Miles

Miles, one of the league's most athletic specimens, still offers worlds of potential, but needs his game to develop.

His shot is not a thing of beauty, and his ball handling quickly turned LeBron James into the Cavaliers point guard a year ago.

Should he ever develop a 3-point shot -- or even a consistent outside jumper for that matter -- to accompany his wing skills and prowess around the rim, he becomes one of the league's toughest covers.

As Miles goes, so may go the Blazers, whose investment in him demands that he become an integral part of their core.

Van Exel

It won't be easy with almost the same cast that ended the season a year ago, but that group did show promise during a 17-9 stretch that began after the acquisitions of Theo Ratliff, Darius Miles and top reserve Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The team's primary off-season acquisitions were at point guard, where veteran Nick Van Exel and lottery pick Sebastian Telfair join Damon Stoudamire. Expect Stoudamire and Van Exel to carry the load this season, while the exciting Telfair learns the game.

The Blazers have plenty of height, with no less than eight veterans that stand 6-8 or taller, as well as three more acquired in the draft, including Russians Viktor Khryapa (who will miss the season because of injury) and Sergei Monia.

Down low, Ratliff provides the defense; he blocked a league-best 3.61 blocks per game, including 4.41 per game during his 32-game stint in Portland.

Zach Randolph prefers offense, averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds during a breakout season.

Having Miles, Derek Anderson, Qyntel Woods and Ruben Patterson on the wings gives Cheeks versatility and plenty of options. This is a team of considerable depth, but which lacks one or two dominant players that will raise the play of the others.

A .500 team a year ago, a similar fate is probably in store for Portland, which probably means the party will have to go on without the Blazers once again.