ESPN Ranking- Zer's #4

[THE HCP]

It's an INSIDER article so I can't post a link, so here it is-

Portland Trail Blazers
Nobody talks about the Blazers as serious contenders in the West, but we should. Portland had the best scoring margin in basketball after the All-Star break last season, and as I keep repeating, scoring margin predicts future success better than winning percentage.

Yes, they went one-and-done in the playoffs, but this team should be better this time around. The Blazers added Andre Miller, vastly improving their backcourt depth, and returned Martell Webster from injury. The only departure was Channing Frye, who fell to the fringes of the rotation by the end of last season. Most importantly, one of the league's youngest nuclei gained a valuable year of experience and cut its playoff teeth. Watch out for these guys.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I just don't see how Denver performs that well again. Billups isn't getting any better and their bench is GONE. I actually like NO and DAL more so than them now.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, pretty much everything we've been posting on this board for the past month. I think he could have taken a post about the spurs verbatim.

 

[bbwchingy0007]

Could someone pm me the Eat article? (Or post it somewhere)

 

[STOMP]

loved the AI to Memphis speculations... funny stuff.

For the Blazer analysis, I'm a believer in scoring differential as well. With the sort of quality depth they now enjoy, I expect this to be a season of crushing the lessor teams. I want to revisit a quote from Hollinger's Blazer preview from 2 seasons ago...

"Don't watch the Blazers and think about this season. Instead watch them and think two or three years down the road, because they are going to be insanely good. I can't remember a time when a single team owned the rights to this many quality players under the age of 25."

oh, and why are the ages of Duncan (33) and Ginobli (32) always brought up as to why the Spurs won't get it done without similar concerns expressed about Fisher (35) and Kobe (31)? Hell, Artest and Odom will both be 30 too. Bynum's shaky knees etc... I don't feel they're a lock to stay top dog at all.

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

loved the AI to Memphis speculations... funny stuff.

For the Blazer analysis, I'm a believer in scoring differential as well. With the sort of quality depth they now enjoy, I expect this to be a season of crushing the lessor teams. I want to revisit a quote from Hollinger's Blazer preview from 2 seasons ago...

"Don't watch the Blazers and think about this season. Instead watch them and think two or three years down the road, because they are going to be insanely good. I can't remember a time when a single team owned the rights to this many quality players under the age of 25."

oh, and why are the ages of Duncan (33) and Ginobli (32) always brought up as to why the Spurs won't get it done without similar concerns expressed about Fisher (35) and Kobe (31)? Hell, Artest and Odom will both be 30 too. Bynum's shaky knees etc... I don't feel they're a lock to stay top dog at all.

STOMP

Because Kobe has been much more of an iron man than Duncan and Manu as of late, and Fisher isn't really the cog that he once was. If Pau was 33, or Odom, then I could see the comparison.

 

[Eastoff]

Good read.
I hate the term "Zer's"

 

[Luther]

Good read.
I hate the term "Zer's"

Every time I see 'Zers I cringe. Go to the OLive comments and you see GO 'Zers everywhere. Don't know why it bothers me so much...

 

[STOMP]

Because Kobe has been much more of an iron man than Duncan and Manu as of late, and Fisher isn't really the cog that he once was. If Pau was 33, or Odom, then I could see the comparison.

Fisher is their starter and averaged 30 MPG which is well over his career average. He has lost a step, but have little behind him.

Manu was injured which can happen at any age, even Bynum's... he's expected to be 100% next year.

I've read you posting your fading TD opinion many times, but I don't think it holds much water. Duncan played 75 games last year averaging 33.6 MPG and posting a PER of 24.4... his career averages (throwing out the strike shortened 98-99 season) are 77, 36.9, and 25.0. Of course 2008-9 he was once again an All Star and a 2nd team member of both All-NBA teams. Rumors of his demise are wildly exagerated.

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

Fisher is their starter and averaged 30 MPG which is well over his career average. He has lost a step, but have little behind him.

Manu was injured which can happen at any age, even Bynum's... he's expected to be 100% next year.

I've read you posting your fading TD opinion many times, but I don't think it holds much water. Duncan played 75 games last year averaging 33.6 MPG and posting a PER of 24.4... his career averages (throwing out the strike shortened 98-99 season) are 77, 36.9, and 25.0. Of course 2008-9 he was once again an All Star and a 2nd team member of both All-NBA teams. Rumors of his demise are wildly exagerated.

STOMP

Am I the only one who posts that about Duncan? You like to single me out, despite the fact that many people share my opinions.

 

[STOMP]

Am I the only one who posts that about Duncan? You like to single me out, despite the fact that many people share my opinions.

didn't you just respond to me??? Very strange response

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

didn't you just respond to me??? Very strange response

STOMP

My post was in response to this

I've read you posting your fading TD opinion many times, but I don't think it holds much water.

Am I the only one posting about TD fading? Wasn't it in the article that the OP posted? You've singled me out about my opinions on Outlaw too. I'm just wondering why you like to target my voice, when there are many others who feel the same way?

I guess my point is, you made it sound like I was the only person claiming that Duncan is fading.

 

[STOMP]

My post was in response to this

Am I the only one posting about TD fading? Wasn't it in the article that the OP posted?

honestly, I don't know what your issue is here or overall. You responded to me.

You've singled me out about my opinions on Outlaw too. I'm just wondering why you like to target my voice, when there are many others who feel the same way?

I responded to your Outlaw takes because they were way over the top and repeated ad nausea. What particularly raised my hackles was you writing these opinions as if they were facts and the WE crap as if all Blazer fans felt the same as you.

You PM'd me and I then took the time to fully explain where I was coming from in a couple of PMs letting you know it wasn't anything personal. That was 6 months ago and I don't think I've responded to ONE thing you've posted since. Now your in a hizzy after you responded to me again thinking I've got a personal thing against you???

good grief dude, get a grip

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

honestly, I don't know what your issue is here or overall. You responded to me.

I responded to your Outlaw takes because they were way over the top and repeated ad nausea. What particularly raised my hackles was you writing these opinions as if they were facts and the WE crap as if all Blazer fans felt the same as you.

You PM'd me and I then took the time to fully explain where I was coming from in a couple of PMs letting you know it wasn't anything personal. That was 6 months ago and I don't think I've responded to ONE thing you've posted since. Now your in a hizzy after you responded to me again thinking I've got a personal thing against you???

good grief dude, get a grip

STOMP

And I'm saying that others make posts about Outlaw's lack of IQ or Duncan fading. It's not like I cooked them up on my own. Your post made it sound like it was my theory, which I invented. I just get the impression that I annoy you.

 

[Eastoff]

And I'm saying that others make posts about Outlaw's lack of IQ or Duncan fading. It's not like I cooked them up on my own. Your post made it sound like it was my theory, which I invented. I just get the impression that I annoy you.

I too question TrOuts BBIQ and think TD will fade more this season. But I don't have much evidence, just my vague opinion. However I think you need to drop this "OMG HE"S ATTACKING ME!" it's just the internet if you don't like what he says about you, block him. your e-honor will survive!
edit: you can't get along with everyone.

 

[STOMP]

And I'm saying that others make posts about Outlaw's lack of IQ or Duncan fading. It's not like I cooked them up on my own. Your post made it sound like it was my theory, which I invented. I just get the impression that I annoy you.

I've found this exchange annoying... I'd suggest you go reread the PM exchange we had to understand where I'm coming from as I'd only be repeating myself. I find it curious that I used facts/stats to counter something I disagreed with in an article and then instead of addressing those facts/stats someone takes personal offense. That you think you're being singled out when you responded to me is ______.

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

I've found this exchange annoying... I'd suggest you go reread the PM exchange we had to understand where I'm coming from as I'd only be repeating myself. I find it curious that I used facts/stats to counter something I disagreed with in an article and then instead of addressing those facts/stats someone takes personal offense. That you think you're being singled out when you responded to me is ______.

STOMP

It wasn't about the facts/stats or even the opinion about Duncan. It was about this statement.

I've read you posting your fading TD opinion many times, but I don't think it holds much water.

I can barely recall posting about Duncan, maybe 2-3 times in the last five or six months. I just felt the "I've read you posting your opinion" part as uncalled for.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This tidbit was too good not to post ... and it's semi Blazers relevant because it mentions Fat-bo

Memphis Grizzlies
Chris Wallace's nameplate still says general manager, but it's obvious that owner Michael Heisley is calling the shots on personnel. As usual when an owner meddles, the results have been disastrous. What kind of a buffoon trades Pau Gasol for pennies on the dollar and then a year later acquires Zach Randolph at the same money? The same kind that prefers trading for Randolph to trading for Carlos Boozer, or to making a run at David Lee, or to just setting $16 million on fire. Oh, and he wants Allen Iverson too. Great.

Despite a near-empty arena, the Griz still make money. That's partly because they'll do anything for $3 million, even trading a useful player (Darko Milicic) for a finished one (Quentin Richardson). But the few fans left in Memphis will get to see two of the league's biggest ball hogs fight it out for shots every night when Randolph and Rudy Gay take the court. One almost wants to see them add Iverson to the mix just to see if they could go an entire game without an assist.

 

[oldmangrouch]

A couple of comments.

First, even if Duncan has passed his peak, I would bet there isn't a coach in the league who wouldn't want him. Since is game is largely based on court-smarts and sound fundamentals, rather than relying on raw athletic ability, he is likely to age well.

Second, I firmly believe that the 3-4-5 slots in the West will be a huge dogfight, with the margin between 3rd and 5th being razor thin. The notion that every other team in the West is going to fall apart is wishful thinking. If the Blazers get HCA, that will be a successful regular season.

Third, the Blazers are a team in transition. On top of adding Miller to the mix, we will have the (hopefully) expanded roles of Oden and Batum. If this means we lose a few more games in November and December, but emerge as a better team in the play-offs, that is a reasonable trade-off. The title doesn't go to the best team on New Year's Day. Remember the Days of Schuler and PJ? Both had a knack for getting teams out of the gate fast, only to have them founder late in the season. That is NOT what we want!

 

[RedHotRollin]

It's an INSIDER article so I can't post a link, so here it is-

Whose ahead of them?

 

[Darkwebs]

Whose ahead of them?

Lakers, Spurs, and Nuggets. These rankings are just for the West.

 

[THE HCP]

Why did somebody get rid of the whole article?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Why did somebody get rid of the whole article?

Got to read the fine print . . .

 

[tlongII]

Duncan has been a great player, but he is DONE. Arthritic knees.

 

[THE HCP]

Last edited by Minstrel; Today at 02:24 PM.. Reason: You can't quote entire articles that are paid content, it's not "fair use

But I paid for it! I pay for the "INSIDER" access!

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Every time I see 'Zers I cringe. Go to the OLive comments and you see GO 'Zers everywhere. Don't know why it bothers me so much...

...and up here in Canada....the Canadians would pronounce this:

Zed-ers!


Yuck

 

[ABM]

Last edited by Minstrel; Today at 02:24 PM.. Reason: You can't quote entire articles that are paid content, it's not "fair use

But I paid for it! I pay for the "INSIDER" access!

It would be like paying for cable, then running all your close neighbors to the same line for free.

 

[THE HCP]

OK!