MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Brandon Roy. The two-time all-star stepped it up this season, ranking 10th in the NBA in scoring (22.6) while averaging 5.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and a team-high 1.13 steals. His leadership skills are increasing, and he's one of the best in the league at making something happen at the end of a game to give his team a chance to win.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Greg Oden. After sitting out the entire 2007-08 season following microfracture knee surgery, the 7-foot rookie averaged 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds but couldn't stay out of foul trouble and had more turnovers (87) than starting center Joel Przybilla (78) despite playing 638 fewer minutes. FREE AGENT FOCUS: There are decisions to be made on free agents Channing Frye, Shavlik Randolph, Michael Ruffin and Raef LaFrentz. LaFrentz will likely retire and Ruffin will not be retained. The Blazers like Randolph, but he'll probably go elsewhere where he has a better shot at playing. Frye could be signed and used in a sign-and-trade. Portland is also likely to use a good portion of their salary cap room to sign a free agent this summer.
PLAYER NEWS:
--G Brandon Roy, F LaMarcus Aldridge and C Greg Oden will participate in the Team USA mini-camp at the end of July in Las Vegas. At least 21 players will be on hand to try out for the U.S. team for the 2010 World Championship.
--The Blazers, who own four second-round picks in the June 25 draft, have brought in several potential candidates for workouts. They include guards Josh Akognon of Cal State Fullerton, Josh Carter of Texas A&M, Alonzo Gee of Alabama, Jeremy Pargo of Gonzaga, Cedric Jackson of Cleveland State, Wes Matthews of Marquette, Garrett Temple of Louisiana State and A.D. Vassallo of Virginia Tech and forwards Chris Johnson of Louisiana State, Jeff Adrien of Connecticut, DeMarre Carroll of Missouri and Joe Krabbenhoft of Wisconsin.
--F Martell Webster, who missed virtually the entire 2008-09 season with a foot injury, is back to running and might wind up playing some for the Blazers at the Las Vegas Summer League.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Martell Webster missed virtually the entire season with a foot injury. He is expected to be at full strength by the time training camp rolls around in October.
