OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA THREAD -May 2021

[BlazerBeav]

Yep and Dallas has the easy schedule so we are definitely in the Play in games

Except that we can pass LA given their schedule with a win on Friday.

 

[wizenheimer]

I'm looking at the Western Conference standings with about 7 games to go for most teams and I don't see a lot of encouraging news for Portland:



to start with, I know quite a few people seem to be counting on at least a couple of Utah, Phoenix, or Denver resting starters when Portland plays them. But Utah and Phoenix are locked into a major battle for #1 seed, and unless one of them craps the bed in the nest 4 games, they will very likely be playing to win when Portland faces them

meanwhile Denver is locked in a battle with the Clippers for 3rd seed, with the loser likely having to face the Lakers. Now, the Blazer game is the last game of the season for both teams so things may be settled, at least for Denver by then. At the same time, Denver own the tiebreaker over the Clippers so that may increase the odds they will be playing to win

Dallas has an easier schedule than Portland but there are some mine fields there, so there is still a decent chance Portland can catch them...just as long as they don't blow one of the games against Cleveland and Houston. Bottom line though right now is that Dallas has one less loss

and if Portland falls into the play-in, look who could be waiting for the Blazers...the fucking Warriors. That's the team that Portland has a 1-12 record against over the last 5 playoffs, and has lost 10 in a row. That's a pretty scary matchup for Portland in game 1 of the play-in

 

[tester551]

and if Portland falls into the play-in, look who could be waiting for the Blazers...the fucking Warriors. That's the team that Portland has a 1-12 record against over the last 5 playoffs, and has lost 10 in a row. That's a pretty scary matchup for Portland in game 1 of the play-in

I'm done with this team in its current makeup. We desperately need fresh ideas and approach.

Unfortunately, I think this the best hope of a major shakeup occurring.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Thinking outside the box a bit. Please allow me a little leeway here.

Just was thinking what if the play-in was pretty much a foregone conclusion and the Blazers played to that end. Resting players knowing they would have to win a couple extra games to get into the playoffs?

If the Blazers get into a position where the playoffs are only obtainable by getting through the play-in maybe they should plan for that? I feel it will be pretty obvious by the beginning of next week where they will be sitting.

Reasonable?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Thinking outside the box a bit. Please allow me a little leeway here.

Just was thinking what if the play-in was pretty much a foregone conclusion and the Blazers played to that end. Resting players knowing they would have to win a couple extra games to get into the playoffs?

If the Blazers get into a position where the playoffs are only obtainable by getting through the play-in maybe they should plan for that? I feel it will be pretty obvious by the beginning of next week where they will be sitting.

Reasonable?

No, I don't think so. They need to play together as much as possible, especially with Powell and the tightened rotation. Nurk needs to play to keep getting in shape and a good rhythm. The easiest path is not to have to play-in, so go for that. Maybe if with one game left, they know they must play-in, then rest guys.

 

[wizenheimer]

Thinking outside the box a bit. Please allow me a little leeway here.

Just was thinking what if the play-in was pretty much a foregone conclusion and the Blazers played to that end. Resting players knowing they would have to win a couple extra games to get into the playoffs?

If the Blazers get into a position where the playoffs are only obtainable by getting through the play-in maybe they should plan for that? I feel it will be pretty obvious by the beginning of next week where they will be sitting.

Reasonable?

sure, that's possible. But, right now, the race for playoff vs play-in is so tight, and there are so many variables, I don't think teams will know where they stand till the last 1 or 2 games of the season. It still may come down to that last night of the season

for instance, look at the Lakers: they are in 5th place, but only 1 game above the play-in. Like Portland, 7 games left. But they have 3 back-2-back's left in that 7 game schedule; Portland has 2. Their first B2B is against the Clippers, then Blazers, starting Thursday. Their 2 stars are coming back from injury and haven't been playing both games of a B2B. I've seen people here say that Portland might catch a break and play the Lakers without Lebron or AD; maybe both. But from the Lakers perspective: they are 6 games behind the Clippers; won't catch them. And even if they did play both their stars there's no guarantee they'd win. On the other hand, there's a lot more at stake for them in the Portland game. If they play to win that game by committing their stars, they can actually gain 2 games on Portland because they'd win the tiebreaker. The Portland game is more important to the Lakers than the Clipper game. I wouldn't count of Portland catching a break Friday night

and if the Lakers do beat the Blazers, then it would probably come down to Portland vs Dallas for 6th. The two toughest games for Dallas are the next 2, at least on paper; at Miami, Brooklyn. Portland may be a game up on Dallas by Friday night, but on paper, Portland has a much more difficult 5 game closing schedule

 

[PCmor7]

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Followed this by saying he didn't think he would ever be 100% healthy again.

 

[PCmor7]

Followed this by saying he didn't think he would ever be 100% healthy again.

Flopping from phantom fouls have ended so many careers prematurely ....

 

[BigGameDamian]

I'm looking at the Western Conference standings with about 7 games to go for most teams and I don't see a lot of encouraging news for Portland:

View attachment 38360

to start with, I know quite a few people seem to be counting on at least a couple of Utah, Phoenix, or Denver resting starters when Portland plays them. But Utah and Phoenix are locked into a major battle for #1 seed, and unless one of them craps the bed in the nest 4 games, they will very likely be playing to win when Portland faces them

meanwhile Denver is locked in a battle with the Clippers for 3rd seed, with the loser likely having to face the Lakers. Now, the Blazer game is the last game of the season for both teams so things may be settled, at least for Denver by then. At the same time, Denver own the tiebreaker over the Clippers so that may increase the odds they will be playing to win

Dallas has an easier schedule than Portland but there are some mine fields there, so there is still a decent chance Portland can catch them...just as long as they don't blow one of the games against Cleveland and Houston. Bottom line though right now is that Dallas has one less loss

and if Portland falls into the play-in, look who could be waiting for the Blazers...the fucking Warriors. That's the team that Portland has a 1-12 record against over the last 5 playoffs, and has lost 10 in a row. That's a pretty scary matchup for Portland in game 1 of the play-in

 

[twobullz]

Lebron has been ruled out for the next two games, so he won't play against the Clippers or Blazers.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Thanks for nothing, Denver.

Actually, that result helped us. If Dallas loses tonight, we’re 6th. But if Lakers had lost, a Dallas loss would’ve put us at 7th since we lose the 3way tie.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

I'm looking at the Western Conference standings with about 7 games to go for most teams and I don't see a lot of encouraging news for Portland:

View attachment 38360

to start with, I know quite a few people seem to be counting on at least a couple of Utah, Phoenix, or Denver resting starters when Portland plays them. But Utah and Phoenix are locked into a major battle for #1 seed, and unless one of them craps the bed in the nest 4 games, they will very likely be playing to win when Portland faces them

meanwhile Denver is locked in a battle with the Clippers for 3rd seed, with the loser likely having to face the Lakers. Now, the Blazer game is the last game of the season for both teams so things may be settled, at least for Denver by then. At the same time, Denver own the tiebreaker over the Clippers so that may increase the odds they will be playing to win

Dallas has an easier schedule than Portland but there are some mine fields there, so there is still a decent chance Portland can catch them...just as long as they don't blow one of the games against Cleveland and Houston. Bottom line though right now is that Dallas has one less loss

and if Portland falls into the play-in, look who could be waiting for the Blazers...the fucking Warriors. That's the team that Portland has a 1-12 record against over the last 5 playoffs, and has lost 10 in a row. That's a pretty scary matchup for Portland in game 1 of the play-in

What’s the difference between 1 and 2 seed this year? I don’t see why either team would care. Resting stars is way more important. They won’t even be able to control their matchup because of play-in.

 

[JoshuaHall]

What’s the difference between 1 and 2 seed this year? I don’t see why either team would care. Resting stars is way more important. They won’t even be able to control their matchup because of play-in.

HCA and every stadium except blazers allows fans so it’s not entirely fake

 

[PCmor7]

Actually, that result helped us. If Dallas loses tonight, we’re 6th. But if Lakers had lost, a Dallas loss would’ve put us at 7th since we lose the 3way tie.

How does that work that we'd lose a three-way tie when we'd have won the season series with both other teams (if we beat the Lakers later this week)?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

How does that work that we'd lose a three-way tie when we'd have won the season series with both other teams (if we beat the Lakers later this week)?

The 3way tie breaker is division winner. Dallas is currently winning their division. Totally stupid. If we’re 2-1 vs Lakers, we’ll be 2nd in 3way tie.

 

[PCmor7]

The 3way tie breaker is division winner. Dallas is currently winning their division. Totally stupid. If we’re 2-1 vs Lakers, we’ll be 2nd in 3way tie.

Thanks. Yeah, that is dumb. It seems like if you'd use that for a three-way tie it'd be the first tiebreaker for a two-way tie. It's dumb either way.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Still can’t believe with Olshey wanting a versatile big man so bad he rated Zach freaking Collins over Bam Abedeyo. This blunder right here cost us a bunch of wasted time for Dame

Smh

 

[blazerkor]

What’s the difference between 1 and 2 seed this year? I don’t see why either team would care. Resting stars is way more important. They won’t even be able to control their matchup because of play-in.

Well the Jazz and Nuggets always have a huge home court advantage because they train at that elevation, so they will definitely be fighting for it. Every day states loosen up their COVID guidelines so by the later rounds crowds could become a major factor. I even have to imagine that any team/player that can look up into the stands and see people cheering them on will get at least a little boost.

Edit: I would also imagine that the team that will have to face the Utah and Denver won't want to give them that advantage. I expect these teams to play it through the end.

 

[RoseCityRebel]

Still can’t believe with Olshey wanting a versatile big man so bad he rated Zach freaking Collins over Bam Abedeyo. This blunder right here cost us a bunch of wasted time for Dame

Smh

What makes it even worse is that Olshey was the only GM in the NBA to pass on Bam. Oh, wait.

Check out the 2012 draft and tell me how many of the 30 players selected in the first round and the 5 drafted before Lillard are still on the team that drafted them, and how many are franchise players.

 

[blazerkor]

What makes it even worse is that Olshey was the only GM in the NBA to pass on Bam. Oh, wait.

Check out the 2012 draft and tell me how many of the 30 players selected in the first round and the 5 drafted before Lillard are still on the team that drafted them, and how many are franchise players.

That's not an argument for Olshey's draft prowess. Dame was already the team's pick when Olshey was brought on board. I guess in theory, you could give Olshey credit for not telling everyone to go fuck themselves in the two weeks he had the job leading up to the draft but he doesn't get credit for Dame.

 

[RoseCityRebel]

That's not an argument for Olshey's draft prowess. Dame was already the team's pick when Olshey was brought on board. I guess in theory, you could give Olshey credit for not telling everyone to go fuck themselves in the two weeks he had the job leading up to the draft but he doesn't get credit for Dame.

Check out the 2013 draft, too. Olshey has hit massively on two lottery picks and missed on two others, and his highest pick was at #6.

How dare he miss on Giannis!!

 

[Sheldon Shape]

That's not an argument for Olshey's draft prowess. Dame was already the team's pick when Olshey was brought on board. I guess in theory, you could give Olshey credit for not telling everyone to go fuck themselves in the two weeks he had the job leading up to the draft but he doesn't get credit for Dame.

He gets credit for drafting Damian Lillard because he was the GM. He had been scouting him all season. People who bring this up as a reason to not give Olshey credit is silly. He absolutely knows how to draft guards. His big man record? Not particularly good however. And, I'm saying this as an Olshey fan. He's generally been very good in the draft. I really think Elleby is going to be very good for us.

 

[RoseCityRebel]

Simons and Little look to be NBA rotation players as they develop after being later first round picks, too. He also drafted Will Barton, Jake Layman, and Gary Trent Jr. in the second round. All NBA rotation players.

I’m not sure what more Olshey can do other than having a Durant or LeBron sign as a free agent, which will never happen for Portland. 6’2” PGs don’t have a long history of being the best player on title teams. Isiah Thomas comes to mind but that was more the Basketbrawl/Bad Boys they played than Zeke’s skills.

 

[blazerkor]

Check out the 2013 draft, too. Olshey has hit massively on two lottery picks and missed on two others, and his highest pick was at #6.

How dare he miss on Giannis!!

View attachment 38376

I liked the idea of Nogueira, Giannis or Gobert at the time. I thought there were a lot of really long players in that draft and thought that would have filled a bigger need for us at the time. I thought then and still do think that CJ is just a far more limited version of Dame and the pick was a head scratcher. Olshey sold me on the idea that we were competing for a title and so he took the most NBA ready player to help contribute right away. If I would have known he would cling to CJ like he was the second coming of Michael Jordan and see him as a championship team cornerstone... I would have hated the pick.

 

[blazerkor]

He gets credit for drafting Damian Lillard because he was the GM. He had been scouting him all season. People who bring this up as a reason to not give Olshey credit is silly. He absolutely knows how to draft guards. His big man record? Not particularly good however. And, I'm saying this as an Olshey fan. He's generally been very good in the draft. I really think Elleby is going to be very good for us.

You can say he'd been scouting Dame all you want but the guys who had Dame in for two workouts before Olshey was hired here deserve the credit and some of them are still on the staff. Olshey has drafted guards much better than bigs, I'm not arguing with that. The draft isn't why Olshey should be fired.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

You can say he'd been scouting Dame all you want but the guys who had Dame in for two workouts before Olshey was hired here deserve the credit and some of them are still on the staff. Olshey has drafted guards much better than bigs, I'm not arguing with that. The draft isn't why Olshey should be fired.

Dude. It goes without saying the scouts deserve credit. Obviously. That's every situation with every team. The scouts contribute immensely. Olshey even gave credit to the scouts as Elleby being their idea. That's fine. It's always a team effort.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Well the Jazz and Nuggets always have a huge home court advantage because they train at that elevation, so they will definitely be fighting for it. Every day states loosen up their COVID guidelines so by the later rounds crowds could become a major factor. I even have to imagine that any team/player that can look up into the stands and see people cheering them on will get at least a little boost.

Edit: I would also imagine that the team that will have to face the Utah and Denver won't want to give them that advantage. I expect these teams to play it through the end.

They may play to win but I guarantee you they won’t play their stars those last couple games. Even when we had shot at #3 and out of GS’ bracket in 2019, we rested our guys on last night of season. We won but we rested Dame, CJ, Turner, Enes etc.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

He gets credit for drafting Damian Lillard because he was the GM. He had been scouting him all season. People who bring this up as a reason to not give Olshey credit is silly. He absolutely knows how to draft guards. His big man record? Not particularly good however. And, I'm saying this as an Olshey fan. He's generally been very good in the draft. I really think Elleby is going to be very good for us.

I agree about Elleby. If Powell signs elsewhere, Elleby will be ready.

 

[RoseCityRebel]

Dude. It goes without saying the scouts deserve credit. Obviously. That's every situation with every team. The scouts contribute immensely. Olshey even gave credit to the scouts as Elleby being their idea. That's fine. It's always a team effort.

Lillard should have been the #2 pick and maybe even #1, considering how Anthony Davis is soft, gets injured a lot, and whined his way into playing with one of the Top 2 players of all time after he quit on the Pelicans.