Are the Blazers "back"?

[chris_in_pdx]

The games vs. Chicago and Memphis showed a Blazer team that seems to have its swagger back and a nose for winning. Have they flipped the proverbial switch?

 

[magnifier661]

Fuck yeah

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Previous chris_in_pdx post/thread. Just 5 days ago

Stick a fork in 'em
Good night folks. Don't forget to tip your waiter.

http://sportstwo.com/threads/259663-Stick-a-fork-in-em?p=3292939#post3292939

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Two straight wins against winning teams. Both of them pretty decisive. Memphis was at full strength, too. Yeah, this is good.

 

[riverman]

The games vs. Chicago and Memphis showed a Blazer team that seems to have its swagger back and a nose for winning. Have they flipped the proverbial switch?

From what I see they've flipped it 48 fucking times, where you been?

 

[THE HCP]

They are no more "back" than they were ever "gone".
Seasons a marathon!

 

[tlongII]

They're playing better. That's for sure.

 

[KingSpeed]

They're back. And I disagree with HCP. They were definitely gone. Blown out by Charlotte and Orlando and sliding down the standings en route to possibly missing the playoffs. But Aldridge changed all that. Plus, I think the players, especially Mo, realized we were in dire straights and needed to pick up their games pronto. I think we can win out now. Everyone has their confidence back and our magic number for the playoffs is 5. Blazers no longer have that "what if they don't make the playoffs" cloud hanging over them anymore. I was never worried about tonight's game against Memphis. The Atlanta win changed everything. I know my team and they are BACK.

 

[MarAzul]

It sure is nice to have Lamarcus back.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

They're back. And I disagree with HCP. They were definitely gone. Blown out by Charlotte and Orlando and sliding down the standings en route to possibly missing the playoffs. But Aldridge changed all that. Plus, I think the players, especially Mo, realized we were in dire straights and needed to pick up their games pronto. I think we can win out now. Everyone has their confidence back and our magic number for the playoffs is 5. Blazers no longer have that "what if they don't make the playoffs" cloud hanging over them anymore. I was never worried about tonight's game against Memphis. The Atlanta win changed everything. I know my team and they are BACK.

Great post. Repped.

 

[magnifier661]

It sure is nice to have Lamarcus back.

Amazing what one player can do for a ball club.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Previous chris_in_pdx post/thread. Just 5 days ago



http://sportstwo.com/threads/259663-Stick-a-fork-in-em?p=3292939#post3292939

Yep. At the time, they look like a team destined for a first round sweep exit AT BEST. Now with the L-Train back, they look like a team that doesn't want to go quietly into the night.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Amazing what one player can do for a ball club.

Especially a team that relies on the outside shot like the Blazers. Lamarcus's presence opens up the court in ways that Lopez, Robinson, Wright can't match. He really is the key.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Amazing what one player can do for a ball club.

Especially when he's the team's best player.

 

[magnifier661]

Especially when he's the team's best player.

Some dipshits don't agree. His presence in the last 3 games shut them up quick

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Yep. At the time, they look like a team destined for a first round sweep exit AT BEST. Now with the L-Train back, they look like a team that doesn't want to go quietly into the night.

[video=youtube;QoLywiaM6PA]

 

[KingSpeed]

Great post. Repped.

Thanks!

 

[magnifier661]

Especially a team that relies on the outside shot like the Blazerd. Lamarcus's presence opens up the court in ways that Lopez, Robinson, Wright can't match. He really is the key.

That's exactly it! He opens the game for other players to do their thing. He demands doubles, and he can score inside. Memphis tried playing him one on one and got burned.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

[video=youtube;QoLywiaM6PA]

You think that wasn't on purpose?

 

[maxiep]

They're back. And I disagree with HCP. They were definitely gone. Blown out by Charlotte and Orlando and sliding down the standings en route to possibly missing the playoffs. But Aldridge changed all that. Plus, I think the players, especially Mo, realized we were in dire straights and needed to pick up their games pronto. I think we can win out now. Everyone has their confidence back and our magic number for the playoffs is 5. Blazers no longer have that "what if they don't make the playoffs" cloud hanging over them anymore. I was never worried about tonight's game against Memphis. The Atlanta win changed everything. I know my team and they are BACK.

Agree completely, KS.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

You think that wasn't on purpose?

Absolutely not. Well played, sir. I just wanted to make sure everyone on earth knew I got the pop culture reference.

 

[KingSpeed]

Agree completely, KS.

Thanks!

 

[maxiep]

It sure is nice to have Lamarcus' back back.

FIFY.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Thanks!

Yer welcome. LaMarcus did finally pull a Willis Reed, didn't he?

 

[-Ace-]

Definitely more reminiscent of the team that started 31-9. Ball movement, shot selection, even improved overall defense, it's all there AND some. This is a playoff team closing in on 50 wins and a middle seed. I think this is what we all hoped for before the season started, and we're getting it. Bring on the Thunder/Clippers/Rockets.

 

[Public Defender]

My expectations at the start of the season were for the team to make the playoffs, with a 6-8 seed, with the knowledge they'd likely get bounced in the first round.

Then, after that incredible start - knowing that the team would come back to earth - I was hoping for that 4th seed, to get homecourt in the first round, and maybe win a series for once.

After those losses at Charlotte and Orlando, I was worried we were seeing the wheels come off and the team might miss the playoffs completely or stumble in, and get swept.

I wanted to see Aldridge back, but didn't want the Blazers to rush him back to help their playoff position, only to have him re-injure himself, and screw up both the team's current situation and threaten Aldridge's long-term health.

I'm pleased to see Aldridge is back, appears to be 100%, and the team is playing really well. Chicago and Memphis are good (not great) teams.

I'm now expecting the Blazers will finish with the 5th seed. Better than I expected at the beginning of the year, and more than I envisioned at any point, other than in the really heady days of the 31-9 record.

Unfortunately, in the playoffs, it's all about matchups and if the Rockets are at #4, I don't really like Portland's chances. Would love to be proven wrong, of course...

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I'm happy with the way they've been playing but let's be honest they aren't exactly playing dynamic teams. The Bulls and Grizzlies are nice wins but they are both defensive minded teams with limited offensive firepower. I do like all the ball movement (outside of the end of games where it seems like we just give it to LA and he doesn't even look to pass)and the play of Robinson/Barton though.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Unfortunately, in the playoffs, it's all about matchups and if the Rockets are at #4, I don't really like Portland's chances. Would love to be proven wrong, of course...

Without Beverly, the Rockets are beatable.

 

[jlprk]

While Aldridge was gone, our bench shouldered responsibility. Now that the Big Decoy is back, opponents guard him instead, freeing our bench to win our games.

 

[barfo]

Definitely, except for Freeland and Leonard and ...

oh, "back".

Never mind.

barfo