2009-2010 Regular Season Prediction Contest

by PoliSam on Oct 27, 2009 8:34 AM PDT

I don't know about the rest of you, but for me Dave's reminder that the glorious Blazersedge Jersey Contest does not start until November was a major gameday buzz kill. I had my Excel Spreedsheets, Stata 10.0, and favorite stat websites all set-up and ready to roll. But now I see that they'll have to sit idle for a couple more days... Arrrgh! What fun is a Blazers game if it does not provide me with the opportunity to prove that I am not as good at predicting the future as I think I am? What fun is the day after the game if I don't get to see how poorly other people--especially people that disagree with me--did in the Jersey Contest???

Fortunately, I decided that I should not spend the day sulking, wishing Blazersedge was different than it is. I decided that instead of being a victim, I should take action into my own hands! I should create my own **** contest!! No, not my contest. Our contest. And it wont be for one game. It will be for the entire season! Take that, Dave. Ha-ha! Yes, a prediction contest for the results of the season. Perfect. It will take a lot of patience--it's for the Bedgers that know that they will be here April 15th, 2010, even if Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden all go down with season ending injuries today... But, it should be a fun way to test a different aspect of our prognostication skills... or..er... luck.

Okay, great.... So, will there be a prize for this contest? Well, that's putting the cart before the horse. First, I need to figure out if the results will be scored. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees there. I'm pretty clever with inputting data, but I don't know how to create one of those cool submission forms (i.e. http://blazersedge.reaxion.org/gameform.php) and I may be incredibly busy in April. Perhaps a collective effort will get the job done? We'll just have to see. EDIT: That being said, I will probably be able to do it, so expect to see a post summarizing the scoring some time in April. Assuming the results are scored, then I'll gladly send a (cheap) Blazer-themed prize to honor the winner. If other s feel similarly compelled to reward greatness, perhaps resources can be pooled and the prize will be somewhat cool. EDIT: At the very least, the winner will be able to add, "I dominated Jscot in the Regular Season Prediction Contest!" to the signature of his or her posts.

On to the questions.

The Biggies

1. How many games will the Blazers win this season? (20 points possible, -2 points off for each win off)

2. Will the Blazers win the Northwest Division? (10 points)

Blazer Statistics. For all questions concerning season averages, the numerator will be the number of games that the player or players in question actually entered (not 82 games).

3. Which will be greater, (a) Kevin Durant's per game scoring average +3, or (b) Brandon Roy's per game scoring average? (2 points)

4. How many rebounds will Greg Oden average per game? (4 points possible, -1 point for each rebound off)

5. How many assists with Andre Miller average per game? (3 points possible, -1 point for each assist off)

6. Which will be greater, (a) LaMarcus Aldridge's rebounds per game+points per game, or (b) the sum of the per game scoring averages of Blake, Pryzbilla, Outlaw, and Batum? (2 points)

7. How many three pointers made per game will Rudy Fernandez average? (2 points possible, -1 for each .25 of a three pointer off)

8. How many games will Jerryd Bayless play (for the Blazers)? (2 points possible, -1 for every 5 games off)

9. What FG% will Jerrdy Bayless shoot (for the Blazers) ? (rounded to the nearest whole percentage, e.g. 36%, his projected FG% on espn.com. 2 points possible, -1 for every 3 percentage points off)

10. What FT% will Greg Oden shoot? (rounded to the nearest whole percentage, e.g. 64%, his projected FG% on espn.com. 2 points possible, -1 for every 2 percentage points off).

Over-Unders for Regular Season Wins. For the following questions, answer by saying whether the team's regular season win total will be over or under the number next to it. (2 points each)

Western Conference

11. LA Lakers 61.5

12. Denver Nuggets 52.5

13. Utah Jazz 49.5

14. Oklahoma City "Thunder" 34.5

15. Minnesota Timberwolves 25.5

16. Houston Rockets 35.5

17. San Antonio Spurs 54.5

18. Dallas Mavericks 49.5

19. Phoenix Suns 40.5

20. LA Clippers 34.5

Eastern Conference

21. Cleveland Cavs 61.5

22. Orlando Magic 58.5

23. Boston Celtics 58.5

24. Chicago Bulls 40.5

25. Toronto Raptors 40.5

26. Detroit Pistons 40.5

27. Indiana Pacers 34.5

28. New Jersey Nets 27.5

Miscellaneous (2 points each)

29. Will LeBron James win the MVP?

30. Will Dwight Howard win the defensive player of the year Award?

See my response below for the preferred answer format. The cleaner your entry, the more likely that it will actually be scored someday!

Okay. That should help you waste a few minutes while waiting for tonights game. Good luck!

Poll

Is Dave cruel for not giving us a practice jersey contest for the first game?

Yes

19 votes

19 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 4 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sample Entry

1. 82
2. Yes
3. B.
4. 12
5. 5
6. A.
7. 1.75
8. 44
9. 40
10. 72
11. Under
12. Under
13. Over
14. Over
15. Under
16. Over
17. Over
18. Over
19. Over
20. Under
21. Under
22. Over
23. Over
24. Over
25. Under
26. Over
27. Under
28. Over
29. Yes
30. No.

It would be best to make comments after your guesses… For example, jeez, I have no idea how many games Bayless will play? Dude, the Clippers are going to be awesome!!! Yo, I love LaMarcus Aldridge’s jumper; it’s butter! Etc.

by PoliSam on Oct 27, 2009 8:40 AM PDT reply actions

here we go

1. 55
2. yes
3. a
4. 11.1
5. 5
6. a
7. 2.1
8. 57
9. 43%
10. 73
11. over
12. under
13. over
14. over
15. over
16. over
17. under
18. over
19. over
20. over
21. over
22. under
23. under
24. over
25. under
26. under
27. over
28. over
29. yes
30. yes

yes, i know my over/unders don’t seem to add up, but I guess im hedging my bets

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Oct 27, 2009 9:03 AM PDT reply actions

Dave has never done the jersey contest in October

by tominhawaii on Oct 27, 2009 9:10 AM PDT reply actions

i thought he lumped it onto novembers

"I think twittering and all that facebook crap just makes you a loser." ~ Charles Barkley

by postup on Oct 27, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Nah

I think he’s too busy. He’s got computers to do it for him these days, but I’m sure there would be confusion on November 1st when folks wanted to know the results.

by tominhawaii on Oct 27, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

that doesn't make it hurt any less!

by PoliSam on Oct 27, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I liked the sample answers better

You should penalize for wrong answers on the over/unders, so that the wise option of not guessing on some things is rewarded. Oh, well.

1. 62
2. yes
3. a
4. 11
5. 7
6. a
7. 2.25
8. 65
9. 42
10. 71
11. over
12. over
13. over
14. “Thunder” under
15. under
16. over
17. over
18. over
19. under
20. under
21. over
22. under
23. over
24. over
25. under
26. under
27. over
28. under
29. yes
30. yes

I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.

by jscot on Oct 27, 2009 9:25 AM PDT reply actions

that would have been a good idea on the over-unders

Maybe -1 point for a wrong answer. Next time.

by PoliSam on Oct 27, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll bite

1. 56
2. yes
3. b
4. 9
5. 6
6. a
7. 2.25
8. 18
9. 33%
10. 72%
11. UNDER
12. over
13. under
14. under
15. under
16. over
17. under
18. over
19. over
20. under
21. over
22. over
23. over
24. over
25. under
26. under
27. over
28. under
29. unfortunately yes
30. yes

"I think twittering and all that facebook crap just makes you a loser." ~ Charles Barkley

by postup on Oct 27, 2009 9:30 AM PDT reply actions

1. 57
2. yes
3. a
4. 9
5. 5
6. a
7. 2
8. 35
9. 40%
10. 66%
11. under
12. over
13. under
14. over
15. under
16. over
17. over
18. under
19. over
20. over
21. over
22. over
23. under
24. over
25. over
26. under
27. under
28. under
29. yes
30. yes

by medmelon on Oct 27, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions

for posterity

1. 59
2. yes
3. a
4. 10
5. 5
6. a
7. 3
8. 50
9. 46
10. 60
11. over
12. under
13. under
14. under
15. over
16. under
17. over
18. over
19. over
20. under
21. under
22. under
23. over
24.under
25. over
26. under
27. under
28. under
29. yes
30. no

by *ellen* on Oct 27, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions

snake's picks

1. 53
2. yes
3. a
4. 11
5. 5
6. b
7. 2.1
8. 62
9. 41%
10. 68%
11. under
12. under
13. over
14. under
15. over
16. over
17. under
18. over
19. over
20. under
21. under
22. under
23. under
24. over
25. under
26. under
27. under
28. over
29. yes
30. yes

by jksnake99 on Oct 27, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

1. How many games will the Blazers win this season? 55
2. Will the Blazers win the Northwest Division? Yes
3. a
4. 10
5. 6
6. b
7. 2.2
8. 55
9. 40
10. 71
11. Over
12. Under
13. Over
14. Under
15. Over
16. Over
17. Under
18. Over
19. Over
20. Over

21. Over
22. Under
23. Under
24. Over
25. Under
26. Under
27. Under
28. Over
29. No
30. Yes

But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart

by Norsktroll on Oct 27, 2009 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

Pickolas

1. 56
2. Yes
3. A
4. 11
5. 6
6. A
7. 2.25
8. 40
9. 38%
10. 71%
11. Over
12. Under
13. Over
14. Under
15. Under
16. Over
17. Over
18. Over
19. Under
20. Under
21. Over
22. Under
23. Under
24. Over
25. Under
26. Under
27. Over
28. Under
29. Yes
30. Yes

/////
((o))
/////

by Dep H on Oct 27, 2009 1:36 PM PDT reply actions

Walkoff41 walks off with the prize, errr the No Prize !

1. 60
2. Yes
3. a
4. 10
5. 6
6. a
7. 2.25
8. 39
9. 41 %
10. 71 %
11. under
12. over
13. under
14. under
15. under
16. over
17. over
18. over
19. over
20. over
21. over
22. under
23. under
24. under
25. over
26. over
27. under
28. over
29. Yes
30. Yes

31. Yes, COINCAST SUCKS !!! Year # 3 about to begin !!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Oct 27, 2009 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Winner Winner

1. 55
2. Yes
3. a
4. 10
5. 5
6. a
7. 2
8. 50
9. 45
10. 69%
11. Over
12. Under
13. Over
14. Under
15. Over
16. Under
17. Under
18. Over
19. Over
20. Under
21. Over
22. Over
23. Under
24. Over
25. Over
26. Under
27. Over
28. Under
29. Yes
30. Yes

I want my Chicken Dinner

"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups

by Kelsoballa on Oct 27, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

1. 56
2. Yes
3. a
4. 11
5. 5
6. b
7. 1.5
8. 22
9. 38 %
10. 73 %
11. under
12. over
13. under
14. under
15. under
16. over
17. over
18. over
19. over
20. over
21. over
22. under
23. under
24. over
25. over
26. over
27. over
28. over
29. Yes
30. No

by 2forLaRue on Oct 27, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions

Let's give this a shot...

1. 56
2. No
3. a
4. 9
5. 5
6. a
7. 1.5
8. 38
9. 41
10. 68
11. over
12. under
13. over
14. under
15. under
16. over
17. over
18. over
19. over
20. over
21. over
22. over
23. under
24. over
25. under
26. under
27. under
28. over
29. no
30. yes

Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.

by KP Corleone on Oct 27, 2009 4:03 PM PDT reply actions

Marmaduke's Picks:

1. 55
2. Yes
3. A
4.11
5. 5
6. A
7. 2.4
8. 24 (this question should read : how many blowouts will portland have this year)
9. 39
10. 66
11. Under
12. Over
13. Under
14. Under
15. Over
16. Over
17. Under
18. Under
19. Over
20. Under
21. Under
22. Under
23. Under
24. Over
25. Over
26. Under
27. Over
28. Over
29. Yes
30. No

Top 5 songs near and dear to my ears:

The Mars Volta - L'via L'viaquez
Regina Spektor - Back of a Truck
Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes
Joanna Newsom - Monkey & Bear
Devendra Banhart - Long Haired Child

by Marmaduke on Oct 27, 2009 4:41 PM PDT reply actions

also...

if jscot wins the whole shibang, he can’t very well say he beat himself now, can he? =)

Top 5 songs near and dear to my ears:

The Mars Volta - L'via L'viaquez
Regina Spektor - Back of a Truck
Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes
Joanna Newsom - Monkey & Bear
Devendra Banhart - Long Haired Child

by Marmaduke on Oct 27, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I can say anything I want

I am jscot.

I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.

by jscot on Oct 27, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Jeesh. I gotta do a real entry

The Biggies

1. 58

2. Yes

3. a.

4. 11

5. 5.5

6. a.

7. 2.2

8. 47

9. 42

10. 71

11. Over

12. Under

13. Over

14. Under

15. Over

16. Over

17. Under

18. Over

19. Under

20. Over

21. Over

22. Over

23. Under

24. Over

25. Over

26. Under

27. Over

28. Under

29. No.

30. No.

by PoliSam on Oct 27, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions

This looks fun. It'll be a nice surprise in April ;)

1. 59
2. Yes
3. a – KD’s main directive is score, whereas BRoy’s is win
4. 10
5. 6
6. a – Batum is hurt
7. 2.25
8. 63
9. 43%
10. 69%
11. over
12. over
13. over
14. under – and I will enjoy it.
15. under – better than they’re given credit for. I expect Rockets in the playoffs.
16. over
17. under – I had to pick someone and they will get hurt/rest people
18. over
19. under – the tougher West will sink them with lots of losses against the not-quite-as-bad teams
20. over
21. over – excellent regular season team. excellent at home.
22. over – four all stars and a super deep bench. no question, excellent in the regular season.
23. under – injuries. and the power and fury of my hate.
24. over – Ben Gordon is inefficient, they improved by getting Miller and Salmons, etc.
25. under – Hedon’t help them.
26. under – inefficient scoring guard heaven.
27. under
28. over – Brook Lopez is good, Lee is good, Harris is good. I’d rather go here than to the Knicks, were I a max-contract-worthy free agent in 2010.
29. yes. No one even comes close to his production.
30. no. (BRoy will win. Just for the small chance of amazing prediction skills. Also the odds are against any single player, even if Dwight is the frontrunner.)