--Coach Nate McMillan believes defense will be the key to Portland's success this season. And he's not been happy with the Blazers' performance at that end through the preseason.
"We never established ourselves on the defensive end of the floor," McMillan said after a 110-104 loss to Phoenix. "We let (the Suns) control the tempo. We scored, but we didn't play any defense. "Defense is work. Defense is communication. We have to work harder, and we have to develop a chemistry at the defensive end."
--Negotiations for a contract extension for LaMarcus Aldridge are going well, GM Kevin Pritchard said. The Blazers have until Oct. 31 to extend the power forward or he will become a restricted free agent next July.
"I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but there has been movement," Pritchard said. "I feel we are moving toward a deal."
MAIN REASON BLAZERS CAN WIN: There's a superstar, Brandon Roy, to lead. And a qualified second banana, LaMarcus Aldridge, to be Roy's Scottie Pippen. There is plenty of young talent. If it's not the deepest team in the league, it's in the conversation. Greg Oden may be ready to explode as the best young center in the league.
MAIN REASON BLAZERS CAN LOSE: Twelve players think they need to play. No more than 10 can. There might be some unhappy campers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We all know what we can do. Now we just have to go out and do it." -- LaMarcus Aldridge, on the Blazers' high expectations this season.
