Chris Haynes on the MSP today

[SlyPokerDog]

Chris Haynes was on the Morning Sports Page today (local sports radio show) and said he sees the Blazers winning 40+ games this season.

How many games do you see the Blazers winning?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Depending on the coach, the Blazers aren't that bad

Aldridge
Portland's version of Hickson
Batum

Are all above average to very good basketball players

Add in Lillard and the other rooks, and you aren't crappy

 

[ironcrotch]

I can see them teetering on the edge of 40.

 

[Natebishop3]

I really have no idea how well they will do, but I'm definitely keeping my expectations low.

I will consider the season a success if Lillard continues to improve, Aldridge continues to build on beastmode, and Batum actually earns that contract.

 

[Further]

I said 30-39 but honestly I would not be surprised about anything from 26-46. There are so many unknowns. Under that 26 and I think the Blazers will still need a major rebuild, over 46 and I think they will have well exceeded my expectations considering the end of last season and a starting PG being a rookie.

But for the moment, there are so damn many unknowns that any more precise prediction would be based on bullshit. Perhaps after preseason I'll have a better grasp on the current Blazers.

 

[mgb]

Playoffs!

 

[e_blazer]

I think 40+ is reasonable. I expect the first couple of months to be a bit on the brutal side, but I think they'll pick it up as Lillard gets some games under his belt.

 

[Further]

I think 40+ is reasonable. I expect the first couple of months to be a bit on the brutal side, but I think they'll pick it up as Lillard gets some games under his belt.

that might be the case, but then I expect a big rookie wall for Lillard as well. especially since he will be playing starter minutes right from the get go. So give him 20 games to get up to speed, and the last 20 he'll be fighting the wall. Of course this is all just pure speculation.

 

[mook]

Playoffs!

I've chugged the Lillard kool aid, and am convinced he's going to go for 22/6 this year.

If you doubt me, just remember all those Miller lobs Aldridge dunked. Now imagine Miller with a deadly three point shot. This kool aid tastes like....victory!

 

[Eastoff]

Playoffs!

I've chugged the Lillard kool aid, and am convinced he's going to go for 22/6 this year.

If you doubt me, just remember all those Miller lobs Aldridge dunked. Now imagine Miller with a deadly three point shot. This kool aid tastes like....victory!

Nah uh, this kool aid tastes like Cyanide! PS you still have a "Tank" avatar/picture. Fix that sucka!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nah uh, this kool aid tastes like Cyanide! PS you still have a "Tank" avatar/picture. Fix that sucka!

Don't we ideally want to tank again?

 

[e_blazer]

Don't we ideally want to tank again?

Not IMHO. The tank pain to return gain ratio isn't working in the Blazers' favor. As constructed, there's no way this team should end up with worse than a 10-14 pick. Another Meyers Leonard type of player is nice, but it's not going to turn the franchise around. The Blazers need to keep themselves positioned to make a big trade for a difference maker or for a difference making draft pick.

 

[mook]

PS you still have a "Tank" avatar/picture. Fix that sucka!

Good call.

You know, it's the off-season. Might as well go sitting on a park bench.

 

[Nikolokolus]

My guess is 32 wins or so ... maybe more if Lillard can make a quick adjustment, but I expect a lot of bumps for a team counting on contributions from this many rooks.

 

[mook]

<- I'll call it my "Olshey Stashing Assets" avatar.

 

[MickZagger]

My guess is 32 wins or so ... maybe more if Lillard can make a quick adjustment, but I expect a lot of bumps for a team couting on contributions from this many rooks.

That would be the worst case scenario. Make the playoffs, or get 25 or less wins is ideal.

 

[mook]

That would be the worst case scenario. Make the playoffs, or get 25 or less wins is ideal.

Not necessarily.

We won 42% of our games last year and still came away in the offseason with three pretty decent guys in the draft (IMO).

In Roy's second year we had a 32-50 record, which turned out to be a great building-block year to next year's 54 win season.

The Thunder vaulting from 23 wins to 50 wins sticks in people's minds as the way to turn around a franchise. But it's not the only way.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Not necessarily.

We won 42% of our games last year and still came away in the offseason with three pretty decent guys in the draft (IMO).

In Roy's second year we had a 32-50 record, which turned out to be a great building-block year to next year's 54 win season.

The Thunder vaulting from 23 wins to 50 wins sticks in people's minds as the way to turn around a franchise. But it's not the only way.

We won 42% of our games and ended up with the 11th pick. We got fucking lucky to get the 6th pick by trading Gerald Wallace.

I hope Leonard will turn out to be a pretty good center and he did have a pretty good summer league but players picked 11th will not turn around a franchise.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That would be the worst case scenario. Make the playoffs, or get 25 or less wins is ideal.

Oh I agree ... Who knows, maybe LaMarcus will have a mystery ailment the last two months of the season?

 

[MickZagger]

Not necessarily.

We won 42% of our games last year and still came away in the offseason with three pretty decent guys in the draft (IMO).

In Roy's second year we had a 32-50 record, which turned out to be a great building-block year to next year's 54 win season.

The Thunder vaulting from 23 wins to 50 wins sticks in people's minds as the way to turn around a franchise. But it's not the only way.

Who are we going to trade this year to get a top 6 pick?

 

[THE HCP]

30-35 wins!

 

[illmatic99]

In Roy's second year, when we won 32, we had the 6th worst record and vaulted to #1 in the lotto. Hoping for something similar this year. Adding Shabazz to Dame/LA/Nic would be sick.

We need one more high lotto pick to complete the rebuild (or at least compile enough assets to make a CP to LAC like trade that Olshey keeps on referencing).

 

[SpamKing]

40+ !!!

Elliot Williams, baby...

 

[BBert]

Yeah, I'm afraid we'll be good enough to be mediocre. Maybe we should hire Canales after all. And rehab LaMarcus until the all star break.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Don't get too down guys, the opportunity to suck is ripe for the taking. Keep them fingers crossed.