Blazermania, Rip City, Greg-Oden-Malaria, whatever you want to call it, as we approach tip off of the new Trail Blazers season, excitement in Portland is reaching a fever pitch in regards to our lone professional sports franchise. And while fans are usually accused of looking at their home team through a special lens, it is safe to say the people of Portland are NOT necessarily staring through Rose Colored Glasses.
In a survey of all the NBA GMS, the Blazers are getting a lot of credit for having a decent squad and making incredible moves in the off season. Notable in the poll, that Rudy Fernandez is considered one of the most underrated acquisitions all season, that the Blazers will be the most improved team in 2008-09, that Greg Oden is in the running for Rookie of the Year (would be twice in three years for Portland after Brandon Roy got that honor in 2006-2007), AND that, of the rookies this season, Oden will be the best player in five years.
Read the whole survey here: http://www.nba.com/2008/tipoff/10/21/gmsurvey.rookies/index.html
