Just because Oden won’t play for the Trail Blazers this year doesn’t mean he’ll fade away for the next 12 or so months. The plan is he will attend practices and games, and he’s turning out to be more personable and charismatic than initial impressions suggested. In addition, the concern he has expressed for his team in light of the difficult setback is genuine. It isn’t possible to root against the guy.

Even without its 7-foot franchise center, Portland will be better, but probably not good enough in the loaded West to avoid another trip to the lottery. That could be a good thing. With draft good-luck charm Brandon Roy in attendance, the optimist and dreamer share visions of another No. 1 selection, perhaps point guard Derrick Rose (playing his requisite collegiate season at Memphis), who would help position the franchise for 2009 and beyond.

“Growin’ Up”
The Phoenix Suns, another of the contenders who have been so close the past few years to breaking through for that elusive title, once again enter training camp knowing that the next six months mean little. For this team, intermediate goals are a waste of ink. It is all about the bottom line.

The addition of veteran Grant Hill, another ball-handler and a player whose mid-range game helps address of the Suns’ few deficiencies, certainly will help. But whether or not Phoenix wins a championship, however, more likely will be decided by Steve Nash’s health come April and May as well as the continued development of Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, two rising stars who haven’t yet reached their full potential.

Could a disgruntled Shawn Marion and his childish trade demands derail a Suns run? Possibly, but expect Marion to get in line as soon as Nash’s first pass leads him directly to another dunk. If Marion, however, is still grumbling by Christmas, Phoenix won’t hesitate to move him — and move on.

“Lonesome Day”
Hard to believe that LeBron James, who doesn’t turn 23 until Dec. 30, is gearing up for his fifth NBA season. Yet, it is even harder to believe that while several teams in the East bolstered their rosters, the Cavs did, well, nothing to build upon their trip to the Finals.

What all of this means, of course, is that James will have to carry even more of the load if Cleveland is to match last season’s result. James certainly is capable, but is he willing? Despite posting 26.7/6.6/5.9 numbers in 2007, the Cavs’ superstar coasted for stretches as well.

The acquisition of Larry Hughes to be James’ running mate and No. 2 scoring option has fallen far short of expectations, and thus far the team has come up empty in attempts to acquire point guard Mike Bibby.

Cleveland needs a spark, for no other reason than to keep its King happy. As for now, the best bet for a wild-card performance is Sasha Pavlovic, the 23-year-old gunner who now seems capable of filling the consistent scoring role that Hughes has not. If he doesn’t, this kingdom could turn dark in a hurry.

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