Can Portland claw their way back in to contention?

[Nhawz]

Good read.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nb...s-lamarcus-aldridge-damian-lillard/?mobile=no

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Aldridge is going to hurt somebody with those fingernails

 

[riverman]

I think they already have clawed themselves back into contention and LAs nail superstition is prep for some serious clawing through the playoffs

 

[oldmangrouch]

Not to be pedantic, but they have returned to be competitive. They are not contenders.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Not to be pedantic, but they have returned to be competitive. They are not contenders.

Agree to disagree. If they can beat Houston (many think they can), they play very well against San Antonio. Portland has a decent shot at reaching the WCF. That qualifies as a contender.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Agree to disagree. If they can beat Houston (many think they can), they play very well against San Antonio. Portland has a decent shot at reaching the WCF. That qualifies as a contender.

Dude. Why so contentious?

 

[tlongII]

Aldridge's fingernails must be NASTY!

 

[BBert]

Aldridge's fingernails must be NASTY!

 

[e_blazer]

If they swing the ball and hit open shots, they will be as lethal as they were at Christmas. If they don't, they'll be done by May Day.

Pretty much sums it up.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Dude. Why so contentious?

I'm content to contend that our roster is the content of a contender.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

the blazer defenders do not render them contenders, remember?

jeesh, you could cut the contention in here with a knife

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Not to be pedantic, but they have returned to be competitive. They are not contenders.

you are pedantic for using that word, lol

 

[oldmangrouch]

Dude. Why so contentious?

I'm content to contend that our roster is the content of a contender.

the blazer defenders do not render them contenders, remember?

jeesh, you could cut the contention in here with a knife

 

[Run BJM]

They were never real contenders.

 

[Strenuus]

They were never real contenders.

You forgot to put this on the right forum. I'll let it go this time, but next time put it on the warriors forum.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Assuming they finish the way I think they may, I think they advance to the second round and lose in 6 or 7. And in the end that should be considered success for this team.

They are another legit 5 away from really contending.

 

[KingSpeed]

The Warriors were never real contenders.

FIFY

 

[Natebishop3]

They were never real contenders.

You have to be pretty disappointed with the Warriors season though, right?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Lillard is going to average 40 and 10assists on his march to a championship and lebron will be begging portland to take him in free agency.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

The article didn't mention our record with LaMarcus out. Anyone know?

 

[Run BJM]

You have to be pretty disappointed with the Warriors season though, right?

Pretty much lived up to my expectations. Curry avoided injuries (knock on wood) but overall we weren't healthy and that was always the big question mark. The West was tough as fugg this year so they're a 6th seed. When healthy I think they can compete with most of the teams ahead of them. They're not healthy though, and time is running out.

Can you be a contender if your core group hasn't made the playoffs together (super teams excluded since those have 3 proven stars)? These guys aren't battle tested and that's why no one else in the country was drinking the kool aid back in December when you guys were sure you'd roll to the WCF. The playoffs are a different game from the regular season, and Portland doesn't have the defense or depth of some of the true contenders, let alone the experience.

 

[blue9]

Also, shooting 50% from 3 really helped out in the early season. Not gonna shoot that percentage in the POs. Definitely a pretender and not a contender.
However, if we somehow DO shoot >40% from 3 then I like our chances. Otherwise, one and done.

 

[maxiep]

Time to cut the fingernails.

 

[KingSpeed]

Time to cut the fingernails.

Hahahaha yep! I was kind of worried for him. Glad that's over. Now let's win the last 5.

 

[oldmangrouch]

What is it about "play hard for 48 minutes" that this team can't wrap their skulls around? The list of things Stotts can't get this team to do is getting waaay too long.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

What is it about "play hard for 48 minutes" that this team can't wrap their skulls around? The list of things Stotts can't get this team to do is getting waaay too long.

I know this much, hornachek should be coy front runner. Hes got scrubs playing with fire. If we had a guy to motivate our guys like that we'd look like the spurs.

 

[Sinobas]

[video=youtube;vabnZ9-ex7o]

 

[riverman]

5 more games, it ain't over yet