and I know people here don't want to hear it, but PART of that is because Lamarcus Aldridge primarily just blocks his man out so a ball hawk can suck in the board -- it's why Camby was nice alongside him, Pryzbilla, too, it's why Greg Oden would have been GREAT alongside him, it's WHY JJ Hickson is having a career year alongside him.

all credit to JJ because he is muscle + motor inside (plus an extremely quick leaper) and what he accomplishes for being so undersized is deserving of any/all plaudits he receives, but the Blazers biggest weakness at the moment is interior defense and it's why they're on the market for a true center even though Hickson is doing some damn work right now (unfortunately I don't think it's a long-term recipe for success in Portland).