Ever since the Pistons things have been really close. Seems like they are having trouble putting teams away. Eventually these close games could start going other way. I also wonder if teams are getting UP for blazers games now since they ahve become media darlings??
We are getting everyone's best games and beating them, regardless of it being close or not, is great. It is a concern. But these "playoff style" close games will only help us come post season.
I'm glad there are some close games. Battle test these guys a little bit. They wont be blow outs in the playoffs, so I want them to learn how to play close games now.
So? Should our record be 18-5-6? It's not. We won them. It's like someone getting a brand new car, but they didn't get the newest brand new car. :MARIS61:
Nearly every game against a potential western playoff opponent has been playoff intensity (One or two Phoenix games notwithstanding). Maybe not Game 7, but Game 1, certainly. I'm not ecstatic that the Blazers aren't blowing them out, but I'm happy to see them get clutch experience in fairly intense games.
At this point in the 95-96 season, the 72-win Bulls team was 26-3, and 5-0 in games decided by 4 or less. They ended the season 11-2 in games decided by 4 or less. And they had the most dominating season in NBA history.
I really liked that Bulls team (since I knew Portland had no chance at anything AND it pissed off Laker fans that their precious record was being smashed, and it wasn't the Lakers). That team was something else.
Another thing, as Bill Walton said, you have to be good to win, but you need a little bit of luck to win a championship. Just think of all the things that happen in an NBA game, there are 100+ plays for each team, and often the game comes down to a few points.
Coincidently, two of those close wins game against the Blazers, the Blazers played them pretty close.
I'll see your point, and raise you another (I have never once been accused of being a rose colored glasses homer either) its been 5 games. 3 of them on the road in a 4 game in 5 night stretch. And one was a game against a good LAC team. NOLA isnt that shabby either.
The 2000 Lakers team (damn you!) was 67-15, and like the Bulls team had LONG stretches of winning without losing. For example. The Bulls won 31 out of 32 games in one stretch. The lakers won 30 of 31. The Bulls had 1 losing streak. Of 2 games. Early in the season.
Our Pythagorean Record is 20-9, which indicates we're getting some luck. I also hesitate to mention it, but I think we're now part of the "narrative", which means our reputation for playing straight up defense and not fouling is getting called. In short, we're getting the benefit of refereeing. LAC shot fewer FT attempts than normal, as did HOU when they played us. Our reputation is that we don't foul much, and have lockdown defense in clutch time. I think we're being allowed to do that to some extent. Which is AWESOME. I mean, finally, right?! It's about time we got in on the WWE story line!
I am thrilled that these wins have been down to the last shot. It is great experience moving forward. It should give them confidence in close games. Which is most games in the NBA. Carlito if you believe that the Blazer's are one of the elite teams in the NBA right now, then I can see how you may be concerned about the close wins. Throw out the record....do you think they are now an elite team? Personally I don't. I think they are currently over achieving and I am proud of them for doing so. But IMO we are not quite deep enough to be winning easily every night. I like that our players are keeping things in perspective as well.
I'm confused, shouldn't this thread title say.....Isn't everybody excited that we are winning all these close games?
