Revised expectation = Unrealistic expectations?

p(. Before the season started, most fans were expecting somewhere between 47-52 wins and a 7th or 8th seed. Few people expected us to win more games then that or win a playoff series. The team takes us by surprise and not only wins 54 games but secures homecourt advantage. Despite that homecourt advantage, we draw the Rockets which is was the team generally regarded as our second toughest matchup behind the Lakers. Sure enough, we're down 3-1 and now there are criticisms all around. Is this team the subject of unfair expectations or failing to play to their ability and deserve the criticism? I see this kind of thing happen all the time in sports. For example, Coach Romar at UW took the Huskies to 3 straight tourney appearances and then the next two years we finished in the bottom third of the conference for two years. A portion of the fanbase started calling for his head. Last year he surpassed expectations and won the conference. This team has gone from 21 to 32, 41 and how 54 wins in consecutive years. First playoff game they are clearly playing scared and get blown out. Since then, they won convincingly at home (a late flurry of 3's made it look closer but the game was pretty much over,) and lost two games on the road at Houston by a combined total of 4 points. Regardless of what happens this series I'm excited about our prospects. I believe the faults with this team are obvious and if those are corrected, the Blazers will see the WCF next year. -Oden needs stop fouling, I'd like to see him play 30-32 minutes a game next year. If he gets that time, he'll be effective. -Late game lineup needs to be shifted if Blake & Outlaw are going to make silly mistakes. I like our 'big' lineup with Roy and Rudy as our guard and either Martell or Batum at SF. -LA needs to play the game in clutch situations and not think too much about his shot. I'd also like to see him be more aggressive. I think those three things will be better next year. Blazers will win about. 60 games and have playoff experience. Watch out league.