With GO likely done for the year, I suspect that many of us--even if we would prefer not to--are revising our season predictions downward.  Not just because of Oden, but the other injuries as well--Outlaw and Batum, mainly, and Rudy's lingering back issues.  The playoffs may well be within reach--we got there last year with Oden being ineffective or out for much of the year--but winning the NW, or advancing in the playoffs, might be a tall order.

OTOH, this team without Oden and Batum both more resembles the 07-08 team, which went 41-41 but didn't make the playoffs. 

So, two questions:

1) What should the expectations going forward be?  Assume that Batum and Outlaw come back on schedule, and no major roster moves.  Is this a legit playoff team?  If the Blazers fail to make it, should heads roll?   How far do we dial back the goals, or the clock?

2) How hard should KP try to make the playoffs and advance THIS YEAR?  If San Antonio, for example, were to offer us a live healthy body of reasonable skill, for Nic Batum--physical waived--would you consider it?  Or should we limit ourselves to minor moves--signing journeymen big men off the waiver wire, or small potatoes trades, but avoid touching the "core", however you define that, even if it means the difference between the playoffs and not?

To make timbo happy, I won't post a poll on this, just looking for discussion.

My thoughts:  If we make the playoffs, I'll be very happy.  If we don't, I won't be getting out my pitchforks. 

I would NOT do anything stupid just to try and get a playoff birth.  There are a few guys on the team who I wouldn't mind parting with (Outlaw and Blake come to mind, although the former is hurt, the latter hasn't played well, and both are FAs at the end of the year), but I wouldn't have minded a trade involving them even before tonight.  The injury makes be a bit less picky about what I'd take back in return, I suppose...