ESPN Power Rankings

[Boise Blazer]

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2015/week/-1

1. SAS
2. CLE
3. CHI
4. LAC
5. OKC
6. DAL
7. GSW

8. POR

Knowing LaMarcus Aldridge intends to re-up in the summer for the long term has to give the Blazers great comfort. In the short term, though, great challenges await, given the questions that remain about the Blazers' bench and the stiff competition everywhere you look in the West.

9. WAS

 

[magnifier661]

Man, espn gives us no respect.

Edit: oops I thought that was western conference only. Actually I disagree about Golden state, but that actually looks about right

 

[santeesioux]

Everyone seems to be putting Dallas ahead of us for adding a way past his prime injury prone center and a sf that Batum is better than. Oh, and Fatty Felton, that should be enough to put you as the eighth seed at best right there.

 

[BBert]

My bold prediction: The Blazers are better than Dallas and GSW.

 

[magnifier661]

Everyone seems to be putting Dallas ahead of us for adding a way past his prime injury prone center and a sf that Batum is better than. Oh, and Fatty Felton, that should be enough to put you as the eighth seed at best right there.

They always put Dallas in front of us. It's a moot point.

 

[donkiez]

They always put Dallas in front of us. It's a moot point.

and Chicago, which is an odd pick at #3 to me. DRose needs to prove he can make it full season IMO.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

and Chicago, which is an odd pick at #3 to me. DRose needs to prove he can make it full season IMO.

Gasol looked very good during the FIBA games, and I think he'll be highly motivated to outperform what he did in LA last year. Pau and Noah are going to be the best frontcourt in the league this season, by a wide margin.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Its an interesting time in that very few teams got worse and quite a few got better.

 

[ShareTheRock]

I'd have to see how things mesh in Chicago before I'd rank them that high.

 

[Strenuus]

It's becoming increasingly clear that ESPN is about as knowledgeable on sports as a doorknob when they put Chicago at 3 with a guy who hasn't more than 50 games in 2 years.

I mean, they are utter fucking morons.


It'd of been interesting if Oden had come back after being out for 3 years and played for us. We'd surely be given a top 4 spot, right? Fucking morons at ESPN, I tell ya.

 

[donkiez]

Gasol looked very good during the FIBA games, and I think he'll be highly motivated to outperform what he did in LA last year. Pau and Noah are going to be the best frontcourt in the league this season, by a wide margin.

Forgot about the Gasol pick up, that bumps them up for sure. Still think 3 is kind of high for that group at this point though. OKC and LAC should be ahead of them at least, I put them more in the Por/Dal/Was/GS tier group.

 

[Boise Blazer]

[TWEET]515570177988386816[/TWEET]

Really warms the heart to see ...

 

[ShareTheRock]

So they'd probably still be the 5th or 6th seed in the east. lol

 

[THE HCP]

Dallas?


Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS

 

[blue9]

Forgot about the Gasol pick up, that bumps them up for sure. Still think 3 is kind of high for that group at this point though. OKC and LAC should be ahead of them at least, I put them more in the Por/Dal/Was/GS tier group.

Yeah, WAY too high for CHI. If you could somehow equalize the conferences I'd drop them below us.

 

[magnifier661]

[TWEET]515570177988386816[/TWEET]

Really warms the heart to see ...

The curse of Oden's dick picts in full effect

 

[ShareTheRock]

Dallas?


Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS

No I was joking the T-Wolves would be the 5 or 6 seed in the east.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

First thoughts are that Chicago is way too high and that we should definitely be higher than Dallas. Other than that, looks OK.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So what we're all saying is that it is reasonably arguable that the Blazers could be considered the 5th best team in the NBA going into the season?

 

[magnifier661]

So what we're all saying is that it is reasonably arguable that the Blazers could be considered the 5th best team in the NBA going into the season?

Easily

 

[donkiez]

So what we're all saying is that it is reasonably arguable that the Blazers could be considered the 5th best team in the NBA going into the season?

You could argue them anywhere from 5 to 10 next year. Im excited to watch Washington the year though, I think they are ready to move to the next level.

 

[BBert]

So what we're all saying is that it is reasonably arguable that the Blazers could be considered the 5th best team in the NBA going into the season?

I'm wearing my Rose Garden colored glasses. So, yes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Gasol looked very good during the FIBA games, and I think he'll be highly motivated to outperform what he did in LA last year. Pau and Noah are going to be the best frontcourt in the league this season, by a wide margin.

Better than Aldridge/LopeZ/Batum by a wide margin??? Aldridge is much better than Pau and LopeZ is decent and improving.

 

[THE HCP]

Just don't understand what they see in Dallas?

 

[donkiez]

Just don't understand what they see in Dallas?

Im thinking its carry over from how they pushed San Antonio to the limit, then had SA walk over everyone on their way to the title.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Better than Aldridge/Lopez by a wide margin??? Aldridge is much better than Pau and Lopez is decent and improving.

Sure Lopez is good, but Noah is indisputably better, arguably the best center in the league. As for the PF spot, I disagree that Aldridge is "much better" than Pau. Pau is a more efficient scorer, a better passer, a better rebounder, and a better defender. How exactly is Aldridge "much better"?

If I were a Bulls fan (Hi Denny!), I would be very excited to see how well they work together; their interior passing game could be phenomenally good, and I think Pau will be outstanding defensively in Thibs' system. I don't expect you or anyone else to agree with me on this, but I think they're gong to be a fantastic pairing. Let's check back on this around Christmas, and see how things play out.

 

[e_blazer]

Sure Lopez is good, but Noah is indisputably better, arguably the best center in the league. As for the PF spot, I disagree that Aldridge is "much better" than Pau. Pau is a more efficient scorer, a better passer, a better rebounder, and a better defender. How exactly is Aldridge "much better"?

Three years ago, I'd have agreed with you but not anymore. Pau is five years older than LA, he had a PER last year of 19.34 to LA's 21.84, their rebound rates are nearly identical (16.4 for Pau & 16.5 for LA), Pau averaged 17.4 PPG last year compared to LA's 23.2, LA carries the main load of the Blazers' offense while Pau has become a second or third option, and most importantly, Pau has only averaged 58 games a year for the last three years. At this point in their respective careers, LA is the better player hands down.

 

[blue9]

Sure Lopez is good, but Noah is indisputably better, arguably the best center in the league. As for the PF spot, I disagree that Aldridge is "much better" than Pau. Pau is a more efficient scorer, a better passer, a better rebounder, and a better defender. How exactly is Aldridge "much better"?

If I were a Bulls fan (Hi Denny!), I would be very excited to see how well they work together; their interior passing game could be phenomenally good, and I think Pau will be outstanding defensively in Thibs' system. I don't expect you or anyone else to agree with me on this, but I think they're gong to be a fantastic pairing. Let's check back on this around Christmas, and see how things play out.

I agree with all of this, but all CHI really has going for them are two great complimentary front-court players and a great coach. Without someone to handle the ball (maybe Brooks will be adequate), you're not going to be the #3 team in the league with just a good PF/C/coach.
Regarding LMA/Pau, you're right on the money but overlook the very important issue of health/age.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Three years ago, I'd have agreed with you but not anymore. Pau is five years older than LA, he had a PER last year of 19.34 to LA's 21.84, their rebound rates are nearly identical (16.4 for Pau & 16.5 for LA), Pau averaged 17.4 PPG last year compared to LA's 23.2, LA carries the main load of the Blazers' offense while Pau has become a second or third option, and most importantly, Pau has only averaged 58 games a year for the last three years. At this point in their respective careers, LA is the better player hands down.

LA's higher PER is almost strictly a function of higher usage. Per used possession, they're basically identical, with Pau not having had the benefit of playing alongside a center like Lopez. And even at his advanced age, Pau is still a better defender, and will be even better-er under Thibs.

 

[e_blazer]

Sorry, PP, but I'm not buying what you're selling. I don't think there's a GM in the league that wouldn't take 2014 LMA over Pau Gasol.