Poll: Are the Blazers a Playoff Team?
by Ben Golliver on Feb 22, 2010 11:14 AM PST
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PrintWith 24 games to go, the Blazers are currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference, one game up on New Orleans and 2.5 up on both Houston and Memphis. Will they hold on? It's the question that everyone has been asking in the wake of two tough losses. Vote and debate in the comments.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Sure haven't played like it inthe last two games
Long stretches of not scoring does not bode well
Playoff push, oh yeah!
You mean 3 of the last 4, right?
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
YES
but only if steve blake is able consistently knock down the long ball
blah blah blah blah lame comment - lame commenter
by Bandwagon Butcher on Feb 22, 2010 11:18 AM PST reply actions 11 recs
Why can I only give this one rec?
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
you should add ike diogu to your signature
i <3 ike
cash rules everything around me CREAM get tha money dolla dolla bill yaaaaallll
by staceyaugmon4HOF on Feb 22, 2010 1:21 PM PST up reply actions
An interesting side question
If the view is they are a playoff team, would the fan base be okay with just being a playoff team for the next five to ten years? If they emerge as a Utah Jazz type almost guaranteed perennial playoff participant, always into the second round or beyond but never championship winning caliber, would people be okay with that?
Not sure...I think progression each year and winning at home are important. I think that
winning the championship is special. I’d still enjoy the season if there was progress toward this each year.
I would say its difficult to impossible
to accurately measure this year’s progress based on injuries alone.
well, we already had a "nice" long run as a playoff also ran team.
I at least need to believe we really are on a developmental path to a viable champiionship run. Just being the endless bridesmaid is not an exciting prospect. This year is different than last in that we are below expectations, certainly in part (if not entierly) because of injuries. But I agree that there are legitimate concerns within the context of the injuries which deserve attention.
Re-sign Travis Outlaw !
Come on now
if we have no choice or influence in making the playoffs or seating then the answer yes. I would much rather make the playoffs even as an 8 seed than sitting back in the post season watching Kobe and Lebron.
I think so
In my heart of hearts, I feel the team will pull it together on this road trip and at least take a winning record out of it. New Orleans has some pretty tough games coming up so we’ll see. Of their final 26 games 20 are against winning teams.
I'm not saying, I'm just saying.
Yes but barely
Without a healthy Roy it’s going to be really close
i agree, i don't think the hornets or the rockets are better then us.
But we need a healty BRoy to guarantee it or else anything can happen.
#52
by bustabucket on Feb 22, 2010 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
All depends on Roy's health
If he can get back to 90-95% of what he was in December, then yes.
If we can have a consistent starting lineup the rest of the year we’ll be OK.
Roy, LMA, Webster, Dre and Camby. With Rudy, Nic, DC, JBay and Juan off the bench, this is a really good rotation. Come playoff time, Juan and DC see less time.
The two problems with this team right now: Nate’s awful offense and strange substitution patterns, and Roy’s health.
Don't forget Bayless' total lack of effectiveness
He hasn’t made his mark on a game in weeks. We need him to step up, especially after trading Blake. He knows what the scouting reports on him say, now it’s time to adjust. I think and hope he can do it, we can’t play Andre Miller 48 minutes a game
Tough call
when we’re already griping about Nate trying to fit too many guys into his rotation. I love how the argument goes both ways…We all want to have our cake and eat it too :)
or what I reall mean is
Nate haters will say “Nate plays too many guys and needs to pare down his rotation”
so he does. Then we hear “Nate doesn’t play x bench player enough and just sticks with his crappy 8-man rotation”
It’s a lose-lose when one’s mind is already made up (not saying that’s your opinion, just generalizing)
I think this road trip will answer the question
All 5 are winnable games with the toughest being Memphis. If they go at least 3-2 then I think they make the playoffs. Come back with a losing record and theyre probably on the outside looking in come playoff time. I’m expecting a 4-1 trip at worst and a 7/8 playoff seed.
2 back to backs on this road trip make it tougher than it appears
I agree though, this is a huge road trip, getting less than 3 wins wouldnt be good…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Yes
but more on the weakness of the teams behind us than because we’ve been playing such inspired basketball over the last few weeks. I really want us to start playing Roy in the 2nd half only for his health and our team’s offense, but that’s obviously just a pipe dream.
Too bad we traded him.
:p
But seriously, I think you might be right. Miller isn’t bad out there, but our offense looks like last year’s 76ers out there with him. And that’s not that great.
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
Not that I ever watched the 76ers last year.
But I’m not going to let a little thing like facts stop me from making pithy assertions.
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
by T Darkstar on Feb 22, 2010 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah
I don’t know if Bayless is the guy too. There are too many point guards out there who make the Blazers point guards look like amateurs. Neither guy produces enough to offset their poor defense.
by tominhawaii on Feb 22, 2010 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You didn't hear?
Blake got traded. Baby steps in the right direction.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:12 PM PST up reply actions
My thinking Miller is a mediocre point guard has nothing to do with Steve Blake and it never did
It has to do with Miller being an old mediocre point guard.
It has everything to do with Steve Blake.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:42 PM PST up reply actions
Nah, I'm just a great fan, I might be the best Blazers fan on Blazersedge
I am unwilling to hold allegiances to players over the team. I know if the Blazers need a better point guard than Steve Blake or Andre Miller if they want to compete for a championship.
by tominhawaii on Feb 22, 2010 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree. (About the second part, not the first part.)
I think Miller is a great PG, but clearly it doesn’t work super well in this system. It’s probably easier to get a new PG than it is to get a new coach.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:54 PM PST up reply actions
Rec'd for being the best fan on Blazer's Edge.
You might even be better than Free Throw Guy. I might assume you were both the same person, except that commuting to Hawaii for each game would be prohibitive in more ways than one.
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
I'm ready to look at the bright side of the train wreck.
Camby has given us a rebounder and a shot blocker. He’s not the interior defensive presence Przybilla was. And it will take a few games to figure that out. Roy’s getting back into shape after taking a number of weeks off. And the whole team has been in a slump lately. Everything will come around eventually. And if it doesn’t, there’s always next year. You know, when we can sign Steve Blake back.
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
by T Darkstar on Feb 22, 2010 11:52 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Not with Martell playing more minutes than Nic....
Til the wheels fall off.... Marcus Camby
Go Blazers !!
That did not happen last night and they still lost.
Stop blaming Martell or even begrudging him the PT scraps he was given.
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
by LaMarvelous on Feb 22, 2010 6:33 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
WHY ISN"T PENDERGRAPH PLAYING 48 MINUTES A GAME!
Therefore Aldridge, Camby, Howard and Cunningham all suck.
(tongue removed from cheek)
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
isn't this years coach same asof la
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
by DucRider on Feb 22, 2010 4:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
...and your point is?
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
isn't this years coach same as la
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
by DucRider on Feb 22, 2010 4:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
...and your point is?
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
isn't this years coach same as last year?
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
by DucRider on Feb 22, 2010 4:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
...and your point is?
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
isn't this years coach same as last year?
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
by DucRider on Feb 22, 2010 5:35 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
...and your point is?
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
Of course he's a playoff caliber coach
The open question is whether or not he’s a championship contender caliber coach.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
By playoff caliber, i mean able to not get outcoached by another coach in a 7 game series
by tevisthe4th on Feb 23, 2010 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
We have limited data on which to assess
One playoff series with a bunch of guys who’ve never seen playoff pressure before, and we got killed the first game. Was he out-coached, or did we just have a bunch of guys that choked?
Yet, despite horrible matchups for us and having lost home court, we came very close to regaining control of the series in game 4.
Now, I’m not going to argue he out-coached Adelman, but I’m not sure he was that much out-coached, by one of the best in the business.
Would I expect him to get out-coached by Adelman, or Jackson, or Sloan, or Pops? I would expect a lot of playoff-caliber coaches to get out-coached by those guys. But after that, I’m not sure how many playoff-caliber coaches really are likely to have an advantage over Nate. I expect him to come up with a good defensive scheme against just about anyone.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
With a 100% BRoy...
This team MIGHT make it to the second round. But I think they need another couple years together…and some toughness before they can really go deep.
I bet you weren't saying that for the first 30 minutes of last nights game.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:13 PM PST up reply actions
That's not true.
And the question was whether the team was entertaining or not.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 11:08 PM PST up reply actions
LOL
If we get that last rebound in regulation, everybody would be thrilled with a win against a team that is arguably playing better than anyone else in the league right now.
One play, and all of a sudden it’s a horrible team that isn’t even entertaining.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Camby couldn't even get that one rebound! More like Can'tby if you ask me.
Worst trade ever! Bring back Blake! Bring back Outlaw! Fire Nate!
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 23, 2010 5:31 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
YES!!!!!!!11111111
Fire KP, too!!! Another HORRIBLE trade!
And don’t even talk to me about 18 rebounds and 4 blocks! He didn’t get either the rebound or block that really, really counted!
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
For sure.
The only rebound that counts is the last one, the other 18 are meaningless if we lose. Camby sucks.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 23, 2010 7:21 AM PST up reply actions
I mean, really
He had THREE chances to make that play.
First, flop under the basket after Boozer pushed him. Fail.
Second, get the rebound anyway. Fail.
Third, block the shot. Fail.
Three strikes, he’s out. Let’s trade him to, oh, I don’t know, the Clippers or something. They’ve got a couple expiring contracts we could have used — Blake had 7 assists in 16 minutes last night, that would have come in handy when our offense stagnated, and Outlaw was 2-3 on 3 pointers, we sure could have used one of those.
I wish KP had the guts to make a mid-season deal like that, but he never will.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
All I know is that we could have used Travis in the 4th...
and I would have much rather been watching Blake shoot all of Andre’s shots.
and man do I love blocked shots :)
Without Camby we get killed last night
and Travis would not have been a big help tonight, what with his inactive status and all.
Love how people only remember the good things about the players we traded because it is sentimental, but Blake wouldn’t have been a major help last night.
I dunno blake thrives at hitting dagger threes and clutch freethrows when we have a lead greater
than 15 points.
But yeah if people didnt notice we were getting crushed on the boards when it counted, without camby its not even close.
and when Blake was here
All we heard was how he sucked and Bayless needs more minutes. Now we’re stuck with Bayless and everyone misses Blake.
by Billy Hoyle on Feb 22, 2010 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Who misses Blake?
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:13 PM PST up reply actions
I doubt KP does, maybe Nate.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
Who is Mike Barrett.
So sick of his whining about his buddy Steve.
by upper left corner on Feb 23, 2010 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
I dont regret the trade at all. I'm liking Camby so far
hence the “man do I love blocked shots :)”
And it has nothing to do with sentiments, I bashed both players far more than I should have. Just saying, we don’t have a player like Travis to help finish in the 4th now. And Blake was a superior shooter to Miller. I doubt we even go to overtime with Blake shooting instead of Andre.
by In Walks Rudy on Feb 22, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
Yes
They are not playing like it but they have the pieces. If the first three quarters Blazers show up more often than the fourth/OT blazers, then they will be OK.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
by tssbro on Feb 22, 2010 12:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I would like point out the blazers
are 0-3 when doris burke announces their games
Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum
Thank goodness...
Comcast still broadcasts when its an ESPN game. I could only handle about 30 seconds. Turrible.
By far my favorite announcer.
Calls plays without ass kissing the superstars and brings a ton of energy and excitement on great plays.
Joel Robinson: "What about you Crow? What do you want for Christmas?"
Crow T. Robot: "I want the power to decide who lives and who dies."
by randommanthefirst on Feb 22, 2010 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
Losing causes Marcus to play?
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
I dislike ESPNs anouncers in general
All they do is brown nose the superstar players and say what a great job the refs are doing, even when they are wrong.
Joel Robinson: "What about you Crow? What do you want for Christmas?"
Crow T. Robot: "I want the power to decide who lives and who dies."
by randommanthefirst on Feb 22, 2010 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
TNT does a great job though.
Joel Robinson: "What about you Crow? What do you want for Christmas?"
Crow T. Robot: "I want the power to decide who lives and who dies."
by randommanthefirst on Feb 22, 2010 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
i see an 8 seed, then a championship
Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum
I'm not sure which is best...
for the Blazers long term success. Do we want to scrap and fight and get into the playoffs, only to be depressed by an early exit? Or are we better off missing the playoffs, firing Nate, and getting a lottery pick?
I’m not sure which will bring us closer to a championship… In short, I see three ways for this season to go, and the most likely is my least favorite, and the least likely my most favorite…
1) Most likely: we get into the playoffs, get smoked first round. Good: Blazers fans rewarded with some playfoff excitement. Bad: team looks like it ‘over-achieved’ thanks to ‘COTY candidate Nate’… gag me…
2) Second most likely: we miss the playoffs, get a top 12 pick, maybe can deal that and a player for a big contract? (Oh, and Puh-leeze Fire Nate!)
3) Least likely: We get the eighth seed, and because Kobe still is not right, we beat the Fakers in the first round…
Actually, I do know what my favorite option is: whatever results in NAte losing his job.
Nate will not get the axe this year
no matter what. Management has pretty much already written it off as a lost year, and will give him another year to try to integrate Oden into the game plan and see if he could be the right guy.
I think this is how they feel, so hoping for the Blazers to lose so that Nate gets fired would be sort of foolish. What if we miss the playoffs, then they don’t fire Nate? Where are we then?
Also, you don’t get much with a #10-14 pick, and almost certainly won’t get a piece that can contribute right away. We can’t really afford another project with this team’s timeline, so hoping for something significant out of the draft is a bit of a pipe dream.
Nate wasn't doing very well integrating Oden this year. They won't fire Nate...he's got the
built in injury excuse and did well when he didn’t have the mind boggling job of figuring out who to play when. Nate is fine for the underdog, motivation sort of thing. I don’t agree with his player rotation choices at times, including sitting people out with 2 fouls ESP WHEN THEY ARE HOT…and he seems to be outcoached by most of the top teams. There really was no excuse for blowing that lead last night.
lol
you mean like D. Blair getting picked in the second round? Or Dante Cunningham? Have you heard of that Darko dude, he was a top pick once. Oh and Kwame Brown? Its a gamble, and #10-14 is about as good as 5-9 or 15-20.
Playoffs are always better
The biggest reason we got knocked out last year was a lack of experience. If four losses in a sweep in exponentially better for the team than a #12 or #13 draft pick (as compared to like a #15 pick).
Also, you can’t blame last night’s loss on Nate. A LOT of open good looks were missed (including the openest and goodest looks of all: Roy’s free throws). The Nate hate is wearing on me- people don’t want to admit we aren’t a championship caliber team with the talent we have and thus need to find a scapegoat whenever we come up short.
I don't hate Nate at all.
I just would like to give him a chance to work his magic someplace else, and see what someone else can do with our players before I am convinced that it is the players who are the limiting factor here.
Re-sign Travis Outlaw !
hmm...well then MAYBE we need a marquee player...
one who can get people excited. I say start working on that with BATUM!!!!!!
you mean
like BRoy (hurt) and Oden (hurt). They don’t get hurt, you aren’t singing the same tune today. Simple enough, really
yeahh
we’re just tryin to get the cambyman and brandon worked in. once they settle (and NIC BATUM STARTS) we will be solid
Heartbroken..... Our goats have escaped.
by Starvin' Marvin on Feb 22, 2010 1:07 PM PST reply actions
If the Blazers just go .500 for the rest of the season
they will have finished with a record of 44-38.
MEM and HOU would need to win 17 out of 27 (.629) to reach 45 wins.
New Orleans would need to win 15 out of 26 (.577) to reach 45 wins.
i think a good post would be to analyze the strength and weakness of the schedules of these 3 teams.
IMHO, the blazers will finish with #8 seed or better.
"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."
Check my weekly "Sched Ahead" post on the sidebar
which analyzes the remaining schedule of every playoff contender.
The tie-breaker status is as follows:
San Antonio (yes, they belong in this conversation): we’ve won the season series, and own the tie-breaker.
Houston: season series finished tied, next relevant breaker is conference record. We are 21-14, they are 21-16.
New Orleans: season series tied 1-1, winner of the one remaining game (in New Orleans) wins the series and the breaker.
Memphis: season series 2-1 to Memphis. If they win the remaining game (in Memphis) they win the breaker. If not, it goes to conference record, and we are way ahead.
In conclusion, for both New Orleans and Memphis, the winner of the remaining game (both road games for us) will win the tie-breaker. For Houston, we have a slight edge in conference record. For S.A., we own it.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Hard To Answer Objectively After Last Night...
But, making the playoffs does not constitute you as a playoff team, in my opinion. There’s evidence of that every year in the East.
We might make the playoffs, but this team has not yet shown the consistency on either side of the ball to be anything but another team’s first round fodder.
I think we need to take this season as a great opportunity to develop our depth.
If we make the playoffs
We will have a winning record, at least the 14th best record in the league. That’s a playoff team. It doesn’t mean you are a contender, but it does mean you are good enough to be dangerous anytime.
We have more road wins against winning teams than anyone else in the West. We may not be consistent, but we are dangerous.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Funny Observation
You post this after a loss like last night, the votes are almost 50-50. Now, pretend we had won by 10+ last night, I’d bet the votes are more like 60-40 or more in favor of yes. Just sayin
I think no
just barely miss out… not making excuses for the team but I think they are emotionally wore out after all that has happened this season…
but in the long run a lottery pick isn’t the worst thing in the world, its another asset for KP to use
Lottery pick
is probably meaningless. The difference in value between an 18th pick (if we make the playoffs) and the 14th (if we don’t) is pretty small.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
still gotta say we sneak in
for a couple reasons. a, itll probably take camby another game or two to get fully comfortable. b, i dont see a new orleans team without chris paul, a rockets team without a true center or a go to scorer, or a memphis team with no experience outside of zbo and with no bench taking the 8 seed away from us. brandon roy needs to be brandon roy though. all things considered, id be ok with getting 8th in the west giving the lakers all they can handle.
cash rules everything around me CREAM get tha money dolla dolla bill yaaaaallll
by staceyaugmon4HOF on Feb 22, 2010 1:28 PM PST reply actions
I haven't posted much lately
But I had to vote here, the Blazers ARE a playoff team, it’s just been a rough stretch with all the injuries, and some dumb losses.
Still not close enough to a championship, and I’m still convinced McMillan is not the right coach to get there, but a playoff team? No doubt
Nobody expects a Spanish Acquisition!
What peeves me most
Is that people seem to assume that we (the Blazers) deserve a championship in the next 3-5 years, and that if we do not end up with a championship than it is someones fault, someone did something wrong, and they should lose a job (ect).
One team out of 30 gets that honor, and it is always teams that have worked and put in the effort. But there is more than 1 team each year that works and puts in effort, and just because they didnt win national headlines does not make them failures, or their success’s any less important or noteworthy. It is a very real possibility that the Blazers in our current incarnation, will never win a championship. We have set ourselves up very nicely for one, and so we can increase our odds, but too often do i see the mentality like “we are or we are not” going to get that championship and that is counting your eggs before they roost. Enjoy the game people, enjoy our current rosters growth and development, and reserve hopes about the future, but temper it always with the knowledge this is a game and that luck and chance play an important part. If you are more concerned with winning a championship than watching a team develop than you belong with the other bandwagon L@ker fans who are thinking the same thing.
PS: I made a longer and more eloquent post about this same thing, but for whatever reason it got deleted by a mod and that angers me. Without warning, without provocation it was deleted. For whatever reason it was removed (probably because i was ripping on another poster, scapegoated of course for all the other similar posters, for being a fair-weather fan and getting angry that blazers lost) I didn’t even get the chance to save/edit my post to their liking despite saying something that (i feel) needs to be said to counter the “win it all now or we’re nothing” mentality. Just want to remind people (and perhaps myself) that this is a game and that nothing is given so find entertainment in the journey rather than the perceived “end”.
by Sir.Ludo on Feb 22, 2010 2:37 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
I agree. It is pure hubris to claim that the Blazers deserve to win a championship.
As you say, there can be only one, and in the end the winner is decided by God. He’s the decider. That is why so many athletes and academy-award-winning actors and elected politicians give thanks to God for their victories. Of course, God only rewards those who are pure of heart. Working hard is part of that, but if you are a bad person who happens to work really hard, you won’t win. In effect, God says to all the losers of the world: “You are bad people. You do not deserve to win.” If the Blazers don’t win the NBA championship you can be sure it’s because of some bad apples on the team. Some people feel that Miller is bad. I can’t really say. But If so, I hope they trade him so the they can finally win another championship!
#52
Ok because I don't feel like directly addressing your argument
at least on a theological level, i will simply state that it is my belief that bad people have won stuff before. and that good people have lost before. and that especially there have been deserving people who have lost, and just because they have lost are not “bad people” (nor did they lose because they were bad people.. whichever causality rings truer to you)
So i cannot tell if you are sarcastically retorting back at me or not, because although your title suggests you agree with me, your apparently belief that if we dont win it is a “bad apples” fault is directly opposing my original intention (which is to say there is no single fault to be had here!)
and that there is no such thing as deserving a championship
god-given, pure of heart or otherwise….
Sorry, I sometimes just blurt stuff out without any reason whatsoever.
This has nothing to do with you or your post, which I mostly agree with.
#52
I think it's just that I get nervous when everybody is stressing out on BE.
I react by injecting all sorts of OT material into the discussion.
If you’ve seen the movie “Airplane”, I’m kind of like Johnny, the guy in the control tower who’s always got a strange take on the events of the moment; e.g.,
[reading newspaper headlines]
Rex Kramer: Passengers certain to die!
Steve McCroskey: Airline negligent.
Johnny: There’s a sale at Penney’s!
#52
Never mind.
Guess I didn’t see the connection because there wasn’t one.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
What are you talking about?
I don’t see the connection between the post you are responding to and what you are saying.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Excellent point and a rec.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Ask this after a win
and the poll results would be much more positive. In real estate it’s location, location, location…and for sports fan polls it’s timing, timing, timing.
Last night wasn't just another loss
It was a total collapse against a division rival with heavy heavy playoff implications on the line
Or ...
… it was an old fashioned ass whipping Portland put on a division rival and one of the hottest teams in the league right now. At least for 3/4’s of the game. Then our guys relaxed.
What that telss me is that even short handed, structurally there really isn’t much wrong with this team. They just have to learn to bring it for all 48 minutes and for every game.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
This is a very good point
So dont you all overlook it. We were able to play good basketball for all but the most important part of the game. Now it is possible they didn’t really try until the end, but somehow i doubt that was Sloan’s game plan.
Guys like Bayless, Fernandez and Batum will only get more consistent. Guys like Oden and Pryzbilla can only get less injured (before maybe getting more). We have been scraping the bottom of the barrel and are still winning (record wise). Our play can only improve as we integrate Camby and get Roy back into contending form. If we were able to lead for 2 full Q’s against cough THE hottest team right now, then there is hope to be had yet.
? how many years does it take
To learn to play the whole game
These guys should know that by now, they’ve been playing basketball for a while
If they don’t, that is no different than lacking physical talent and indicates a structural issue on the mental side
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
by DucRider on Feb 22, 2010 5:51 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I have no idea how long it takes.
I never played in the NBA.
By the same token, it is foolish to assume that it only takes a short time, unless you have personal experience. And that’s what we see a lot of with fans. They assume that gee, I know you have to bust your ass all 48 minutes and that you can’t ease up, so why don’t these guys get it. The thing is, it doesn’t work that way. I can watch Apollo Ono glide around the rink and say, hey, look how easy that looks, I can do it. Except I can’t. And I don’t pretend to. However there are plenty of folks here who have no problem pretending to know what goes into playing at the level of the NBA.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Heavy playoff implications?
Well, let’s see.
A) We weren’t catching Utah anyway, and if we possibly were, than we are most certainly a playoff team.
B) It’s a division loss, which could possibly hurt us in a tiebreaker with another division rival. But if we end up in a tiebreaker with a division rival, it will be to determine seeding, because our division rivals are all going to make the playoffs easily, except for Minnesota, and it is impossible to end up tied with them now.
C) It’s a conference loss. This could possibly hurt us if we end up tied with Houston, and they start playing better in conference than they have. So it could maybe matter that way.
In all probability, though, this means no more or loss to our playoff chances than a loss to Boston, or Philadelphia, or Washington.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
I'm utterly shocked at the closeness of this poll.
I would accept 70-30… shoot, even 65-35… but 52-47?!?
It’s incomprehensible to me that so many folks don’t think this team will make the playoffs. Am I still on BlazersEdge?
C’mon, homers!!! You’re all supposed to be a bunch of homers, remember?!?
An offensive rebound in paragraph form. -Mr. Golliver
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Feb 22, 2010 3:01 PM PST reply actions
isn't it funny
that the homers hate their own team? Well, at least until we win a couple and or win by blowout…
So because were homners were supposed
to like the teams playing?
This team lacks mental toughness
All the way from the top down.
No, but you're supposed to be able to read the question
which isn’t whether you liked the last couple of losses, or thought the team played well, but whether they’ll make the playoffs.
As to lacking mental toughness, you’re probably right, it is definitely missing in various places. Including segments of the fan base.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
We "Homers" are sometimes Bipolar.... :)
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
It's the Internet generation
These kids never had to walk to school 20 miles barefoot in the snow. No stick-to-it-iveness.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
In a dress ...
… after having gotten up 4 hours earlier to milk the cows and cut peat for the fireplace and fix oatmeal porridge for their (and their younger siblings) breakfast – assuming there were any oats for breakfast that morning.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Probably never had haggis, either
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
The Blazers' will make the Playoffs,
and yet they are not a Playoff team.
by Sean M on Feb 22, 2010 3:16 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
I would have voted for this!
Because it was not an option, I did not vote
wake me in 2011
Not really.
I get your point. Nate has taken a team that is obviously not Playoff ready and lead them to the Playoffs, possibly two years in a row. Amazing!?!
But he is the guy who is supposed to shape the team into a contender so how impressive is that. If the Blazers’ played the way Nate says he wants them to play in his post-game interviews, that would be great. Is Nate a terrible coach or are the players just unable play fundamental basketball?
The Blazers’ play with less BBIQ than you see in most pick-up street ball games. I always think that Miller, Camby and Howard must be saying to themselves, “What the heck is wrong with these guys. Have they played basketball before.”
Watching the team play really isn’t enjoyable any longer. I don’t really care that much about wins or losses. Play the game right, leave it all out on the floor, and if you lose then you lose. That’s not what I’m seeing out there.
How can he shape them into a contender
when his franchise cornerstones are hurt? I don’t remeber all this “our coach sucks fire him” sentiment when Joel and Greg were BEASTING the painted area. Obviously we are a shell of what we could/should be…but its a scapegoat to blame the coach.
I'm not saying Nate is a bad coach, and I don't support firing him.
He states in every post-game interview that the team needs to defend to create offense, move the ball to create open looks, attack the rim and run. Every once it a while, those things happen, but not often. Is that Nate’s fault or the team’s? The Blazers’ do not play the way Nate says he wants them to play. Why not?
At this point, I have no answer to that question.
Then you have forgotten all of the chaos that ensued with the Roy-Miller-Blake 3 guard lineup...
I remember a lot of Bedgers wanting to tar and feather Nate and run him out of town on the next train.
Short Memories….
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah all that chaos
regarding the 3 guard lineup was fan/media created. We went 7-2 and BRoy seemed to be the only organizational figure bothered by the thought of Blake not starting. Nate had a tough task to juggle all of those egos, and I think it worked out really well in the end. We were rolling before Greg and Joel went down.
Who whoa whoa, sure there was. I was definitely saying it back then. I was saying it before too.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 22, 2010 7:44 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed
They are in a very bad stretch of opponents right now, and they’re looking worse than they really are. I think they’ll limp through March/April and squeak in. I’d be just about as happy with a good draft pick.
A choice
The #18 pick and an #8 seed in the playoffs, or the #14 pick and no playoffs.
That’s basically what it comes down to.
Sorry, I don’t see four spots in the draft as being worth missing the playoffs, a chance to pick up some more experience, a chance to take on the L@kers and knock them on the head in Portland a couple of times, even if we lose the series 4-1 or 4-2.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
That's not the entire choice...
As I know you know, but twice now you haven’t said it, so…
There is a chance (small, nonetheless, but a chance), of us getting one of the top 3 picks, if the ping pong balls fall our way (again)… Now, granted, that;’s not something to strive for, but it could be one heck of a consolation prize…
Does anyone have an actual reason why Nate should still be coaching next year?
Will he be able to improve the team now that it has regressed?
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
I just posted this on another site...what do you think?
Let me ask you this (honest question):
Does the coach force the players into his system, or do the players dictate what system works best?
What I mean is, if we had Boozer and the Jazz had Aldridge, do you think LA would be at/around the hoop more and rebounding better? Or that Boozer for us would be spotting up from 18 feet? Or would Boozer still find his way to the rim, and LA shooting J’s regardless of the coach’s system.
I don’t have the answer, but it’s something to think about.
Here’s another:
Miller and Blake both ran the "point" under McMillan’s offense. Yet both play a completely different style of basketball. How is this possible when it’s the coach dictating everything and not the players? Miller has shown ability to get to the rim, even though Blake could not, and Roy/Bayless are free to make forays to the basket without penalty, so when other players do not, is it McMillan, or is it the players?
Food for thought
Nice questions.
Blame obviously shouldn’t be placed solely on Nate for not making his players choose the right way to score or defending properly or missing the shot. Nate is really not to blame for our guys settling for jump-shots last night either. I think Boozer might spot up a bit more simply because he has that ability and he has shown that he can be lazy at times. LA would also prefer to shoot jumpers and avoid contact in any system that doesn’t regularly piss him off. Even with their different tendencies, they still have to work in a system though.
In the case of Miller and Blake, I think that they did some of the same things but with varying degrees of effectiveness. This was also their choice. They used the options which they were given and played to their strengths. They were also working within a system.
My problems with Nate stem from his conservative nature. Its good for limiting mistakes and that works for a young team in most cases. The only thing about our young team is that it is growing up and is overflowing with talent. The talent we have could be utilized in so many more ways than simply isolating some of our players and kicking out. It obviously works to the extent than it won us 54 games last year. Everybody says that we obviously overacheived last year as well. I’m certain that Nates conservative nature is rubbing off on our guys and that mentality of trying to “not lose” the game instead of playing to win on both ends of the floor will ultimately handicap and keep us from winning a championship if he is at the helm.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Also
It isn’t like coaches are static in professional sports. Nate is the third longest tenured coach in Blazers history. Sometimes it is the perfect time for change.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Because all of our previous coaching changes have led to titles...
…that Nate is apparently already incapable of due to his lack of coaching ability
What are Nates coaching strengths?
Do you see him winning a championship when his coaching strength only makes bad teams overachieve?
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
I can't see Nate taking us to a championship
Can you?
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
In addition
Does change hurt? Would it really kill us to get a new coach?
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
No. I generally like change
But would it kill us to keep the coach we have?
To answer your question, if I can’t see Nate taking us to a championship, then I also can’t see any of the other available coaches doing it either. So what’s the point?
I respect your opinion
I just think that the amount of talent KP has gathered trumps the experience and steady hand of Nate when thinking about getting rid of people. I just want a coach with an aggressive attacking mentality use the talent and depth our team has to its fullest extent.
I do think there are some good coaches out there…
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Yes, it will kill the team and possibly fans
to keep Nate around to try and win a championsip.
He gets his head beat in by the better coaches. Some of those coaches have not won a championship themselves…Sloan, Adelman. Adelman had 3 consecutive 1st round exits from the playoffs before Dominated McMillan to finally move on to tthe 2nd round. Sloan and Adelman still don’t have the recipe to win a championship and we are supposed to believe McMillan has it? Not even close.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 22, 2010 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
ok
you make a decent point, so who do you replace McMillan with.
And let me ask you this
Would you rather lose in the first/second round of the playoffs under Nate, or switch coaches and potentially miss the playoffs altogether while he tries to force the players into a different system.
Case in point: Terry Porter goes into Phoenix, tries to instill defensive mentality. Fails. Gentry brings back SSOL and Phoenix is a playoff team again. Everyone knows they won’t get past the first or at best second round, but they win enough to make the playoffs and that’s good enough for the owners. Sad, but true
If we dont get past first round next year
I am sure Nate will be out. Heck maybe even if we dont get past second round depending on what our season looked like.
Here is an actual reason:
We still have a winning record.
Whats a winning record without a championship to back it up?
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
90 percent of teams
only one wins the Ring.
you think this team is not trying?
not going for it?
This week likely tells the tale
on New Orleans’ ability to challenge.
Win 2 of four this week, and we have to worry about them the rest of the way. Win one and we might have to worry about them.
But they could lose all four even if they play fairly well.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
yes & i also believe they'll win the championship too!
loveisrespect
by portlandgiirl91 on Feb 22, 2010 4:34 PM PST reply actions
Hey, when I was young and idealistic, the Blazers DID win the championship.
I’m still idealistic, though some days are better than others …
#52
AWESOME!
I hope your optimism is contagious.:)
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 22, 2010 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
They are a playoff team...
talent-wise. Unfortunately, I don’t think they will make it with McMillian at the helm.
Sure they will
They just won’t go anywhere in the playoffs, in all probability.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Play-off are part of the future Progress
We need for these players to show that they can win with what they have. If we are to win when we have everyone we must be able to win now!! Ower young players are good enough to step up and at least make the play-offs. We need them to progress to that level, to progress to the next level when we do do have all the pieses there.
We are making the playoffs.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 11:10 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, I would soooo do that.
I don’t think Dave would approve of gambling though.
Batum brings the doom.
by The Running Man on Feb 22, 2010 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
Have you
1) read my Sched Ahead update?
2) checked out the difficulty of San Antonio’s remaining schedule, and their injury status, and how they are playing lately, and how they have played against winning teams so far this year?
3) checked out the difficulty of Houston’s remaining schedule, and how they are playing lately?
4) checked out the difficulty of New Orleans’ remaining schedule, their injury situation, and how they are playing lately?
5) checked out the difficulty of Memphis’ remaining schedule, and how they are playing lately?
And having done all that, made a realistic assessment of how many wins we are likely to get, recognizing that Roy is obviously starting to come back, and Camby is learning to fit in?
And having done all that, made a realistic assessment of how many of the four teams I mentioned above are likely to actually finish ahead of your assessment of our wins?
I’d be careful about throwing too much money away if I were you.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
The Roy dilemma
I believe we have a fundamental problem with having Roy as the lead player on this team. The team does not play with fluidity when Roy is at the helm. His game has not evolved over the years. He has improved as a player but has not broadened his style to make his teammates better players. I don’t see him being interested in changing his style. The players we have are better suited to a faster pace, yet Roy seem most comfortable in the slow pace where four players watch him as he creates his shot. I like Roy, and think he’s a good player, but I do not see how this team can develop.
by acdcpc1 on Feb 22, 2010 10:01 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Agreed
Lots of blame to go around. Ultimately though the leader should take the blame and I have to think that Roy (and enabled by McMillian) bear the blame for the Jazz loss. It’s no secret the blazers played the best ball when Roy sat with foul trouble. And when the demise happened, you could see an injured Roy demanding the ball each drained the life out of the team.
This loss wasn’t because of abilities, the Blazers proved athletically and skill wise they could beat the Jazz. This was all mental. And when the team started “roy-watching” our plethora of jump shooters got cold, disengaged and scared.
Roy is a great player, not so much when injured though. And his clutchness is a bit of fools gold because until now I never realized that him “taking over in the 4th” was having such a negative impact on integrating his teammates.
The Blazers played pretty well at the start of the third
when Roy was in the game.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
This should be a fanpost... rec to you acdc...
I believe the problems all stemmed from when Roy’s first two years, when he had such a horrible supporting cast that he virtually had to take over in the 4th for us to win. As a result of a few clutch shots and victories, the media and ownership, anxious to leave the Jail Blazers behind, and in the recent style of the NBA promoting stars not teams, they “gave the team” to Brandon. Nate and KP started saying things like “Brandon’s team”… and he started to believe it. (See incredible quotes like earlier this year when he said that “the guys all play better when I get my touches”) I have to reiterate: basketball is a TEAM game!
I started the year thinking that we had an awesome fast break team, if we could get the right guys in there: Oden, LMA, Batum, Rudy, and Dre. I proposed that if we started that group, perhaps BRoy could be the league’s best sixth man, and I got thoroughly ridiculed for it.
All through the fall, when Roy made Dre’s integration into the team a nightmare; when he publicly backed Blake starting; when he showed that he was only giving lip service this summer when he said he was working on ‘catch and shoot’, and wanted to improve his defense; when he continued to play ole defense, and when the offense continually stagnated in the infamous 1:4 BRoy iso (“doing the Portland”)… I have been hoping that Roy would grow up, and learn he has to grow his game to truly become a superstar… Maybe learn how to use a pick, and hit a catch and shoot. Truly play hard on D every possession. And publicly support other players, and try to help others score in the fourth… But I haven’t seen it… Any of it… He;s exhibited zero growth over the last few years, and very close to zero true leadership…
And now, with no depth, and even an injured Brandon, it’s still “his team”. Even with an incredibly capable and exciting backup in Rudy, BRoy (and Nate, and some fans) just won’t give up the notion that if Brandon isn’t playing, we won’t win… Hogwash!
While I admire Brandon’s guts and toughness playing through obvious pain… it greatly pains me to watch him go through the motions on defense, and thoroughly stifle our offense these days…
At this point, if you told me that we could trade Brandon for a top-flight point guard (or even the first pick in the Wall draft), and we’d also fire Nate, I’d be all over that deal…
I know the majority here think I’m nuts, but I’m telling you, a coach that knows how to build a real NBA offense, based on ball movement, passing, cutting, picking, and fast breaks, and a unit of <Wall or Devon, e.g.at PG>, Rudy, Batum, LMA and whatever C is healthy would be much more fun to watch, and after they got time to get used to no BRoy in the fourth, utltimately more successful.
Bash away BRoy lovers…
Such negativity.......
San Antonio lost in Philly and Detroit. I would be more upset if I was a Spurs fan. Plenty of time left to make a run.
I'd come up with an attractive picture of a fork to post, but frankly it isn't worth the effort...
The Denver Mondeaux Mega Choke-Job was the killer…
"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
Are The Blazers a Playoff Team?
I think the poll results reflect the reality.
The answer to that question is Yes and No.
I think the closest truth is The Blazers are a playoff quality team that might not make the playoffs.
At this point, I’d not be too suprised if it all came together and we end up in the playoffs, nor would I be too suprised if the wheels came off and we end up on the outside looking in.
Accuse me of fence sitting or copping out, but I think that’s just the reality of a team that has been beset by biblical plague proportions of injury and turmoil. Without a relatively healthy Brandon we don’t make it. I think without the Camby trade we don’t make it.
Brandons playing now, Camby is onboard. Are we a Playoff Team? Yes and No.
I think clearly we have playoff quality talent but the truth is sometimes factors beyond your control can conspire to “hamstring” (sorry) that talent.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
If Roy was 100%...
he could will this team into the playoffs. Since it is evident that Roy will not be 100% the rest of year then I say Houston/Hornets will sneak in. Chris Paul will come back for Hornets and Houston made an upgrade trade that will help over the course of the rest of season. Certainly the Spurs and Suns are not locks. Still a ton of hoops left to be played so the only thing I would bet on is that the Playoff seeding will come down to the last week of the season.
Much closer in the poll then I thought it would be (54%-Yes, 45%-No) since Rockets, Hornets, Grizl are barely staying afloat as well.
A Blazers vs. Lakers 1st round matchup would be epic.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 23, 2010 3:52 PM PST reply actions
It depends on what Kevin Martin does to the Rockets
the Blazers are ahead of them, so it’s theirs to lose. If Roy returns to form I’d say it’s a certainty, but we may only get 75% from him. If Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks play together and Ariza goes back to being one of the best role player instead of one of the worst playmakers they can catch us. Although I miss watching CP3, his injury gave us some breathing room.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
Kevin Martin has had an awful season...
injured and bad shooting % when he did play. Then blamed for chemistry issues. Nonetheless, it is hard to imagine the Rockets playing worse with him then with Tmac, Landry.
The Rockets have over achieved this season so it should be interesting to see how they finish. For the 7th and 8th seeds it might be more of a question of which teams don’t completely fold as opposed to which team plays their best. The Grizl for instance, seem to have hit a wall despite all their talent on the roster.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 23, 2010 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
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