The cover of the Portland Trail Blazers 2007-08 media guide says "Rise With Us." That's something Fantasy owners have experienced sooner than expected with many of Portland's young stars.
Rookie center Greg Oden was supposed to be the featured player in a rebuilding year for the Trail Blazers, who traded away standout forward Zach Randolph this offseason to the New York Knicks. But when Oden (knee) was lost for the season, the rest of the team stepped up.
Brandon Roy, last year's Rookie of the Year, has become an immediate star. He went from very good a year ago to one of the best young players in the league.
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| Brandon Roy is developing into a star in the Great Northwest. (Getty Images) |
For most Fantasy owners, Roy has become a No. 1 option in all scoring formats. Portland coach Nate McMillan can see Roy improving as the season goes on, which is a scary thought considering how good he is right now.
"He's growing up," McMillan said in a recent interview. "He's doing what an All-Star does in this league. And he's learning how to do it. This is a developing year for him to be night in and night out having to carry your team, be a big part of the decisions that are made on the floor. He's doing a good job."
Roy made a statement against the Heat on Jan. 18 that he is a developing superstar in the league. After Dwyane Wade scored 20 points in third quarter, Roy responded with 16 in the fourth quarter to lead Portland to the victory.
Roy called it the best quarter of his young career. He said he just wants to keep getting better and have more games like that.
"Earlier in the season I was trying to find my game," Roy said. "I'm in a pretty good rhythm right now, but I'm still trying to improve every game. It's a good challenge for me. I just try to go out there and try to improve every night and do what I can."
Roy isn't the only sophomore playing well for the Blazers and for Fantasy owners. Second-year big man LaMarcus Aldridge also is having a breakout season.
Last year, Aldridge averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. He was expected to play alongside Oden, but Aldridge has flourished without Oden or Randolph to develop into a quality big man.
"I worked hard in the summer on my game knowing I was going to have more of an opportunity," Aldridge said. "I want to be one of the best to ever play the game. If I keep working hard, the sky is the limit."
While Roy and Aldridge have led the way for Portland, they have a solid supporting cast in Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, James Jones, Jarrett Jack, Steve Blake, Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla. And all those players have made contributions to many Fantasy leagues.
Outlaw is another player having a breakout season at 12.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, which are both career-highs in his fifth season. Webster, in his third season, also has established career-highs in points (10.9) and rebounds (4.1).
Jones is leading the NBA in three-point percentage at 53 percent (53-of-100), and Blake is not far behind at 46.7 percent (56-of-120), which ranks seventh. Jack is a solid contributor off the bench with 9.7 points and 3.7 assists, although his stats have declined from last year (12.0 points and 5.3 assists).
Frye played well in December when he averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 14 games. And Przybilla (7.2 rebounds) is a good source of rebounds.
The Trail Blazers have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this year. They are a team on the rise, and Fantasy owners are reaping the benefit of their quick ascension.
"I just believe if you do things right, work hard and play together, you will have a chance at winning games," McMillan said. "It's about the work you put in and it's about the commitment that you make as a team. They play as a team. They work hard. Our goal is to one day be one of those elite teams and one day win a title."
