Game Thread 2022-23 Game #1 - BLAZERS @ KINGS - OCTOBER 19, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

[wizenheimer]

Gonna stick with the first 20 to see where this team is. 10-10 and I'm going to be ecstatic!
5-15 then I'm looking for huge changes or a Tank driver!
They ain't coming back from 10 games under .500

I'm not saying you're wrong, but:

2015-16: record on Jan 8 was 15-24; finished as 5th seed at 44-38 (went 29-14)

2016-17: record on Feb 15 was 23-33; finished as 8th seed at 41-41 (went 18-8)

2019-20: (bubble year) was 9 games under on March 7, two games before season was postponed. Went 8-2 in bubble and made playoffs

they've been 9 and 10 games under before and came back. And they were that far under in January and February. 20 games into this season would still be November. And looking at those teams and this one, I'd say this one has more talent. Now, maybe the West is much stronger and predictions of a bloodbath in the West are true. But just like being down by 15 in the first Q doesn't guarantee a loss, being 10 games under in November doesn't guarantee the lottery

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but:

2015-16: record on Jan 8 was 15-24; finished as 5th seed at 44-38 (went 29-14)

2016-17: record on Feb 15 was 23-33; finished as 8th seed at 41-41 (went 18-8)

2019-20: (bubble year) was 9 games under on March 7, two games before season was postponed. Went 8-2 in bubble and made playoffs

they've been 9 and 10 games under before and came back. And they were that far under in January and February. 20 games into this season would still be November. And looking at those teams and this one, I'd say this one has more talent. Now, maybe the West is much stronger and predictions of a bloodbath in the West are true. But just like being down by 15 in the first Q doesn't guarantee a loss, being 10 games under in November doesn't guarantee the lottery

Well you can omit the 2019-20 season because we all know that was a complete anomaly. There were questions if the Blazers even belonged in the postseason and the only way they got the votes to continue was because Lillard and others refused to play unless they had a chance to make the Playoffs.
Winning 16 of 19 in January 2016 was something to behold for sure. That happens yes but it's highly unlikely.
As far as 2016-17 goes I certainly hope they don't win 11 of their last 14 to get a 41-41 record and get swept in the first round? Even though that is the record i predicted for this team. I have to admit it was pretty fun having them grab that playoff spot though.

My point stands. If they end up 5-15 they better start making some big changes like changing lineups and moving toward developing players or just get a Tank driver.

 

[PDXFonz]

Gonna stick with the first 20 to see where this team is. 10-10 and I'm going to be ecstatic!
5-15 then I'm looking for huge changes or a Tank driver!
They ain't coming back from 10 games under .500

If this team starts 5-15 this place is going to be such a tank fest.

I’ll probably be somewhat concerned if we start that way. I do expect better but I haven’t looked at games 10-20.

5-15 and everyone is saying tank and trade, tank and trade.

 

[wizenheimer]

Well you can omit the 2019-20 season because we all know that was a complete anomaly. There were questions if the Blazers even belonged in the postseason and the only way they got the votes to continue was because Lillard and others refused to play unless they had a chance to make the Playoffs.
Winning 16 of 19 in January 2016 was something to behold for sure. That happens yes but it's highly unlikely.
As far as 2016-17 goes I certainly hope they don't win 11 of their last 14 to get a 41-41 record and get swept in the first round? Even though that is the record i predicted for this team. I have to admit it was pretty fun having them grab that playoff spot though.

My point stands. If they end up 5-15 they better start making some big changes like changing lineups and moving toward developing players or just get a Tank driver.

it's an 82 game season and you're basically saying that somehow, 5 games in the first two months of the season are the absolute pivot point for the other 77 games (or the 62 games remaining)

again, you may be right but you're definitely assuming an outcome based on pessimism.

 

[PDXFonz]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but:

2015-16: record on Jan 8 was 15-24; finished as 5th seed at 44-38 (went 29-14)

2016-17: record on Feb 15 was 23-33; finished as 8th seed at 41-41 (went 18-8)

2019-20: (bubble year) was 9 games under on March 7, two games before season was postponed. Went 8-2 in bubble and made playoffs

they've been 9 and 10 games under before and came back. And they were that far under in January and February. 20 games into this season would still be November. And looking at those teams and this one, I'd say this one has more talent. Now, maybe the West is much stronger and predictions of a bloodbath in the West are true. But just like being down by 15 in the first Q doesn't guarantee a loss, being 10 games under in November doesn't guarantee the lottery

Great post.
Explains some of the pessimism going into a tough early part of the season.

How nice it would be to handle business with some consistency all season.

 

[wizenheimer]

Great post.
Explains some of the pessimism going into a tough early part of the season.

How nice it would be to handle business with some consistency all season.

Elite teams can be consistent all season. Non-elite teams almost never are. They have bad months and good months. Losing streaks and winning streaks. 5-15 in one stretch; 17-5 in another

 

[PDXFonz]

Elite teams can be consistent all season. Non-elite teams almost never are. They have bad months and good months. Losing streaks and winning streaks. 5-15 in one stretch; 17-5 in another

Depth has a lot to do with it. Maybe the most. When you can count on your bench to hold, expand, or create leads.

 

[wizenheimer]

Depth has a lot to do with it. Maybe the most. When you can count on your bench to hold, expand, or create leads.

actually, I think health is a much bigger factor than depth

Blazers had an absolutely shitty bench in 2013-14 but won 54 games because 4 of the starters played in all 82 games. Of course, maybe good depth allows more rest for the better players

 

[Fairly-Hard]

If this team starts 5-15 this place is going to be such a tank fest.

I’ll probably be somewhat concerned if we start that way. I do expect better but I haven’t looked at games 10-20.

5-15 and everyone is saying tank and trade, tank and trade.

I won’t be driving the Tank but I’ll certainly want to see some changes and I’ll be looking heavily at what Billups is doing.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

This is it! We got this! First win on the road to a chip!!! 6th place underdogs win it all!!!!

 

[Fairly-Hard]

it's an 82 game season and you're basically saying that somehow, 5 games in the first two months of the season are the absolute pivot point for the other 77 games (or the 62 games remaining)

again, you may be right but you're definitely assuming an outcome based on pessimism.

They are for me. That’s what I’m saying.
Can they come back? Can Lillard will this team back to .500 ball? As you have pointed out yes he can.
It’s not the 5 games??? It’s the 15 and probable 40 of the next 60. I don’t want this team winning 35 games.

 

[wizenheimer]

I won’t be driving the Tank but I’ll certainly want to see some changes and I’ll be looking heavily at what Billups is doing.

I'd agree that Billups is kind of on probation. He can talk the talk but can he walk?

I'm extremely skeptical on his seeming insistence on running Dame off the ball. That makes no sense to me. It's what opposing defenses try to force and Portland is going to concede it as their scheme?

if it comes down to who you want running the majority of offense between Dame-Ant-Hart-Grant-Nurk, it's a no-brainer. I understand the notion of trying to relieve some of the burden from Dame. But what I saw last season is that when CJ & Ant were initiating the offense, way too often Dame didn't even touch the ball before a shot was put up

and if Ant is truly elite at catch-and-shoot, having him handling the ball while Dame waits for a pass is choosing two worse options when 2 better options are on the floor

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I'd agree that Billups is kind of on probation. He can talk the talk but can he walk?

I'm extremely skeptical on his seeming insistence on running Dame off the ball. That makes no sense to me. It's what opposing defenses try to force and Portland is going to concede it as their scheme?

if it comes down to who you want running the majority of offense between Dame-Ant-Hart-Grant-Nurk, it's a no-brainer. I understand the notion of trying to relieve some of the burden from Dame. But what I saw last season is that when CJ & Ant were initiating the offense, way too often Dame didn't even touch the ball before a shot was put up

and if Ant is truly elite at catch-and-shoot, having him handling the ball while Dame waits for a pass is choosing two worse options when 2 better options are on the floor

Stotts tried it and it didn't work. Granted there are different players around Dame right now but what happened is exactly what you said. The other team was content with the Blazers playing offense without the ball in Dame's hands. Dame also didn't seem to move as good without the ball as some other PG's do in the league. Maybe he can improve on that?

 

[THE HCP]

Don’t you honestly at least expect to beat HOU at home, win 1/2 against MIA, 1/3 against PHX, and then win 1 of the games against SAC/DEN/LAL/MEM?

I don’t think that’s too much to ask for, and at 4-6 I would wish we’d won more of those.

I mean of course you don’t think the blazers will beat your pride and joy LAL…

4-6 or 5-5 is my prediction, but I’m hoping for 6-4 or better. And no I won’t be surprised if we go 4-6 but I would be shocked if we went 1-9!!!

Of the first 22 games (just picked a random number) I feel these games highlighted we have a shot at winning, honestly. Am I THAT far off?

 

[PDXFonz]

Of the first 22 games (just picked a random number) I feel these games highlighted we have a shot at winning, honestly. Am I THAT far off?

View attachment 49987

We’ll see, but I say yes.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Of the first 22 games (just picked a random number) I feel these games highlighted we have a shot at winning, honestly. Am I THAT far off?

View attachment 49987

We’ll see, but I say yes.

add the Lakers and looks about right.
Man that is brutal!!!

Starts with Game one though!! Get that and the rest become a bit easier with each win.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

1-9…….2-8

6-4 at worst. Most of those teams are trash. Miami? Phoenix? Are you kidding me?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Of the first 22 games (just picked a random number) I feel these games highlighted we have a shot at winning, honestly. Am I THAT far off?

View attachment 49987

Knicks are the only good team on that list and you have us winning. Brave pick.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Knicks are the only good team on that list and you have us winning. Brave pick.

Wait, did you really just say the knicks are the only good team we are facing in the first 22 games????
Seriously????

You cant be serious can you?


Are you legit standing on this cliff??

Or you need to share whatever the hell you are smoking!!!!

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I think we have at least one drunk poster and guess what??? Its not me!!!!

 

[THE HCP]

Wait, did you really just say the knicks are the only good team we are facing in the first 22 games????
Seriously????

You cant be serious can you?


Are you legit standing on this cliff??

Or you need to share whatever the hell you are smoking!!!!

Bro you gotta look at who you are replying too.

 

[THE HCP]

Knicks are the only good team on that list and you have us winning. Brave pick.

Sigh

 

[THE HCP]

6-4 at worst. Most of those teams are trash. Miami? Phoenix? Are you kidding me?

Hold on…. So are you telling this forum that our Blazers are better than the Heat and Suns?

 

[riverman]

There's just really no reference point to gauge the Blazers on this season yet....I think they'll struggle to win early while trying to figure out how to play together....around Christmas we should have a pretty good idea of what we can expect come playoffs. As it is there's nothing to speculate about yet. I don't think the team or staff even know yet either.

 

[THE HCP]

We’ll see, but I say yes.

What are the green marks and red circles?

 

[BlazerBeav]

Wait, did Cleveland just get left off the list of games there are possible to win? They were a fun story last year, but come on - that's a winnable game. No gimme, surely, but winnable.

 

[THE HCP]

Wait, did Cleveland just get left off the list of games there are possible to win? They were a fun story last year, but come on - that's a winnable game. No gimme, surely, but winnable.

Bro Cleveland will beat us by 20!

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Hold on…. So are you telling this forum that our Blazers are better than the Heat and Suns?

Bro you gotta look at who you are replying to.

 

[riverman]

What are the green marks and red circles?

Nobody is supposed to tell you that!

 

[Strenuus]

6-4 at worst. Most of those teams are trash. Miami? Phoenix? Are you kidding me?

That's awfully optimistic, and I show no surprise.