Future Prospects of the Blazers

Not to be Mr. Negative, but as this dismal season wraps up, I look to the only place a fan of rebuilding team can, the future. And unfortunately, it's not looking so great here. Yes, maybe Telfair will blossom, Randolph will get back his hops, and their new high draft pick will emerge as a superstar. Maybe, maybe not. But most often, bad teams stay bad. And compared to the other terrible teams in the NBA, the Blazer's look to have some of the worst future prospects.

Toronto: Toronto looks to me like a team that could challenge for a playoff spot next year. They have a legitimate young superstar, intriguing potential in Villanueva, and some solid veterans in Peterson and James. James is a free agent, and will be a tough off-season decision for them, but they can afford him and some with the removal of Rose.

Atlanta: Dare I say Atlanta is starting to show some potential. Joe Johnson might never earn his superstar salary, but if he continues his second half play next year he's a lock as a future all-star. And even though it's doubtful Smith, Childress, and Williams will all work out, it is looking like 2 out of 3 might. Their biggest issue is Harrington, who could potentially be greatly overpaid this summer. Having Johnson and Harrington with huge salaries could debilitate what is looking to be a half-decent rebuilding effort. But, either way, I like their overpaid veteran way more than ours (Randolph) and their young players are showing more promise.

Charlotte: Charlotte's prospect don't overshadow Portland's, but do look a little better. They are in great financial shape (21 million in salaries next year compared to Portland's 59 million) and own a future Toronto pick. Also, Felton and Okafor have done much better than Telfair and Webster.

New York: I introed with "some of the worst" prospects for a reason. I do think the Blazers have a heads up on the Knicks, who have 125 million in salaries for next season and already traded their #1 pick. The Knicks do have more talent, but a lot of bad eggs with even worse contracts than our bad eggs (they even pick up Quintel "Running With The Pit Bulls" Woods).

At this time of the year it is easy to imagine that "next year" everything will be better. I am not opposed to this, and actually do find some satisfaction in watching the progress of a bad team to good. But it is sobering to realize your team has the second-worst prospects of any team in the league. I'm a life-long Cubs fan, so I realize more than most that "rebuilding" sounds better than its reality. And let's just say the rebuilding has only just begun here