Bucher and Bill Simmons tentatively pick Blazers for WCF in new BS Report

Bucher and Bill Simmons tentatively pick Blazers for WCF in new BS Report

6 months ago Jiggamant 48 comments 1 recs |

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i don't have a URL but its on the front page of ESPN.com

Tony Luftman Is an Animatronic Robot created by Cyberdyne Industries for the purpose of the destruction of the entire human race, no one shall be spared.

by Jiggamant on Apr 14, 2009 4:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?id=4068175

Everybody was a baby once, Arthur. Oh, sure, maybe not today, or even yesterday. But once. Babies, chum: tiny, dimpled, fleshy mirrors of our us-ness, that we parents hurl into the future, like leathery footballs of hope. And you've got to get a good spiral on that baby, or evil will make an interception.

by shenanigans on Apr 14, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We are the new "bandwagon pick" at the beginning to beat the Lakers, and in the end they also give much praise

In the beginning they still argue we are the new “Hornets” and need to get experience (never been there). But in the end even Pryz gets some love as a "veteran" along with Rudy and Roy. No major injury issues (they don’t see Oden as a factor anyway), great home court (although they note heightened expectations could work against the team if they get blown out at home in a game), top 5 coach, good defense, Roy as closer, LaMarcus as “most athletic power forward in the game” as matchup nightmare for San Antonio.

Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.

by Norsktroll on Apr 14, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

can you put up a link? I couldn't find it

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Apr 14, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On iTunes it's here

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=53526742&id=254098743

Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.

by Norsktroll on Apr 14, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

THANKS!!!!

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Apr 14, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The next time we get blown out at home

Will be the first time.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just losing badly on a last second shot like against Orlando could do the trick

Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.

by Norsktroll on Apr 14, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't buy that

I went to every game this season and even during the losses we still held our heads up high. NOTHING on court would make us fans turn on our team, NOTHING. Expectations? We just wanted to make the playoffs. No pressure on the Blazers at all.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

After a day or ranting on BE people would come back to appreciating what the team has done over the season

They are CLEARLY ahead of plan. But if you discuss playoff matchups like they did, such a bad home court loss in game 1 or 2 could do us in for a series.

Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.

by Norsktroll on Apr 14, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big difference between Bedgers bitching and booing your team (if that is what the podcast was implying)

Losing a home game in the playoffs hurts…wow…thank you Mr. Simmons.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they said we have a good defense?

do they realize Dallas and Chicago are the only two playoff teams with worse defenses?

by jksnake99 on Apr 14, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Conventional stats

Everybody looks at PPG. Blazers play a slow enough pace that people think they’re a good defensive team. If that were true, they WOULD be a title contender…

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

by KP Corleone on Apr 14, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

I’m just surprised at Simmons— didn’t he learn anything from that stat geek conference he went to.

by jksnake99 on Apr 14, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the part about the Eastern Conference they give Nic some love as part of the next generation of perimeter defenders

Apparently someone still watches games, although Stein admits he hasn’t seen Portland live at least at home.

Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.

by Norsktroll on Apr 14, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

neither bucher or stein corrected him, they agreed

so… yeah

btw our defense has gotten quite a bit better since Greg has come back.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Apr 14, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they aren't talking about the regular season,

But instead how we’ve been playing lately. We are a good, but not great, defensive team at the moment, and have been for a few weeks.

If you ever hear of someone punching out a girl scout and stealing her Samoas, it was me
- Mortimer

by Clevelander among roses on Apr 14, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't give them that much benefit of the doubt

They’re going off of the “Well Nate is a defensive coach and the points allowed is low so they must be good at defense” logic.

The same logic that gets announcers saying how much we love to run because we’re young. Just bad assumptions.

Morty

by Mortimer on Apr 15, 2009 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear alot of BS...

About our fans and our expectations. We will be happy if we get past the first round. Didn’t Portland at one point have the smartest basketball fans in the country.

"I don't play for what they write about me...I play for my teammates, my coaches, the city of Portland." - Steve Blake

by hohowan on Apr 14, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, harsh critizism of us, the fans, early on there.

Saying the we have expectations now, and we’re gonna turn on the team as soon as we lose a playoff game here…say, “none of them have a ’we’re just happy to be here’” aptitude."
That just doesn’t ring true to me. I can’t speak for all blazers fans, but it sure is nice to be here, and even if we get swept out of the first round, I can’t be anything but happy with how this season played out, and how bright the future looks. That dude doens’t know what he’s talking about..

by MattyDread on Apr 14, 2009 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

attitude not aptitude

by MattyDread on Apr 14, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, for some of us on B.E.

Aptitude might work as well…some posters are terminal pessimists…

by DonkeyShins on Apr 14, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm just happy to be there!

really, really happy

"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 Apr 14, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah he does.

The first time we lose a game, you’ll see all the old chestnuts:

Fire Nate!
Blake/Sergio/Jerryd sucks! We need a real point guard!
Travis has a low BBIQ!
Oden’s a bust!

by MiledAnimal on Apr 14, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Say it an't so!

But one thing’s for certain…when the Blazers lose the refs will be blamed!

(KP should’ve traded for Hinrich and a veteran big man…said it then, sayin’ it again now, before the playoff games begin)

by two4larue on Apr 14, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tieing up 27 million over the next 3 years for hinrich!!

is a good idea, seriously? you do know that salaries matter right? this is kirk hinrich we’re talking about here, not a game changer. would blake / hinrich be an upgrade over blake/rodriguez? undeniably yes. but his contract doesn’t expire until 2012.

by colinmarsh on Apr 14, 2009 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Proving Miled's point for him I see.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 15, 2009 7:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just happy to be here.

Althought, I believe that we can make some noise, I wouldn’t call it expectations.

by dpnim on Apr 14, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

These commentators betray themselves at the end.

after at least 10-15 minutes of bashing the Blazers Chances this is said:
“I haven’t been around the blazers a lot this season, but when i was there early i got this feeling of ‘Hey, Let’s Just get there”

Which is true. But in the past two months there has been a different feeling altogether. I feel it from Brandon the most. His interviews and feature on 95.5 have that direction and drive you’d expect from a leader on a winning team.

Bucher and Bill then give 4 key components the Blazers have that’ll help win playoff games.
4 Components:
Great HomeCourt
Very Good Defensively
Great (Top 5 Coach)
Closer at the End of Game
and
against San Antonio: LaMarcus Aldridge is a monster Power Forward and will tear Duncan Apart.

Overall I really enjoyed this Podcast.
Still they Need to do some research, cause there is no way for the Blazers to face LA in the WCF, since the winner of 4 and 5 play the winner of 1 and 2 second round.
Every blogger out there is busy writing about Blazers – Lakers WCF, which will not happen.

OH! HE JAMS WITH TWO HANDS! You gotta be kidding me!
Now don't get too excited Bayless, We'll let MB do that -
No get excited! TELL EM WHERE YOU'RE FROM!

by Portland89 on Apr 14, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blazers can still get #3, and I think thats what they are saying

but also they are national writers, so they dont really research any particular team.

by GreatOden'sRaven on Apr 14, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

root for N.O. and Dallas to win..

we get #3

by GreatOden'sRaven on Apr 14, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simmons is sucj an Oden hater

Just the mention of Oden’s name makes Simmons scoff and chuckle, which just shows that none of the three understand what Oden really means to this team.

Also, Bucher thinks that everybody is jumping on him for his Portland / OKC comparrison because it is obvious that Portland is better this year. Its amazing that he doesnt understand that people think he is wrong now, 3,4,and 5 years from now. Portland is just as young or younger, and doesnt have any real holes. OKC has no Center, no SG, and no PF. So when Portland is just as young and 3 years (at least) ahead of where OKC is, why does OKC have the brighter future?? Get a clue Bucher

OKC is sooooo far from where Portland is, and I really dont see them being a huge threat in 4 years unless they make some serious upgrades (which they might)

Hi fans it Brandon Roy.
And ME.....LaMarcus Aldridge

by Derftron on Apr 14, 2009 7:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

they've got like 6 first round picks in the next 3 years or something like that

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Apr 14, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the reasons he states is that Portland will have a hard time paying the talent that they already have. this is silly considering that OKC doesn’t have the same fan following and will have trouble filling seats for the next four years. Whereas the Blazers sell out consistently now and their owner has what we like to call DEEP pockets. When it comes time for OKC to pay for those picks there’s going to be a bit of a problem. You know durant will require a big paycheck, although I guess his decision to take a smaller contract with Nike over Addias shows he not JUST about the money. He’s also about pointless status. Blah blah and stuff. Not really a reply to the above I guess, just decided to put this here, sorry.

by pxilpooshr on Apr 14, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OKC

He also talks about how the blazers are gonna have a tough time holding on to their players, forgetting the Paul Allen, the fact that portland is a place people like to play (Joel could have had more money) and that OKC is gonna have to sign durant and Green in the same year, and then westbrook a year later. OKC has no coach, no pritchard

by StocktonNEP on Apr 14, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Paul Allen

No Rose Garden
No fans like us

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 14, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, they do.

Sam Presti, OKC’s GM, is out of the same mold as Pritchard, learning the business in the Spurs organization and working for RC Buford. Presti is following a similar pattern, collecting draft picks, shedding salary and drafting for character as well as talent.

3 – 4 years is a very long time in terms of how fast things can change in the NBA. OKC looks to be a lottery team for at least two more drafts. There is good reason to be optimistic about their future. It’s just a bit too optimictic to think that future is brighter than Portland’s.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 15, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem with Presti so far

is that he’s drafting best player available, with seemingly little regard for how the team will fit together. They have three good players, two of which are small forwards.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 15, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know I'd classify that as a problem.

For one, it means you are assuming you are a better evaluator of talent and position fit than Presti.

For another, Durant is the type of player who doesn’t easily fit into a specific position and whose position could change as he develops and matures physically.

Finally, there is no consideration of the possibility that Presti could package someone like Green with some of his picks and/or an expiring contract for a player he likes.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 15, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you're that bad

If ya ain’t drafting BPA, you’re gonna shoot yourself in the foot.

Green is more of a new wave PF than a SF, anyways. And if they get the #1 pick, they should take Griffin, even if they already got their PF of the future in Green.

That high in the draft, you get BPA and figure the rest out later. Drafting for ‘need’ is how you draft Martell over Chris Paul or Deron (I love Martell and it worked out for us, but it was still the wrong choice, and a draft pick for need). The only ‘need’ they have is a need for good players.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 15, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simmons is going to be wrong for a long time before he is right,

if he ever is, because the Thunders will always be behind the Blazers developmentally for a long time. Even when the Thunders begin peaking, they will never be able to match our team’s smarts and experience level until our players get old. The only way the Thunders can ever overcome our veteran edge, barring Portland injuries, is if their talent and athleticism is enough better, which I doubt will happen.

by MiledAnimal on Apr 15, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How does Stein know so little about the Blazers????

Isnt he an NBA guy??

Hi fans it Brandon Roy.
And ME.....LaMarcus Aldridge

by Derftron on Apr 14, 2009 7:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

at the end of the second part, Stein says that a lot of NBA writers are relying on the blazers to make the Western Conference Playoffs interesting

Tony Luftman Is an Animatronic Robot created by Cyberdyne Industries for the purpose of the destruction of the entire human race, no one shall be spared.

by Jiggamant on Apr 14, 2009 8:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BS report

always interesting to see what simmons has to say about the blazers since he’s been so outspoken about oden. True the blazers have the four elements of a playoff team, closer, great coach, defense, and home court. You could also say that its not really about a closer, but about the ability to excecute on offense, which sometimes includes just iso for Roy. Also, they mention “the most athletic PF” in the game, without saying his name, should give duncan a work out

by StocktonNEP on Apr 14, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

An odd experience

I sometimes did not know which team they were describing. Great defense? Fickle fans?

"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 Apr 14, 2009 9:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bucher helped Simmons turn the corner...

on the Blazers potentially making the Conference Finals. While I admit this is a longshot, we have a lot of pieces that make a contender. Our lack of experience notwithstanding, our fans should expect the team to compete in the first round. The Jazz were an inexperienced team when they made the Western Conference Finals a couple years ago. Since then they’ve taken a step backward because of injuries and other teams getting better. You have to take advantage of the opportunities that are there. The fans are going to back this team no matter what. Let’s nut up and do what we are capable of. Go Blazers!

It doesn't matter who they vote for. As long as I get to pick who's running.
J.D. Rockefeller

I don't write checks, straight cash homey...
Randy Moss

by OURVYDAS on Apr 14, 2009 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

From Fox Sports:

Ranking: 5 Playoff outlook: West finals. Greg Oden didn’t have a dominant rookie season, but he anchors the best second unit in the NBA. With a go-to player in Brandon Roy and an underrated coach in Nate McMillan, the Blazers may be the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West. They’ve beaten Kobe and Co. eight straight times at the Rose Garden and, after struggling away from home all season, won seven of their last nine road games.

Coo to see us get some respect (finally)

Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch

by two buck chuck on Apr 15, 2009 12:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs