How real is it, really?

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Ask this question after Monday’s and Wednesday’s games and I think we’ll have a better handle on what’s reality. That said, where are the big bad bullies in the West that we’re supposed to think are more legitimate contenders than the Blazers? The Suns? The Blazers already own the season series over them and lead the Nuggets 1-0. I guess the Clippers could crank it up once Kawhi gets back, but he’s not exactly a horse you can count on to carry you to the finish line. I’m not seeing anyone that I think is inherently better than the Blazers. The fact is that the Blazers “big three” is a lot better than almost anyone (except Eric) gave them credit for and the bench is way deeper and more talented than expected. Winning is sustainable, maybe not at the current rate, but this team is a winner if relatively healthy.
 
e_blazer said:
Ask this question after Monday’s and Wednesday’s games and I think we’ll have a better handle on what’s reality. That said, where are the big bad bullies in the West that we’re supposed to think are more legitimate contenders than the Blazers? The Suns? The Blazers already own the season series over them and lead the Nuggets 1-0. I guess the Clippers could crank it up once Kawhi gets back, but he’s not exactly a horse you can count on to carry you to the finish line. I’m not seeing anyone that I think is inherently better than the Blazers. The fact is that the Blazers “big three” is a lot better than almost anyone (except Eric) gave them credit for and the bench is way deeper and more talented than expected. Winning is sustainable, maybe not at the current rate, but this team is a winner if relatively healthy.
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Too bad Phoenix did not lose Ayton like many thought this summer. He has elevated his game and is a huge factor for them

Without him, they would be one level lower IMO
 
I will say when Dame select his cabinet some day, and he will, all you "Morrisey" types...dont' hold your breath.

 
I just keep changing my prediction. That way I am always right and I am never disappointed.
 
10-4 = .714 => 58-60 wins. No, that's not sustainable. Portland is 3rd in the NBA in 3ptFG%...that's very likely not sustainable either.

but Portland has a +2.4 rating differential and that IS sustainable and that would, historically, project to 48-51 wins. And that is quite a bit better than all of the doomsday predictions of abject mediocrity ahead for Portland that were advanced in the off-season....actually advanced incessantly here since last season's trade deadline.

what this start has conveyed is that the Blazers actually have some upside and potentially, some decent paths forward. That becoming a contender is not the impossible quest that many were saying it was. That there actually are substantive reasons for some optimism. That's a major step forward from the pervasive doom-&-gloom of February-->October around this place (remember how significant the 0-4 off-season was, according to some?) even if there are many who refuse to admit it

yeah, the season could go south in a hurry and it's just about certain there will be a losing streak and a bad month ahead. But the team is resilient and entertaining and that's more than enough for me after the decade of the obvious mediocrity of the olshey-era
 
This is a new-look Blazer team that other teams have yet to figure out how to scheme for. NBA coaches are too savvy and will figure out eventually the best way to stop this 3-headed beast of Lillard/Simons/Grant. However, we also have weapons in Sharpe, Hart, Winslow, Nurk... etc. Our bench has kept us in some games and teams can't game plan against talented depth IMO without playing their best players many more minutes. I also think CCB is a player's coach and is already prepared for this.

Is .700 feasible moving forward? Probably not. Is .600+ attainable? Probably!
 
Stevenson said:
No one expected this start. Of course it's great, and fun, but is it real? Is this wining percentage sustainable?

Personally, I think it's not. Of course I hope I'm wrong, but this is not the best team in the west.
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We're not, but who is?

San Antonio has already stumbled after a red hot start, but Utah hasn't really. Are we more real than Utah?
 
I can't remember where, but somebody pointed out that Sacramento started well the past 4 seasons, but never sustained it. I think they WILL sustain it. Are they better than us?
 
Rastapopoulos said:
I can't remember where, but somebody pointed out that Sacramento started well the past 4 seasons, but never sustained it. I think they WILL sustain it. Are they better than us?
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No.

Also, last year they started 6-12
The year before? 8-10
before that? 8-10
The before that is the only year you could argue they started off "well", by being 10-8
 
Enjoy the ride....I don't remember a season where we didn't have back to back losses but this one might be that season....people get grumpy after 2 losses in a row....melt down after 3 and want to trade everyone and fire the coach after 4........good riddance to those days!
 
riverman said:
Enjoy the ride....I don't remember a season where we didn't have back to back losses but this one might be that season....people get grumpy after 2 losses in a row....melt down after 3 and want to trade everyone and fire the coach after 4........good riddance to those days!
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Que the incoming losing streak in 3...2...1....
 
julius said:
No.

Also, last year they started 6-12
The year before? 8-10
before that? 8-10
The before that is the only year you could argue they started off "well", by being 10-8
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Those are all "well" by Sacramento standards.
 
riverman said:
Enjoy the ride....I don't remember a season where we didn't have back to back losses but this one might be that season....people get grumpy after 2 losses in a row....melt down after 3 and want to trade everyone and fire the coach after 4........good riddance to those days!
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Yeah, we'll never see THEM again
 
I was pretty sure we wouldn't even make the play-in, particularly during the preseason. Now I think we'll make the play-in.
 
No it's not really real ... don't think they keep up this pace but as someone that figured a 7th seed was the ceiling before the season, I'm just enjoying the ride. As others have pointed out, it could quickly go from 1st to 8th in this conference but I do think this has proven that the Blazers belong in the playoffs, now it's a matter of some injury luck and the shots bouncing their way.
 
It's very real.....enjoy it! Home court is also a very real possibility with this team....they're going to get better offensively as the season goes on.... remarkably we got this winning streak while still trying to figure it out, hence turnovers....depth is a difference maker
 
Rastapopoulos said:
Yeah, we'll never see THEM again
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Yeah...we just may not see them again. That's what makes a contender...I plan to enjoy the season and cheer in the meantime...I think we'll at some point limit turnovers and starr making free throws.....if we had that end tightened up we could be undefeated right now....our free throw weakness has lost us games already...
 
riverman said:
It's very real.....enjoy it! Home court is also a very real possibility with this team....they're going to get better offensively as the season goes on.... remarkably we got this winning streak while still trying to figure it out, hence turnovers....depth is a difference maker
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Not to mention defensively once GP2 is ready to go!
 
Doesn't matter what might be, what could be, or what was. The only thing that matters to me...is now. Having a righteous freaking time. Not because of the wins mind you, but because of the players, the way they support each other, and the way everyone appears to care. That, if we are trying to look into a crystal ball....is sustainable.

Plan on making a meatloaf dinner for me and my wife, and we will enjoy yet another Blazer game likely filled with effort and great events, accomplishments, and storylines. Having the best time as a fan since I was on the floor in front of the TV, pounding my hands on the carpet when we were at war with the Pistons back in the day. But at this time in my life I am realistic, and thoughtful about it all. The teams effort and character is a win, regardless of the end score.
 
A couple things that were a bit unknown before coming in:

1. Jeremi Grant - dude has been a legit second star. At times he has been the best player on the floor. We haven't had this since LMA. We must retain him. We have been begging to have a star quality forward for years. As long as his play is sustainable, I think our winning will be sustainable. If we keep this up, I think he has a legit shot at making the All-Star team with Dame.

2. Shaedon Sharpe - I really wasn't sure how quickly he would contribute, but his play has been a nice boost off the bench. He's a rookie, so he could always hit a wall, but his stellar play so far this season has been a big reason why we're doing so well.

3. The defense - we don't suck!

We just need to stay healthy. That's the biggest factor in this. Dame needs to stay healthy. Ant needs to stay healthy. Nurk needs to stay healthy. If we can stay healthy and we integrate GPII into our lineup, we should be in a really good spot going into the playoffs.
 
If we can maintain around .500 ball (which were already 6 games ahead of that) until February we’ll be good. The schedule gets really easy in the back half of the season. I can see us winning about 52 games.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
We subscribe to a ton of expensive streaming services and all we watch is 50's Perry Mason's on our Roku stick.
Incidentally, if you want to see a completely other side to that actor, check out this awesome little noir gem:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045877/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_32_act
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OMG..That was fucking awesome!!
Thanks Rasta,, I will try to watch that..
Did you know that William Talman was quite the "partier"...I believe he was often "suspended" from PM due to some of his alleged extra-curricular activities...He was way ahead of his time when it came to how he hedonistically spent it...
Loved sex and drugs, and in 1950's-early 60's??..Taboo.
 
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