A look on the bright side ...

by kickbrass on Feb 9, 2009 7:59 PM PST

I noticed that in the wake of our humiliating defeat to the Oklahoma City Losers, there was an understandable amount of consternation in the Blazer's Edge community. I, too, felt really bummed out after the loss and wouldn't even visit my NBA mainstay sites until a full day had passed. The loss confirmed so many of our fears about this team: lack of defense, poor first quarters, inexperience, the rookie wall, injuries ... everything just seemed to be going haywire and that loss proved it.

Well, at least we can take solace in the fact that it's all relative. Taking a peek at tonight's scoreboard reminded me that we're not the only Western Conference team who hasn't been bringing their "A" game recently:

Tonight's Scoreboard

Yes, that's right: three of our division rivals (and the Clippers, but that's no surprise) suffered embarassing defeats this evening.

Our friends in Phoenix apparently are already making plans for All-Star Weekend because they didn't bother to show in Philadelphia, getting hosed in a wire-to-wire rout by the Sixers. The Rockets lost to the only team in the league that has been more ravaged by injuries than they have, the Bucks. And the Hornets lost to Memphis.

Granted, the Hornets lost because they still don't have Paul back, and we know how they are without him. The Rockets and the Suns, though, don't seem like serious threats to challenge us for playoff seeding if they keep playing like this. And the Mavs are going to struggle now that Jason Terry is out indefnitiely as well.

Currently, we're ranked as the 4th seed by Hollinger's Playoff Odds. Even with all the struggles we're having, I don't see us falling far from there because other teams seem to be struggling just as much. Utah won't have their full trio back for a few weeks, so they might make a run down the stretch, but other than that I don't see how anyone is going to bump past us in the playoff seedings unless Paul comes back and the Hornets start to play really well.

And of course, by then we'll have our beloved Blakey back in action. I don't think the sky is falling, but also I don't think we'll be able to catch LA, SA and Denver.

Considering that coming into the season I was optimistically expecting us to get the 7th or 8th seed, this makes me feel much less bad about that OKC loss ...

Poll

Will any of the other West teams pass us for the 4th seed?

Hornets

42 votes

Mavs

3 votes

Rockets

7 votes

Jazz

4 votes

Suns

0 votes

We keep the 4th seed

32 votes

We pass Denver/SA for the 2nd/3rd seed

19 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

First

and tonight made me very happy.

by RipCityRoyCity on Feb 9, 2009 8:01 PM PST reply actions

Thank you.

This helped.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Feb 9, 2009 8:13 PM PST reply actions

You're welcome

It’s not all doom and gloom in Blazerland!

by kickbrass on Feb 9, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions

The sky's not falling, certainly

Its not so much the OKC loss, at least for me, as the consistent terrible defense. Overall, this team is in a pretty good position for the playoffs though.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Feb 9, 2009 8:21 PM PST reply actions

we're definately getting help

NO, Hou, Utah, and now Dallas, all getting hurt by injuries. Phoenix falling apart. I’ll take it.

Honestly, I could see one or two of those teams still passing us if we can’t figure our stuff out and they get healthy and/or hot, but it is really hard to imagine ALL of them passing us.

I think a very very achievable target right now is 6th seed or better. That avoids a 1st round matchup with LA or SA, and puts us up against a team we can (I didn’t say will, or even favored against), but a team we are capable of beating in a series.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Feb 9, 2009 8:46 PM PST reply actions

I can't remember a year w/ so many injuries

Alas…I’ve given up on my fantasy team that I handpicked oh so carefully but has now turned into a bunch of “out indefinately”. Al Jefferson and Michael Redd were my anchors and now they’re out…I feel bad for those guys.

I didn't mean to turn you on

by dukedee on Feb 9, 2009 8:58 PM PST reply actions

No excuse

For losing to the Oklahoma Sexuals whether we’re playing poorly or not, but at least we have already played many of our tough road games, even counting the upcoming post-break stretch of brutality. I think the older teams may have more off nights or more injuries, while the relatively young Blazers have already paid their injury bug dues. Besides, soon we’ll get Webster back and we’ll just see what happens. I am pretty confident that we won’t fall past the 6th seed.

by RDreamer on Feb 9, 2009 9:00 PM PST reply actions

I guess you missed the memo

calling someone a homa sexual is not an insult anymore.

My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable, superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.

-Albert Einstein

The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.

-Lao Tzu

by MT Suit on Feb 9, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions

Unless your name is SAM ADAMS.

by Flapbreaker on Feb 9, 2009 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

It's still better than calling them the Thunder

which I never shall.

by RDreamer on Feb 9, 2009 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

I'm partial to

the Oklahoma Laters as in they won’t be any good until much, much, much later.

"I'm a buffet of goodness."

by TP43 on Feb 10, 2009 2:40 AM PST up reply actions

Your right.

I think there was a lot of knee jerk reaction to the way our guys have been playing lately. I think most of us can accept a loss but not when the team plays without hussle. It’s ok to make mistakes but you better darn well look interested in actually palying the game. Portland fans love hussle and will be loyal if you show effort, but we will not tolerate a team that continues to allow no-name d-leauge players to continually have career nights against us. That’s just embarrassing. Anyway, your right, there is a lot to look forward to and I hope the Blazers understand that our anger is directed at their lack of focus and effort. Bring those two things and well bring the love again.

by Flapbreaker on Feb 9, 2009 9:32 PM PST reply actions

one thing about the OKC game that surprised

was that we’ve fared well against poor teams, or at least beaten them, with a few exceptions (LAC, GSW, Charlotte losses come to mind). We’ve played the Knicks close twice, but won, and won tight games against Minnesota, Sacramento, and others we should beat. We have’nt pounded good teams, the way the L@kers are doing now, but we’ve beaten a few of them.

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Feb 9, 2009 10:27 PM PST reply actions