Grantland's NBA preview

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by BrianFromWA, Oct 23, 2014.

  1. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    On ESPN right now. (7pm EST)
     
  2. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Simmons, Jalen and Jeff Van Gundy are talking about Russ Westbrook right now. THey think he plays hard, will be over .500 when Durant comes back, and will be an MVP candidate b/c of that.

    Worst-case scenario--Scarface Tony Montana
    "Furious Styles" LOL
    They like to see what he'll be in 2 months
     
  3. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Now on to Derrick Rose:

    Jalen thinks he'll be at least 85% of what he was. He says "he's back" and that CHI is "the best team he's ever played with" with Gasol, Taj, Mirotic, Noah, McBuckets

    JVG is concerned with the "Rose is Back" talk. He thinks he'll have up-and-down moments and will have to relearn some of his old habits and find out how to get a starting 2 and 3

    SImmons is concerned with Rose just like RGIII, with the fearlessness, but now he's had 2 surgeries and can't be sure if he'll be able to come back. If he's not as athletic as LBJ et. Al. He's never going to be the guy who sits back, shoots open 3s, etc.

    Jalen thinks he'll be back to All-Star level. JVG says, aside from the CLE game, he hasn't played well since his first knee surgery, and is concerned about his ability to play big minutes early--especially since he's used to playing 36 mpg.

    They think that Wins and Losses will be how CHI is measured, not Rose's stats
     
  4. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Dwayne Wade-
    Are they at the point with Wade that Ewing was in the late 90's? Coaching the aging star in decline? B/c they see themselves as they once were, not how they are now. Duncan is great at the "aging gracefully" passing on to Parker and Ginobili.
    Wade, even though he's going against a team's #2 or 3 defender, was still lower than "normal" stats, but he's had problems staying healthy. Jalen thinks that unless he's really healthy, MIA is going to really struggle.
    JVG predicts "rejuvenation" and that he'll "muster everything he has to have one special year"
    Simmons thinks that Wade right now is #4 SG ever behind MJ, K*be and Jerry West.
     
  5. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    Thanks for the heads up. I'll be amazed if the Blazers are mentioned.
     
  6. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Chris Paul--Does never making Coif Finals in 10 years matter?

    Rose: They're all in with Ballmer, CP3 and Blake (and paying for the role players)
    JVG: Clips are going to Finals.
    Simmons: CLE-LAC in Finals.
    JVG: CP3 is so great. Ewing is a champion to him b/c his teams weren't great enough to overcome Pippen/Jordan. Cp3 is same way. He tries his best, and teams just haven't been good enough to help him.
    In the No-Ring Saloon: Gervin, Malone, Cp3, Stockton, etc.
     
  7. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    I'll hold off more until/if they show Blazers stuff.
     
  8. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    They offer no explanation but claim rondo will be a knick before the deadline.
     
  9. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Geez man. What is this, the 3rd year in a row they've said they'd be in the final... and IIRC, the Blazers have gone further than them. lol. Or at least, matched them.
     
  10. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Full disclosure--Simmons is a Clippers STH.
     
  11. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Zach Lowe sounds way different than I pictured him in my head.
     
  12. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    Taking bets on if Blazers will be mentioned.
     
  13. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    I think they will be, even if it's just something like "OKC-POR will be interesting in the Northwest Division"
     
  14. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    That counts. But I don't even think they get that.

    Winner gets repped!
     
  15. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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  16. BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94

    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94 AWOL

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    I dislike Jalen Rose so much.. He is like that guy who tries to be cool and hangout with the popular kids and then goes back to his regular friends and brags that he is "tight with such and such".
     
  17. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    Interesting that Lowe brought up that most successful offensive teams in the last couple of decades have basically punted offensive rebounding to get back on D. CLE (they say) with Love may be even more efficient b/c he sucks up rebounds and can outlet to LBJ, who can just act like a "normal" PF again.
     
  18. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Simmons thinks Cleveland is going to challenge the Celtics' 40-1 home record. :crazy:
     
  19. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    That loss was the first game I ever listened to (on AFRTS in Germany) and the genesis of my Blazer fandom.
     
  20. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    I think they are getting ahead of themselves. Not this year, but within the next 3 years there is a string chance that this is the best NBA team in the NBA/ABA history.
     

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