The mastermind of this emerging force, general manager Kevin Pritchard, assembled this team in only a few years. The youngest team in the NBA now receives another slice of bliss in the form of Greg Oden.

However, every team has flaws, and the Blazers are no different.

One problem is at small forward, where super-sub Travis Outlaw has been quoted as saying, "I don't want to be a sixth man forever" — a clear (and justified) declaration that he deserves more playing time after averaging more points, rebounds and assists than starter Martell Webster.

Contrary to popular belief, Steve Blake is unlikely to be Portland's starting point guard for long. Blake did a modest job last season — averaging 8.5 points and 5.1 assists, and shooting 40.6 percent from downtown — but not well enough to hold off the momentum of rookie Jerryd Bayless. Crowned the Summer League MVP, Bayless averaged 29.8 points during those exhibition games.

The anchors of the franchise, Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, will return to the court after separate knee surgeries clouded their offseason and hampered their movement.

The 2006-07 Rookie of the Year, Roy is the leader of the team with his character, fearlessness and voracious appetite for success. Even more impressive, the 7-1 Oden has bulked up to 290 pounds to ensure his presence as a menacing figure in the middle.

However, Portland's youth may also be its demise (journeyman Raef LaFrentz is the only player over 30). Veteran leadership is vital down the stretch, where Portland faltered last season.

Bottom Line: With Oden's presence in the paint, Roy's maturity, and Bayless' quickness, Portland should vault into contention in the West. Expect Pritchard to hunt for a veteran before February's trade deadline. The Blazers will make the playoffs, attaining the sixth seed.

Utah Jazz

The disciplined Jazz are the only team in the Northwest to retain the same starting lineup as last season.

But achieving another 54-win season and division title depends on whether Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko can recover from the stress of the Olympics. A long summer of basketball often takes a toll on the participants.

Williams and Boozer, both All-Stars, were the only teammates to record 50 double-doubles last season. But Boozer's playoff meltdown against the Lakers remains on the minds of Jazz fans, and he should be motivated to redeem himself.

It would help the Jazz, and take pressure off Boozer, if rookie center Kosta Koufos can make an immediate impact coming off the bench. Koufos is long, possesses a good basketball IQ, and is a terror on the offensive glass.

Bottom Line: The Jazz are still the most mature and strongest team in the Northwest, but Portland and Oklahoma City are closing the gap. Utah makes it a three-peat, winning yet another division title, while securing the fourth seed in the West.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are embarking on their 20th season, the first 19 of which they have endured without an NBA championship. The 20th won't be any different.

The floor general position is a question mark. Randy Foye and Sebastian Telfair are the only point guards on the roster and neither is a comfortable choice. Injuries have plagued Foye in his short career, while character issues and outside shooting woes have dogged Telfair.

Minnesota's patience is wearing thin with Corey Brewer. The Wolves are reportedly fielding offers for the multifaceted forward and are tempted to allow him to walk after this season.

Al Jefferson returns to center with the addition of rookie power forward Kevin Love. Kevin McHale's infatuation for Love cost the Timberwolves a bona-fide scorer in O.J. Mayo.

The Wolves are expecting high output from 3-point marksman Mike Miller, who joined Minnesota from Memphis in the Mayo-Love deal, hours after the draft's conclusion.

Craig Smith provides added insurance on the boards, provided he upholds his pledge to maintain proper dieting and conditioning.

The role of third-year shooting guard Rashad McCants is in question. Despite averaging 14.9 points and shooting 40.7 percent from long distance, McCants may be smothered on the depth chart with the additions of Miller, Rodney Carney and Kirk Snyder. If the Wolves won't utilize his talents, there are many teams that crave his services, several of them in the division.

Bottom Line: The Wolves have a steady young core but inexperience and inconsistency will hurt them. In a few years they may be able to compete in the West, but this time they'll be fortunate to end up 10th in the conference.

Oklahoma City Thunder

After a messy divorce from Seattle, a franchise in need of direction may have found it in rural Oklahoma.

Kevin Durant, the reigning rookie of the year, leads the Thunder along with fellow 2007 first-round draft pick Jeff Green.

With shooting guard and small forward solidified, Oklahoma elected to balance its lineup by drafting point guard Russell Westbrook with the No. 4 pick. A ball hawk, Westbrook's speed, agility and quick hands will make him invaluable on a team that lost 62 games a year ago.

But a lack of quality big men will hurt the franchise again.

Chris Wilcox has never been willing or able to be an enforcer in the middle, preferring to play power forward, not center. Because of Wilcox's stubborness, the Thunder may have to use Nick Collison as an undersized center. Or they could showcase the future immediately.

The Thunder selected three lumberjacks in June — Serge Ibaka, Devon Hardin and Sasha Kaun. However, none have intrigued OKC's coaching staff enough to unseat Collison as a starter. Ibaka is likely to stay overseas, while Kaun and Hardin figure to fill in as reserves. Let's hope Ibaka's decision won't be a repeat of the Tiago Splitter fiasco with San Antonio.

A trade is another option but the Thunder are unlikely to part ways with their nucleus of Westbrook, Durant and Green. So with an abundance of youth, draft picks appear to be expendable.

Veterans Ben Wallace, Shaquille O'Neal, Eddy Curry and Brendan Haywood seem to be available, but will the Thunder gamble on aging, underachieving bigs?

Probably not.

Bottom line: Like the Blazers, youth may be their undoing. The Thunder will miss the playoffs in their first year in Oklahoma and will likely be the worst team in the West once again.

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