I'll take the 8th seed gladly

[BlazerCaravan]

Hollinger predicts us at 6th against the Mavs at 3rd. I'd rather face them than the Lake Show, to be honest. I think we could upset the Mavs.

 

[Natebishop3]

How is Manu not a closer?

Would you compare him to a Dirk or a Roy (when he was healthy) in terms of closing ability?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Dirk scares you more than Duncan? A fucking big man who plays like a guard, who averages 6.8 rpg a game and is a non-factor on defense?

A team like the Celtics or Lakers giggles about a 7 game series against Dirk and Dallas.

I don't agree at all. Regardless who the Blazers play it will be tough for them.

But Dirk is way better than Duncan this year. The Mavs have way more depth at center than in the past. I really don't think the Celtics and Lakers would prefer facing Dallas than San Antonio right now. Let alone giggle about it.

Now Manu is a problem........

 

[RR7]

I'd say he's pretty close, yes.

 

[STOMP]

I think Portland matches up well with either San Antonio or Dallas. I'd rather not meet LA til the WCF. And if they'd like to fall out of the playoffs before the Blazers have a chance to meet them, that would be fine by me.

Stern's minions won't let Portland defeat LA, especially early on, which is mainly why I'd rather end up in the other side of the bracket from them. LA is an old team too so bumps & bruises linger. No doubt they're the favorite in the West, but a twisted ankle to a key player could easily derail them

I put Portland's chances against anyone else at least at 50%, but probably the least vs Denver as Nene can defend LA somewhat. For everyone else in the West, Aldridge is a matchup nightmare that will require double teams which (of course) creates spacing for their shooters.

STOMP

 

[BBert]

Great conversation. Lot's of great points. And the thread is still on topic. Yeah. It's good to be on S2. Thanks, Denny!

Players play the game, but don't underestimate Popovich, and don't underestimate Phil. The know how to prepare their teams for the playoffs, they know how to make playoff adjustments, and they know how to manipulate the refs.

Speaking of manipulating the refs, don't forget this is David Stern's party, so don't underestimate David Stern. (Yes, I went there. I've seen it too many times to bury my head in the sand.) Having said that, don't underestimate one of David Stern's darlings, The Oklahoma City Durant's.

I want Portland to be the wild card team that no one wants to face. I think the Blazers can become that team.

Despite the league's Durant love, I think I'd rather play the Durant's due to their inexperience, and I like our front court matchups. Dallas would be a fun series. That whiny bitch Dirk takes a lot of pleasure out of the game for me and works the refs like no other; all the better to beat his ass. I think we can work them. I'd least like to face the Flake Show. I don't know what to think about the Spurs, but for some reason they don't scare me that much. But then, they just go about their business and win. Go figure.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I've already said it about OKC, their biggest strength in my eyes is Westbrook's ability to take the ball to the hole and Durant's ability to shoot from the outside. It causes mismatches, big players are supposed to stop the smaller, much faster but also very strong Westbrook inside and wing-players are supposed to guard Durant on the perimeter even though he's "longer" than most SFs, not to mention SGs/PGs that could be matched with him if we play Zone.
How you solve this problem I don't know. I think BNM is right by saying Gerald Wallace could be an asset when defending OKC but considering most of his minutes come as a Power-Forward with Aldridge inside, we wouldn't really be able to use him on the perimeter guarding Durant.

It's possible that we totally alter our defense, for example making Batum (or Wallace?) a Durant-stopper and let him play man-to-man defense. It's possible but I wouldn't recommend it! I think even when met with special circumstances like with OKC, it's always the best policy to stick to what the team does best and try to make the other team adjust moreso than you do. I think we should play OUR game and not get too carried away in scouting them. The players should be aware of what Durant and Westbrook (and to a lesser extent Harden, Ibaka, etc.) are able to do but the general structure of the defense should remain or they would feel out of their element. Even adjustments that seem to make sense (putting Batum one-on-one on Durant, for example) could cause confusion, hurt the players' confidence and I think would give OKC a bigger chance of winning.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

In all honesty, I'd like to avoid just two teams in the first round: LA and OKC. Both make their living on the line, and our short rotation would get eaten alive by the foul-drawing machines that are LA and OKC. It has nothing to do with raw talent, just reputation with the refs. I don't want those three jackholes deciding every game.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I've already said it about OKC, their biggest strength in my eyes is Westbrook's ability to take the ball to the hole and Durant's ability to shoot from the outside. It causes mismatches, big players are supposed to stop the smaller, much faster but also very strong Westbrook inside and wing-players are supposed to guard Durant on the perimeter even though he's "longer" than most SFs, not to mention SGs/PGs that could be matched with him if we play Zone.
How you solve this problem I don't know. I think BNM is right by saying Gerald Wallace could be an asset when defending OKC but considering most of his minutes come as a Power-Forward with Aldridge inside, we wouldn't really be able to use him on the perimeter guarding Durant.

It's possible that we totally alter our defense, for example making Batum (or Wallace?) a Durant-stopper and let him play man-to-man defense. It's possible but I wouldn't recommend it! I think even when met with special circumstances like with OKC, it's always the best policy to stick to what the team does best and try to make the other team adjust moreso than you do. I think we should play OUR game and not get too carried away in scouting them. The players should be aware of what Durant and Westbrook (and to a lesser extent Harden, Ibaka, etc.) are able to do but the general structure of the defense should remain or they would feel out of their element. Even adjustments that seem to make sense (putting Batum one-on-one on Durant, for example) could cause confusion, hurt the players' confidence and I think would give OKC a bigger chance of winning.

With Wallace, Batum, Aldridge, Camby and Matthews, we have lots of options on defense. With our current starting 5, you could put Wallace on Durant and Batum on Ibaka, or vise-versa -mix it up a bit so neither player gets exhausted or in foul trouble. You can also put Matthews on Westbrook and let Miller guard Sefolsha/Harden. The Blazers can go big, or small, as necessary and always have an above average defender on Durant.

Durant will still get his points, but with multiple good perimeter defenders, the Blazers can make him work for them and take a lot of shots to get his points. Durant's scoring average and shooting percentages are down this season compared to last. He really needs a lot of shots to get his points. He only shoots 0.359 from 3-point range, but still jacks up almost five 3-pointers a game. And, that's against average defenders. Put above average defenders on him the entire game, and his scoring efficiency likely goes down even more.

Durant and Westbrook are OKC's most dangerous players, by far, and with multiple good, versatile defenders, I think the Blazers match up good against them. And, with Aldridge and Camby, the Blazers have better size, rebounding and scoring inside than the Thunder. Perkins helps them a bit in the defense and rebounding departments, but gives them one less scorer on the court than they had with Jeff Green, and nobody they have can guard Aldridge 1-on-1.

I still like this match-up MUCH better than multi-time champions Spurs and Lakers, or deeper, more experienced Dallas.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

In all honesty, I'd like to avoid just two teams in the first round: LA and OKC. Both make their living on the line, and our short rotation would get eaten alive by the foul-drawing machines that are LA and OKC. It has nothing to do with raw talent, just reputation with the refs. I don't want those three jackholes deciding every game.

Actually, that's one of the reasons I want to avoid LA and SAS. Both Pop and Phil have the refs in their hip pockets, especially come play-off time. They know how to work the refs to maximum advantage.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

Perkins helps them a bit in the defense and rebounding departments, but gives them one less scorer on the court than they had with Jeff Green, and nobody they have can guard Aldridge 1-on-

Ibaka?

 

[XXPrimusXX]

You guys are giving OKC too much credit. They wont make it out of the first round.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i want OKC as well

we have played them well this year if i remember, just some bad luck at the end of games

 

[Rhal]

I don't care who we get. I'm not afraid of anyone and no matter what were gonna take it to whoever gets us. LA posses problems with refs and the league would turn a blind eye if the refs fuck us like there was no tomorrow, that being said LA can beat us without the refs help but a lot of that depends on how healthy there big men are.
The team I would most like to play would be OKC. No team would give me more pleasure to knock out of the first round not even LA. The media love fest of them makes me sick, and I would love them trying to figure out how the "injury ridden" blazers took there lunch money and stuffed them in a locker.
[video=youtube;sOFOVrgToSU]

The Blazers are the big kid in that video.


okay that video has nothing to do with my post but its funny as hell

 

[3RA1N1AC]

yeah i pretty much hate okc, right behind the lakers, they took the nuggs/jazz spots for now, i would love to send those fucks home

 

[RR7]

I prefer OKC and then Dallas. I think with OKC, we have three guys in Wallace, Batum and Matthews who could all rotate on defending Westbrook and Durant, giving them each different looks on defense. And we can have 2 of the 3 on the court at all times.

 

[Natebishop3]

I prefer OKC and then Dallas. I think with OKC, we have three guys in Wallace, Batum and Matthews who could all rotate on defending Westbrook and Durant, giving them each different looks on defense. And we can have 2 of the 3 on the court at all times.

Westbrook has pretty much destroyed us lately.

 

[fumanchu]

We match up well with the Spurs and we've had good luck against them the last few years, but I don't want to play them in the first round. They don't lose at home.

The Lakers are a bad matchup for us. To big inside.

I'll take Dallas or OKC. Best matchup is Dallas. Lamarcus plays like a beast in Dallas. We have depth to counter theirs.

Of course, I thought Phoenix was our best matchup last year and we got beat, so whatever happens happens.

 

[RR7]

Yep, and we didn't have Wallace, had an unhealthy Roy playing a ton, and had beginning of the season slumping Matthews. I like where we are as a team right now a lot better than then.

 

[STOMP]

Westbrook has pretty much destroyed us lately.

he has had two good games this year vs Portland, but Andre treated him like a rented mule last year in all three... I'm not worried about Russ
[video=youtube;jEaKoAEkOrY]

STOMP

 

[KingSpeed]

You guys are giving OKC too much credit. They wont make it out of the first round.

Reality check: the Thunder CRUSHED the eventual champion Lakers in one of their home playoff games last year and were a Pau rebound away from forcing a Game 7. With zero playoff experience. OKC will be a tough out this year.

 

[XXPrimusXX]

Reality check: the Thunder CRUSHED the eventual champion Lakers in one of their home playoff games last year and were a Pau rebound away from forcing a Game 7. With zero playoff experience. OKC will be a tough out this year.

So, Oklahoma City winning Game 4 by 21 (but losing the series) against the Lakers last year has anything to do with how well they will fare in this years playoffs?

Ok. >_<

They have as many playoff series wins as the Blazers over the last 3 years. As far as OKC being a tough out, I'll believe it when I see it.

Nothing special, just the flavor of the year.

I'll tell you this, if we do secure the 5th seed and they stay at 4, OKC wont be advancing in the playoffs.

 

[yenniedn]

Bump and OP repped for being smarter than the rest of us!!!

 

[KingSpeed]

Except the OP thought the Spurs would get the 1 seed. They won't.

 

[STOMP]

Ibaka?

rarely covered LA last night... that job fell mostly to Perkins and Collison. They kept Ibaka on Camby and Gerald probably to allow him to be more of a help shotblocker guarding the rim. Thats probably his best skill

STOMP

 

[The Professional Fan]

I stand by my desire for 8th! (assuming of course Sa An holds on).

 

[andalusian]

A rolling stone gathers no moss?

Debunked.

http://www.exposay.com/kate-moss-now-roommates-with-ronnie-wood/v/12552/

 

[maxiep]

If we end up with the 6th seed, then I say root for the F'L*kers to get the #1 seed. We'd play Dallas in the first round and if we win we'd likely face the Spurs in the 2nd round. That would be a decent outcome, IMO.

 

[yenniedn]

Except the OP thought the Spurs would get the 1 seed. They won't.

Looks like SAS just might hang onto that 1st seed after all - which would make OP right on two counts.

I still stand by my statement that Dallas is our best bet at winning in the first round. If Dirk isn't clicking on all cylinders, they're a very average team . . . one with a history of under-performing in the playoffs.

 

[yenniedn]

Looks like SAS just might hang onto that 1st seed after all - which would make OP right on two counts.

I still stand by my statement that Dallas is our best bet at winning in the first round. If Dirk isn't clicking on all cylinders, they're a very average team . . . one with a history of under-performing in the playoffs.

Hey everybody, look at me! Look at me . . . I was wrong!

WTF was I thinking rooting to get the Mavs instead of the Spurs?

Rep the OP and deduct reppage from me please!