Officially the underdogs

[Mediocre Man]

That's such a stupid stat. PPG in the playoffs is largely determined by matchups. We are in the hundreds because we played the Rockets, who was also in the hundreds. Not to mention 3 games went into overtime.

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

 

[B-Roy]

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

I'm not saying Portland is a good defensive team, but using team ppg doesn't prove anything.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'm not saying Portland is a good defensive team, but using team ppg doesn't prove anything.

So no suggestions, just complaints?

 

[blue32]

Did Elhassen just become the most credible guy at ESPN?

Dude picked us last time, so I believe you are correct!

 

[Natebishop3]

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

How many free throws were shot in each game? How do you factor in fouls and free throws into defense?

Dwight Howard might be the most difficult player to defend in the NBA.

 

[B-Roy]

So no suggestions, just complaints?

That's ironic, coming from you.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That's ironic, coming from you.

I normally offer suggestions. No one likes to hear them, but I offer them

 

[magnifier661]

How many free throws were shot in each game? How do you factor in fouls and free throws into defense?

Dwight Howard might be the most difficult player to defend in the NBA.

The advantage is "Spurs aren't a large market team" like Clippers or Houston. And they don't have high profile players like OKC (Being that Duncan is too old to market and so is Parker). I think the officiating will be called well in this series. Also, I think it's important to note that Lillard has blossomed to a "superstar", while Aldridge is already one. This swill be called well, IMO. And the NBA would love the drama of the underdog "Play as one" team to upset their way to the finals.

And keep in mind that they would love to have Miami win another one. The only team left that can give Miami HCA is Portland.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

"Experts" LOL.*



*copyright BlazerWookee 2008

 

[Nikolokolus]

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

Points per possession would at least normalize for pace ... but we're still not a great defensive team by any measure.

 

[Natebishop3]

Points per possession would at least normalize for pace ... but we're still not a great defensive team by any measure.

We're not, but I don't think anyone actually thinks we're a really good defensive team. I think we can lockdown though, when we have to.

 

[Wheels]

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

I dont know many who would say we are a great defensive team. But going through this thread, you seem rather Combative today MM. Hope all is well.

 

[Natebishop3]

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-round-2-playoffs-preview-024600231--nba.html

No. 1 Spurs vs. No. 5 Blazers

The Spurs got a nice test against the Mavericks and were pushed to a Game 7, but won that game handily. They are the most balanced team in the league and the No. 1 overall seed, and while the Blazers are the feel-good story of these playoffs, with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge riding on cloud 9, it will take everything they have to pull out a seven-game series win over the Spurs. Tim Duncan will have to lock down Aldridge and Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard will have their hands full with Lillard and Nicolas Batum, but I think the Spurs are going to pull this one out behind strong defense and well rested players.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

 

[Mediocre Man]

Russillo says Portland will be intimidated by the Spurs. Says SA will go off because of our poor defense.

Kannell said only team to fear is the Heat

 

[Rhal]

Would there be a different defensive stat that I could use that wouldn't be "stupid?" Or is it better to just say I am wrong and Portland is a defensive juggernaut?

Come on now, using PPG to define D is a very stupid way to do it. Point differential combined with FG% and pace gives a better view. Going into the playoffs since the AS break we were the 6th best defensive team using this graph

We are nowhere near a "defensive" Juggernaut but average to below average is where our team sits defensively. Are we the worst defensive team in the playoffs? Its a toss up between us/Brooklyn/Wizards and if you want to put us last sure you can do that but "not even close" is just an exaggeration steaming from such a high scoring series since we played the team with the second best offense in the playoffs.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Come on now, using PPG to define D is a very stupid way to do it. Point differential combined with FG% and pace gives a better view. Going into the playoffs since the AS break we were the 6th best defensive team using this graph

We are nowhere near a "defensive" Juggernaut but average to below average is where our team sits defensively. Are we the worst defensive team in the playoffs? Its a toss up between us/Brooklyn/Wizards and if you want to put us last sure you can do that but "not even close" is just an exaggeration steaming from such a high scoring series since we played the team with the second best offense in the playoffs.

Cowherd said not even close. I was repeating what he said

 

[Natebishop3]

Cowherd said not even close. I was repeating what he said

Cowherd just spent the last three hours talking about gay football players.

 

[Rhal]

Cowherd said not even close. I was repeating what he said

I should have typed it better, meant for my post to be directed at what Cowherd said not at you.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Cowherd just spent the last three hours talking about gay football players.

Ya, that was tough to listen to. Good luck and all tyo Michael Sam, but I really couldn't give a shit if he is gay, transecual, straight, white or black. Can you tackle and make plays? Yes? Welcome to my team

 

[Natebishop3]

Ya, that was tough to listen to. Good luck and all tyo Michael Sam, but I really couldn't give a shit if he is gay, transecual, straight, white or black. Can you tackle and make plays? Yes? Welcome to my team

I stopped listening to him because I wanted to hear about NBA basketball. Not NFL draft. So tired of hearing about Manziel and Sam.

 

[Rhal]

Ya, that was tough to listen to. Good luck and all tyo Michael Sam, but I really couldn't give a shit if he is gay, transecual, straight, white or black. Can you tackle and make plays? Yes? Welcome to my team

That should be all that matters but the media circus surrounding Michael Sam is going to be absolutely nuts, probably drive away teams who would otherwise have taken him and he will fall. Would be good for a team that will shut out the media and not let stuff about him get out, maybe the patriots taking him would be a good way to end a lot of the talk about it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That should be all that matters but the media circus surrounding Michael Sam is going to be absolutely nuts, probably drive away teams who would otherwise have taken him and he will fall. Would be good for a team that will shut out the media and not let stuff about him get out, maybe the patriots taking him would be a good way to end a lot of the talk about it.

Cowherd is right. Guy is a marginal player anyway, so no big deal

 

[illmatic99]

If i was betting, I would go with Spurs in 7 as well. No way we beat SA in a game 7, and to win in 6, we would have to win two on the road, which is possible, but i wouldnt bet on it

Not true. If we steal one of the first 3 in SA (1,2, or 5), and then win all of our home games (3, 4, 6), we will win in 6.

And that is my prediction for this series.

 

[ant]

They’re a very good team. They’re very good defensively, so we’re going need everybody to play well.

Well, Tony Parker says we play good D.

 

[Rhal]

Well, Tony Parker says we play good D.

That may be Parkers way of trying to get into stotts head all the while he is thinking "For the love of god don't put Batum on me, come on Lillard is good defensively trust me when I say this after I score 50 on him".

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Not true. If we steal one of the first 3 in SA (1,2, or 5), and then win all of our home games (3, 4, 6), we will win in 6.

And that is my prediction for this series.

Sorry, i didn't specify, you're right, but i was accounting for a home loss in my scenario

 

[ant]

That may be Parkers way of trying to get into stotts head all the while he is thinking "For the love of god don't put Batum on me, come on Lillard is good defensively trust me when I say this after I score 50 on him".

Yeah, the smiley meant I wasn't taking him seriously. Both him and Pops heaped praise on the Blazers in their jedi-mind-trick-veteran-savvy sort of way.

 

[maxiep]

Someone that works for the Blazers, please print and distribute to our hotel rooms.

 

[maxiep]

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-round-2-playoffs-preview-024600231--nba.html

I agreed with almost everything in that analysis except for San Antonio's "well-rested players". SAS just played a seven game series. We've been off since Friday. I think we play four games in a week. That's tough on old legs.

 

[maxiep]

Russillo says Portland will be intimidated by the Spurs. Says SA will go off because of our poor defense.

Kannell said only team to fear is the Heat

I think we will be a bit intimidated. Game One will be a nice measuring stick. If we play close, then we have a chance. It could be a blowout, however.