ESPN Insider...... Great look at our future......

[THE HCP]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/stor...and-trail-blazers-become-title-contenders-nba

Looks like the most of these writers are saying that we need to be patient and try to keep this squad in place. Don't rush it like other teams that had surprising seasons......

Where will the 2016-17 Blazers finish in the standings........

 

[BonesJones]

They sleepin again. Time to go get KD

 

[SlyPokerDog]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/stor...and-trail-blazers-become-title-contenders-nba

Looks like the most of these writers are saying that we need to be patient and try to keep this squad in place. Don't rush it like other teams that had surprising seasons......

Where will the 2016-17 Blazers finish in the standings........

View attachment 9054

Dumb. Not you, the article.

Predicting next season the day after this one ends? LOL!

 

[Strenuus]

LOL.

Well, they said we were gonna win 26 games... now they say we're gonna be 6-8th seed.

TOP 3 SEED HERE WE COME!

 

[kjironman1]

This rebuild was and still is 2-3 years. this summer, a season, and another summer, this team will be a contender i am thinking. Winning a championship is always a crap shoot, even for the very best teams. Blazers will be in the top 4 in 2 more years. That is a position that gets you a chance to have a little luck fall your way.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

HCP posts this stuff because he wants the team to crash and burn so PA will sell them and the new owner moves them to Vegas. HCP wants to get a side gig as the Mexican Elvis the Hut.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

LOL.

Well, they said we were gonna win 26 games... now they say we're gonna be 6-8th seed.

TOP 3 SEED HERE WE COME!

Dallas is on the way down. Houston is on the way down. That offers plenty of room 6-8 for Utah and Minny to slip in. But among those above us, the teams in flux are just as numerous: Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, and the Spurs all have big question marks going into next season. There's LOTS of room for us to sneak up on the West.

 

[KingSpeed]

This team went 29-14 to end season and then became the only team to beat the Warriors twice this season. We are a 55 win team next year with no change to the roster.

 

[B-Roy]

Dallas is on the way down. Houston is on the way down. That offers plenty of room 6-8 for Utah and Minny to slip in. But among those above us, the teams in flux are just as numerous: Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, and the Spurs all have big question marks going into next season. There's LOTS of room for us to sneak up on the West.

Spurs though? Let's be honest. Even if Duncan and Ginobili retire they're still gonna win 50+....

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Spurs though? Let's be honest. Even if Duncan and Ginobili retire they're still gonna win 50+....

50+ yes but nobody's a lock for 2nd anymore. That they're in flux gives OKC room, or us room (hey you never know, maybe we hit it big with a killer FA). Point is, they probably aren't winning 65+ anymore. Remember, we've been playing at a 54-win rate for all of 2016. I think that's doable next season.

 

[B-Roy]

50+ yes but nobody's a lock for 2nd anymore. That they're in flux gives OKC room, or us room (hey you never know, maybe we hit it big with a killer FA). Point is, they probably aren't winning 65+ anymore. Remember, we've been playing at a 54-win rate for all of 2016. I think that's doable next season.

Yeah I definitely don't expect 67 wins again. They're gonna be a great still though, and a tough out in the playoffs.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Let the cake bake!

 

[Spud147]

HCP posts this stuff because he wants the team to crash and burn so PA will sell them and the new owner moves them to Vegas. HCP wants to get a side gig as the Mexican Elvis the Hut.

What else would you expect from a Laker fan? It's the Super Double Top Secret Plan to destroy Rip City. They're still bitter Kobe couldn't win in Portland.

 

[Minstrel]

Remember, we've been playing at a 54-win rate for all of 2016. I think that's doable next season.

I think the West will be tougher next season...the Blazers, even with growth by some players, might regress a bit in record even if they don't actually get worse. I think to jump to the ~55 win (or better) level, they need to have a strong off-season. I'm on record in hoping for Horford and Marvin Williams...if that did happen, I think the Blazers could challenge for the #2 seed.

 

[PCmor7]

Aside from the fact that you have no idea what is going to happen over the next five months, I always get a kick out of someone acting like injuries are all fluke things that only happen once. Yes, no player ever has been injury prone. Being able to stay healthy or play hurt is not an ability (sarcasm).

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

HCP posts this stuff because he wants the team to crash and burn so PA will sell them and the new owner moves them to Vegas. HCP wants to get a side gig as the Mexican Elvis the Hut.

I will pay money to see that.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Which I'll recoup from low price yard maintenance.

 

[maxiep]

This team went 29-14 to end season and then became the only team to beat the Warriors twice this season. We are a 55 win team next year with no change to the roster.

I think this is closer to the truth, rather than to think of us as a 44 win team. We got better as the season wore on. I suspect we'll have a stronger start to next season. That being said, we need a consistent starting PF, a Buck Williams-type.

 

[Orion Bailey]

50+ yes but nobody's a lock for 2nd anymore. That they're in flux gives OKC room, or us room (hey you never know, maybe we hit it big with a killer FA). Point is, they probably aren't winning 65+ anymore. Remember, we've been playing at a 54-win rate for all of 2016. I think that's doable next season.

I agree with almost everything but for 2016, we had a very easy schedule overall and our large run went mostly against under .500 teams if I recall correctly.
I do think the team makes some improvement internally off season, but I wouldn't bank my prediction off what we did in 2016 per say. More so of how we did in the last month. I think we grew more in the last month that we did the bulk of the season.
Semantics I know...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I agree with almost everything but for 2016, we had a very easy schedule overall and are large run went mostly against under .500 teams if I recall correctly.
I do think the team makes some improvement internally off season, but I wouldn't bank my prediction off what we did in 2016 per say. More so of how we did in the last month. I think we grew more in the last month that we did the bulk of the season.
Semantics I know...

Actually by the end of the season our post-Xmas strength of schedule was pretty normal; yeah we had cupcakes in January, but we had that hellish March too versus OKC and GSW and MEM.

We will improve over the summer too. This team should internally work like 54 wins is their floor, not 44 wins.

 

[Trackjack]

Why people think we have easy schedule we play everyone in the east twice a season we play our conference 4times a season everyone else 3times season. Everyone has 82 games and everyone play each other at least 2 times a season. Yes certain part season you get play teams under 500 team. But if everyone remember we was suppose to be one of those weak team.

 

[BBert]

I think this is closer to the truth, rather than to think of us as a 44 win team. We got better as the season wore on. I suspect we'll have a stronger start to next season. That being said, we need a consistent starting PF, a Buck Williams-type.

Could Davis be that if he adds 15 pounds of muscle/bulk?

 

[Denny Crane]

I thought Davis should be our starter from day 1.
Hendo, too.

What do I know?

 

[ripcityboy]

So pencil San Antonio and Golden State in again year. Wow that will do absolute wonders for parity in the NBA. Think I'll pass.

 

[PDXFonz]

They sleepin again. Time to go get KD

Right? WTF

We were one of the last 4 teams remaining, outstanding in the second half of the season (especially at home) and definitely got way better in the last month. I've been thinking for a few days now that 2,3,4 are very obtainable. I'll be shocked if the team doesn't put home court on their list of objectives, and if they are going for it you'd be a fool to count them out.

Might be an unwise man who doesn't learn from others mistakes, but it's a complete idiot who doesn't learn from their own! Looks like Strenuus and I have been right all along, ESPN is full of idiots!

 

[BonesJones]

So pencil San Antonio and Golden State in again year. Wow that will do absolute wonders for parity in the NBA. Think I'll pass.

Parity in the NBA sucks. That's the thing with the MLB and NFL. Almost every team has a real chance to make the playoffs and about 8 or 9 teams are contenders, with teams being recycled in and out ever 2 or 3 years. For the NBA, you can predict at least 80% of the playoff teams prior to the season. There's 3 or 4 contenders that get recycled out every 5 or 6 years.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I demand 75 regular season wins next year. Fuck Golden State and their record.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I demand 75 regular season wins next year. Fuck Golden State and their record.

79-3; Golden State will beat us all three times.

 

[PDXFonz]

Best part is Arnovitz considering Pelicans, Rockets, Thunder "Wild Cards"... Aren't we the BIGGEST 'Wild Card'?!?!?

Also funny he talks about how this question can't be answered in 'this vacuum' basically the only right answer as you don't know what is going to happen next year. Then he goes and messes it all up by claiming that the Warriors and Spurs are a lock to finish ahead of the Blazers next season.

Plus this Kevin Pelton guy just reaks of somebody who thinks the Lakers are going to turn it around. Watch when they draft Simmons how much slobbering they are going to get.

I fully expect some idiots to put the Lakers ahead of us next season...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Srsly tho, is there a team left in the playoffs other than Golden State we couldn't take to seven? Maybe Cleveland.

EDIT: and OKC. Damn!