2008-09 Blazer record predictions

[JfizzleBlazer]

Denny why don't you think Blake, or Rudy, or Bayless could handle the ball past half court? A lot of times last year Blake was the guy with the ball in the half court offense, Roy would usually take over in the 4th quarter and be the primary ball handler.

 

[Denny Crane]

Denny why don't you think Blake, or Rudy, or Bayless could handle the ball past half court? A lot of times last year Blake was the guy with the ball in the half court offense, Roy would usually take over in the 4th quarter and be the primary ball handler.

My view of basketball is that you want the ball in the hands of guys like TMac or Kobe or Pierce or Roy or Ginobili or KG or Paul ... OK, so they're all superstars, but hey, that's why they're superstars. Even the guys you think of as traditional PGs - Billups, Baron Davis, Paul, Williams, Nash, etc., are all outstanding scorers. All the guys I listed can and do manufacture their own shots repeatedly in games.

Not Blake's game.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

My view of basketball is that you want the ball in the hands of guys like TMac or Kobe or Pierce or Roy or Ginobili or KG or Paul ... OK, so they're all superstars, but hey, that's why they're superstars. Even the guys you think of as traditional PGs - Billups, Baron Davis, Paul, Williams, Nash, etc., are all outstanding scorers. All the guys I listed can and do manufacture their own shots repeatedly in games.

Not Blake's game.

But that is Bayless's and Rudy's game.

Blake is best at creating for others or hitting 3's. If Roy is out, then Bayless or Rudy will most likely be in, and both of them can handle the ball quite well manufacturing their own shots like you state

 

[Denny Crane]

But that is Bayless's and Rudy's game.

Blake is best at creating for others or hitting 3's. If Roy is out, then Bayless or Rudy will most likely be in, and both of them can handle the ball quite well manufacturing their own shots like you state

If those guys are so good, you may as well trade Roy for an expiring contract or something. You'll need the cap space to sign those guys.

Or am I on to something about Roy being that good?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

If those guys are so good, you may as well trade Roy for an expiring contract or something. You'll need the cap space to sign those guys.

Or am I on to something about Roy being that good?

Now your just being ridiculous. I never said Roy isn't amazing, he is. If you watched the Olympics at all, you would have seen Rudy ball it up against team USA, I have no doubts that he will be a great offensive player in the NBA. He can handle the ball too, so if Roy does miss some time, it will hurt, but not as much as you seem to think.

Besides like I said, its a moot point, Roy should be back before the start of the season.

More importantly, Casey has a Brandon Roy post-meniscusectomy rehab update:

You literally can't tell Brandon had surgery less than a month ago, which speaks to the minor nature of the procedure as well as Roy's ability to heal. Initially it was hard to tell Brandon had even undergone arthroscopic surgery, but now, as far as I can tell, there are no lingering effects of the procedure.
That's not to say that he'll be playing full-court, 5-on-5 any time soon, but he is shooting jumpers and making some very light cuts, seemingly pain-free. On Monday he put up shots for about 30 minutes or so with Kaleb Canales and John Townsend, and he was straight draining bucket after bucket. His shot, while already relatively dependable, looks improved. It wasn't anywhere close to game speed, but it was still nice to see. He looks to me like he'll be ready to go well within the 4-8 week timeline.

 

[Tortimer]

I would predict 52-30 this year. I really think the Blazers will win between 48-54 games and be the 6th seed. I also wouldn't be surprised if we only won 48 games and were the 8th seed with their hard early schedule.

 

[maxiep]

If those guys are so good, you may as well trade Roy for an expiring contract or something. You'll need the cap space to sign those guys.

Or am I on to something about Roy being that good?

That's what's so scary (even though your comment was tongue-in-cheek); we don't really need to worry about our salary level. To get the right guys to come to the team or to stay on the team, Paul Allen is willing to write checks that would make James Dolan blanch.

 

[Denny Crane]

That's what's so scary (even though your comment was tongue-in-cheek); we don't really need to worry about our salary level. To get the right guys to come to the team or to stay on the team, Paul Allen is willing to write checks that would make James Dolan blanch.

You know it was tongue in cheek. Portland had that remarkable 13 game win streak last season, and all everyone talked about (the press) was how great Roy is. He played in 74 games last season, in the 8 he missed, the team's record was 1-7. I do think he's not being overhyped and his shoes are really big to fill.

If he starts the season healthy, it's obviously a great thing for the team. To win 50 games, you're going to need him to play in 80 or 82 games, IMO. Here's another way I look at it:

He only played 54 as a rookie and 74 last season. That extra 20 games and his year over year improvement was worth 9 in the win column - from 32 to 41 wins. An extra 6 games might get you 3 wins to 44. Oden and other newcomers enough to get you 6 more wins? Remains to be seen.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

It possibly remains to be seen, but a smart betting man would clearly see Adding Oden, Rudy and Bayless to a team means improvement.

 

[Denny Crane]

It possibly remains to be seen, but a smart betting man would clearly see Adding Oden, Rudy and Bayless to a team means improvement.

Chemistry.

It takes time for the players to learn a system.

All three of those guys have never gone through the rigor of playing an 82 game season. Against guys who are a lot bigger and faster and better defenders than they saw in college or overseas and who get to play them more than once and study game films.

It does remain to be seen.

Don't get me wrong, though. I am quite enthusiastic about seeing the team actually play together and on paper they are downright impressive.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I agree chemistry may take a little bit, but when you have three ROY candidates, I'm pretty sure at least one will play great from the get go

 

[tlongII]

56-26

#3 Seed

2009 NBA Champions

 

[o.iatlhawksfan]

I love their depth, they should be over .500

Around the 4-7 seed

 

[LO_Blazers]

I would like to think a 50 win season is realistic. I think we might be a little slow out of the gate but should turn it around without too much difficulty.

 

[Vintage]

This is so hard to predict. They have such a young, deep, and talented team. But their youth and inexperience could be the reason they don't finish much above .500 (if at all). That... and being in the West.

Easily have the talent to win 45-50 games. I guess I'll predict that.