defensive role player but is being overpaid for the role he is required to play on this team.

As most of you know I am not a fan of Barea's current role on this team. He just tries to do much and only ever looks for his own shot, not ideal when you're playing next to a bunch of already limited offensive players. We need a playmaker in the second unit desperately as well as a 3 point shooter and a big who can score.