NY Times picks Blazers to win NW Division

[Shooter]

Do the buffoons at the New York Times know something?

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/2...below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0&referrer=

 

[BrianFromWA]

As other teams deal with injuries and roster turnover, the Trail Blazers are remarkably intact. A season after they improved by 21 wins, it is reasonable to expect some regression. But LaMarcus Aldridge proved to be among the game’s dominant players in the postseason, and Damian Lillard has coolly shot his way into the Portland record books. If there is improvement to be made, it may come from Nicolas Batum, who can do virtually anything on the court but has yet to show consistency.

Why, exactly? I mean, they already "regressed" from their hot-as-hailing-sulfur start in the middle of the season, before turning it on again after LMA came back. They played decently for them over the course of the season--definitely not otherworldly. There were a ton of buckets left out there and a ton of buckets given up that shouldn't have been.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

In before Wooks can say, "NY Times," LOL....

 

[PtldPlatypus]

No, they know nothing. Nobody knows anything. Only S2 knows anything, as most in here know everything. Just ask them, they'll tell you.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Shooter, good to see you back. Nice avy as always.

Nice to see someone nationally say something positive, but this is not the consensus.

Do the buffoons at the New York Times know something?

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/2...below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0&referrer=

 

[KingSpeed]

We won't regress. Amazing that people are still sleeping on us.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

We won't regress. Amazing that people are still sleeping on us.

Exactly. I amazed that minus Mo, plus Blake and Kamen doesn't make the 'experts' realize that we addressed a few weaknesses.

 

[KingSpeed]

Exactly. I amazed that minus Mo, plus Blake and Kamen doesn't make the 'experts' realize that we addressed a few weaknesses.

Not to mention that our starters have been improving every year.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Kamen was a better scorer off the bench than Mo last year. No joke. Mo did nothing special.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

We won't regress. Amazing that people are still sleeping on us.

My Rose Garden Colored Glasses says...
5 starters + injuries + worst bench in the history of the league: 33 wins
5 improved starters + worst bench in league: 54 wins
5 more improved starters + average bench: sky is limit (if there aren't significant injuries)

 

[KingSpeed]

Kamen was a better scorer off the bench than Mo last year. No joke. Mo did nothing special.

Mo led all bench players in the NBA in assists per game. That's pretty special. He was also a leader. Plus, he got the steal and three pointer that we needed to win Game 4. We don't win that series without Mo.

 

[KingSpeed]

My Rose Garden Colored Glasses says...
5 starters + injuries + worst bench in the history of the league: 33 wins
5 improved starters + worst bench in league: 54 wins
5 more improved starters + average bench: sky is limit (if there aren't significant injuries)

I honestly believe we'll challenge for 60 wins. Lillard is making another jump.

 

[RoyToy]

Kamen was a better scorer off the bench than Mo last year. No joke. Mo did nothing special.

Mo gave the team a second ball handler and could bring the ball up the court with ease

Lillard is the only guy on the roster that can do that right now

 

[magnifier661]

I honestly believe we'll challenge for 60 wins. Lillard is making another jump.

I actually agree with you. I get this weird feeling this team is really going to take the league by surprise. Maybe even a 64 win mark.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Mo gave the team a second ball handler and could bring the ball up the court with ease

Lillard is the only guy on the roster that can do that right now

Sounds like something Blake gets paid to do...

 

[Strenuus]

Mo gave the team a second ball handler and could bring the ball up the court with ease

Lillard is the only guy on the roster that can do that right now

youre right... mo did do that... and then held the ball for 18 more seconds for funsies. why did we let him go?! god i wish i knew basketball..........

 

[fumanchu]

Mo gave the team a second ball handler and could bring the ball up the court with ease

Lillard is the only guy on the roster that can do that right now

That's a good point. Mo is a great ball handler that can handle pressure. I have many memories of Blake throwing the ball away under pressure, and I saw it a bit in pre-season. I don't want Blake in there in clutch moments like Mo often was.

I think Mo is very undervalued around here and his absence will be noticed.

 

[stampedehero]

Why, exactly? I mean, they already "regressed" from their hot-as-hailing-sulfur start in the middle of the season, before turning it on again after LMA came back. They played decently for them over the course of the season--definitely not otherworldly. There were a ton of buckets left out there and a ton of buckets given up that shouldn't have been.

> After the all star break, forum member predicitons were entrenched in multi game win streaks and I appreciate die hard loyalty. After the Utah debacle and the Memphis melt down on "JK25 remembered" night, my predict of 2-2 re starts on Thursday. We gotta finish games....... I hope Affallo is the mud that sticks.
Back in the late 80's/early 90's I was so Intense into them and for my own health realized the playoffs are worth real aggravation and heart palpitations rather than betting the house on a game in late February.

 

[dviss1]

Mo gave the team a second ball handler and could bring the ball up the court with ease

Lillard is the only guy on the roster that can do that right now

Er... Blake?? Batum??? C'mon now...

 

[dviss1]

That's a good point. Mo is a great ball handler that can handle pressure. I have many memories of Blake throwing the ball away under pressure, and I saw it a bit in pre-season. I don't want Blake in there in clutch moments like Mo often was.

I think Mo is very undervalued around here and his absence will be noticed.

Yes it will be noticed. We have better ball movement and no more chucking at the end of the shot clock after dribbling for 20 seconds of it....

 

[stampedehero]

Yes it will be noticed. We have better ball movement and no more chucking at the end of the shot clock after dribbling for 20 seconds of it....

>> Yes Yes Good Observe.....