Can we focus on the positives about this season for once?

[chris_in_pdx]

I did. I am sorry. It was cruel, and not fair.

No worries. After the excitement of winning the Houston series, everyone was a little drunk with success. I guess I've been a Blazer fan long enough to temper my excitement because I've been stabbed in the heart too many times.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Blazers marketing and operations seems to have finally gotten it. From fan experience, to production, to reaching out on social media (and this board), it seems much better and harder to hate the guys that run the team like in the past.

This is a big one for me, but it seems to be across most of the organization. Allen seems to have found a GM he can work with, Olshey seems to have a knack for roster building and he nailed the Damian pick. The team plays a fan-friendly brand of basketball, so even if I don't think they're built to win it all, at least I'm entertained.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

All things considered, I would rather be getting our ass kicked in the 2nd round then not making the playoffs or losing in the first round. There are some deficiencies to address in the offseason, but this season (if we don't win another f'ing game) is still a huge success.

Q F f-ing T!!

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I'm still feeling great about this season. I'm very confident we would have done much better had we played LAC or OKC in the second round, but losing to the best team in the league isn't that bad. I also haven't found myself getting very angry during games like I did against Houston. I think it's cause I actually respect the Spurs, and I can tell that our team just isn't ready to beat them this year.

I also think we are going to win the next two games, so it's far from over.

 

[magnifier661]

I wanted the Spurs and we got the spurs. Not because I think it would be a cake walk, but we have an opportunity to play the best in the league.

Regardless if we get swept or actually make a series out of this, the series with the Spurs is our measuring stick. It's better to not get lucky and face an easy opponent than to learn against the best in the league.

I'm very proud of this team. They've done far more than anyone expected and they are much further along too.

 

[Natebishop3]

At this point I just hope we make a series of it. I would like to win both games at home and send it back to San Antonio. I just don't want to be embarrassed.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

How did Mags hack your account?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Problem is if we just focus on the positives then every player just becames untouchable again.

 

[Mediocre Man]

They far exceeded anyone's expectations.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

They far exceeded anyone's expectations.

Not mine, I predicted 82-0 and a championship.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Not mine, I predicted 82-0 and a championship.

Ok, but did you predict a Mixum Lawsuit?

 

[Natebishop3]

They far exceeded anyone's expectations.

Who is anyone white man?

 

[HailBlazers]

Here's one for you Sly....



























THE SEASONS NOT OVER YET

 

[Mediocre Man]

Who is anyone white man?

anyone = rational human

 

[Eastoff]

anyone = rational human

You were right. You have successfully proven you are smarter than the rest of our fan base. You win.

 

[KingSpeed]

NateBishop- have you already forgotten what it felt like after Damian hit the big shot against Houston? You were crying. Before the playoffs started, you clearly said the refs would job us and we would lose to Rockets. You said it many times. So we went further than you expected. We're getting beat by the best team in the league this season. Were you expecting us to win the championship thus year? Yes, we might come back to win the series, but if we don't, you needn't be unhappy. It's been a great year. If you want to be negative, start a negative thread. This thread was clearly started to focus on the good.

 

[BBert]

It is good to remember and be aware of the positives of this season so far. What I don't like and what I think some others may object to is reminiscing on those positives and stating them in past tense, as if the season is over, and boy, what a long strange trip it's been.

The season isn't over. Many of the posts in here talk as if the season is over, and talk about the Spurs as if sharing the court with them is the ultimate accomplishment, we have no chance in hell of beating them, it's an honor to have our asses beat, so let's hurry up and bend over and get it over with. I sure hope the team isn't thinking like that.

Remembering what the team has accomplished so far this year, in present tense, is great. The time to be happy with what the team has accomplished in past tense, is after the season is over.

 

[MarAzul]

Some of you and your doom and gloom attitude is just crazy.

Just a few of the positive things that come to mind:

The LMA situation is settled. He wanted to be on a playoff team, he wanted success in the playoffs, he got them. No worries of trade demands this off season. If we trade him (and I seriously doubt we will) it will be for full value. Not at a discount because he doesn't want to be here and is threatening not to sign an extension. This is huge!

Lillard continued to get better and grow as a player. There were a few of you who said he's peaked. He hasn't. His game does have some holes (defense) but is improving. He is becoming a star in this league. Do you not remember how long this team has been looking for a point guard?!? This position is settled for years to come.

The training staff. This is huge! HUGE! 4 starters who played all 82 games! Come on, Olshey addressed one of our biggest problems.

The center position is stable. Lopez is not the best center in the league but he is top 10. We gave up so little to get him it's ridiculous . A real center on the roster and he played all 82 games. Are you fucking kidding me? I am so happy about this.

We made the 2nd round of the playoffs. 14yrs of futility gone! GONE! Was this not the goal for this season. The one giant step we wanted to see this team take?

I could go on but I don't think some of you will get it.

I get it. Best year in 14 years without question. All we need is a high activity
defensive stopper to come off the bench and a high energy instant offense
guy to come off the bench.

Stotts needs to upgrade his play book for good defensive teams. Just having
Damian create is not enough. Just chucking the ball into Lamarcus is not
enough. Plan B of a perimeter shot is not enough. We need a few plays designed
to get about 3 different guys a layup off Lamarcus with the ball, with Damian with the ball,
with Nic handling the ball.

But hell man, we are not stuck in hoplessness while waiting for Nate to invent.


Oh!, and I would like to see some play with Robin on the high post and Lamarcus down low working without the ball
until it needs to be delivered to him. That works best with a big guy able to look over the top to see foot work in
progress.

 

[MarAzul]

It is good to remember and be aware of the positives of this season so far. What I don't like and what I think some others may object to is reminiscing on those positives and stating them in past tense, as if the season is over, and boy, what a long strange trip it's been.

The season isn't over. Many of the posts in here talk as if the season is over, and talk about the Spurs as if sharing the court with them is the ultimate accomplishment, we have no chance in hell of beating them, it's an honor to have our asses beat, so let's hurry up and bend over and get it over with. I sure hope the team isn't thinking like that.

Remembering what the team has accomplished so far this year, in present tense, is great. The time to be happy with what the team has accomplished in past tense, is after the season is over.

Yeah it's not hopeless. The last time this team won a championship they were down 2 zip and came back. But I was really bummed out until they won that first two.
I think I feel about the same downer now.

 

[RoyToy]

Let's all hold hands and tell each other how lucky we are that the Blazers won a playoff series!!!!!

 

[magnifier661]

It is good to remember and be aware of the positives of this season so far. What I don't like and what I think some others may object to is reminiscing on those positives and stating them in past tense, as if the season is over, and boy, what a long strange trip it's been.

The season isn't over. Many of the posts in here talk as if the season is over, and talk about the Spurs as if sharing the court with them is the ultimate accomplishment, we have no chance in hell of beating them, it's an honor to have our asses beat, so let's hurry up and bend over and get it over with. I sure hope the team isn't thinking like that.

Remembering what the team has accomplished so far this year, in present tense, is great. The time to be happy with what the team has accomplished in past tense, is after the season is over.

Dang well said bro!

 

[PapaG]

No offense Sly, but we're in the middle of getting our asses kicked in the playoffs. This isn't time for positive reflection. I'm sure after it's all said and done there will be plenty of time to look back fondly at a great season, but right now we're getting absolutely schooled by the Spurs. It's not a happy time. It sucks to be beaten this badly. Losing isn't horrible. The Spurs are clearly the better team, but god damn it sucks to get blown out.

Do you have to infect every thread with this negative bullshit??

 

[PapaG]

The Blazers are in the WC semifinals, and have two home games the next 3 days to try and even up the series. I view that as a positive!!

 

[Strenuus]

Let's all hold hands and tell each other how lucky we are that the Blazers won a playoff series!!!!!

No! Lets be delusional and think we can win a championship every year!!!

 

[riverman]

I think the plan all along was to wear down the Spurs after they made all those shots in game 1 and 2. Now we have them just where we want them. Blazers love to come back from a deficit and win it at the wire.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I think the plan all along was to wear down the Spurs after they made all those shots in game 1 and 2. Now we have them just where we want them. Blazers love to come back from a deficit and win it at the wire.

They can do it. One game at a time.

 

[Stevenson]

I think this series is a blessing for the team, even if they don't win a single game. The team gets to see, up close and personal, what a truly championship-level team, playing at the peak of their game, looks and plays like. What defense really means.

I usually think those reporter questions, "So, what did you learn from this loss?" are ridiculous. But this is one time where I actually do think the team will learn a lot from losing. It will help us a lot down the road.

The season has been a total homerun, and it bodes well for the future.

 

[BBert]

I think the plan all along was to wear down the Spurs after they made all those shots in game 1 and 2. Now we have them just where we want them. Blazers love to come back from a deficit and win it at the wire.

All part of the script.

 

[BBert]

I think this series is a blessing for the team, even if they don't win a single game. The team gets to see, up close and personal, what a truly championship-level team, playing at the peak of their game, looks and plays like. What defense really means.

I usually think those reporter questions, "So, what did you learn from this loss?" are ridiculous. But this is one time where I actually do think the team will learn a lot from losing. It will help us a lot down the road.

The season has been a total homerun, and it bodes well for the future.

I hope it teaches Blazers management that a successful playoff team HAS TO PLAY DEFENSE!

Perhaps the GM might want to look into that.

 

[magnifier661]

I hope it teaches Blazers management that a successful playoff team HAS TO PLAY DEFENSE!

Perhaps the GM might want to look into that.

With what we had available, I think Olshey and Stott's did a fine job. A key defensive wing and big that can score off the bench and we are right there in it.