Over 5 games the Blazers have the 13th ranked defense

[blazerkor]

Detroit and Toronto are a hellofa drug.

Toronto shooting half of their normal percent from three and not because we were forcing bad shots is the biggest reason why we're flying so high right now. I think we should have won against Detroit. Wins against Detroit, Washington and Houston are about a 50/50 proposition, wins against any other team in the league will either be because our guys are on fire or the other team royally fucks up (see Raptors, Toronto).

 

[BIG Q]

Our defense rating is because of our actual effort, which is good
Our offense rating is because of a ton of mistakes (missed cutters, lost dribbles, etc.) which is fixable

We will be good in a year.

On the OKC plan;

Durant
Westbrook
Harden, Ibaka

Can we get lucky and replicate this?

 

[Samuel]

Toronto shooting half of their normal percent from three and not because we were forcing bad shots is the biggest reason why we're flying so high right now. I think we should have won against Detroit. Wins against Detroit, Washington and Houston are about a 50/50 proposition, wins against any other team in the league will either be because our guys are on fire or the other team royally fucks up (see Raptors, Toronto).

I think it's possible that later in the year we'll be a tick more competitive as guys get familiar with each other and the Scoot's and other developmental type players cut back on the turnovers and bad shots. Not to mention Ant's gravity helping create space.

But yes, a lot of Portland sucking this year will be related to being in the western conference which is a no-nights-off type of proposition.

 

[blazerkor]

I think it's possible that later in the year we'll be a tick more competitive as guys get familiar with each other and the Scoot's and other developmental type players cut back on the turnovers and bad shots. Not to mention Ant's gravity helping create space.

But yes, a lot of Portland sucking this year will be related to being in the western conference which is a no-nights-off type of proposition.

Right around the time Scoot is getting it and the team is starting to gel we will trade Jerami, Malcolm and Tisse. I don't think anyone will even have to sit games out at the end of the season because we'll have one of the three worst records in the league locked up. We'll see though, weirder things have happened than this squad ending up with around 35 wins.

 

[Samuel]

Right around the time Scoot is getting it and the team is starting to gel we will trade Jerami, Malcolm and Tisse. I don't think anyone will even have to sit games out at the end of the season because we'll have one of the three worst records in the league locked up. We'll see though, weirder things have happened than this squad ending up with around 35 wins.

I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just saying that the games will probably be closer. The hope is you are a lottery team and not getting completely housed every night—even after the deadline.

 

[beast blazer]

I don't think the position is a factor any longer, because both forward spots are guarding the perimeter, and there are so many long rebounds. Look at Hart, he is a great rebounder at 6'5" because he tracks the ball so well. Shae is good at it as well. I think Scoot and Camara will be too. Grant is a poor rebounder for sure, but whether or not he plays the 3 or the 4....not sure it matters. We just need to make sure the other forward is physical and is quick to the ball. Camara seems like he will fit that bill, especially if he is consistent from the 3-point line.

The key question isn't so much size as it is what the player brings to the court. Teams need rebounding, players that can finish inside at a very high rate, and interior defense is helpful. About 40% of points are still scored in the paint....even more when you consider most FTs are the result of fouls in the paint.

 

[HansenYang]

On the OKC plan;

Durant
Westbrook
Harden, Ibaka

Can we get lucky and replicate this?

But please avoid the moody, self-absorbed personalities.

 

[wizenheimer]

But please avoid the moody, self-absorbed personalities.

you should have been advising me before I married my ex-wives