First Observations on the Blazers Schedule
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:36 AM PDT
61 comments
The following is my first observations on the Blazers schedule for the next season. The full schedule is available at: Blazers.com (Click on the link).
By the Numbers
Home Opener: 10/27 vs. Houston.
Road Opener: 10/31 at Houston.
Number of TNT games slated: 6.
Number of ESPN games slated: 10.
Number of ABC games slated: 1 (at Lakers in April).
Longest Road Trip: 5 (Twice, MEM-MIN-NOLA, CHA and ATL in November and NJ-TOR-CHI-MN-MEM in February/March).
Longest Home Stand: 5 (MEM-LAL-CLE-MIL-ORL in January).
Number of back to backs: 19.
My thoughts by quarter of the season:
1st Quarter-As with last year, the Blazers start out strong early with five of their first six against playoff teams from last year. However, they then go into a reasonable stretch for most of November/December in which they should be able to build some wins.
2nd Quarter-Virtually without question the toughest part of the schedule, with all the big Eastern teams and a mammoth home-stand featuring the Fake Show, Cleveland and Orlando.
3rd Quarter-Reasonable schedule. Some tough stretches in there, including a mammoth stretch of three games with the Jazz back to back with the Spurs followed by our other Faker home game.
4th Quarter-Strong but finishes relatively weak. With the exception of games against Dallas and the Lakers, if the Blazers are in good shape for home court at this point they should be golden as they close with a fairly easy stretch.
My Top Game of each Month-
October (tie)-Vs/At Houston-Key to getting the season off on the right foot.
November-Vs. San Antonio 11/6-A key test against a likely rival for home court.
December-Vs. Denver-12/25-Its the Chirstmas game between the two teams likely to fight for the NW Division crown.
January-Vs. Cleveland-1/10-We got swept by them last year. If we want to join the elite, beating the Cavs would be a good start.
February-Vs. Fakers-2/6-Do you really need to know why this is a key game? Its the Lakers dude.
March-At Denver-3/7-Another key game in what is likely to be a close division race.
April-At Fakers-4/11-Our only Faker road game this year and a chance to make a statement before the playoffs.
Let me know what you think and GO BLAZERS!
1 recs |
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TV Games
Looks like 24 or 25 or so National TV games…then you factor in KGW games. Looks like non CSN subscribers should have a lot of games to look forward to this year.
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by Philthyanimal on Aug 4, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't count NBA TV games
And of course if we’re good we’re likely to pick up some ABC games in the second half of the season.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is the first game in Miami??
"We believe" -Rudy Fernandez
by twiggs on Aug 4, 2009 10:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That is an editing error
Press releases from BOTH HOU and POR say it is at the RG.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh ok.
That was not making any sense.
"We believe" -Rudy Fernandez
by twiggs on Aug 4, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It might be system-wide for the NBA site — the Lakers / Clips opener is also listed as "Miami"...
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Aug 4, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
opponents WP by month, based on 08-09 records
Oct .650 (3)
Nov .431 (16)
Dec .526 (15)
Jan .534 (15)
Feb .499 (13)
Mar .402 (13)
Apr .447 (7)
So, let’s hope for a quick start in October/November to propel us through the Dec/Jan rough patch, then try to go on a big March run.
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 Aug 4, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
If we can be in good shape going into the All-Star break
We’ll be fine.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
western non-conference
this is favorable.
LAL 2 home, 1 away
San Antonio 2 home, 1 away
Phoenix 1 home, 2 away
New Orleans 1 home, 2 away
all the rest are 2/2
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 Aug 4, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The laker series helps a lot
for a bet I made about the Blazers winning the season series. Now they just have to do as they do
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 4, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope what's it?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 4, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the t.v. show...
they say, “that’s how they do” all of the time. When you said it… it reminded me of the show.
I’d think you’d like the wire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire.
by PoliSam on Aug 4, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The wire is awesome
I sort of wish they had made more, but it wrapped up pretty well. Also, watch Generation Kill. It’s another David Simon/HBO series.
Blazers Prophecy.
3-5 championships in next decade.
You heard it here first.
by mjm6783 on Aug 4, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
While looking through the schedule one thing strikes me as different.
None of the teams on that list seem very scary. It’s the first time in a long time that I look at that list and think we can beat any of these teams.
It’s a new world. Finally!
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 4, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That made me happy too
We have a chance to win every game. There is absolutely NO place we can’t win.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
boston
in boston
Trade for Luis Amundson!!Do it KP!!
by CroRupt on Aug 4, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can win there
It’ll be tough, but we can do it. Same with Dallas, where we haven’t won in forever.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
bold words, my friend
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Aug 4, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying we WILL win
I’m saying we CAN win every game. Heck we almost won AT Cleveland without LMA.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't get me wrong
I LOVE the enthusiasm. Makes me wish the season started tonight!
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Aug 4, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My next marker
Is finding out what games my 1/4 season “Weekend” package gets me.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
really??
I’m thinking the road trip with orlando, miami, dallas and san antonio is looking pretty scary to me…
by jenstcy on Aug 4, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Compare the level of anxiety with last year.
Is it the same? Do you feel differently?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Aug 4, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess the only thing that I think is going to be brutal is that road trip.
the rest of the schedule looks pretty normal and at times a cake walk for them. The Blazers could be a 60-win team this season. Then again, they could be a 50-win team because there are teams in the WC that the Blazers won the series against them last year, like OKC, LA Clippers and Minnesota, that we just don’t know how good they are going to be this season. We’ll see….. All I know is that I’m excited for the season to start!!
by jenstcy on Aug 4, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
interesting
Looking at the first 9 games, there is a very real possibility for this team to open the season 9-0, all the tough games are at home in those first few days, and the road games are against mid-level teams at best. And if the Blazers can get some early road wins against good teams like the Hornets, and Hawks, this team could very well start out of the gate with a 10-18 game winning streak. (First tough road games are against Hornets, (#10), Hawks, (#12), and Jazz, (#19)).
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Aug 4, 2009 10:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i just posted this in another thread, only not so analytical
great minds…
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 Aug 4, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you don't think Houston on the road
is a tough road game? We didn’t do too well there last year…
by Blazin' on Aug 4, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We havent' won there in like five years
I believe.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
this ain't your father's Houston..
not saying it’s going to be an easy win. But seriously, without Yao, Artest and McGrady, who the heck is going to score the ball for 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 Aug 4, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought TMac would be back by then>?
Or is he still going go to be out?
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tmac is out til December at the earliest
"It's not who jumps the highest -- it's who wants it the most" Buck Williams
"and if EVERYONE confronted with a tough, disgusting situation pulled out, I don't think I would have been born." Mortimer
by Fund A Mental on Aug 4, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
they don't have a single go-to scorer on offense on their roster. not one
it’s a team entirely made up of role players. Good role players to be sure, but still role players.
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 Aug 4, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you really do not think that if Yao had broken his foot in our playoff game 3 like he did
with the F@akers we would not have won there in the playoffs?
by prof.mike on Aug 4, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if yao had gone down in g3 of round 1
blazers would’ve been in round 2 duking it out with LA. We would’ve been underdogs just like the rockets, but that yao injury was serious business.
by lurtsman on Aug 4, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
19 back to backs, not 15
Real nice 4 in 5 nights just before Christmas. If we get two of those four, that would be phenomenal. We might be pretty beat up by the time we get home for that Denver game on Christmas Day.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 4, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You're right
Fixed it.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should have something up tomorrow....
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 4, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not sure why
but at first glance, this schedule does feel easier than last year.
One thing I noticed is that it minimizes the number of days on the road. 4 games in 5 nights or 5 in 7, we do not have many nights this year where we are idle on the road.
by Blazin' on Aug 4, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if that's a cost issue
Trying to save teams $ on hotel bills or such.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depending on how good Utah is, if they have Boozer or not by the Feb 3 game...
the Blazers could win every game in February. I’m not saying that they will because they still have to play LA, San Antonio, Boston and Utah at home, but it is possible.
by jenstcy on Aug 4, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
does anyone now when regular season tixs go on sale for single games?
by BLAZERS#52 on Aug 4, 2009 12:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sept 28, noon
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 Aug 4, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is my overall breakdown of it.
Oct
3-0. Wins vs Houston(2) and Denver at home.
Nov
13-3
Losses are @ NOH, @ATL, @ UTAH
Lots of home games in Nov, most are against bad or mid-level teams.
2 Tough games @ home against SAS, ATL.
Dec
12-3
Losses are @ CLE, @ ORL, @ DAL
5 Tough games are vs MIA, PHX, @MIA, @SAS, vs DEN
Jan
11-4
Losses are vs CLE, @BOS, vs NOH, @ DAL
Tough games are vs LAL, vs ORL, vs NOH, vs UTAH
Feb
8-4
Losses are @UTAH, vs SAS, vs UTAH, @TOR, @CHI
Tough games are vs SAS, vs LAL, @PHX, vs BOS
March
9-4
Losses are @DEN, @PHX, vs DAL, @NOH
Tough games are none really.
April
5-2
Losses are @ DEN, @LAL
Tough games vs DAL
Longest Winning steak
9 games, twice!
Longest Losing streak
4 games
Division Record
11-5, same as last year
Home Record
36-5, (34-7 last year)
Road Record
25-16, (20-21 last year)
Wins vs Playoff teams, (Projected playoff teams)
22, (22-18 over all record)
Road Wins vs Western Confrence Playoff teams
3, (3-9 overall record)
Overall record 61-21 second place in Western Confrence.
Notes
-Some math on the “road wins vs XX” might be wrong as I did this on a spare piece of paper.
-I reserve the right to change this prediction at any time up until the start of the regular season.
Disclaimer
Last year I predicted a record of 55-27 on Sept 18th, and although many thought I could be right, many also thought I was a homer. I am not saying I am all knowning, but what I am saying is that this type of progression is very possible for this team. The schedule is very favorable this year compared to last, if this team gets out of the gates quickly like I am predicting, then it can build its confidence right from the beginning of the season, which will be huge once they reach December, as that month has more tough games than any other this year.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Aug 4, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
GREAT analysis
Best record prediction I’ve seen. I do believe Portland can pull that off, they got a very favorable schedule against the Western powerhouses, with more home games than road games. 60 wins is quite possible. I’m thinking more about 57 though, with a couple more losses scattered about, but I don’t see Portland ever losing 4 games in a row in the season. 3 is hard enough to happen to crazy good teams.
For example, did you know that in the Lakers last 4 championships, they never lost 3 games in a row the entire season?
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
by tandur on Aug 4, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
think of this
we only play LAL and SAS 3 times this year, and 2 of each of those games are in PDX. But we play memphis and sacramento 4 times. The Blazers strength of schedule this year is pretty weak compared to last year.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Aug 4, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's impossible to predict a teams record based on the schedule.
there is always going to be those letdowns. (last year at home against clippers for example)
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Aug 4, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very true
but there are also amazing comebacks on the road, like we did against the Hornets after CP3 went down. So those oddities even themselves out in my book. I might not have each win and loss correct, but I believe it is possible to predict the overall record of a team once you know their schedule.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Aug 4, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or at least get within 5-10 wins
Barring things like injuries, etc.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 4, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We had only one 3 game losing streak last season
and only four 2 game losing streaks. I just don’t see us losing 3 or 4 in a row at all this year even on those five game road trips…
"Do me a favor. Put your lip over your head... and swallow." Max Goldman
by clinchmobb on Aug 4, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Homer. Homer.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
by Norsktroll on Aug 4, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another big thing about this years schedule
from Truehoop. Portland has 19 back to backs, that might seem like alot, but it is amoung the fewest in the league.
teams with fewer back to backs than pdx,
New York Knicks 18
Boston Celtics 18
Miami Heat 18
Cleveland Cavaliers 18
Oklahoma City Thunder 18
San Antonio Spurs 17
New Orleans Hornets 16
Some other noteables:
Denver Nuggets 22
L.A. Lakers 20
Utah Jazz 19
Dallas Mavericks 20
so the teams we should be fighting with all have the same or more back to backs than the Blazers, (except for SAS and NOH).
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Aug 4, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
New Orleans beats us all 3 times?
Do you have the high an opinion of Okafor, or do you think Miller is going to be totally ineffective against Chris Paul, or do you think their off-season acquisition of Ike Diogu will turn them into a top tier team?
Here’s my prediction for New Orleans this year – Peja will get injured in December (back) and be ineffective when he does play for the rest of the season. Pretty safe bet, huh? Okafor will be fine, but he’s not going to be a big time scorer, any more than Chandler was. And their bench is still thin. I think we go 2-1 against them this year.
by baduk on Aug 4, 2009 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The first two against Houston
I’m a big fan of starting the season this way! It’s a great chance for the team to get off to a good start and bury any remaining demons from the playoffs last year. Houston’s not the same team and we get the chance to prove that and prove that it’s a new year right off the bat – good deal!
All in all doesn’t look too tough – a couple stretches with some tough teams and I’m bummed that both times we play San Antonio it’s on the back end of consecutive nights, but on the whole it doesn’t appear to be too difficult a schedule!
by mwalter on Aug 4, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Plus we will get to see Miller d-up on Brooks
Or at least verify who is better on D against Brooks between Miller and Blake. My guess is Battier will defend Roy and Ariza will take the next best wing (Travis?) but we should be hammering Houston downlow which will free up Lma just like Scola got open looks due to help on Yao or a penetrator.
by NWfan on Aug 4, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Opening night will be a bloodbath
Blazers 110
Rockets 85
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Aug 4, 2009 5:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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