The Trail Blazers signed Andre Miller, adding a steady veteran presence to the mix at the point guard position. Many are now wondering if this means that Portland will be the third-best team in the Western Conference behind the Lakers and the Spurs…and further, whether the team stands any chance against the Lakers and Spurs. A few questions come to mind.

Today the Portland Trail Blazers offered veteran point-guard Andre Miller a three-year, $21 million deal ($14 mill guaranteed, and a team-option for the third year) The major question now is IF Miller does accept the contract (in which his agent, Andy Miller, stated he will), do the Portland Trail Blazers emerge as the three seed in the West and if so, can they compete against the big and bad Los Angeles Lakers? A few things need to be taken into consideration regarding to the Blazers team as a whole.

How about Greg Oden’s effectiveness? He missed the entire first season with a knee injury, and had some injury issues to deal with last season, but was pretty effective when healthy and his skills progressed rapidly.

Another question on the minds of many is the youth of the Portland team. While there’s plenty of talent to go around, the team is still young and inexperienced. Portland made its first playoffs in 6 seasons last year, and this was the first playoffs appearance for virtually everyone on the team.

When compared to teams like San Antonio and Los Angeles, players like Duncan , Ginobili, Parker, Bryant, and Gasol win in the experience department hands down. This lack of big time playoff experience could be a limiting factor in Portland.

Compare that to the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant has played in more playoff games than the Blazers entire roster (175 career playoff games). Obviously Portland is very inexperienced, but if their young talent can override their lack of playoff experience, they definitely have a chance at contending for the title.

If Andre Miller signs, does he bring this team into contention with the Lakers? Last season the Blazers posted a 2-2 record against the Lakers. With an improved point-guard in Miller, do the Blazers have such an overpowering advantage at the one position to beat LA?

As far as match-ups against the Lakers are concerned, Miller is stronger than LA’s point guard, but the team is mostly stronger than Portland otherwise. Portland does play well against Los Angeles, so it’ll be exciting to see what happens from here.