How have I been wrong? I said the Blazers would struggle this year to make the playoffs. They have played 20 games and are doing WAY better than most anyone not blinded by their Moda colored glasses thought they would. Since the playoffs are still 5-6 months away, I find it almost impossible to understand how I have been "wrong" Again, quality avoidance of the Rose question
I believe what mags is saying is that the Blazers were trailing by 15 at the start of the 3rd quarter of the Bulls game, but had managed to come back and tie it up by the time that Rose was injured, so it wasn't as if his presence was any guarantee that the Bulls would win the game. Would Rose playing in the 4th have tipped the game in the favor of the Bulls or was the fact that the Bulls outscored the Blazers in the 4th a result of them being inspired to play better by his injury? Who knows? This is one of those pointless discussions where both of you can say things that are "true" but ultimately prove nothing.
MY goal for this team is to win a playoff series, not "make the playoffs" or "be 'contenders'". Based on our start I am very optimistic. The game plan of low post player surrounded by shooters has led to playoff success in the past and it will in the future - there can be no intelligent debate on this point. This team has the potential to improve and to stay together for a long time. "It's a good day to be a Blazer."
The rose question? You mean that he played in 70% of the game? By the time he was out, we already had control of the game. It didn't matter if he was there or not because historically, our second half adjustments prove me right and you wrong. Care to explain the win against OKC, SAS, Golden State, Indiana and Denver? Maybe you'd like to avoid them as well.
The Rose question was. Do you think the Bulls are a better team without Rose in the line up What is to explain? we beat them as we also beat Chicago. I don't understand?
I didn't say they were better without Rose, you made that assumption. I didn't response because I thought the question was ridiculous! Just like you said we beat Chicago without Rose, when he played 88% of his season average (27:31 minutes out of his 31 season average). Oh yeah, you are using hyperbole! Got it!
Stay on topic people, is Portland as currently assembled a playoff threat. IMO they are not, at best they are the Warriors from last year competitive, entertaining but not a championship threat.
Well which is it: playoff threat (as in a threat to win a round or two; i.e. "playoff success"); or "championship threat"? I'd say yes to the first and probably not to the second.
At this point it's just semantics. He gave an example of what he meant (Warriors), and personally I think it's an apt comparison. I think most of us agree that we'll make the Playoffs (and maybe even win in the 1st round?), so we all pretty much agree we're a "playoff threat". Some probably view us as a contender - but do most? At this point in the season I'm still in the "way too early" camp, hedging towards the "we're still a piece or two away" camp.
Yep, a playoff threat would be a team able to get .500 or above. A contender is a team that can get to the second round and better consistently. A championship contender is one that can go to the wcf or later.
Well where do you see this team cause I have them on the edge of playoff threat and contender based on your definitions
I don't think 44 wins makes the playoffs. The last time a team made the playoffs in the west with 44 wins was 2007 (obvious exception to the shortened 2011-2012 season). That being said, I don't see the Blazers not making the playoffs this year.
Right now they are certainly a championship threat. They have the 2nd best record in the league so of course they are.
How can they be a championship threat right now, as you say, when the playoffs don't start until April 19th?
So technically no team in the nba are contenders? This is where you and I disagree. I think someone can determine if a team is legit or not. I think even 20 games in, you get an idea on the team's philosophy and can make a pretty decent guess who is good and who is not. I do understand your concept of waiting till the allstar break. I can respect that. But in the meantime, you have the current legit teams and the ones most likely not to make the playoffs.
