Clyde Drexler: Blazers Are #1 Western Conference Threat to Lakers
by Ben. on Aug 12, 2009 11:59 AM PDT
in News
66 comments
While I was busy setting the expectations for Brandon Roy's destiny Scarface Sky-high yesterday, John Hollinger was gassing up the Blazers over on ESPN Insider...
Nobody talks about the Blazers as serious contenders in the West, but we should. Portland had the best scoring margin in basketball after the All-Star break last season, and as I keep repeating, scoring margin predicts future success better than winning percentage.
Yes, they went one-and-done in the playoffs, but this team should be better this time around.
...
One of the league's youngest nuclei gained a valuable year of experience and cut its playoff teeth. Watch out for these guys.
Mere hours after J. Hypotenuse committed those words to print, I chatted briefly with Blazers Legend and current Rockets Broadcaster, Clyde Drexler, a man that knows a little something about being "serious contenders in the West."
Good news: Clyde was happy to help inflate expectations for the Blazers.
Blazersedge: Looking forward to next season, people see the Lakers as the favorites in the Western Conference. Who else do you think will give them a run for their money?
Clyde Drexler: Obviously, the Blazers are first and foremost on my list.
I think the Rockets, with the injury to Yao Ming, they're going to be good but unless the young players really step up they may not be in the top 3 teams in the West.
You look at some of the other teams that will be back: San Antonio. If Duncan stays healthy they could compete for the title. Other than that, that's my top 3.
Dallas I don't think got any better.
New Orleans may be there -- it depends on the chemistry with their new center (Emeka Okafor) -- they could be there. Chris Paul is special.
That's about it. I don't see any other teams doing much with the Lakers.
The U.S. Olympic Committee and Allstate Insurance Company announced the members of the Class of 2009 who will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate....
The star-studded inductee list includes Michael Johnson (athletics), Picabo Street (alpine skiing), Teresa Edwards (basketball), Willye White (athletics), Mary T. Meagher (swimming), Sarah Will (Paralympic alpine skiing), the 1992 U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team, longtime Men's Gymnastics coach Abie Grossfeld, skiing veteran Andrea Mead-Lawrence, and special contributor Peter Ueberroth.
Drexler told me this morning that the induction was "an honor" and he called the Dream Team "the original, the best, the only." Asked where the 1992 Olympics stood in his list of career accomplishments, Drexler said, "to win a Gold Medal for your country, it doesn't get any better than that."
Congratulations to Clyde on this much-deserved recognition. For more info about the induction, click here.
Our full conversation with Clyde Drexler -- in which we talk Olympic hoops, Andre Miller, Brandon Roy and more -- will be included in Podcast Episode 3, which should hit the internet Friday.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
PS in case you missed it, here's a link to an interview I did with Clyde back in January.
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While Clyde was an awesome basketball player...
Ummm, well… I’ll stop right there. :D
Love you Clyde!
Portland's PG of the Future - Meet John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Aug 12, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah this ruined it for me..
I think the Rockets, with the injury to Yao Ming, they’re going to be good but unless the young players really step up they may not be in the top 3 teams in the West.
The fact clyde thinks the Rockets have a chance to be in the top 3 seeds while everyone else agrees that they will be in the lottery kinda discredits him.
by philthebballplayer on Aug 12, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, stop with the criticism. You need to see the most important point here.
And that is, that Clyde Drexler was an outstanding basketball player.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Aug 12, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Aug 12, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has to say that
He is a broadcaster for the rockets. He has to say they have a great chance of being good, he’s paid to. This doesn’t discredit him, he’s a corporate man for the Rockets… that’s all.
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley
by Earl on Aug 12, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is an employee of the Houston Rockets.
If I worked for Microsoft and started talking publicly about how they were falling apart I would get fired.
Anyway, he is a Houston man; forgive a little homerism, just as you want us to forgive you.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
by staylost on Aug 12, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
> If I worked for Microsoft and started talking publicly about how they were falling apart I would get fired.
but you might be elected governor of Washington. – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Aug 13, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well..
We have a real shot at going 3-0 against them this year. The road game is late season and the other two games are at home. We own them in the Rose Garden. I donno. Depends on home court advantage. Lakers are really tough to beat in Staples too.
Regarding Hedo Türkoğlu:
Look at the bright side, Blazers fans -- you dodged a bullet. He peaked statistically two years ago. He's allegedly 30 but could be closer to 32 or 33 for all we know. (Do you trust Turkish birth certificates? And isn't it weird that he played four years of pro ball in Turkey in the 1990s?)
- Bill Simmons of ESPN.com
by halo_on on Aug 12, 2009 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Spurs are the #1 threat to the Lakers:
Championship experience is soooo important, and if they have an injury free year they could be next year’s champs. With an injury free year and a ton of “organic development” so could the Blazers be next year’s champs, but they’ve only proved “potential” so far.
by kacee on Aug 12, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
A full 65% of pollsters so far
…are undervaluing the Spurs in my opinion.
by TheMadKiwi on Aug 12, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What if they limit Duncan to 20 min/gm for most of the games?
Would this save him for the playoffs? Could they still win 50+ games without him carrying a full load?
by kacee on Aug 13, 2009 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, they probably could
It might cost them in playoff seeding, which can hurt. But they could still win 50 with Duncan playing 25-30 mpg and not at all on back to backs.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or don't think the Spurs will stay healthy
I put a healthy Spurs team as the #1 threat, but rate it about 30-40% likely (or higher) that they will hit the playoffs hobbled by a key injury to one of their top three players.
So I consider Portland more likely to be a threat, simply because it put it at only about 10% likely that we will have a key injury to one of our top three players.
It’s all about percentages and possibilities at this point.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clyde's correct
Only Chuck Norris can dare disagree with Clyde.
Just sayin’
Seriously though, I think we are much more of a threat to the Lakers than anyone else in the WC (western conference, not ‘water closet’) . Aside from our first game blowout, we played them tough all season, even dominating them at times. This year we are older, wiser and less intimidated. Plus, I the Roy vs Kobe matchup is underrated..Roy stacks up pretty well against him now, and as Kobe ages the battle will start to favor Brandon.
IMO, the Lakers are the favorites for the championship, BUT, in my estimation it won’t be as easy as Laker fans think. Bringing in Artest is a risky proposition for them, chemistry wise and could topple their chances like a house of cards should he become a distraction, or start jackin’ his ill advised shots. Anyone know if Artest has any experience with the triangle?
I’ve noticed a lot of Laker fans saying that “on paper” they are practically invincible…but isn’t that what they said when they brought in Malone and Payton? We all know how well that turned out.
by SloppyJoe on Aug 12, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
When Pippen joind the Blazers...
we were toted as the best team on paper. Look where that got us (I’m looking at you 2000 WCF).
by actwentysix on Aug 12, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly..
which is why I never refer to the Blazers today using that phrase. It’s a jinx.
by SloppyJoe on Aug 12, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're the best team
on cyberspace?
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're the Best NBA Team...
in Portland, Oregon.
I liken the Blazers to Ninja Assassins; Stealthy, deadly, underrated and ready to strike.
by SloppyJoe on Aug 13, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until they win a playoff series
Portland can’t be the #1 threat. A threat, yes, but not the #1 contender. I’d place Denver ahead of us for now, now being that period of time before the start of the season. I think by December, we’ll have a good idea who the contenders are, and Portland could possibly be that #1 threat. I just think it’s premature to call them that in August.
Fine, the OLP album grew on me. It's defiantly change.
by SuperDave on Aug 12, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Logic?
Statement #1. “Until they win a playoff series, Portland can’t be the #1 threat.”
Statement #2. “By December, Portland could possibly be that #1 threat.”
Logical conclusion: Portland could possibly win a playoff series by December, which would enable them to be that #1 threat.
Who knew that was possible? You learn something new on the Internet every day.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
why does everyone hate me?
although I think this brings to light I need to be mindful of my paragraph and sentence structure, since I see my own contradiction. The SPIRIT of what I am saying is lets not get all engorged and excited about being contenders in August. Lets be contenders in December. I kind of shot gunned my thoughts, adding in the whole “haven’t won a playoff series yet” thing. I stand corrected. Good to know there are so many people out there keeping massively important and pious me in check.
Fine, the OLP album grew on me. It's defiantly change.
by SuperDave on Aug 13, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm engorged. It's too late for me
save yourself
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 13, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
< laughter and applause >
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Aug 14, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Internet
Where fact checking happens and few people care.
I want to be contenders all year round, every year, for the next 29 years. By then, I’ll be so old I won’t care anymore.
Who hates you? We’re just burning time until the season starts. August and September are the longest months. Well, maybe October, because the season is getting so close that the days go by even more slowly.
Sure, it’s a waste of time to critique yoru statement, but this whole exercise is largely a waste of time.
And obviously, you are right.
Any suggestions for something better to do than rave about how good the team will be this year? We’ve done statistical analysis, schedule analysis, speculated endlessly about starting lineups, reworked the CBA, memorized Andre Miller’s life story, etc, etc, etc.
What is left besides frivolously shredding each other’s logic?
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was wondering.
So were you.
The cowards never started
The weak died along the way
Only the strong survived
They were the Trailblazers
by lukeyhere on Aug 12, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked how he didn’t mention the nuggets or jazz. I’m more concerned with the jazz having a heck of a season than the nuggets. I really think the nuggets will fall back and probably end up with a 6th seed. But yeah, its way too early to tell and we will find out when the season unfolds
by elkaholic84 on Aug 12, 2009 2:03 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Clyde is not just blowing smoke! Or is he?
The teams generally considered to be in contention in the west are Denver, Utah, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Portland.
Of these teams, who clearly GOT BETTER? I say there are two teams on that list, with a third in the wings. The two that clearly got better are San Antonio and Portland. Some are also saying Dallas, but as we saw, Clyde does not think so, and I am not so sure either.
Four teams look like they are TAKING A STEP BACK: Denver (lost Jones and Kalaisa), Utah (going to have to move Boozer), Houston (lost the second best center in the league), and Phoenix (lost the third best center in the league).
This leaves two teams BREAKING EVEN: New Orleans and Los Angeles.
An additional factor to consider here is STABILITY. ALL of these teams competing with the Blazers are going to have a guaranteed change in their starting lineups. (I grant that Utah could keep Boozer for the whole season, but not likely.) This represents a potential negative factor. First it reduces their instinctive knowledge of one another’s games as they get used to playing with one another, and secondly, what if, god forbid, they don’t gel? McMillan, on the other hand, has said that we will start with the team that won 54 games last year.
One last thing to consider is INJURIES and their affect to the bottom line. (Which teams look to be hurt least by of injuries? Which teams have key players with a history of injuries? Depth?) I won’t go through all of the possibilities here, but four teams seem to have a superior level of depth: San Antonio, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Portland. Of these four teams, San Antonio and Dallas have a greater number of key older players, and players (not very replaceable) with substantial injury histories. Again, this looks to be an advantage for the Blazers and Lakers. All of the, “other,” top teams will certainly have injury issues, and from the looks of it, there will be a substantial effect on the number of their wins and losses.
I can see why Clyde is giving us props here, he has good reason to!
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 12, 2009 2:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, if he is.
He’s blowing better smoke than the Jailblazer teams of yore…
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Aug 12, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quibble.
Utah should be better this year than they were last even if they lose Boozer. Utah was wrecked by injuries last year. I think they’ll be better than last, but worse than the couple years before last.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
by staylost on Aug 12, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it possible that Utah benefited from an easier schedule during the time that Boozer was out last year?
Part of the problem I had with Utah was that they were not much, "better," at the end of the year even after Boozer came back. They were pretty bad down the stretch in what I would call "the meat of their schedule," thus possibly exposing the early part of their schedule. It appears they had been the beneficiary of an easier schedule during early part of the season (much of the time that Boozer was out) and many prognosticators (following your apparent line of reasoning) were suggesting that they were going to be much better when he came back, and that everyone needed to look out for Utah. The problem was that when he did come back they had a lot of tough games reaming, particularly tough road games, and they floundered down the stretch, barely making the playoffs.
If they lose him permanently next year, I see this hurting them even more than last year due to a possible lack of depth and the need to overuse players. I don’t recall any other major pickups that Utah has made in the off-season? Also, it seems like injuries run in streaks so I am not sure their run of injuries is over. I know Harpering has had a lot of injury issues, and I am also somewhat concerned about Dwill injury wise, because of the way he plays. On the plus side, Jerry Sloan has worked wonders before, so I hate to underestimate him
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 12, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last year
Utah lost games they should have won, when key players were out — home games against non-elite teams, road games against poor teams.
When they got healthy, they started winning those games — the vast majority of even their tough home games, and even road games against losing teams. Their huge problem was that they had stored up a whole lot of very tough road games against winning teams for the end of their schedule, and a lot of them were on back to backs. They just couldn’t win any of those games.
I actually think that once they got healthy, they were better on the road last year than the year before. Two years ago, they won 37 at home and went only 17-24 on the road. I think they are going to be a tougher road team than that this year. Whether they can match the 37-4 at home remains to be seen.
I won’t be surprised if they win 55, but I doubt they go much over that.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I too believe that Utah is in the mix, it is just that I see some problems as well
If Utah somehow keeps Boozer, or manages to get equal value for him (?) and manages better health, I would not be overly surprised by 55 wins either. But those are big ifs. Also, if they had been healthy last year I would not have seen the 55 win total as out of line for them.
All in all, I see the Boozer problems as being a negative for them. And considering that this discussion in the context of contending with the Lakers, I don’t see them as having taken a major step forward toward the Lakers, something I do see happening with the Trail Blazers. The point I was trying to make was that I think it is fairly apparent that some teams are moving upstream more quickly than others.
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 13, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
your analysis
The analysis would have more merit had the team been even.
You said that X and Y got better, Z and W stayed the same, and L, M, N, O got worse, etc. This has no meaning unless you take into account the level at which all teams started off.
In the west, it’s going to be:
1) Lakers
2) Spurs
3) Nuggets
4) Mav/Blazers
The rest won’t matter. I may even put Nuggets/Spurs on the same level. Carmelo is a beast. He is better than Brandon Roy and almost as good as Kobe. Perhaps by next year, Melo will be as good as Kobe. In last years Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference finals, out of the 4 teams, I thought that the best were the lakers, 2nd were the nuggets, 3rd the magic and 4th the Cavs. When the Lakers played the magic in the finals, there was never a doubt who the winner was going to be. In the WCF, against the Nuggets i thought —-maybe the nuggets have a chance! Especially after game 2.
So don’t sell the nuggets short. 6th seed? No freakin way. Either 2 or 3 in my book.
by plyka on Aug 12, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver, is that the Rocky Mountains or the Smoky Mountains?
Denver. Interesting team. Some interesting players. Some interesting fans.
Besides the loss of the two players mentioned above, part of my problem with Denver is their apparent culture of emotional fragility. They seem to be somewhat high strung. Last year during their home games, when the cameras would pan the crowds, I was never sure whether or not they had somehow switched feeds to an MMA crowd.
I am not sure if this One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest mentality bodes well for consistency? Carmelo has some emotional issues? Birdman has some emotional issues? JR has some emotional issues? Anyone playing with them, or coaching them, might develop some emotional issues?
Chauncey did a great job of pulling them together last year, but I am not so sure he can keep this up. For one thing, he is getting older. His credibility with these, "rising stars," may be in jeopardy as soon as this year?
For these reasons, I am not about too get to high on Denver’s thin air. And if I were you, I wouldn’t either.
PS: I really like Nene as a player though, if he can stay healthy.
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 13, 2009 5:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver was incredibly lucky last year
Their lineup features such ironmen as Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups. You know one of those guys is going to get hurt this season.
I predict
1) Lakers
2) Spurs
3) Blazers
by kickbrass on Aug 13, 2009 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If you look at where the teams started off
San Antonio, Denver, and Portland all finished at the same level last year.
Therefore, if you think Denver finishes ahead of Portland and even with San Antonio, you apparently think they improved more than Portland and as much as San Antonio improved.
Take away Kleiza, add Lawson. Add a year chemistry with Billups there from the start of the year. Yeah, I would say Denver may be better. As much better as Portland or S.A.? Pretty doubtful.
They could win 54 and end up 5th or 6th seed. The West is brutal.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I too believe Utah is in the mix, it is just that I see some problems as well
If Utah somehow keeps Boozer, or manages to get equal value for him (?) and manages better health, I would not be overly surprised by 55 wins either. But those are big ifs. Also, if they had been healthy last year I would not have seen the 55 win total as out of line for them.
All in all, I see the Boozer problems as being a negative for them. And considering that this discussion is in the context of contending with the Lakers, I don’t see them as having taken a major step forward toward the Lakers, something I do see happening with the Trail Blazers. The point I was trying to make was that I think it is fairly apparent that some teams are moving upstream more quickly than others.
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 13, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ooops!
It is all my computer’s fault!
This post is meant to be up above.
It all started 6 years ago, no make that 8, after 9-11. Or it could have been the whole 2000 thing? Anyway, Sorry!
Note: Denver also lost Dahntay Jones, maybe a bigger loss than Kleiza. His defense was excellent.
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 13, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everything is my computer's fault
It keeps pasting stuff into Bedge fanposts from Excel when I’m not looking.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clyde's the man!
If he said it, it must be true. I read it on the internet.
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Aug 12, 2009 2:07 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
My Western Conference Top 8
1-Lakers
2-Spurs
3-Blazers & Nuggets (tied)
5-Dallas
6-New Orleans
7-Utah
8-Phoenix (assuming a healthy Amare)
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
by Arby on Aug 12, 2009 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Arby's top 8 looks about right to me...
of course, I would be thrilled to see the Blazers exceed my expectations this year. Which is entirely possible if everything clicks—i.e., Greg grows up, LMA picks up a few more low post moves, Martell stays healthy and rips it up, Batum takes it up a big notch on offense, Andre feeds the big dogs a few more dunkin donuts, Rudy keeps his spark, Roy can run in the fourth quarter because he doesn’t have to do so much ball handling and thinking, Blake continues to be steady at the point, and Outlaw and Bayless don’t sulk with reduced minutes. But that’s a lot of “if.”
by oldguyoldfan on Aug 12, 2009 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clyde
Clyde is not an expert on anything other than his own personal interest
by hjplatt2 on Aug 12, 2009 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Non experts can get lucky!?
I’ve seen this pattern in Clyde myself, but that does not mean he is wrong. He might be right for the wrong reasons but still right? Huh?
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 12, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clyde is the Ultimate PC Quote Machine
He is a wonderful guy – just don’t expect anything but positive spin from him.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 12, 2009 4:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the word, Clyde.
You will always be a legend to us.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
by staylost on Aug 12, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Has to be the Spurs with a healthy Manu
"Goals are good. Plans are better." -Ben.
by Sabonis4Ever on Aug 12, 2009 5:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If anyone knows about health issues it is Sabonis4Ever!
Isn’t the Spur’s health the biggest issue for them? I believe it has been several years now since they have been, "healthy."
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Aug 12, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They might be; but I'm afraid to put the karmic jinx of expectations on them
Call me silly – but as a fan, if I can keep my expectations low – I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
For the team, I believe they should head into the season believing they can win a championship, this year.
by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Aug 12, 2009 5:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They might be
Especially if SA gets a lot of injuries again, but I agree with those above, it’s too early to say that.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 12, 2009 6:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Clyde is a homer no doubt
But I don’t disagree with him completely regarding the Rockets. The las vegas betting odds are the best place, in my opinion, for future forecasts. Whenever you are dealing with a market place, there is no bias —-the market dictates who is ranked where depending on how much money is put on the line where via anyone who has confidence enough in their forecast to put money on the line. Currently, with the Yao info INCLUDED, the Rockets are rated rather highly. They are roughly 30/1 to win the NBA championship for 2010. The Trailblazers, by comparison, are rather high as well at 20/1. The Lakers have a 2.4/1 chance with the Cavs coming in second at 3/1.
Basically, the consensus agrees with Clyde that the Rockets will be tough next year. The only teams favored in front of the Rockets right now, in the WC, are: Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers. The Mavs are tied at 30/1 with the Rockets.
And to tell you the truth, the Rockets played very well WITHOUT Yao in the line-up. Yao played the first 3 games vs the Lakers. The lakers won 2 out of 3. The next 4 games the Rockets played without Yao and the series was tied 2-2. They played extraordinarily well, although there was neve a doubt in my mind that the Lakers were going to win that series.
Regarding the Blazers, I still do not think that they are up for the challenge. They have the talent level, and with the addition of Andre Miller, and natural growth, I believe that the Blazers will be better than last year. The problem, however, is that I don’t think they are going to be good enough. They lack the balance and experience needed to beat the lakers in 7 games. The big 3 inside, Bynum/Gasol/Odom are a very difficult match up. The Blazers still get much of their production from jump shots rather than post scoring, and this really hurts in the playoffs. The lakers on the other hand, while the offense runs strictly through Kobe, Kobe does enter the ball into the post very often. Not to mention that he plays in the post himself, and is in my opinion the most dominant post-up player in the league (i’m talking about backcourt posting, positions 1-3). So here i think is the Blazers major weakness which will hurt them mightily against the lakers in the playoffs —post scoring. The lakers will most likely get more than 50% of their scoring from the post. The Blazers need to somehow match them to a great degree if they are going to have a chance.
by plyka on Aug 12, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Fairly reasonable analysis
What it neglects is two things: the strong likelihood of post scoring increasing due to the development of Greg Oden, and the greater difficulty LA will have in getting those points in the post against a huge Portland front line. LA’s big three inside may be a very difficult matchup for most teams, but not so bad for Portland with Oden or Przybilla at center and Aldridge at PF.
It is impossible to read Houston at this point in time. They could be quite good or very bad. There are some guys who will really have to step up.
Vegas odds? How many wins was Vegas predicting for Portland last year, or the year before? In many cases, that is a good predictor, but not too useful in assessing the development of very young teams.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 13, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clyde I wouldn't be listening to so much, but .......
Hollinger’s stats could be meaningful.
The capability of the Blazers this coming season I think is unlimited. The finals could be there’s for the taking….I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see it.
Depends on Oden.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
by TwoDeep on Aug 12, 2009 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Christian Laettner should not be in any sort of Hall of Fame
The inbound to McGinnis, drives, stops, pumps, shoots, short, no good...AND THE GAME IS OVER! ~ Bill Schonely
by SandbergOnSports on Aug 13, 2009 8:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
he is riding in on 11 sets of coattails
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Aug 13, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm more appalled by Michael Johnson. They might want to test some old blood samples before inducting him.
Three of the four runners in the 4 × 400m gold in Sidney, Pettigrew and Alvin and Calvin Harrison, and preliminary round runner Jerome Young, all have admitted or tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Johnson is the only one who was spared. And he was the by far fastest. But well, he won dominantly in Atlanta and the US Olympic committee needed that.
As for Laettner, does the NCAA have a hall of fame? He should be in that.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
by Norsktroll on Aug 13, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
CLYDE DISRESPECTED US ALL!
First of all Clyde, thank you for the 2 Confrence Championships. Couldn’t have done it without you. With that said, heres some resons that you shouldn’t be allowed to be given full respect from us:
1- The whole Portland community supported you for 12 straight years and labled you as the Mayor of the city. I know now that didn’t mean squat to you. Why? You were inducted into the Fame and you had the audasity to wear your ROCKETS jersey. I don’t care if that’s your home and you recieved a ring there(thanks to Hakeem btw), bla bla! All that did was slap all of us here in Portland that bought those #22 and # 10 jerseys across the face!
Even Charles Barkley said that was messed up and he hates Portland!
2- 50 gretest of all time! Good job Clyde! That also doesnt mean crap to me. Once again you sported ROCKETS jersey again! Do you have any respect for us at all?
3- I was there at the MC last summer. I sat and applauded Porter, Buck, Jerome and Cliff all for showing up and to show respect to Duck and his family. Even Terry, who was just hired on as the new Suns coach. As busy as he must have been at the time, he had his priorities in line. They all stood up and had something nice to say about Duck. You, all sweaty and all, took a 1-2 minute time out from a pick-up game and recored yourself to say how sorry that this had happened.
I used tocall you my idol as a kid. My room’s wall had you plastered all over it. My teachers used to call my Jesse Drexler. My warm-up jersey’s for basketball read Drexler on the back.
People called me crazy for admiring you so much. I now see why!
by droyden on Aug 13, 2009 9:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He's just not that into you
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 13, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back to the topic
With 54 wins last year as the 2nd youngest team in the league. We would have been the yougest, I do believe, if it wasn’t for Mr. Idaho LaFrentz. With the expierence and confidence that we gained from last year, I believe that we can add a few more wins.
San Antonio added RJ but Tim Duncan is showing his age quikly and Manu hasn’t been healthy in a long time. Parker has the Y. Ming disease(plays all year round for his counrty and gets hurt). His ankle is jacked up as we speak.
So heres my West rankings:
1-Fakers(for one more year)
2-PTB
3-Nuggs
4-Spurs
5-Mavs
6-Jazz
7-Hornets
8-Clippers(bring it on….)
7
6-
by droyden on Aug 13, 2009 10:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Portland will be either 2nd or 3rd , dependent upon injuries this year out west.
by Brad.Peltier on Aug 13, 2009 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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