The Sinister Matchup

by Dave on Sep 13, 2009 11:24 PM PDT Comment 83 comments

I've been reading some of the pre-season talk around the interwebs just to get a pulse on where people think we are going into the season. There are a few common threads to the discussion: people are excited, the Blazers should do well, most are expecting improvement, people love to speculate how Portland will match up against the L*kers and whether they can crawl ahead of the Spurs.

There's something missing here.

For my money one of the scariest teams for the Blazers is also one folks have apparently put on the "pay no mind" list. That would be the Denver Nuggets.

Denver and Portland finished as co-division champs last year with identical 54-28 records. Denver grabbed the tiebreaker giving them the seeding advantage against the Blazers. The standard line of reasoning seems to be that Portland's growth curve accelerates much quicker from this point on so the Blazers should leap ahead of the Nuggets this season and not look back.

I wouldn't argue against the Blazers chances of outstripping the Nuggets in overall record, though I am on record saying that wins 55-60 are among the toughest to get and I don't believe that Portland's improvement can be taken for granted. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Blazers squeak out a couple more than Denver does this year. The reverse wouldn't shock me either, but it's nicer to lean Portland's way, eh?

However just in terms of head-to-head matchups the Blazers can't even come close to taking the Nuggets lightly. Denver is one of those potentially toxic teams for Portland.

The problems start in the frontcourt. There are plenty of starting duos I'd choose over Nene and Kenyon Martin. But against Portland you can only pick out a couple worse. Both men are strong and fairly quick. Greg Oden is strong but not that quick. LaMarcus Aldridge is quick but not as strong. Moreover Nene and K-Mart are mean and hard which are characteristics their Blazer counterparts haven't cultivated yet. These are men...bullies to boot. We have trouble keeping up with them. We can't really shove them around. Our reserves at four and five don't alter that equation. That's not a good situation.

Last season Chauncey Billups showed everyone how much he has left in the tank and how much he has stored in his head. He doesn't present the same kind of blow-away problems that the big men do but it's been years since the Blazers have been great at containing opposing point guards. Andre Miller brings experience but he isn't the kind of defensive go-getter to slow Chauncey down. No matter which point guard we throw out there (short of Brandon Roy) this is a matchup disadvantage.

I'm not a huge fan of either Carmelo Anthony or J.R. Smith. I don't think they play winning basketball. I wouldn't want them on Portland's side. That doesn't change the fact that both can cause problems, Smith with his athleticism and ‘Melo with his near-boundless offensive potential. Smith versus Roy obviously goes Portland's way overall but Anthony versus our small forwards tilts heavily Denver's way until more growth is demonstrated. Even disliking these guys there's little doubt they're explosive. You never feel comfortable against that kind of opponent.

People are going to argue that Portland's bench kicks the you-know-what out of Denver's and that's probably true. It's one of the reasons the Blazers have a chance to score more overall wins than the Nuggets. But head-to-head in games fraught with importance Denver's bench is not going to see heavy use. The Blazers can sub in anyone they wish. They're still going to be dealing with the Nuggets' A-List when it matters.

If you were to ask me what team's I'd least like to see in a playoff series this year the L*kers' name would still be at the top for the experience factor if nothing else. Denver's name would be second, above San Antonio, Houston, or anyone else in the West. And I'm not sure Denver's name would be that far behind L.A.'s for us. The L*kers present a couple of intensely difficult matchups but also potential avenues of attack. The Nuggets cause more mismatches in more places.

It's unlikely that Portland could pull Denver in the first round. A second-round matchup is certainly a possibility though. That would be a more intense battle than most folks are crediting. Naturally the feeling would be that Portland could overcome anything. Overlook the Nuggets at your peril, though. They're not a nice team for us.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

1 recs | Comment 83 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Kenyon Martin

I know you know this…just helping.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Sep 13, 2009 11:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I do that all the time in my head. I’ll fix it.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 13, 2009 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still I would have loved to see them last year in comparison to the rockets

by tevisthe4th on Sep 13, 2009 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Would have been a dramatic series

Same result though. I don’t think we would have won any more games against them than we did against Houston.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 13, 2009 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

who knows..It feels like we would have had a better chance against the nugs

by tevisthe4th on Sep 14, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the stats say that Houston was a substantially better team last year than Denver

by jksnake99 on Sep 14, 2009 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said Dave

I am also curious to see what happens with Utah. Thanks to Sloan you can never just expect to beat them and they always seem to be a thorn in our side. Got to love division rivals.

That being said, I agree, Denver is the team I dread the most on the west coast this year. We all know LA will be the top seed, but I also know we have the team that can beat them. Denver is Houston-matchup-scary for us this year. Dont let that blowout of a final game we served the Nugs this last season get anyones hopes up, they handed up that game.

Oh this is going to be a great season.

"OK, it's going to rain tomorrow. And there is going to be a Greenpeace meeting and hippies are going to be protesting" ~ The Buffet of Goodness on Portland

by Blazer on Sep 13, 2009 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Final Game

I know you wrote that they handed us the final blowout game. But it was a devastatingly blown out game; I doubt that is what they had in mind.

quid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur

by dvcastle on Sep 14, 2009 2:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not so sure about that

Normally in a blowout you see guys on the sidelines down and just not wanting to be there. The Nuggets were on the sides laughing and joking with fans and each other. It had more of a feeling of an exhibition game then it did a regular season game.

I am not trying to put down the fact that the Blazers blew out the Nuggets and did it handily… but the Nuggets didnt even put up much of a fight. They were saving it for the playoffs.

I do feel that these two teams are going to be a rival for us this year and the years to come. Maybe that is just Coach Karl brining some of the hate from his Sonic days. Either way… bring it!

"OK, it's going to rain tomorrow. And there is going to be a Greenpeace meeting and hippies are going to be protesting" ~ The Buffet of Goodness on Portland

by Blazer on Sep 14, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I sit in row C behind the visitors bench and it didn’t look or sound that jovial to me. I don’t remember him starting his second string or anything like that. You are right that at one point George Karl surrendered to the reality that his team was getting creamed, as did most of the teams we were creaming toward the end of the season.

We’ll have a better idea how we stack up against them on October 29th … we’ll see who is laughing then!

quid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur

by dvcastle on Sep 14, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would have been a fun game to be at...

I am envious. However I was at home watching it with my wife, so not complaining too much. :)

Considering this was said after the game, “It was a weird game for us,” Karl said. “Too much thinking and not enough playing.” I dont put much stock into the mindset the Nuggets were in that game. The only Nugget who seemed to care was Billups. But I chalk that up to his experience. A lot of the other players were in the “well we are already there” mindset and were just there to put on a show. The KMart putback dunk was one of the best I have ever seen. I believe they also showed Chris Anderson in the aisle chatting with some fans after the game and he apparently autographed his shoes and gave them to a kid in a wheelchair as well.

Its a different basketball game when your players come out of the tunnel on cloud 9 knowing they are already in good position in the playoffs. I blame Karl for that mistake.

But then again… we did kill them. I do want to see it happen again.

"OK, it's going to rain tomorrow. And there is going to be a Greenpeace meeting and hippies are going to be protesting" ~ The Buffet of Goodness on Portland

by Blazer on Sep 14, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really see it like that.

Andre Miller brings experience but he isn’t the kind of defensive go-getter to slow Chauncey down.

Isn’t he though? Miller is exactly the sort of player Billups CAN’T push around with his size and strength. He can’t post him up and while Billups might be pretty crafty, It’s not like he’s going to be outsmarting Miller the same way he would with some of our other guys.

2008-09 PER drop among point guards
1. Baron Davis -5.41
2. Jordan Farmar -5.36
3. Allen Iverson -5.17
4. Earl Watson -5.02
5. Chauncey Billups -4.63

Billups actually dropped significantly in offensive efficiency last season. The leadership he brought to the Nuggets was valuable, but his actual physical contributions might have been a little overrated. The Blazers improved in the PG department. The Nuggets stayed about the same and it’s possible Billups will continue to decline.

The Nuggets also lost their best perimeter defender. That’s going to be a problem whenever Roy’s in the game.

by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 14, 2009 12:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i agree, somewhat. chauncey wasn't as good last year and hes been in decline.

to me the biggest threat he still caries is that three point off the dribble with guys in his face. it allows him to charge down the lane. So in effect, he isn’t that reliant on posting up small guys anymore.

Actually, i think your logic works the other way around. Chauncey isn’t the type of point guard that miller can post up which is a major part of his game.

but in terms of decline, another thing i notice with billups is that he isn’t mister big shot anymore. he was deadly in that hornets series… but against the lakers… down the stretch he disappeared… hes done that a few times now back with detroit.

that said, melo potential is sky high so who knows how far a step he takes up. in that lakers series people were talking about him being up there in the top 5 player category. i dont know if i agree. but he was showing flashes.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Billups turns 33 next week and he starts his 12th season this fall.

That’s not very old, nor is it a lot of NBA miles compared to guys like Kobe and KG who started their career right out of high school (Billups played two years at Colorado). So it doesn’t seem like his game should be in decline at all at this point in his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him light it up this season, especially since he knows he’ll never have a better shot at a second ring.

by MiledAnimal on Sep 14, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

while that may be true, he already has begun to decline. It’s not like we’re saying he could theoretically decline, he had a much lower PER and a poor adjusted +/- last year.

"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.

by Cablinasian on Sep 14, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

chauncey's game is definetly in decline if you just watch him play.

kobe is 31 or 30 one i think so that makes him about even with chuancey. but its also possible that kobe is a physical freak that is unlikely to be repeated. who knows.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of guys start to drop off at that age

We may see that with Miller, too.

I don’t expect a huge decline from Billups, but I don’t really expect him to be better than last year, either.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denver is a good team, without question

It remains to be seen how much Chauncey Billups will regress (a player his age might have a few great seasons left, or he might slide significantly next season). It remains to be seen if Carmelo Anthony plays like the superstar he was during the playoffs or the relatively inefficient player who was deservedly left off the all-star team in the regular season. It remain to be seen if “The Birdman” maintains his high level of play. It remains to be seen if they can substantially outperform their point differential again.

I think the Blazers win the division but certainly Denver (and even a healthy Utah— don’t forget them) have a chance.

To me, Denver is tough on the Blazers because they are a good team, not because of any specific matchup problem— the Blazers are likely to continue struggling in the Mile High City and the Blazers will continue to be favored any time they host the Nuggets. Same with most of the elite teams in the league.

by jksnake99 on Sep 14, 2009 12:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Off topic

but can we please stop referring to the Lakers as the L*kers? It’s silly and childish. Yes, we don’t like them, but show respect at least.

by shighkin on Sep 14, 2009 12:19 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs

In a word, no

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 14 recs

I second that jscot.

O.R.

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love that the recs of these two posts are basically a poll

You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.

by austinpwnz on Sep 14, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we could call them the Lurkers

There's Gotta Be More To Life

by Norsktroll on Sep 14, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got better unprintable names .....

O.R.

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like the lakers

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ahem

lackers…

oops.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone needs to quote you on that for a sig

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Sep 14, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know what all of those words mean

but I have never seen them in that order before.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 14, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

blazersedge doesn't allow profanity

so no…

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Sep 14, 2009 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

it’s time we stop giving the Lakers that much respect by designating them with a special spelling.

Perhaps a half step to that goal would be to use all lowercase: “lakers”.

by LaughingJon on Sep 14, 2009 4:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We must respect the Lakers until the Blazers have as many retired numbers as them

by tominhawaii on Sep 14, 2009 6:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think we could retire Roy's jersey this year?

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it is a kind of in a weird way showing deference.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's silly

yes… exactly. That’s why it’s fun. Live life to it’s silliest.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, we can use: Clankers, Flakers, LA Fakers, or Clanksters instead of L*kers. No problem.

We all know what K*be did in Colorado to that girl. Dear Lord, please let whatever team that plays the LA Clankers beat them to oblivion. Amen.

by Pritchslap on Sep 14, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denver may be a tough matchup, but two of the Nuggets that killed us last year were Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza. Kleiza singlehandedly won the 12.22 game with his shooting and Jones kept Roy in check in all four matchups. Their loss should not be overlooked.

To echo the point a few others have made, Chauncey declined a lot last year. Add to that the fact that he really hasn’t been good in the postseason – Bill Simmon composed a remarkable list of Billups’ playoff flops – and I’m not sure he’s that scary. He can abuse Steve Blake, but it’s not like he’s far superior to Andre. His one-on-one defense has declined noticeably with old age, leaving him as a very good team defender… similar to Andre.

I also think Andre will help a lot in our offensive attack against Denver. Their defensive scheme employed a lot of hedging on the pick and roll last year. This really bothered Brandon at times. Hopefully Andre can get the ball in low pick and roll situations and hit the big rolling down the vacated seam to make Denver change their strategy.

As a final point… they are combustible with little depth and a few guys getting up there in age. Not sure that’s a horrendous matchup for us.

"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.

by Cablinasian on Sep 14, 2009 12:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Denver has gotten much worse in depth - except for the first 7 games when Smith will be suspended. And we play them in game 2. At home. We should have that one or it will be a first major disappointment.

Sure when he is in the starting lineup he can’t come off the bench, but they now got Afflalo there as a nice backup (Jones is a good defender but not that much better overall) and I like that Balkman now gets more playing time for them. They’ll also bring a few guys into training camp to find another shooter from the wing. And Lawson is a great backup for Billups (this is another problem this year: Denver, Utah and New Orleans all got better backups for their star point guards in the draft).

There's Gotta Be More To Life

by Norsktroll on Sep 14, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We got a better backup for our PG, too :)

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even then we beat them twice last year

      While LMA got pushed around some last year … it was significantly less than the previous year. I would bet that Kenyon is going to find himself thoroughly …. shall we say entertained this season just trying to keep Aldridge in sight. Let alone push him around.
      I seriously doubt ANYONE outside of Shaq or Howard are going to have much success pushing around Big 52 this year. If Miller is able to feed Oden like he has his previous bigs, itwill be Nene who will be getting bullied.
      Carmelo will give our 3’s problems but that gap should be closing. Then again we have Roy they have Smith That gap is just gonna keep on growing.
       I don’t know maybe they will be better than us this year. But I don’t think so.
O.R.

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The only serious advantage i see is the SF position and I believe Roy counters that. Other positions the blazers are close or I see them taking the advantage based on reasons you described.

Denver may make my list of most over rated team this year based on how people seem to be quaking in their boots.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 7:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

big man depth

While LMA got pushed around some last year …

The Denver matchup is another reason why KP should upgrade the backup PF position with an experienced veteran banger

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 14, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They are like every good team in the NBA

If they are on, they are very dangerous.

But Billups is getting older, and this is a team that is always a candidate to implode.

The center matchup is much to our advantage, as is SG. And they are not a particularly good defensive team.

I don’t fear them.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 12:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I mostly agree

regarding their defense though, they finished 8th in defensive efficiency last year… not nearly as good as e.g. Cleveland and Boston but quite a bit better than the Blazers.

by jksnake99 on Sep 14, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That gap should close some

1. I expect Oden to be more effective defensively this year.
2. I suspect they got worse rather than better defensively, and Billups may be slowing down.

In any event, neither team is likely to be a defensive juggernaut this year. They aren’t the kind of team that comes into town and you wonder, “How are we going to be able to score on these guys?”

I also wonder if part of their “defensive efficiency” is that opposing teams come in trying to adjust to altitude, and the legs get tired, which zaps shooting percentages. There will always be a gap between home and road defensive efficiency, but I suspect for Denver they get a much bigger home court advantage in that category than most.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the PF position is our as well

Aldridge continues to get stronger and smarter out there. K-mart has been injured for… how long?

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A healthy K-mart

can perhaps be a good matchup for Aldridge, so I don’t see this as necessarily a big advantage for us. Over the long term, yes, but in a playoff series? Maybe not. He’s a quality player if he can get it together for a while.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nene gets Oden into foul trouble

The center matchup is much to our advantage

One thing I remember from last year is that the Nugs would isolate Greg and Hilarious would beat him on baseline drivers, putting the rook into quick foul trouble

Nate and the coaches will have to close that loophole, this year

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 14, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

much to our advantage? nene was legit. he didn't show in the playoffs but that was his first deep run.

dont sleep on nene.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matter of fact, don't sleep ANYwhere near him.

That dude’s crazyyy.

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 Sep 14, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nene? what has he done?

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, nothing, I believe

Just joking.

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 Sep 14, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he'll be able to handle Greg in the low post this year

Nor will he be the defensive force for 48 mpg that we have in Gregzilla.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nene/Birdman was a better 48 minute defensive force than Gregzilla last year

Maybe that changes next year, but Denver may well have had the better C tandem last year. I can’t believe I missed the “C is much to our advantage line” when I said “I mostly agree” above. Long term, that’s the case… but last year, it may have been a slight edge to Denver.

by jksnake99 on Sep 14, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm banking on Greg taking a nice step forward

when I say that. I should have said so in the original comment.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i mean i see what your saying... IF greg takes a leap to consistency then ya of course hes better then nene

nene was playing at the top of his game. he was getting isos… blk shots… hitting short range j’s… using quickness. and playing strong.

he really took a leap and that was part of the reason they let go of camby… there were seeing stuff in practice.

I guess when you say MUCH to our adv… it doesn’t really imply that you just mean IF greg oden can take a leap then it will be advt. right now… id say its a wash if greg can get consistent.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nene had a great year last year

I don’t know if that was just a great year, or if he has really stepped up. But I expect to see us running some plays at him with Greg early, and he’ll get some fouls accordingly.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The time for Portland to fear ANYONE is rapidly fading

It’s time for everyone else to start fearing us.

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:49 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

When we did predictions

I put Denver at second in the west with the division title. I think a second round matchup with them might be more winnable than some others due to the crazy factor.

Backcourt game - 24/7

by pxilpooshr on Sep 14, 2009 12:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Porltand wins the division by 4 games

And that is with Outlaw as their backup 4!
O.R.

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UH that's Portland not Porltand

doggone failed typing class anyway…

by Odenrising on Sep 14, 2009 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Blazers will pull out the division lol !!!! :)

Everything is bigger in Texas lol!

by Blazergirl25 on Sep 14, 2009 1:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Dave.

Billips makes everyone on the team better. Carmelo seemed to be on a downward spiral drinking, run ins with the law and unispired, even bad play. That all stopped when Billips arrived. Smart players like Billips can be effective a long time. I am hoping his shot goes away but his ego tells him to keep taking shots. The Nuggets are bullies and with Billips they are smart bullies. I don’t like the match up but I think we beat them. Bullies, even smart bullies are not suppose to win. They know that.

Not being able to handle a hangover will lead to a level of maturity.
Wheels to Jason Quick

by Kampeska on Sep 14, 2009 5:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't overlook Miller's "motivation"

Andre Miller brings experience but he isn’t the kind of defensive go-getter to slow Chauncey down

Andre was traded from the Nuggets for AI. At the time of his signing in July, Miller made a vow that his new team would not finish behind Denver in the NW division. Billups is a heady PG with a lot of playoff experience, but the acquisition of Andre has “closed the gap” for the Blazers, at that position. Now Chauncy will have to defend Miller, as well, and that’s a far different assignment than only having to worry about Blake/Sergio

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 14, 2009 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

all true, but one point I disagree with...

I’m not a huge fan of either Carmelo Anthony or J.R. Smith. I don’t think they play winning basketball. I wouldn’t want them on Portland’s side

I’m not a huge fan of his either, but I must say I wouldn’t mind if Carmelo Anthony played for us. He’s had some issues but he’s probably a top 10 player in the NBA every year.

Other than that I agree with this, I think Denver is more of a problem for us than San Antonio is, and their bench isn’t as bad as this article makes it seem. Tywon Lawson was a really nice draft pickup, and you throw him out there with Aaron Afflalo, Birdman and some others and its actually a decent second unit

All that said I think the Blazers progress will have us as a more dangerous team than the Nugs this year

by rip_city_swagger on Sep 14, 2009 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I still can't get the image of his sucker punch/run away game out of my head.

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 Sep 14, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially the run away part.

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 Sep 14, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know I seem to be in the minority here

I see Denver as third in our division.I am amazed how everyone seems to be writing off the Jazz. Utah was devastated by injuries last year, they have depths & are always one of the best coached teams in the league. Also with Okur they can draw our centers away from the paint(not the strongpoint of either) allowing 1 of the most dominant PG’s in the league room to operate. Just saying, don’t sleep on the Jazz.

Roy for the win.Hit it! Yes he did!

by We-B-Dunkin on Sep 14, 2009 9:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

jazz are good on paper. there problem has been lingering contract/chemistry issues.

kirlienko is best at the 4 and he doesn’t get enough min. so he poats. and untill they ofload boozer its gonna be a lame duck year cause of the contract issues.

seen it kill teams a million times.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are leaving out Sloan.

If Sloan wants a player gone, they’ll be gone. I don’t forsee poor chemistry.

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 Sep 14, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they had HORRIBLE chemistry last year because of the issues.

sloan has been known to alienate players. i dont know what your talking about.

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of players have great contract years

If they keep Boozer, he’s going to be working his tail off on the boards. His only way to make big money next year is to have a great year.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

its true. but i see his extra effort resulting in bad feeligns from teamates.

everyone knows he doesn’t want to be there… hes actually said it… they know they have 2 guys who can step in for him who do want to be there… so the sight of him actually playing hard this year when he could have been doing it all along… will just pis people off. the nba is wierd like that.

i forsee the jazz being one of those crumble teams untill they can resolve this issue.

in fact, didn’t okur sign a 1 year deal or somethign?… what was his deal?

by mandoman10 on Sep 14, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, we'll see

I don’t know what Okur’s deal is.

I don’t think anyone can predict what is going to happen with the Boozer situation. But I don’t think he’s really been that much of a slacker for them previously that effort will make his teammates angry. Besides, they want to win — if he can bring it, they will want him to do so.

Milsap has a nice long contract (thanks to us), so if he doesn’t get that much PT this year, it isn’t going to bother him too much — next year, the position is his.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I won't be surprised at all

if Utah finishes second. They are dangerous.

Okur? We’ll just put LMA on him and our center on their PF. That part doesn’t bother me.

They’ll win a lot of games in the regular season. We’ll win more, and if we get them in the playoffs, they can’t win in Portland. We might even steal one in Utah.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 14, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A healthy Utah team would definetely be dangerous

by jksnake99 on Sep 14, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not feeling it

Denver has to worry about matching up with Portland – not the other way around.

Last season, when all the planets aligned in perfect order for the Nuggets – they barely managed to tie the youngest team in the NBA (playing rotation!!!!) for the division title.

The Blazers will be better at every position and on the bench, while the Nuggets are likely to do no better than maintain at 4/5 positions.

Denver outperformed the Blazers at three positions last year – PG, SF, and C. If you don’t believe the Blazers have closed the gap at all three of those positions, you are probably going to be in for a big surprise, this season.

by blacknoiseNW on Sep 14, 2009 8:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hello: the "Birdman" (Chris Anderson) KILLED the Blazers last season!!

Yet in reading Dave’s post plus this entire thread, I only noticed one mention of the Birdman’s name. It never ceases to amaze me how little respect non-scoring “role-players” get. Sure, the Birdman is the type of player we all love to hate. He’s Dennis Rodman reincarnated. But like Rodman, the Feathered One is worth his weight in gold.

Anderson blocks shots. He snags rebounds from way out of his area. He annoys and distracts with his antics. He scores garbage points and comes up with loose balls again & again. Along with Billups, I feel Anderson was the key to the Thugget’s improvement last season.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Sep 14, 2009 8:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he definitely matters.

I can’t stand the guy’s antics and tattoos, but he can play basketball. Still, GregZilla is a pretty great combo. In general I think most of us aren’t worried about the center position, as the center rotation is as good as any except SG.

You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.

by austinpwnz on Sep 14, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs