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.

The Trailblazers will be without starting shooting guard Brandon Roy for at least a week due to a plasma injection to his hamstring. He has played in 40 games (all starts) this season for the Trailblazers and he is averaging 38.3 minutes, 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Roy is the one player the Trailblazers just can’t afford to lose so they should ease him back giving him the proper time to heal. Steve Blake is likely off the trade block now because he will start in Roy’s place. He has played in 40 games (25 starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 28.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Rudy Fernandez will also likely see a bump in playing time while Roy is out of action. He has played in 26 games (0 starts) for the Trailblazers this season and he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Blake & Fernandez will likely do a good job for the Blazers but make no mistake this is not a playoff team without Brandon Roy, period.

The Trailblazers need more from starting small forward Martell Webster due to the rash of injuries the team is suffering from right now. Webster has played in 35 games (26 starts) this season for the Blazers and he is averaging 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. They also need him to start shooting better as he is only hitting 38.5% from the floor this season. The Blazers really need Webster to step up and play to his ability.