http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/stor...s-pretenders-based-early-returns?refresh=true Portland Trail Blazers Record: 8-3 Pythagorean record: 8-3 Schedule: 0.3 (13th) Quietly, the Blazers have the league's fourth-best point differential (plus-8.5 PPG) against an average-ish schedule. Portland's defense has improved to eighth on a per-possession basis, and the Blazers have the league's third-best offensive rating. With Chris Kaman and Steve Blake upgrading the bench, this looks like a better version of last season's 54-win team that won a playoff series. Verdict: Contender
To: Elhassan... Psst... Our Bench has been much improved. In fact, our bench is a top 10 bench... Nice way of taking shit from last season and using it for the current season. Fucking Lazy reporting! To Gutierrez: Jump shot oriented? http://stats.nba.com/league/team/#!/shooting/ FGA: Less than 5 ft: 24.3, 5-9 ft: 7.7, 10-14: 5.9, 15-19: 13, 20-24: 25.8, 25-29: 7.3 So our large portion of "jump shots" are coming from the 3 point line, while we almost match that from the paint. Seems like another lazy reporter that took things from last season again.
The Elhassen comments ignore the fact that Terry is trying to develop our inexperienced bench players in time for the playoffs. There is plenty of time for that and to establish a set bench rotation. For the playoffs. Which is the only time being a 'contender' matters.
I am not sold that we are a contender yet, but I don't think the two who called us pretenders made a very good argument. lhassan: Pretender! While the Blazers boast one of the best and most complete starting fives in the league, bench depth is still a very real problem. Beyond Chris Kaman and Steve Blake, the Blazers' bench rotation has been a revolving door of "whoever's got it going," with no player definitively claiming the spot. That indicates that coach Terry Stotts hasn't totally trusted any one of them, and while that strategy has worked so far, it will only take the Blazers so far. (if it has worked so far then IMO the Blazer bench deserves the benefit of the doubt-to say Stotts doesn't trust his bench is a HUGE guess IMO by Ihassan ) Gutierrez: Pretender. The Blazers started off last season strong as well, but what we learned is they're just not deep enough, and too jump-shot oriented to win consistently at a high level. There's not much different about this year's group. (Really? Kaman alone makes this statement look foolish)
Oh and this talk about the bench lack is fucking foolish... Look at the players and their "PIE" Player Impact Estimate http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612757/players/advanced/ We don't have a negative on any of our players. Each player has provided a positive impact in the game. Now look at Chicago http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612741/players/advanced/ Looks like their bench is weaker. They must reply so much on 4 players. They have 2 players that don't have a positive or negative impact, while 1 with a big negative impact. Or how about Golden State? http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612744/players/advanced/ Looking at their starters, they absorb the most of the PIE. They have 3 players that have a negative impact.
Honestly this is our year. Next year is either blow it up or paul allen opens the bank account to keep it together. We have to win
Even if they have less success this year, I don't see them blowing it up. I think they have embraced the Spurs way of doing business. I think they will let Aldridge, Damian, Batum and cast simmer. The way the Spurs have done for all these years.