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NLL Insider - Team by Team: Portland Trailblazers

by WALLrus, updated on Wednesday, October 23 2013, 02:44 pm EST

2012-2013 Record: 37-45

Season Highlight: Things did not look great for the Blazers entering the season. It was new GM Djdrew’s first full season with the team and the organization still had a bitter taste in its mouth left by former GM Colton. By the end of the year the Blazers were playing good basketball and finished 3 games out of the playoffs in the West.


Season Lowlight:

 The Blazers did not have a true low light because they did not have the highest expectations heading into the season. When asking GM Djdrew about the Blazer’s lowlight he replied, “My bench as a whole let me down big time this past season.”

Best Trade:  Cartier Martin for 5 GM points

In the preseason the Blazers got a steal when they acquired Cartier Martin from the Atlanta Hawks for a mere 5 GM points. Martin went from averaging less that 3 points per game in the A-Town to averaging more than 12 in the Great Northwest.


Worst Trade: There were no bad trades for the Blazers this season.


Other Notable Trades: Jodie Meeks for 8 GM points

This trade was not super high profile but I’m sure that all 31 NLL GMs would be happy to bring in Meeks for 8 GM points.  


Best FA Signing:

 The Trailblazers did not really make any good free agent signings. Cory Joseph and Kwame Brown were the only 2 that actually stuck throughout the whole season. This makes Joseph the best signing by default. He did not play great but he is a young player who could possibly become a decent role player in the future for the Blazers.


Worst FA Signing:

 Last off season, the Blazers picked up Kwame Brown on 2 year, 6 million dollar contract. Even though his NLL career has been much worse than people were expecting, Brown had his worst year yet. Brown averaged less than 2 points and just a tad over 2 rebounds a game. What makes this signing worse is that he has to come back this season.


Star:

Joe Johnson was the undoubted star for the Blazers this past season. He was the crown jewel in a stacked backcourt. Johnson led the team with over 30 points, as well as contributing 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Surprise:

TheTrailblazers were a team full of surprises but 2 really stuck out. Jordan Crawford came up big for the team averaging nearly 19 points as well as getting a good amount of rebounds, assists and steals. 3 point shooting swing man Cartier Martin also stuck out. Martin gave the team 12 points a game while shooting 44% from long range.  

Goat:

 Kwame Brown, definitely. I’m surprised that dude is still in the league.

Draft Report Card:  

Lucas Nogueira (C-): The Blazers needed a big man and thats what they got in the raw, big haired 7-footer, but this team has a great chance to win now. It is unlikely that we will see Nogueira in a Blazers uni this year. With guys like Kelly Olynyk and Steve Adams drafted later, Nogueira just does not seem like the right pick.

Looking to the Future:  

Things actually look really positive for the Blazers. Cartier Martin is their leading contributor not likely to return. With arguably the most stacked backcourt they can definitely score the rock. If they can sign a quality role player with their MLE they are a dangerous team, especially if Nogueria brings over his talents from Spain. Look for the Blazers to contend for a 5-8 seed this year and also be a contender for a few years to come.


Upcoming Free Agents:

Diante Garrett- Garrett only played 12 Rose City after being picked-up after a release from Minnesota. With only an average of 1.4 points a game, it is unlikely Garrett will be back with the team.

Ivan Johnson-

Johnson actually played pretty well for the Blazers. He provided a physical presence averaging 6 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. Johnson will not be returning after signing a contract with the Zhejaing Golden Bulls this past August.

Jon Leuer-

Leuer played very poorly after being brought in from the Hawks. It is completely up to GM Djdrew if he wants to bring back Leuer.

Cartier Martin-

Fan favorite, Catrier Martin was an impact player in Portland, but his loyalty is low and it will take a lot to get him to stay.

Jodie Meeks-

Meeks has proven himself to be a quality backup guard in the NLL. Last season he made use of his minutes and it looks like he will be in Portland.


Aleksander Pavlovic-

After not scoring a single bucket last year it is unlikely that Pavlovic will find himself on ony NLL roster, let alone on this Trailblazers team.

Archive

· The Early Trades: Pt 2

· The Early Trades: Winners + Losers

· Team by Team: Los Angeles Clippers

· First Round Rookie Team Impact

· Team by Team: Portland Trailblazers

· Team by Team: Phoenix Suns

· Team by Team: Memphis Grizzlies

· Team by Team: Indiana Pacers

· Team by Team: Toronto Raptors

· Team by Team: Detroit Pistons

 

 

 

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