Are we "now" better then last years playoff team?

[PtldPlatypus]

More time with the team so our defense would've been a lot better. He was in shape to start the season, but who knows if he would've had the chip he has now.

I think you're missing my point, so I'll ask the question differently.

If we had had Nurkic at the beginning of the year, do you think the team would be playing any better today than they are now?

 

[Haakzilla]

...all I know is the Blazers are now the hottest team in the NBA and I'm sure nobody will look forward to facing them in the first round -- Nurkic is the light!

 

[Sinobas]

Yes because of Nurk, but the rest of the team is finishing strong like last year's team did.

 

[Blazinaway]

Yes because of Nurk, but the rest of the team is finishing strong like last year's team did.

and even another bonus is that it appears Vonleh has caught a deadly form of Nurk fever and appears to be breakin out as well - just WTF is goin on here? LOL

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think you're missing my point, so I'll ask the question differently.

If we had had Nurkic at the beginning of the year, do you think the team would be playing any better today than they are now?

I will answer this.
Yes. In what area? Mentally.

Once we get to the playoffs, which aren't that many games away, we will enter pressure situations on the big stage. Would have been nice to have more time to endure ups and downs and solidify a strong conference that young players often don't have.

Plus we would have a better record with a better seed.

This team may very well be finals contenders in 1-3 years.

 

[GDiama]

Pacers get:

Crabbe(Ptld)... $18.5
Foye(Ind)....$2.5

Nets get:

Young (Ind)...$14.2
Vonleh(Ptld)...$2.8

Blazers get:

Booker(Bkln)...$9.3
LeVert(Bkln)...$1.6

We shed a bit of salary and improve our starting PF position. We get Levert back to fill Crabbes shoes and will allow Napier to run a bit of Point next to Turner and CJ with Crabbe out of the mix.

Booker is a very solid defender.

NOT a HUGE change, but a decent mid season tweak next year that might just be the final piece.

I would also like to see the team toss a mill or two at an end of bench guy with championship experience. A Paul Pierce type of guy. Someone who knows what to do during times of adversity, in order to overcome and win. A locker room leader to help Dame out.

If LeVert is past his leg issues he will be a franchise player or very close to being one (much much higher ceiling than CJ). No way the Nets give him to bring Vonleh and Young. They have stated many times they view him as a key piece for their future. This trade is not even close to realistic.

 

[GDiama]

Yes we are better. Definitely in terms of quality and I believe we show the same hunger for wins too. The problem is that with KD the Warriors are better too, so not sure if we can expect anything more than a 4-1 again if we make the playoffs.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So we're better, and getting better-er. How much better-er can we get over the final 13 games? Can we be playing our better-est by the time we reach the playoffs (assuming we make them)?

 

[Orion Bailey]

So we're better, and getting better-er. How much better-er can we get over the final 13 games? Can we be playing our better-est by the time we reach the playoffs (assuming we make them)?

Thats what the great teams do, IMO.

 

[illmatic99]

No. We were relatively fresh last year, and our defense was so much better at this stage of the season. We were comfortably in the playoffs and worried about seeding. I think people are forgetting how awesome that lineup was with Mo in place of Noah. Net rating was right behind GS' death lineup last year, and better than our lineup with Nurk now.

This season, Dame is literally killing himself to drag this sorry ass team to the playoffs. The addition of Nurk has helped immensely, but we are still pitiful on the defensive end. And our bench production is incredibly inconsistent. Even if we do make the playoffs, Dame is going to be so burned out that we won't make any noise.

 

[Orion Bailey]

No. We were relatively fresh last year, and our defense was so much better at this stage of the season. We were comfortably in the playoffs and worried about seeding. I think people are forgetting how awesome that lineup was with Mo in place of Noah. Net rating was right behind GS' death lineup last year, and better than our lineup with Nurk now.

This season, Dame is literally killing himself to drag this sorry ass team to the playoffs. The addition of Nurk has helped immensely, but we are still pitiful on the defensive end. And our bench production is incredibly inconsistent. Even if we do make the playoffs, Dame is going to be so burned out that we won't make any noise.

Well that is certainly one take...

That I completely disagree with...

 

[42N8Bounce]

I'm excited about this year's team. Nurk is a tremendous addition making everyone better. Dame is playing out of his mind. CJ is playing a step-below all-star level. Harkless has stepped up his game and has become the glue guy doing whatever is needed on both ends of the court. Vonleh has shown signs of fulfilling some of that awesome potential. Crabbe has become our spark off the bench hitting those critical 3s (43.7%!).

But keep in mind that last years team went on a 19-3 run after the all-star break, then finished strong going into the playoffs. This team has recently had it's best run of the season going 8-2.



Are we currently better than last year's team? In my opinion, no. But this team has a brighter future.