Behind the 8-Ball

Kenny Smith says it is Portland that winds up in the 9th spot and watching from home come the playoffs.

10 months ago MattyDread 19 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Seems silly

to make these type of predictions with SUCH a tight race, and the trade deadline not yet passed. The 4 teams they mention all could look pretty different in a couple of weeks.

by MattyDread on Jan 25, 2009 9:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He should stick to ranking dunks

Is there some memo at Yahoo Sports circulating to bring the Blazers down? Hard feelings because Microsoft took back their acquisition offer? With the exception of Ball Don’t Lie it seems that way.

by Norsktroll on Jan 25, 2009 9:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Portland is the safe pick. We are young, Oden has not dominated consistently, and we have been playing .500 ball lately. Also he said that we are one year away, and everybody thought it would be this year because of Oden, but Oden is still a year away. I dunno, Odens last three games have been pretty good. 17.33 pts. 12.33 boards.

by MattyDread on Jan 25, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Looked like Smith was ad-libbing.

by MiledAnimal on Jan 25, 2009 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

he was knocking phoenix’s outside shooting? I think that that is the least of their problems, shaq sitting out on back to backs can’t help.

- Rookie fe[a]st 2009 -

by appel82 on Jan 25, 2009 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve gotta say it will be Phoenix

by pklym on Jan 25, 2009 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think so too...

at the same time I was typing that I thought it was silly to make such predictions I was trying to figure out a way to put a poll on here so we could all be silly too! Maybe we should make a fanpost with a poll: who will be the 9th seed in the West? I’d vote for phoenix also.

by MattyDread on Jan 25, 2009 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny should really look at schedule difficulty before he makes predictions like that

He just says us because those other teams have stars that he can’t imagine will miss the playoffs.

This is what Lucas would do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0aPkIE2qK0

by 123_G.O._RipCity on Jan 25, 2009 11:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

All those other teams

have been in the playoffs for the last I don’t know how many years. It will be weird to see one of them not make it this year. Before the Billups trade it was going to be Denver, and I think everybody (media wise) was cool with that, they barely made it last year, and it seemed the Iverson/Mello combo wasn’t working. Now I don’t see Denver missing the playoffs, even if we were to pass them for the division they’ll still be in the top 8. I think whoever doesn’t make it will get blown up. Only Portland isn’t in danger of this. If we didn’t make it it would suck, but I dont think they blow the team up over it. I can’t say the same for Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, or even Utah.

by MattyDread on Jan 25, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The schedule

Thats the first thing that I thought of from Smiths comments, Portland just needs to get in a groove and win.

My prediction for the rest of the season is 25-15 and the 6th seed in the west

I try to help with everything," Fernandez said. "If the coach says go rebound, I go rebound. I work for the team.

""If I'm playing this game to get media and attention, I shouldn't be here," Aldridge said. "I'm here to play basketball, and do what I can do to help this team win."

by Dragonage on Jan 25, 2009 12:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

...

I think it’s too close to say only Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, Utah and Portland are going to be in a cluster match.

I think it’s going to be 7 teams battling for the last 6 spots and unless the blazers really screw up this year I am confident they will make the playoffs. This isn’t like the team last year that it seemed like a miracle to get a 13 game winning streak (which is the only reason why they got back up to par). They are more consistent this year and with the remaining season and looking at their schedule it looks very realistic for them to make a late run (like right now).

by brandonmitchell on Jan 25, 2009 3:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've been saying that N.O. is only one injury to Chris Paul away

from being one of those teams themselves.

by MattyDread on Jan 25, 2009 6:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Smith's picks are the logical ones

The only solace I take is that these kids have been surprising all year (and last year too for that matter) so if that pattern holds they’ll not only make the playoffs but be higher than the 8th seed.

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by LaughingJon on Jan 25, 2009 9:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Saying that phoenix needs to work on shooting? The best FG percentage in the league? And not mentioning that portland is the 9th worst at defending FGs and 4th worst at defending the 3 point line, those are more significant than the vague “inconsistent” label, have the mavs been consistent this season? the suns? utah? He went with the safe, most predictable prediction, I just hope he’s wrong :-)

- Rookie fe[a]st 2009 -

by appel82 on Jan 26, 2009 12:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs