Be ready for a rough stretch or my imitation of a certain troll

[Eastoff]

There are 26 games remaining in the regular season. There are 19 games against opponents with positive point differentials and 18 games against opponents with above .500 records. I think we will still make the play offs, but I think we will drop to about 7th spot. Am I crazy? Am I turning into sMIegel, eXcept I'M better looking?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

There are 26 games remaining in the regular season. There are 19 games against opponents with positive point differentials and 18 games against opponents with above .500 records. I think we will still make the play offs, but I think we will drop to about 7th spot. Am I crazy? Am I turning into sMIegel, eXcept I'M better looking?

It's rough because while this team is playing good as a team we're not as good as our record indicates. This team could go on a 4 or 5 game losing streak just because. But if that happens everyone is going to be looking for someone to blame. "Roy is killing the team!" "Camby is old and tanking!" "Nate sucks and hates LMA again!"

I hope we continue to do well but some bumps in the road is a strong possibility.

 

[Eastoff]

It's rough because while this team is playing good as a team we're not as good as our record indicates. This team could go on a 4 or 5 game losing streak just because. But if that happens everyone is going to be looking for someone to blame. "Roy is killing the team!" "Camby is old and tanking!" "Nate sucks and hates LMA again!"

I hope we continue to do well but some bumps in the road is a strong possibility.

I heard somewhere that our rebounding has dropped off quite a bit, but that is clearly the team missing Camby.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I heard somewhere that our rebounding has dropped off quite a bit, but that is clearly the team missing Camby.

I agree! I'm just saying that people are starting to raise their expectations for the team with Roy and Camby coming back. "If we're a 5th seed now we'll be a 3rd or 4th with those guys back!" Like you I think 7th seed is about right for this team.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I can't see us making up 5 games on the Lakers or Thunder at this point. So in my mind 5th is about as good as it gets. The question remains does it make any difference if we end up 5th or 8th? At this point 8th gets us the Spurs and we match up with them just as well as the other 3 teams ahead of us. And of course top 4 can easily change. So the bottom line is just keep winning as much as possible and make the playoffs. I am not sure which spot (5th-8th) is best.

 

[Minstrel]

But if that happens everyone is going to be looking for someone to blame. "Roy is killing the team!"

I can totally see Roy happening to make his return just as the schedule turns more difficult and taking the blame for a sudden downturn, even though it would really be more the tougher competition.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I can totally see Roy happening to make his return just as the schedule turns more difficult and taking the blame for a sudden downturn, even though it would really be more the tougher competition.

But if Roy is actually helping the team, then playing a tougher schedule should just balance out, not result in a net negative.

 

[Minstrel]

But if Roy is actually helping the team, then playing a tougher schedule should just balance out, not result in a net negative.

Depends on how much he's helping the team. Also, he may not be a major factor when he returns (i.e. he may not significantly improve the team)...but that's not the same thing as making the team worse.

 

[STOMP]

I can totally see Roy happening to make his return just as the schedule turns more difficult and taking the blame for a sudden downturn, even though it would really be more the tougher competition.

15 of the 26 remaining games are in Portland. Also 7 of those 26 games are back to back

STOMP

 

[Minstrel]

15 of the 26 remaining games are in Portland. Also 7 of those 26 games are back to back

While those things certainly help, ultimately the quality of the teams faced matters most in terms of schedule difficulty, IMO. Though home/away dates are very important, definitely.

 

[maxiep]

The teams that are trying to make the playoffs or trying to secure position are going to step up their game. You saw it against NO. They had sucked ass for weeks, but when they came here they played a great game at high intensity. We can expect heightened effort from every contender we face.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think our playoff spot is secure (barring more injuries), but I do expect us to struggle and maybe end up 7th or 8th.

 

[MARIS61]

I doubt we'll win another game before Wednesday.

 

[STOMP]

I'm expecting Camby to kick some butt like he did down the stretch last year... it's winning time

STOMP

 

[Eastoff]

15 of the 26 remaining games are in Portland. Also 7 of those 26 games are back to back

STOMP

Interesting, if you're feeling rather productive, you should find out how many of our opponents are on the second night of a back-to-back.