What important tests remain?

by mjm6783 on Apr 1, 2009 9:13 AM PDT

So I've been thinking about the last few games and how much we can say that they show us about our young Trailblazer team. We obviously play well at home, and play well against teams who are on a back to back. But on the road, and on back to backs of our own, we struggle. That's all well and good, if not totally predictable, but what games will really test this team's mettle down the stretch?

Obviously the games against San Antonio, Houston, and Denver are the most "important" in terms of the standings. If you HAD to choose ONLY ONE to win, it would probably be Denver, just because a division spot could be at stake, and it's the last game of the season, (and a home game).

The fact that the San Antonio and Houston games will be played in Texas favors the home teams, given the Blazers track record. Subsequently, many people have already written them off in the loss column. So assuming we lose both of those games, that makes the other three road games (OKC, LAC, and MEM) of greater importance.

Thus the question remains. Which games are the most important tests? The must win at home to finish the season? The shouldn't wins in Texas? Or the Lottery road games?

I think at the beginning of the season I would have said the Lottery games. Last year we were so inconsistent against everyone. I just wanted to beat the teams that we SHOULD beat, and hold a respectable margin against the rest at home.

Halfway through this year, I was probably convinced that those three games would be a lock. So I think I would pick the Denver game. It's a statement game about home court advantage, and proving we are equal to if not better than a division rival and potential playoff opponent.

But now. Near the end of the season. I think it's time to set our sights higher. We need to prove that we can win on the road against good teams. That home court advantage is not a safe bet against us in the playoffs. That we are not done growing. Those games in Texas are the next step in our evolution. Regardless of what happens in the post season, we need to show that we refuse to surrender to low expectations.

Oh, and you will notice I didn't bother to mention the L*kers game. That's because I am more confident we will win that game than any of the others. I saw it in the Blazers' eyes, they hate L.A. almost as much as I do. Plus, we owe them for injuring Rudy.

GO BLAZERS!!

Stretch this 3 game win streak into 11.

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i dont think we need to be tested anymore

any questions i’ve had about this team has already been answered…we just need to take care of business now. the only test left is the playoffs…we’ve passed our pop quizzes and midterms…now its the final.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Apr 1, 2009 9:27 AM PDT reply actions

My reaction was similar

There are important games coming up in the regular season, for playoff positioning purposes. But the next test is the playoffs.

by Timmay! on Apr 1, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

if I had to pick one of those 3 to win

it would be Houston. I don’t think we pass Denver for the division even if we beat them, but winning in Houston could very well push us past them.

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 Apr 1, 2009 9:51 AM PDT reply actions

yup this is where I am

win or lose… the Blazers have proven that they are a playoff team that can take care of business..

If there was one more test before the playoffs.. it is going into Texas and taken on Houston and SA… and the edge in importance goes to Houston..

can you imagine the position they would find themselves in if they sweep the remainder of the regular season? Talk about extra credit!!

"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum

by idoltime on Apr 1, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

yep, I fully agree with you and douglast here

by jksnake99 on Apr 1, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

It's only been recently

that “intense” playoff level intensity has run through their veins… I don’t think that they’ve actually “proven” much yet because they’ve been riding on an energy wave. At this present moment, things are really clicking and its been fun… I’m curious about 2 things:

1. Will their young bodies and minds be able to handle stepping up for a sustained period of time at the END of the season? It’s like a runner gearing up a notch and pushing on the last straight stretch.

2. Will they know how to react and fight through for the win even if the momentum wave slips?

If they get past those two concerns… Then we shouldn’t worry about them being a “young team”.

by pdxer in dfw on Apr 1, 2009 10:04 AM PDT reply actions

This team knows whats to expect on a big winning streak from last year

That being said we have several major tests remaining in these last few games.

1) Winning on the road. None of the remaining are easy games. The lesser teams will be looking to play spoiler and the playoff teams are trying to improve their seeding. Each game is of the utmost importance.

2) Improving our seeding. I know many of us would be happy with just taking the 4 seed. Why? As the time of my writing this, we are only 1.5 games behind Denver for the #2 seed. We have games against each of the teams in front of us in the conference seeding. I say shoot for the top. If we can do that than we are unbeatable in a 7 game series IMO.

OOOOOH!!!!! That was NASTY!!!!!!!!

by bmxnw on Apr 1, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Either Rockets or Spurs.

Even beating Denver, I doubt we catch them. Spurs just lost at home to OKC though, so they’re vulnerable. If they throw away another one like that, and we beat them in San Antonio, then we could be the 4 to their 5 seed. Now picture this.

We blew them out in Portland. We beat them in San Antonio late in the year. Who is going to be favored in this series if we have home court.

by Zaig on Apr 1, 2009 10:15 AM PDT reply actions

right now, it's still the road

the team has played very solid all year at home, posting impressive victories throughout the season. Many times this year, we as a fanbase have gotten over-exuberant in our claims about the team, only to see them go out on the road and stumble fairly badly, the worse being the two trips right after the all star game where we dug ourselves 20 point deficits in the first half night after night.

What I want to see on this final 4 game trip is a continuation of the improved road play that we say on our last trip, where after a rough start at Atlanta (who are very good at home), we took care of business in Indiana, Milwaukie, and (Minnesota?) and pushed Cleveland to the limit. Even if we only go 2-2 on this next 4, but are competing in all 4 games, that’s progress in my mind. If we get blown out twice then I think we are right back where we’ve been most of the year – a young team who struggles finding a way to get itself up for road games.

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 Apr 1, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

And solid solid wins at OKC and MEM for sure

The OKC loss was one of our worst of the entire year….

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 1, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

That's my vote for worst loss of the year. They got CRUSHED.......

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Apr 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

simply outclassed in the first half

it was ugly.

by jksnake99 on Apr 1, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I also want a 4th straight 20 point victory

by Zaig on Apr 1, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

At the beginning of the season I felt that a "Texas Triangle" victory would be a big step for this team.

Not that they haven’t already taken other big steps this season, but I’d love to see this happen. So far this year they’re 0-3 in Texas, and with the exception of a game two years ago in Houston when both Yao and T-Mac were out, they’re oh-for-Texas for the past 5 seasons.

Hit it. Yes he did. Ohhhh yeah.

by Badalona Baddie on Apr 1, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

Winning in OKC and Memphis and beating the hell out of Houston in their own building...

What important tests remain?

SA is a road back-to-back, so the Blazers can rope-a-dope them this time around…

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Apr 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions

play like we did in Cleveland and we'll get a win in Texas

It be most significant to get the win in Houston but at this point we just need to continue playing as we have been until we are playoff run comes to an end. Our current play could very well take us very deep in the playoffs, yet we could fall in 7games of the first round. Worst case would be the latter senario. We just need to avoid let down games at this point.

by NWfan on Apr 1, 2009 1:21 PM PDT reply actions

since we are in playoff mode right now

i think the most important game is against houston. We know we are good at home (win vs. Hou @home), and the current playoff seedings have us up against houston. I think that would put a little fear into houston going into that series. I also think the denver game is very important because of the potential series with them and the obvious home-court implications that game can hold.

by NEPBlazer4life on Apr 1, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

Win out

and we will not be asking questions but rather raising our expectations on the playoffs.

Im calling it WCF this year. I am not sure if there is any team in the west that we cannot beat in a 7 game series. Portland may be young but they sure learn quick and there is no team that can throw a match-up at us we that cannot counter and probably exploit.

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 Apr 1, 2009 8:48 PM PDT reply actions

Good points all

I think it’s important to remember that the current winning streak is at home, against teams on a back to back. If we really want to show we are a top tier team, we need to win in more adverse circumstances.

Blazers Prophecy.
3-5 championships in next decade.
You heard it here first.

by mjm6783 on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 PM PDT reply actions