Stay with the current crew and help them grow. The Blazers started three rookies this week. Roy and Aldridge are still only third year players.

According to Hollinger, the Blazers have the second toughest strength of schedule so far. Their opponents have a 54.6% winning percentage. Only the Wiz have had a tougher schedule.

So the question is whether the current Blazers can play the remaining, relatively weaker, schedule at a better than 50% rate to close the season and make the playoffs. If they do, then they take the big important next step to their eventual goals.

Small change? Sure. You can point to several players who probably won’t have much on-court impact over the next several years, and if you can get something better for them, then go for it.

Anyway back to other thoughts. I really wasn’t going to post because I really had nothing positive to say. I have taken my meds now and I have a couple of thoughts.

1. Nic Batum played great. Not saying he needs more minutes, but he was impressive.

2. LA bounced back, good effort from him.

3. Greg and Joel were the victims of inconsistent officiating. I don’t know how you adjust your game when 3 guys call it three different ways.

4. Travis………………..um, well…………….he is a nice kid.

5. Charmin Frye is a sad, sad thing to watch.

I think we can see what we have now. I think the weaknesses and strengths are very, very obvious. So I guess my question is now, do we stand pat and let them gain experience and be a .500 team the rest of the way and finish at about 45 wins or do we make at least a small change? What do you all think?

Think he would make them just because Bayless, Rudy, Sergio, Blake and Outlaw were missing? Sorry I don’t think Martell is the big help that you’re looking for.

What the Blazers need to replace an injured Roy is somebody who can dribble, penetrate, break down the defense, score and pass. Bayless might be able to do that some day. Rudy might be able to do that sooner. I don’t recall Martell showing that.

I’ll grant you that Martell would have improved the defense, and defense is always important, but I don’t think that you were talking about defense.

Joel should start.

Greg Oden is hurt

Greg Oden is a bust.

Charmin Frye is a better option.

I am running low on Kool-Aide.

Again?

What we also need to learn without Roy is controlling the tempo. Teams know we are young and are patient for us to meltdown. I suppose this will change with experience but this is also something that only Roy can do…

Blazer frontline did their job tonight. Nobody on LA can stop Aldridge.