No more hedging my bets, I'm all in! Magnifier is a genius!

[Natebishop3]

I'm really not a soccer mom fan. I accept that the team has weaknesses and isn't close to as stacked as say...'99-2000. That team was insanely deep...but flawed in character. You replace Sheed with LMA on that team and you have a mini-dynasty.

But what I may have discounted from the punditry and failed to see through all the gloomy post-Roy/Oden era fogginess is GREAT team play! These guys share the ball and really pull for each other. Stotts has them buying in and its a joy to watch. Chemistry really matters for a team without "super friends" to really get somewhere.

This optimism is all basically assuming decent team health this season.

It doesn't seem like there's any real egos on this team, which is nice.

 

[Elton]

WIN THE DAY!

 

[Kaydow]

I said if they went 7-3 over the stretch of games that started with Milwaukee, I'd be convinced they are "good" ... maybe not great, but at least "good," putting them in the mix of teams that are probably going to finish 7th-4th in the west. They've exceeded my expectations quite a bit. Mission accomplished - good for them. Now beating Indiana might be a step toward becoming "very good" or it could just be a good team beating a very good team at home by 4 points. It's hard to say this early in the year.

So I'm not downing what they did, but how will this translate to April? That is to say: Are they going to be playing this "hot" and this well at the end of the season going into the playoffs? We'll see.

I don't think anybody thinks we'll be this hot all season. I mean, are we really going to make a run at a 70 win season? The West is loaded, and there are a lot of games to be played. But at this point, there isn't 1 team I don't think we can play with. Before last night, I feared that team might be Indiana. Big, Physical, athletic. And Paul George had a CAREER NIGHT. I loved it how Indy took the 3 away from us for most of the game, and we found other ways to score. This team continues to find different ways to win games. If someone told you that Paul George had 43 and we only hit 5 threes, what would you have guessed was the outcome? I would have said "not good". Probably double digit loss. Whatever happens the rest of the season, this team has already captured my heart. I can't think of a Blazer team I enjoyed this much. The ball movement, the heart/fight/determination, the unselfishness. I've never seen the Blazers play better "team basketball" than during this stretch (never saw the '77 team play). Not the most talent, but 5 guys/1 heartbeat. Haven't seen that before. Not the Roy Blazers, the 2000 Era team, the Clyde Blazers . . . none of them were as in sync as this year's team through 18 games. How could you not love this team?

 

[Draco]

Welcome to the club! I said it since the summer this team can get a top3 seed. The top teams in the west have very little separation from #3-#7. Sure an injury or something can hurt our playoff chances, but that can be said of twelve teams in the west. Most likely injuries during the year will help us, as injuries to 11 teams help the Blazers but injuries to only 1 team hurts the Blazers.

The only caution I’d have is some fans expecting a first round win. Even if we win 57 games a playoff series could be very difficult to win. Last year the Nuggets won 57 games, got the #3 seed, and then got smoked in the playoffs. But yes getting a top 3 seed would be an awesome year, and not having to play one of the five most accomplished teams in the west would give us a great chance.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think anybody thinks we'll be this hot all season. I mean, are we really going to make a run at a 70 win season? The West is loaded, and there are a lot of games to be played. But at this point, there isn't 1 team I don't think we can play with. Before last night, I feared that team might be Indiana. Big, Physical, athletic. And Paul George had a CAREER NIGHT. I loved it how Indy took the 3 away from us for most of the game, and we found other ways to score. This team continues to find different ways to win games. If someone told you that Paul George had 43 and we only hit 5 threes, what would you have guessed was the outcome? I would have said "not good". Probably double digit loss. Whatever happens the rest of the season, this team has already captured my heart. I can't think of a Blazer team I enjoyed this much. The ball movement, the heart/fight/determination, the unselfishness. I've never seen the Blazers play better "team basketball" than during this stretch (never saw the '77 team play). Not the most talent, but 5 guys/1 heartbeat. Haven't seen that before. Not the Roy Blazers, the 2000 Era team, the Clyde Blazers . . . none of them were as in sync as this year's team through 18 games. How could you not love this team?

I actually think we match up really well with Indy. The big physical teams won't give us trouble. It's the teams with the quick little guards that seem to give us fits. We don't have great perimeter defense, so a team like Phoenix exposed our major weakness.

 

[Elton]

I don't think anybody thinks we'll be this hot all season. I mean, are we really going to make a run at a 70 win season? The West is loaded, and there are a lot of games to be played. But at this point, there isn't 1 team I don't think we can play with. Before last night, I feared that team might be Indiana. Big, Physical, athletic. And Paul George had a CAREER NIGHT. I loved it how Indy took the 3 away from us for most of the game, and we found other ways to score. This team continues to find different ways to win games. If someone told you that Paul George had 43 and we only hit 5 threes, what would you have guessed was the outcome? I would have said "not good". Probably double digit loss. Whatever happens the rest of the season, this team has already captured my heart. I can't think of a Blazer team I enjoyed this much. The ball movement, the heart/fight/determination, the unselfishness. I've never seen the Blazers play better "team basketball" than during this stretch (never saw the '77 team play). Not the most talent, but 5 guys/1 heartbeat. Haven't seen that before. Not the Roy Blazers, the 2000 Era team, the Clyde Blazers . . . none of them were as in sync as this year's team through 18 games. How could you not love this team?

Great post! You have to go back to the late '80s/early '90s Drexler teams to find similar chemistry...but this team has better IQ.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don't think anybody thinks we'll be this hot all season. I mean, are we really going to make a run at a 70 win season? The West is loaded, and there are a lot of games to be played. But at this point, there isn't 1 team I don't think we can play with. Before last night, I feared that team might be Indiana. Big, Physical, athletic. And Paul George had a CAREER NIGHT. I loved it how Indy took the 3 away from us for most of the game, and we found other ways to score. This team continues to find different ways to win games. If someone told you that Paul George had 43 and we only hit 5 threes, what would you have guessed was the outcome? I would have said "not good". Probably double digit loss. Whatever happens the rest of the season, this team has already captured my heart. I can't think of a Blazer team I enjoyed this much. The ball movement, the heart/fight/determination, the unselfishness. I've never seen the Blazers play better "team basketball" than during this stretch (never saw the '77 team play). Not the most talent, but 5 guys/1 heartbeat. Haven't seen that before. Not the Roy Blazers, the 2000 Era team, the Clyde Blazers . . . none of them were as in sync as this year's team through 18 games. How could you not love this team?

You sir, are a troll

 

[Blazinaway]

It's a very different situation, but Philly beat the Heat at the beginning of the season. 1 win means nothing. if you believe the team was good before last night, you still believe that...obviously. If you think the team will come back down and finish around .500 at seasons end you probably still think that.

This team continues to impress, in most part because we play like a team and have a very balanced offense. Barring any serious injury this team is easily a much better than .500 team and the odds are improving we are easily a top 4 team in the West. I have said one game at a time, however as those games are played the bullish odds of this team have increased.

 

[Natebishop3]

The last time we started this well, we went to the WCF..... but it's still just way too early to tell what's going to happen this season.

 

[Kaydow]

I actually think we match up really well with Indy. The big physical teams won't give us trouble. It's the teams with the quick little guards that seem to give us fits. We don't have great perimeter defense, so a team like Phoenix exposed our major weakness.

We beat Phoenix at home. Also defeated San Ant, Den, Chic, Golden St, and others with fast/penetrating PG's. Are you saying you'd rather play a team with a big physical front court like Houston in the playoffs instead of Phoenix? I'd still rather take the Phoenix match-up. I like our chances against them in a series, especially where we have HCA.

 

[magnifier661]

I just don't see phoenix making the playoffs. They've been a great story this year, but the west is just stacked. I would like a first round match up against the Lakers. That would be soooo fun to watch

 

[Natebishop3]

We beat Phoenix at home. Also defeated San Ant, Den, Chic, Golden St, and others with fast/penetrating PG's. Are you saying you'd rather play a team with a big physical front court like Houston in the playoffs instead of Phoenix? I'd still rather take the Phoenix match-up. I like our chances against them in a series, especially where we have HCA.

We beat Phoenix because Dragic went out with a huge gash on his head. If he'd stayed in the game, I think we lose that game. Phoenix is a team made up entirely of jump shooters. Dragic, Bledsoe, Frye, the Morris twins, etc. I think we match up well with Houston. The problem with the Rockets is that the refs are all over their jock. You can't even breath on Harden without drawing a foul.

 

[magnifier661]

We beat Phoenix because Dragic went out with a huge gash on his head. If he'd stayed in the game, I think we lose that game. Phoenix is a team made up entirely of jump shooters. Dragic, Bledsoe, Frye, the Morris twins, etc. I think we match up well with Houston. The problem with the Rockets is that the refs are all over their jock. You can't even breath on Harden without drawing a foul.

And he travels, pushes off and flops without violation. It is seriously a big issue to me.

 

[Natebishop3]

And he travels, pushes off and flops without violation. It is seriously a big issue to me.

He is definitely one of the most coddled in the league, which is made worse BECAUSE he takes advantage of it.

 

[Kaydow]

I just don't see phoenix making the playoffs. They've been a great story this year, but the west is just stacked. I would like a first round match up against the Lakers. That would be soooo fun to watch

Oh Mags, great call. We've never beaten a Kobe Bryant led Laker team in a playoff series. Who knows what he'll look like when he comes back? Either way, a playoff series win against the Lakers & denying Kobe a chance at a 6th ring would be epic.

 

[magnifier661]

Oh Mags, great call. We've never beaten a Kobe Bryant led Laker team in a playoff series. Who knows what he'll look like when he comes back? Either way, a playoff series win against the Lakers & denying Kobe a chance at a 6th ring would be epic.

Our only championship was when the Blazers beat the Lakers in the playoffs. Also, we've made it to the finals, beating the Lakers in the first round. I would love to see us get the 1st seed and Lakers the 8th and completely sweep these fools! Also, it would be bitter sweet to see them live in mediocracy in a stacked draft.

 

[Draco]

We beat Phoenix at home. Also defeated San Ant, Den, Chic, Golden St, and others with fast/penetrating PG's. Are you saying you'd rather play a team with a big physical front court like Houston in the playoffs instead of Phoenix? I'd still rather take the Phoenix match-up. I like our chances against them in a series, especially where we have HCA.

Yeah I think Houston might be the team I least want to see in the playoffs. We’ve played great against the Spurs, we’ve had success switching Batum onto PG’s for parts of a game. Houston’s has had up and down stretches this year but if Howard is playing well he is demoralizing inside. He commands the kind of attention that can collapse our defense and then we’ll be totally out of position with Harden or Parsons. The other great players in the west; Durant, CP3, Parker, Curry; just are easier to take out of a game. You can make those players take difficult perimeter shots. If Dwight is playing great inside it just feels like theres no option a defense can use to take him out of the game.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah I think Houston might be the team I least want to see in the playoffs. We’ve played great against the Spurs, we’ve had success switching Batum onto PG’s for parts of a game. Houston’s has had up and down stretches this year but if Howard is playing well he is demoralizing inside. He commands the kind of attention that can collapse our defense and then we’ll be totally out of position with Harden or Parsons. The other great players in the west; Durant, CP3, Parker, Curry; just are easier to take out of a game. You can make those players take difficult perimeter shots. If Dwight is playing great inside it just feels like theres no option a defense can use to take him out of the game.

To be fair, how many other players in the league are like Howard? As much as I like Hibbert, he's not an offensive force like Howard. Who else has a center that can dominate the paint like D12? I still like our chances against a physical team like Indy, but a guy like Howard can just set up shop in the paint and throw people out of the way without getting a foul called or a three in the key. There's not much you can do about that.

 

[Draco]

To be fair, how many other players in the league are like Howard? As much as I like Hibbert, he's not an offensive force like Howard. Who else has a center that can dominate the paint like D12? I still like our chances against a physical team like Indy, but a guy like Howard can just set up shop in the paint and throw people out of the way without getting a foul called or a three in the key. There's not much you can do about that.

Yes when Howard is playing well he’s one of a kind. That’s why I want a different opponent in the first round.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes when Howard is playing well he’s one of a kind. That’s why I want a different opponent in the first round.

I don't want Houston, mostly because I don't want to face the refs that come with Houston. I was just pointing out that I think we do better against physical teams like the Spurs, Pacers, etc. Teams like Golden State and Phoenix worry me.

 

[Boise Blazer]

As the season has continued along, those that think the team will finish around .500 are having to predict worse and worse results for the fewer and fewer remaining games. At what point do their predictions of collapse face an overall floor of performance, where they will be able to admit the team will finish maybe 10 games above .500?

Right now we are at 15-3. So we would have to finish 26-38 to finish .500 at 41-41. 12 games under .500. Not impossible but very very VERY unlikely.

 

[Boise Blazer]

NBA.com/Stats @nbastats
The @Trailblazers (15-3) could go .500 the rest of the way (32-32) & still finish w/ 14 more wins than last season (33-49)

 

[oldmangrouch]

Right now we are at 15-3. So we would have to finish 26-38 to finish .500 at 41-41. 12 games under .500. Not impossible but very very VERY unlikely.

Stotts career winning% as a head coach = 42%

42% over the rest of the season would be 27-37.

I'd take out at least one "very" from your statement.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Stotts career winning% as a head coach = 42%

42% over the rest of the season would be 27-37.

I'd take out at least one "very" from your statement.

I'm one of the biggest proponents of using "past behavior is the best predictor of future results" around here, but in Stott's defense what kind of talent level did he have on those teams? If nothing else I think the Blazers have good starters and complimentary pieces.

 

[Draco]

Stotts career winning% as a head coach = 42%

42% over the rest of the season would be 27-37.

I'd take out at least one "very" from your statement.

What terrible logic, as if the coach matters more than the players?

Stotts teams best player when he coached Milwaukee was Mo Williams. Here he's the 6th.

 

[oldmangrouch]

When Stotts was hired, everybody here thought he was a place-holder who would be gone when the team was ready to compete. Opinions ranged from "meh" to "yuck!". Now folks have all sorts of confidence in him?

Sorry - not ready to drink that kool-aid yet.

 

[Nikolokolus]

When Stotts was hired, everybody here thought he was a place-holder who would be gone when the team was ready to compete. Opinions ranged from "meh" to "yuck!". Now folks have all sorts of confidence in him?

Sorry - not ready to drink that kool-aid yet.

Who's saying that? The most praiseworthy thing I've read in this thread is from Elton who is glad the players seem to be buying in to whatever he's selling.

 

[KingSpeed]

When Stotts was hired, everybody here thought he was a place-holder who would be gone when the team was ready to compete. Opinions ranged from "meh" to "yuck!". Now folks have all sorts of confidence in him?

Sorry - not ready to drink that kool-aid yet.

When will you be ready?

 

[oldmangrouch]

When will you be ready?

One of the big keys to successful NBA coaching is the ability to make adjustments.

Can Stotts keep the team playing well for 82 games? Can he adapt on the fly under the pressure of a play-off series?

Ask again at the end of the season. Stotts has done fine so far - but he has to sustain it. History suggests he can do it on the offensive end, but not the defensive.

 

[maxiep]

As the season has continued along, those that think the team will finish around .500 are having to predict worse and worse results for the fewer and fewer remaining games. At what point do their predictions of collapse face an overall floor of performance, where they will be able to admit the team will finish maybe 10 games above .500?

I have zero problem admitting how incredibly wrong I was about this team.