ESPN Western Conference Preview..........

[THE HCP]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=SummerForecast10-WestStandings

 

[HailBlazers]

Fuck OKC, Fuck Denver, I'm not worried about these two teams

Ok, Melo is a little worrisome but he is one man on a team of individuals

 

[Minstrel]

Wow, coming up on 11 years since the Blazers made it past the first round. The 2000 playoffs don't feel that long ago, somehow.

 

[maybeso]

I'm too lazy to compare last year's forecast against last year's reality. I would bet they don't match up well.

You still have to play the games.

Yawn.

 

[illmatic99]

I can't wait to see OKC fall flat on its face.

While they were extremely fortunate last season health wise and over-achieved, they still finished below us. Not sure how a healthy Blazers team this year will finish with a lower win total than last year.

Oh, and our bigs destroy theirs.

They have: Green (seriously overrated), Aldrich, Ibaka, and Kristic.
We have: Aldridge, Oden, Camby, and Przybilla.

And the difference between Roy and Durant isn't as significant as everyone in the league makes it out to be.

 

[STOMP]

so the Blazers missed 300+ games to injury and overall their roster is still escalating into their prime years. Camby was a huge addition at the end of last season and they traded out Martell for Wes which at worst is a push. Seems to me that most things point to Portland doing better then last year yet ESPN has them going backwards winning 49 games

whatever... I'm used to it

STOMP

 

[Chuck Taylor]

so the Blazers missed 300+ games to injury and overall their roster is still escalating into their prime years. Camby was a huge addition at the end of last season and they traded out Martell for Wes which at worst is a push. Seems to me that most things point to Portland doing better then last year yet ESPN has them going backwards winning 49 games

whatever... I'm used to it

STOMP

+1

OKC is going to be everyones sexy pick this year....no matter.

 

[THE HCP]

OKC HAS to have some missed games due to injury right? They were luckily as hell last season. We stay healthy, we win 58 games!!!

 

[maxiep]

Perfect. We keep our mouths shut, fly under the radar and let our play do the talking. I bet Nate loves this ranking.

If we stay healthy, we're going to destroy teams. Not just beat them, but annihilate them.

 

[HailBlazers]

Dark-Horse, NW title here we come!

 

[Wheels]

I can't wait to see OKC fall flat on its face.

While they were extremely fortunate last season health wise and over-achieved, they still finished below us. Not sure how a healthy Blazers team this year will finish with a lower win total than last year.

Oh, and our bigs destroy theirs.

They have: Green (seriously overrated), Aldrich, Ibaka, and Kristic.
We have: Aldridge, Oden, Camby, and Przybilla.

And the difference between Roy and Durant isn't as significant as everyone in the league makes it out to be.

EXACTLY HOW I FEEL!!!! For all these dudes did, they still finished behind our depleted team. And that was with an MVP caliber season from Durant.

Welcome back btw hope you had a great trip.

 

[hasoos]

so the Blazers missed 300+ games to injury and overall their roster is still escalating into their prime years. Camby was a huge addition at the end of last season and they traded out Martell for Wes which at worst is a push. Seems to me that most things point to Portland doing better then last year yet ESPN has them going backwards winning 49 games

whatever... I'm used to it

STOMP

At the same time, until Portland has a year where they aren't beat all to hell, and they actually live up to some expectations, they have a lot to prove. They need to show that they can be healthy for a year. That would be nice. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[crandc]

Stomp, nearly everyone of the so-called "predictors" have Portland worse than last year even though they could hardly be less healthy. Fortunately games are not played on paper.

 

[Eastoff]

I too will join in this homer circle jerk! FUCK OKC! We will stomp on their dreams as they cry about injuries!

 

[oldmangrouch]

After reading the comments, I expected the article to predict the Blazers would finish 8th - or even in the lotto. A 5th place finish? A healthy Blazer team was 4th, a busted up team was 6th, so 5th seems about right.

 

[THE HCP]

I say 3rd. 56-58 wins. CheckMate FAMS!

 

[mook]

I'm pretty surprised they have us falling off. I guess Miller is getting older and we don't really have a quality backup PG, and Roy's health is always in question. But jeez. It seems like only Blazer fans seemed to notice how good Oden and Batum were when healthy.

 

[mook]

BTW--I'm going with 62 wins this year. We lose in the WCF to LA.

 

[maxiep]

After reading the comments, I expected the article to predict the Blazers would finish 8th - or even in the lotto. A 5th place finish? A healthy Blazer team was 4th, a busted up team was 6th, so 5th seems about right.

Your mistake is that you forget that experience and chemistry matter. A team that won 54 games two years ago should win more next year.

But being pessimistic means you never have to be disappointed. Don't worry; I get it.

 

[BBert]

62 wins.

Damn mook, you beat me to it. I need to spend more time online!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Lower half of the western conference is probably right. OKC second makes no sense though.

 

[andalusian]

59 wins. NW division title, WCF appearance.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It's not that I think OKC will not be good, it's just that I feel Dallas, Denver, and Portland will be a few games better. (Assuming no major injuries)

 

[oldmangrouch]

Your mistake is that you forget that experience and chemistry matter. A team that won 54 games two years ago should win more next year.

But being pessimistic means you never have to be disappointed. Don't worry; I get it.

Actually, I am predicting that the WC race will be much the same as the last 2 seasons, with the order of the 3rd-6th seeds largely being determined by luck and health. The Blazers don't have either.

 

[maxiep]

Actually, I am predicting that the WC race will be much the same as the last 2 seasons, with the order of the 3rd-6th seeds largely being determined by luck and health. The Blazers don't have either.

Like I said, you keep protecting your delicate heart. It's an orchid in an ice storm.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Like I said, you keep protecting your delicate heart. It's an orchid in an ice storm.

Fine, let's hear your prediction.

 

[HailBlazers]

 

[STOMP]

Perfect. We keep our mouths shut, fly under the radar and let our play do the talking. I bet Nate loves this ranking.

If he's paying attention to what matters he isn't even aware of this sort of trivial fodder

If we stay healthy, we're going to destroy teams. Not just beat them, but annihilate them.

that would be my prediction too... on paper Portland is one of the league's elite teams. 60+ wins with health

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

Perfect. We keep our mouths shut, fly under the radar and let our play do the talking. I bet Nate loves this ranking.

If we stay healthy, we're going to destroy teams. Not just beat them, but annihilate them.

Are you talking about the team or Blazers fans?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I say 3rd. 56-58 wins. CheckMate FAMS!

That's exactly what I was going to predict ... Damn, you must have espn or something dude!