A little perspective at this point!

[e_blazer]

It is still very important to win the division because you are then guaranteed to play the 5, 6, 7, or 8th seed. For example, let's say we win our division but finish with the 8th best record in the West (OKC finishes 9th) we would still play the 5th seed but the 5th seed would have home court. If division winners weren't guaranteed a top 4 seed, then in this case we would be the 8th seed playing the 1 seed; which would be a much tougher match up usually.

Good points. I suppose it is also possible that a team could win its division, but have only the 9th best record in the conference. In that instance, unlikely though it may be, getting the 4th seed would bump the team with the 8th best record out of the playoffs.

 

[MarAzul]

We're mad at you, it was supposed to be tar and feathers, not pitchforks and torches! We're not going after vampires here, for cry sakes...

You save me the effort I was about to waste.

 

[noknobs]

It is still very important to win the division because you are then guaranteed to play the 5, 6, 7, or 8th seed. For example, let's say we win our division but finish with the 8th best record in the West (OKC finishes 9th) we would still play the 5th seed but the 5th seed would have home court. If division winners weren't guaranteed a top 4 seed, then in this case we would be the 8th seed playing the 1 seed; which would be a much tougher match up usually.

You're not following my post. If the division winner has a worse record than the 5th seed then the 5th seed gets home court anyways... So why not just say the division winner is assured a top five seed? In other words even if they have the 6th, 7th, or 8th best record they'd still play the 4th best record (as opposed to the 3 2 or 1 seeds) but wouldn't have home court, which seems to be the reality anyways.

The only point of seeding seems to be match up and home court. Without the home court the only benefit of winning a division is that you get to play the 4th best record even if you've got the 8th best record. So... you're assured the 5th seed in round one.

 

[noknobs]

It would be better still if winning your division were completely irrelevant, and the best 16 teams in the league were simply seeded irrespective of division or conference.

The only way that would be fair though is if everyone played every other team the same amount over the course of the year, which isn't the case.

 

[MarAzul]

Aldridge needs to meet the pitchfork. He's missed 11 straight 3 pointers.
Worst player in the league. He's shooting 3's now so he's even more soft that he used to be.
We can't trade him because he has no value. I mean he's missed eleven straight three pointers. If you can't make the 3 ball... You're worthless.
Cut him.

During this same run Aldridge missed 11, Lillard missed 30. Ouch!

 

[kjironman1]

During this same run Aldridge missed 11, Lillard missed 30. Ouch!

And of course we all know lillard is on the trading block now so Aldridge better be getting close.

 

[KingSpeed]

Ugh. How many times must we go over this???? 4th seed doesn't guarantee home court advantage. Team with better record gets HCA. Division leader is tiebreaker though.

 

[kjironman1]

Ugh. How many times must we go over this???? 4th seed doesn't guarantee home court advantage. Team with better record gets HCA. Division leader is tiebreaker though.

Yeah we got it all figured out. I was out of the loop on that.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I don't understand.

 

[kjironman1]

Ugh. How many times must we go over this???? 4th seed doesn't guarantee home court advantage. Team with better record gets HCA. Division leader is tiebreaker though.

However that was never the point of the post in the first place. It was that the Blazers will indeed most likely win the division and that they will most likely also have home court unless there is a major problem. They have a great chance to make their own destiny here.

 

[BlazerWookee]

You save me the effort I was about to waste.

No thanks are necessary, Marzy. Go ahead and use that effort on the Mar Azul. Preferably somewhere above the water line...

 

[MarAzul]

No thanks are necessary, Marzy. Go ahead and use that effort on the Mar Azul. Preferably somewhere above the water line...

Right! on my way.

 

[magnifier661]

Sigh... Let me explain this shit again.

A piece of fruit must be cut 4 ways and the division winner can have a piece. But if the division winner has extra Carmel, they must spread honey on the cement floor. The rest of the league must play a game of HORSE using pliers and two by fours. The winner has a choice to put on tap shoes or a portable boom box to the event.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Sigh... Let me explain this shit again.

A piece of fruit must be cut 4 ways and the division winner can have a piece. But if the division winner has extra Carmel, they must spread honey on the cement floor. The rest of the league must play a game of HORSE using pliers and two by fours. The winner has a choice to put on tap shoes or a portable boom box to the event.

 

[KingSpeed]

However that was never the point of the post in the first place. It was that the Blazers will indeed most likely win the division and that they will most likely also have home court unless there is a major problem. They have a great chance to make their own destiny here.

At one point this season, we won 25 of 30 games. If we can do that right now, we win 60 games. With RoLo back and CJ and Meyers emerging, I think it's possible.

 

[trailblazer18]

You're not following my post. If the division winner has a worse record than the 5th seed then the 5th seed gets home court anyways... So why not just say the division winner is assured a top five seed? In other words even if they have the 6th, 7th, or 8th best record they'd still play the 4th best record (as opposed to the 3 2 or 1 seeds) but wouldn't have home court, which seems to be the reality anyways.

The only point of seeding seems to be match up and home court. Without the home court the only benefit of winning a division is that you get to play the 4th best record even if you've got the 8th best record. So... you're assured the 5th seed in round one.

I get your meaning now after reading it again, but you are assuming that this will only happen to one division winner at the same time. What if 2 or 3 of the division winners had the 5th-8th best record in the conference? I guess they would still be a top 5 seed like you mentioned...nevermind...I think...

 

[TBpup]

Correct. 4th seed does not guarantee HCA but Portland should be able to maintain the 4th best record or better if they can stay healthy the rest of the way.

Houston - without Dwight Howard for another 3+ weeks it looks like
Clippers - Without Griffin for 3-4 weeks.
Mavs - Chandler maybe out for a few games due to an ankle sprain

I have no dillusions the Blazers can catch the Warriors or even the Grizzlies but I think #3 is entirely possible. If they can keep their health, get Freeland back and keep Meyers/CJ on an upward development track, I think they are in good shape.

I still think they are a piece away. They don't have anyone on the bench who can really create for his teammates. Blake makes the obvious pass and CJ really doesn't pass. Barton can but is too inconsistent. Damian is really the only playmaker and if teams force the ball out of his hands, Portland could be in trouble.