Pelton's drinking some of our Zeroes Kool Aid!

[BrianFromWA]

ESPN's Pelton on Trail Blazers: "There's More Talent Here Than People Think"

(nba.com/blazers, Cody Sharrett)

Previewing the NBA season on SportsCenter on Tuesday, ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton believes the Trail Blazers will fare better in 2015-16 than most other national pundits project. Pelton goes as far as predicting that Portland could even compete for a playoff spot:
"I think a lot of people think this team is going to be near the bottom of the Western Conference, maybe winning in the 20s, but there's more talent here than people think. Guys like Ed Davis and Mason Plumlee, and then also Al-Farouq Aminu on the wing: players who have always shined in terms of advanced statistics, whether it's ESPN's Real Plus/Minus or some of the box score stats and getting an opportunity to do a little bit more. I think that Portland could be competitive even for the eight seed if everything breaks right."

Rebuttal, HCP?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Beat me to it. I was just about to post.

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, if that hasn't been previously obvious from some of my posts regarding this team.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It'll take a lot of luck to make any noise, but I'm glad to see someone recognize the value of the moves we made.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Beat me to it. I was just about to post.

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, if that hasn't been previously obvious from some of my posts regarding this team.

I'm looking forward to seeing how our defense maintains over multiple games, but that first game with the Top 8 roster was impressive. Like not quite Miracle Minute impressive, but way better than anything we've seen in years.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

SonicsKevin oft doesn't know what he's talking about. Horrible analysis, relies on numbers too much and often times they really aren't very good observations.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I'm looking forward to seeing how our defense maintains over multiple games, but that first game with the Top 8 roster was impressive. Like not quite Miracle Minute impressive, but way better than anything we've seen in years.

And that was without Aminu. I expect he'll fill the stat sheet, like Batum, even if he's not putting up a ton of points.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

He's on crack if he thinks we are going to even sniff the playoffs.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

He's on crack if he thinks we are going to even sniff the playoffs.

Says the guy who's flying 1000 miles to watch a Blazers preseason game.....

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Says the guy who's flying 1000 miles to watch a Blazers preseason game.....

I'm on coke, not crack, so my analysis is spot on, if anything. :MARIS61:

 

[THE HCP]

ESPN's Pelton on Trail Blazers: "There's More Talent Here Than People Think"

(nba.com/blazers, Cody Sharrett)



Rebuttal, HCP?

The reason he says we might contend for a playoff spot is because we have Davis, Plumee and Aminu.......that's the EXACT reason I say we will win 20 games. How somebody gets their job as an "insider" is beyond belief sometimes.

 

[Natebishop3]

The reason he says we might contend for a playoff spot is because we have Davis, Plumee and Aminu.......that's the EXACT reason I say we will win 20 games. How somebody gets their job as an "insider" is beyond belief sometimes.

Yeah, but they pay you to stay in the truck and keep your opinions to yourself

 

[BlayZa]

basketball has always been about how the team works on the floor. sure may only have one legit superstar in Dame, but it takes a solid cohesive team to win games - and honestly, i think we could have that in the makings:

* a lot of underdog/unrealised potential/under appreciated players looking to define their careers and do whatever to WIN
* most are pretty young and very hungry for success and validation
* a coach who will work with the complete unit
* an owner who favors culture and team family
* low expectations externally, but pretty high within the team id think
* lots of potential 'didnt see him being that good!' stories
* the potential for a lot of high energy games - we'll work people on the floor.
* a fanbase who is legitimately rooting for them, regardless of all the above's negative flipsides
* other shit.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The reason he says we might contend for a playoff spot is because we have Davis, Plumee and Aminu.......that's the EXACT reason I say we will win 20 games. How somebody gets their job as an "insider" is beyond belief sometimes.

Kinda the same feeling I have when I think about how you do something other than landscaping... #glassceilings

 

[andalusian]

I still believe this is a 30+ win team, 33 is where I see this team reasonably ending - but if everything works great - they might be a bit higher.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Ooh ooh in before "I thought national writers were idiots...so you only agree with them when they have something good to say?"

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I like the talent, just need another star and this team would be scary.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Beat me to it. I was just about to post.

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, if that hasn't been previously obvious from some of my posts regarding this team.

So, now you drink kool-aid to surprise your liver instead of water?

 

[HailBlazers]

It'll take a lot of luck to make any noise, but I'm glad to see someone recognize the value of the moves we made.

Was just telling Meteoric Man the other day it was bound to happen. Figured it would be Pelton, he gets it.

 

[Eastoff]

Kinda the same feeling I have when I think about how you do something other than landscaping... #glassceilings

This is pushing it.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Man, most of you are such pessimists. 42+ or bust baby!!!

So HCP, when the Blazers hit the 30 win mark this year, will you get on here and bow down and say you were wrong and all that crap about being sa vet in the know got you know where compared to some of us optimistic rookies?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I like the talent, just need another star and this team would be scary.

I think we have a couple of those in the making on this roster. Remember the OKC team with Harden off the bench? You could have said the same thing before their unknowns became what they are. The only real name they had then was KD..

 

[B-Roy]

I think we have a couple of those in the making on this roster. Remember the OKC team with Harden off the bench? You could have said the same thing before their unknowns became what they are. The only real name they had then was KD..

Not really. Harden and Westbrook were top 5 picks that showed more in one season than CJ/Meyers have their entire career so far. Ibaka was already a 10/8/2 player his second season.

Of course, our guys haven't had the opportunity to prove themselves yet, which they will get this season. Still, the comparison isn't really apt.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

So, now you drink kool-aid to surprise your liver instead of water?

It's not much of a surprise - Kool-Aid isn't far off from some of the wines I may or may not consume.

I'm impressed by your memory/attention to detail.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Not really. Harden and Westbrook were top 5 picks that showed more in one season than CJ/Meyers have their entire career so far. Ibaka was already a 10/8/2 player his second season.

Of course, our guys haven't had the opportunity to prove themselves yet, which they will get this season. Still, the comparison isn't really apt.

Not to spli hairs here, this roster is chock full of lottery picks. Who knows?

 

[Chris Craig]

Kevin's eyes were opened after seeing how we played in the first pre-season game, as I suspect other Analysts were getting prepared to insert their feet in their mouths....come on in, the Kool Aid is fine!

 

[BigGameDamian]

I've been drinking Vonleh kool-Aid.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Ooh ooh in before "I thought national writers were idiots...so you only agree with them when they have something good to say?"

Nah, when I eviscerate national writers, it's because of their unsubstantiated, non-researched, illogical clownshoe opinions, not because all national writers are idiots.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I've been drinking Vonleh kool-Aid.

Kool-Vonleh'd.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This team is so hard to predict because all of the guys who have very nice advanced stats have had limited roles on their respective teams. We're counting on them being able to keep the stats good with an expanded role. This also applies to Leonard and McCollum. So... if they do keep the same per40 stats as when they were playing sub-20 mpg, we'll be golden. (By which I mean: 9th or 10th in the West, which is actually pretty bad from a drafting perspective.) But if Lillard goes down it's another story.

I still say this team has a good chance to be like the Orlando team that won Doc Rivers coach of the year.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't think Pelton is going too far out on a limb by saying: "I think that Portland could be competitive even for the eight seed if everything breaks right."

If Dame NEVER misses a game, why couldn't we be competitive with the teams that will be in the hunt for #8. The top 7 are much better than us, but I am not sure the rest are. Which is not exactly saying a lot.

Who are locks? (SA, Clips, Memphis, Houston, OKC, GS, N.O)

So we are talking about "if everything goes right", can we be competitive with Utah, Sacramento, Dallas, and Phoenix.........Maybe not, but it is not that far fetched.