Is This Becoming A "Special" Team?

[ABM]

Man, I can't help but think when Joel gets back and even a 1/2 Oden, this team is gonna be dangerous....very dangerous.

Plus, they're winning without those two, so that's a bonus in and of itself.

It just seems to me......if I were to forecast out some.....this team has a very nice blend of talented youth, a solid core, coupled with some quality, seasoned (veteran) leadership.

Perfect mix, right??

 

[andalusian]

This team does not strike me as different from last year's team. If it remains healthy, it is an elite team.

 

[ABM]

This team does not strike me as different from last year's team. If it remains healthy, it is an elite team.

To me, trading Bayless was the key. There was just something a bit unsettling there. Now that I've had a small dose of Johnson, I'm like.....oh, man.

 

[Ed O]

To me, trading Bayless was the key. There was just something a bit unsettling there. Now that I've had a small dose of Johnson, I'm like.....oh, man.

Bayless is far more explosive, offensively, than Johnson. I think the team takes a step back with that exchange.

I agree with andalusian: if the team is healthy, it is an elite team.

Ed O.

 

[Sug]

Well to be honest I feel like our schedule has been pretty easy, but we will have plenty of time to find out.

 

[Blazinaway]

Bayless is far more explosive, offensively, than Johnson. I think the team takes a step back with that exchange.

I agree with andalusian: if the team is healthy, it is an elite team.

Ed O.

did I read that right? we took a step back trading Bayless? I strongly disagree

 

[KingSpeed]

Armon Johnson played "the perfect floor game" last night. Bayless is a small 2. He's not doin much for New Orleans.

 

[ABM]

Bayless is far more explosive, offensively.......generally, right into a double-team.

Yep.

 

[STOMP]

Perfect mix, right??

I pegged them to win 60+ this year if they stay reasonably healthy. They've talent, depth, and lots of size/length...welcome on board

btw, two of my other main rooting interests are the Ducks (football) and SF Giants (baseball)... thats a perfect mix

STOMP

 

[MickZagger]

I pegged them to win 60+ this year if they stay reasonably healthy. They've talent, depth, and lots of size/length...welcome on board

btw, two of my other main rooting interests are the Ducks (football) and SF Giants (baseball)... thats a perfect mix

STOMP

Too bad about your Deamon Deacons...

 

[andalusian]

To be fair, while this team lost some of the explosiveness of Bayless - it does have better depth at the big position - Camby,LMA,Oden,Joel,Oberto,Dante is better than Oden,LMA,Joel,Howard, Pendy,Dante and the team has better defined roles, improved perimeter defense with Wes/Armon - but maybe a bit less of a shooting fire-power, having lost Blake, Outlaw and Web while gaining Wes and Babbit (who is not likely to see much floor time).

Overall, maybe a better balanced team and maybe more resilient to bigs injuries because of the addition of Camby.

 

[julius]

To me, trading Bayless was the key. There was just something a bit unsettling there. Now that I've had a small dose of Johnson, I'm like.....oh, man.

Penis jokes aside, I'm with ABM on this one. I like what I've seen in Johnson. Not saying he's the "PGOTF" or whatever (esp after 5 games), but I do like his role as the "BPGOTN" (backup point guard of the now).

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I think we're one All-Star player away from being elite. LMA is borderline but he's not an All-Star.

 

[Minstrel]

Bayless is far more explosive, offensively.......generally, right into a double-team......where he drew a foul and went to the free throw line.

Double yep.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Bayless is far more explosive, offensively, than Johnson. I think the team takes a step back with that exchange.
Ed O.

Yeah, for those 5 games per season he really accomplishes something on the floor.

 

[ABM]

Double yep.

Heh, if it were that easy, he'd still be with the team.

 

[Minstrel]

Heh, if it were that easy, he'd still be with the team.

If it weren't that easy, no one else would want him. The idea that because Portland traded him, he must suck, is pretty faulty logic.

 

[ABM]

If it weren't that easy, no one else would want him. The idea that because Portland traded him, he must suck, is pretty faulty logic.

More realistically, he just wasn't a good fit for this team. Even Camby, after just a few games this season, was inclined to observe the same....at least in comparison to what Johnson appears to be bringing to the table.

 

[Minstrel]

More realistically, he just wasn't a good fit for this team. Even Camby, after just a few games this season, was inclined to observe the same....at least in comparison to what Johnson appears to be bringing to the table.

Well, I don't entirely agree, but I can see the argument that he wasn't a good enough fit.

 

[STOMP]

I think we're one All-Star player away from being elite. LMA is borderline but he's not an All-Star.

the stat line (19 pnt 9 rbs 1.6 blk 1.8 stl) LA is putting up so far is pretty impressive... I've seen guys get to the AS game with worse

if he continues that pace and Portland keeps winning 80% of their games I'll be satisfied

STOMP

 

[KingSpeed]

Aldridge will make the All Star team if we are a top 2 team in the West when the decision is made, no matter what his stats are. If they stay at 19/9, he'll make it no matter what our record is.

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

I think we're close. The only gaping hole that Chicago (and even a couple of the other teams) took advantage of is our weakness in the paint. Once Oden comes back in a month, that hole will be filled almost 180-degrees the other direction. So that is huge.

I will say one thing. We'll know tomorrow night how special this team really is. You're going against the new media darlings and supposed favorites to dethrone the Lakers and win the NW division tomorrow night in the Thunder. So if this team is special, then they have that game circled on the calendar and will make it known who is best in the NW.

 

[julius]

Yep, the team HAS to make a statement tomorrow. And not a statement of "we're afraid of the Thunder", but "you our bitch".

 

[andalusian]

I honestly do not think we know if this team is special or not until Oden is back and has 3-4 weeks under his belt. Until this happens, this is a pretty good team, possibly as good as the 54 wins team - which is a good, probably HCA in the first round and advancing based on match-up. We will find out if this team is special when/if Greg is playing and how well they integrate him.

 

[tlongII]

If Joel and Greg come back healthy we can beat anybody. In fact I think we have the best team in the league if we're at full strength. I think GO, Prz, Camby, and Aldridge would ruin the Lakers front line.

 

[MARIS61]

The true measure of a "Special" team lies in the length of the team bus.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm still in a "wait-and-see" mode. I love what I've seen so far from Aldridge, Johnson, Roy, Miller, and Camby. Batum has shown some real flashes, but he went from a major high, to a major low. I think he's still too inconsistent to be counted on. I also like Matthews so far, but he's been somewhat inconsistent as well. Once we get Oden and Joel back, it will be interesting to see how the rotation balances out. I think this team definitely has the potential to be something special, but I want to see it all put together and clicking.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I see them playing inconsistent until February. They still need to work two new Centers into the rotation, a back up rookie PG, and find the right roles for Rudy and Wes. But about a month after Greg gets back, they will start to gel.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We have won games against the Suns, Clippers, Knicks and Bucks, and lost against the Bulls. The teams we have beaten have a combined record of 4-13. The one team we have lost to has a winning record. Please stop with the special team crap. Let's wait until they actually do something other than come back to beat teams they should absolutely crush.

 

[julius]

We have won games against the Suns, Clippers, Knicks and Bucks, and lost against the Bulls. The teams we have beaten have a combined record of 4-13. The one team we have lost to has a winning record. Please stop with the special team crap. Let's wait until they actually do something other than come back to beat teams they should absolutely crush.

And the Celtics barely beat the Bucks, in Boston, and the Clippers just kicked the shit out of the Thunder.