The Trailblazers plan to start Rudy Fernandez in Brandon Roy’s spot at shooting guard at least for the first round of the playoffs. Fernandez has played in 62 games (2 starts) this season for the Blazers and he averaged 23.2 minutes, 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Fernandez only shot 37.8% from the floor but I think it will improve in the playoffs. Fernandez is a streak shooter so if he gets hot he will help the Blazers out big time.

21-year old, second year small forward Nicolas Batum is playing really well lately. In his last 5 games, Batum is averaging 24.6 minutes, 15.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 57.1% shooting from the floor. The Trailblazers need him to keep up the good work the rest of the season. Batum has played in 21 games (9 starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 22.8 minutes, 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He is shooting well from everywhere on the court this season hitting 55.3% of his shots from the floor, 42.9% from three point range and 91.7% from the free throw line. The Blazers were right to bump Martell Webster to the bench and start Nicolas Batum at small forward.

The Portland Trailblazers need more out of Marcus Camby. He has played in 2 games (both starts) for the Trailblazers this season and he is averaging 32.5 minutes, 2.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocked shots per game. The defense and rebounding have been there for Camby with the Blazers. But, they need a little more out of him offensively as he is only shooting 16.7% from the floor so far this season for the Trailblazers.

With their star player Brandon Roy out since January 22nd, the Portland Trail Blazers have needed a few players to step up their play.  One in particular is point guard Steve Blake, who has not really been playing as well as the Blazers have needed him to.  Last night in their 108-101 win against the red hot Phoenix Suns, Blake got the start and showed that he can be an impact player for the Blazers.  Blake finished with 20 points, 12 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.  He played 38 minutes and went 7-12 from the field.  The Blazers need some more efforts like this out of Blake, as he has been playing nowhere near this level leading up to this game.  In his previous 5 games, Blake scored a combined 16 points and had two scoreless outings.  Granted he wasn’t getting 38 minutes a night in those games, but he had not been shooting the ball well and his effort on defense looked nothing like it did in the Suns game where he tormented Steve Nash into 6-16 shooting and 5 turnovers.  Now I don’t expect Blake to drop 20 every night, but if the Blazers can get him to play with that effort and efficiency on more of a consistent basis, it could really make a difference for them.

The Trailblazers are looking for a starting center but they are finding the cost to be high as most of the teams want 24-year old shooting guard Rudy Fernandez as part of the return.  Fernandez has played in 34 games (0 starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 23.1 minutes, 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Fernandez is only shooting 39.7% from the floor this season but he has the potential to be a star and that is why the Blazers are reluctant to trade him.