Anyone else see Michael Wilbon and Magic Johnson making their predictions?

[KingSpeed]

They picked the favorite in every series so it was kinda pointless. They acted like they had some sort of insight but a 4 year old could pick the favorite in every series without any knowledge of basketball. And Magic completely disregarded us. He just said "No Brandon Roy so the Suns will run them off the court."

When has their been absolutely no upset in the playoffs? I don't think it's ever happened. In fact, I can't remember the last time two #1 seeds met in the Finals.

 

[The Other Guys]

After looking at a bunch of Phoenix forums and watching some ESPN, all their fans can say is that Roy is out and Amare will destroy us. Somehow, nobody can understand that we have about 15 games experience without Roy and that we already beat Phoenix twice when our team wasn't even playing at their highest. I can't wait to see Amare get in foul trouble or Camby shut him down. After we win the series, all the ESPN analysts will say how they saw this coming and they predicted it to happen.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Magic Johnson is a clueless analyst.

Great player who can dominate and deconstruct the game on the court but terrible analyst. All he does is point out the obvious. Weird, huh?

 

[Luther]

I think the only reason we see the Blazers competing with the Suns is because we've watched our team for 82+ games this season. Magic and Wilbon aren't watching EVERY Blazer game. Everyone in this forum is biased towards the Blazers (those whose opinions are worth listening to at least) and there is nothing wrong with that....We know we have a chance because we have seen how well these guys can play w/out Roy. "Outsiders" don't view the Blazers the same way we do.

 

[KingSpeed]

Good call, Luther.

 

[jlprk]

I thought Magic was a very predictable player, too. I could see every slow motion move coming 5 seconds in advance. As a coach, he sucked. As a TNT commentator, about 2 months before Bob Whitsitt quit, Magic read a script saying that Whitsitt should be fired. This was after 18 billion people had already said the same thing (with me arguing with them all the way). Predictable is the word.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Legler basically said the same thing. Almost all national "analysts" are completely discounting Portland. I think they're just being lazy. And these are supposed to be the guys that are the best at their profession. I beg to differ. I'm not predicting a Blazer series win, but in no way will we get steam rolled, run out of the gym, boat raced, or whatever words these dicks use in their "predictions."

 

[KingSpeed]

I thought Magic was a very predictable player, too. I could see every slow motion move coming 5 seconds in advance. As a coach, he sucked. As a TNT commentator, about 2 months before Bob Whitsitt quit, Magic read a script saying that Whitsitt should be fired. This was after 18 billion people had already said the same thing (with me arguing with them all the way). Predictable is the word.

I just went to YouTube and typed in Magic no look pass and saw some pretty great plays, the likes of we haven't seen in the last 20 years.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Legler basically said the same thing. Almost all national "analysts" are completely discounting Portland. I think they're just being lazy. And these are supposed to be the guys that are the best at their profession. I beg to differ. I'm not predicting a Blazer series win, but in no way will we get steam rolled, run out of the gym, boat raced, or whatever words these dicks use in their "predictions."

We're playing without our best player ... on the road ... against the hottest team in the league in the second half of the season.

I'm not saying the Blazers can't pull off an upset or a miracle or even make it competitive, but honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries (using Roy and Oden as a collalary) do you really think the national media would be saying, 'well, this is a plucky, gritty bunch; they're bound to make it a tough series'. Give me a break.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

[If] we win the series, all the ESPN analysts will say how they saw this coming and they predicted it to happen.

No, they will say how it was an accident and how Portland will be swept by Dal/SA.

 

[jlprk]

I just went to YouTube and typed in Magic no look pass and saw some pretty great plays, the likes of we haven't seen in the last 20 years.

Were they quick or where they just showy? Were they really necessary to complete the pass? He was a showman, like the stereotype Jay Leno kind. But I wanna tell ya...He got more predictable later in his career.

Early in his career I saw Dennis Johnson strip him of the ball. He learned to dribble it lower to the ground. He was a great talent for his height, but I always thought the results from that talent were about half of his potential.

 

[TripTango]

I thought Magic was a very predictable player, too. I could see every slow motion move coming 5 seconds in advance.

Explain this.

 

[KingSpeed]

We're playing without our best player ... on the road ... against the hottest team in the league in the second half of the season.

I'm not saying the Blazers can't pull off an upset or a miracle or even make it competitive, but honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries (using Roy and Oden as a collalary) do you really think the national media would be saying, 'well, this is a plucky, gritty bunch; they're bound to make it a tough series'. Give me a break.

Why shouldn't they say "this is a plucky gritty bunch'? If they did their home work, they'd know:

A) We've beaten good teams on the road without Brandon Roy this season. Ask San Antonio and Phoenix.

B) Yes, the Suns are hot, but we're pretty damn hot too having won 14 of our last 18 game before the Warriors game that meant nothing to us.

C) The Suns are only 10-12 vs Western Conference playoff teams.

D) The Suns' starting center is Jarron Collins.

E) The Blazers have the overwhelmingly best record in their bracket at 8-2 and as I already said, Roy missed some of those games.

F) We are 5-1 against the Thunder and the Lakers and we beat each of those teams without Brandon Roy.

If we win this series, I won't consider it a miracle or an upset. This is the team we want to face. Tomorrow, we'll hopefully show them why.

 

[TripTango]

We're playing without our best player ... on the road ... against the hottest team in the league in the second half of the season.

I'm not saying the Blazers can't pull off an upset or a miracle or even make it competitive, but honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries (using Roy and Oden as a collalary) do you really think the national media would be saying, 'well, this is a plucky, gritty bunch; they're bound to make it a tough series'. Give me a break.

Bingo.

Sure, Portland tends to be overlooked by the national sports media, but there's no way you can blame them for picking Phoenix across the board in this case. What will happen if we do manage to beat Phoenix? We'd get a big spread on the ESPN main page, a heartwarming feature article about our spunky pluckiness, and then every writer would pick us to lose in the second round. This is the curse (and the blessing) of the underdog, and we are guaranteed to have it for the duration of these playoffs. Get used to it.

 

[jlprk]

Explain this.

He was a true PG and had good court vision. Seeing over everyone helped. I don't doubt his talent, just whether he could have been a lot better. Late in his career, he played like a carnival huckster. He would wheel around in a big showy move, with unnecessary excess motion. Smiling, he would use his head to get the receiver's attention, but not secretly. It was like an open joke he was telling to all who watched: "I'm going to pass to him, everyone, watch this." He played at the end like they do in a humorous meaningless all-star game (and he played in a few of those, too). Everything was played for showy humor (not as bad as Gilbert Arenas, but think of Arenas to image it). He played more seriously early in his career, but in the last couple of years he got sickening to me to watch (maybe overexposure in the national media did that, too).

Anyway, it's predictable that he's predictable as a commentator.

 

[KingSpeed]

Bingo.

Sure, Portland tends to be overlooked by the national sports media, but there's no way you can blame them for picking Phoenix across the board in this case. What will happen if we do manage to beat Phoenix? We'd get a big spread on the ESPN main page, a heartwarming feature article about our spunky pluckiness, and then every writer would pick us to lose in the second round. This is the curse (and the blessing) of the underdog, and we are guaranteed to have it for the duration of these playoffs. Get used to it.

How would that make sense? We're 6-1 against Dallas and San Antonio. If we beat Phoenix without Brandon Roy, why couldn't we beat either of those teams? Plus, by the second round, Roy could be back.

 

[DaRizzle]

He was a true PG and had good court vision. Seeing over everyone helped. I don't doubt his talent, just whether he could have been a lot better. Late in his career, he played like a carnival huckster. He would wheel around in a big showy move, with unnecessary excess motion. Smiling, he would use his head to get the receiver's attention, but not secretly. It was like an open joke he was telling to all who watched: "I'm going to pass to him, everyone, watch this." He played at the end like they do in a humorous meaningless all-star game (and he played in a few of those, too). Everything was played for showy humor (not as bad as Gilbert Arenas, but think of Arenas to image it). He played more seriously early in his career, but in the last couple of years he got sickening to me to watch (maybe overexposure in the national media did that, too).

Geez....ugh..."a carnival huckster".....right

...i suppose all flash and no substance is the next thing you will say

 

[jlprk]

a heartwarming feature article about our spunky pluckiness

I like to say that over and over. Rolls off the tongue.

 

[TripTango]

Why shouldn't they say "this is a plucky gritty bunch'? If they did their home work, they'd know:

A) We've beaten good teams on the road without Brandon Roy this season. Ask San Antonio and Phoenix.

B) Yes, the Suns are hot, but we're pretty damn hot too having won 14 of our last 18 game before the Warriors game that meant nothing to us.

C) The Suns are only 10-12 vs Western Conference playoff teams.

D) The Suns' starting center is Jarron Collins.

E) The Blazers have the overwhelmingly best record in their bracket at 8-2 and as I already said, Roy missed some of those games.

If we win this series, I won't consider it a miracle or an upset. This is the team we want to face. Tomorrow, we'll hopefully show them why.

A) A few big wins during the regular season without Brandon is nice, but it doesn't mean a whole lot in terms of predicting the results of a 7 game playoff series.

B) The majority of those wins were against small potato patsies. By my count we went 5-8 against Western playoff teams since February.

C) See B.

D) Collins averages around 10 minutes per game. He's not exactly an integral part of their game plan.

E) Again, the fact that we managed to have SOME success without Brandon this year does not diminish the fact that we are significantly worse without him.

No, it would be far from a miracle if we win -- Phoenix isn't THAT good -- but if you honestly don't think it would be an upset, then I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[TripTango]

How would that make sense? We're 6-1 against Dallas and San Antonio. If we beat Phoenix without Brandon Roy, why couldn't we beat either of those teams? Plus, by the second round, Roy could be back.

Because momentum is an illusion, and the oddsmakers know this. A handicapped team is still handicapped, even if it manages an upset.

P.S. If we win and Roy DOES come back as strong as ever, that might be something else entirely. I place the odds for this happening somewhere in the miracle category.

 

[TripTango]

I like to say that over and over. Rolls off the tongue.

Damn. I obviously meant to say "plucky spunkiness". My bad.

 

[The Professional Fan]

We're playing without our best player ... on the road ... against the hottest team in the league in the second half of the season.

I'm not saying the Blazers can't pull off an upset or a miracle or even make it competitive, but honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries (using Roy and Oden as a collalary) do you really think the national media would be saying, 'well, this is a plucky, gritty bunch; they're bound to make it a tough series'. Give me a break.

I still contend they're being lazy for their stance. Complete discount of the Blazers. Phoenix is gonna roll right past us. No problems. That just isn't going to happen, IMO. I believe it will be competitive, and that's my point.

 

[B-Roy]

We're playing without our best player ... on the road ... against the hottest team in the league in the second half of the season.

I'm not saying the Blazers can't pull off an upset or a miracle or even make it competitive, but honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries (using Roy and Oden as a collalary) do you really think the national media would be saying, 'well, this is a plucky, gritty bunch; they're bound to make it a tough series'. Give me a break.

Well who else do they have besides Nash and Amare? Grant Hill and Jason Richardson? We're more talented than the Suns.

 

[KingSpeed]

, it would be far from a miracle if we win -- Phoenix isn't THAT good -- but if you honestly don't think it would be an upset, then I'm not sure what to tell you.

If we win the series, won't you look at the season and remember "this is what we've been doing all year"? If we play like we've played all year, we will win this series. Phoenix isn't that good. They're just not. I will not consider us beating anyone in the West an "upset." Now beating the Cavs and winning it all? Now that would be a fucking upset.

 

[KingSpeed]

A) A few big wins during the regular season without Brandon is nice, but it doesn't mean a whole lot in terms of predicting the results of a 7 game playoff series.

B) The majority of those wins were against small potato patsies. By my count we went 5-8 against Western playoff teams since February..

14-10 over the whole season, some of the wins without Brandon Roy. Yes, we were 1-7 against Utah and Denver, but we probably won't play either of those teams so why do those games matter??

 

[KingSpeed]

Well who else do they have besides Nash and Amare? Grant Hill and Jason Richardson? We're more talented than the Suns.

Agreed. Grant Hill is over the hill. Jason Richardson is all offense, no defense. Bayless and Andre Miller will have a field day against Nash. Aldridge and Camby will neutralize Amare. This series will come down to the Websters, Batums, and Howards vs Fryes, Amundsons, Dudleys. Even without Roy, we're the better team. Also- we've been playing playoff basketball (slower more deliberate pace) all season long. They've only played it intermittently. They averaged 110 ppg during the season. Against us, they averaged less than a 100 ppg. Meanwhile, our offense went up against them.

 

[TripTango]

If we win the series, won't you look at the season and remember "this is what we've been doing all year"?

Yes and no.

Yes, we have been overcoming adversity all year, and a win here would be a FANTASTIC extension of that tenacity.

No, we have not won a 7-game series without HCA and without our team's leader, All-Star, and best player. Not this year and (as far as I know) not EVER in the history of the franchise.

I will not consider us beating anyone in the West an "upset."

I applaud your belief, KS -- I really do. And I'm certainly not going to knock you for it. I'm just saying that, strictly by the numbers, it's not even remotely surprising that we are being counted out by the nation's talking sports heads.

 

[TripTango]

Agreed. Grant Hill is over the hill. Jason Richardson is all offense, no defense. Bayless and Andre Miller will have a field day against Nash. Aldridge and Camby will neutralize Amare. This series will come down to the Websters, Batums, and Howards vs Fryes, Amundsons, Dudleys. Even without Roy, we're the better team. Also- we've been playing playoff basketball (slower more deliberate pace) all season long. They've only played it intermittently. They averaged 110 ppg during the season. Against us, they averaged less than a 100 ppg. Meanwhile, our offense went up against Phoenix.

I think you should take a timeout and go watch a few more Suns games from the past month -- I think you are DRASTICALLY underestimating what they can do and how well they do it.

Learn their game, then post.

 

[KingSpeed]

Yes and no.

Yes, we have been overcoming adversity all year, and a win here would be a FANTASTIC extension of that tenacity.

No, we have not won a 7-game series without HCA and without our team's leader, All-Star, and best player. Not this year and (as far as I know) not EVER in the history of the franchise.



I applaud your belief, KS -- I really do. And I'm certainly not going to knock you for it. I'm just saying that, strictly by the numbers, it's not even remotely surprising that we are being counted out by the nation's talking sports heads.

We beat the Jazz in the second round of the 1999 playoffs. The Jazz had HCA and Brandon Roy did not play. Rider owned Jeff Hornacek. Can we pick up Rider for this series?

 

[KingSpeed]

I think you should take a timeout and go watch a few more Suns games from the past month -- I think you are DRASTICALLY underestimating what they can do and how well they do it.

Learn their game, then post.

Our guys have spent the last 3 days learning their game. I have faith they're ready. Webster said he's gone over the game plan several times and he's been ready to play since yesterday. It's on!