Greg Popovich Once Said..

[ABM]

He doesn't care who he plays in the playoffs....just get there. Apparently, it's when you start hoping to play one team over another, you can get into trouble. Kind of like the be careful what you ask for syndrome.

That said, I think it's obviously to the Blazers advantage to get HCA in the 1st Round (or better). Beyond that, bring 'em on.............whoEVER it is!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

That ol' Pops- what a Plato!

 

[ABM]

....and a bit scruffy these days.

 

[rocketeer]

He doesn't care who he plays in the playoffs....just get there. Apparently, it's when you start hoping to play one team over another, you can get into trouble. Kind of like the be careful what you ask for syndrome.

of course, that really only matters for the coaches and players. as for fans, them wanting to play one team over another can't possibly effect the games in any way.

 

[ABM]

of course, that really only matters for the coaches and players. as for fans, them wanting to play one team over another can't possibly effect the games in any way.

It could potentially lead to a bad karma experience, though?

I remember when there were debates in these parts whereas some wanted the Blazers to tank games in order to get a better chance at a higher lottery pick. (man, that seems like AGES ago! )

Same theory applies.

 

[KingSpeed]

It's true. If you want to win the championship, which is the point of the playoffs, you should be able to beat whoever is put in front of you.

 

[Chutney]

Last year, almost all Raptors fans hoped to get the 7th playoff spot and face Orlando in the playoffs, because we thought it was a favourable matchup. The Magic proceeded to whoop us badly. Usually when people are hoping for specific opponents in the playoffs, it reflects uncertainty or doubt they have in their own team. In our case, it showed our underlying belief that we were the weakest team in the NBA playoffs.

 

[BrianFromWA]

It's funny, because our "black Saturday" win over the Sonics (RIP) was called out by the doom-and-gloomers as the worst win in history, b/c we didn't tank that game and ended up one game better than the Sonics (RIP).

So, we got the lottery combos they would've had, and vice versa. But for a coin flip, we could have Jeff Green, Minny have Oden and Garnett still, and Seattle have Durant.

 

[ABM]

Speaking of which....

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/137244-portland-in-the-playoffs-feast-or-famine

 

[BengalDuck]

Last year, almost all Raptors fans hoped to get the 7th playoff spot and face Orlando in the playoffs, because we thought it was a favourable matchup. The Magic proceeded to whoop us badly. Usually when people are hoping for specific opponents in the playoffs, it reflects uncertainty or doubt they have in their own team. In our case, it showed our underlying belief that we were the weakest team in the NBA playoffs.

I don't think it's wrong for Portland fans to consider themselves the weakest team in the conference, though.

Fact is, we're not a contender in the real sense. Nobody... probably not even our own organization... would have confidence in our team advancing past the first round regardless of the opponent. And that's probably still the case even if we finish second in the conference.

You need to win on the road in order to win a championship. And we've been extraordinarily bad at that thus far.

The goal this year was getting to the playoffs, and as long as Phoenix continues to struggle and we continue to at least maintain our pace, we're in. But everything after that, from advancing to the second round or taking a game to seven games or to getting swept out of the playoffs... is gravy because it's all a much-needed learning experience for a team that has championship aspirations probably two years from now.

 

[rocketeer]

Fact is, we're not a contender in the real sense. Nobody... probably not even our own organization... would have confidence in our team advancing past the first round regardless of the opponent. And that's probably still the case even if we finish second in the conference.

You need to win on the road in order to win a championship. And we've been extraordinarily bad at that thus far.

that's not true. you only need to win on the road in order to win a championship if you don't have homecourt advantage. it is still very possible for the blazers to get the 2nd seed and if they do they should be favored to make the conference finals.

 

[rocketeer]

The goal this year was getting to the playoffs, and as long as Phoenix continues to struggle and we continue to at least maintain our pace, we're in.

apparently you and brandon roy have different goals.

"When I come into a season, my goal is always to win a championship,” -- Brandon Roy