Pelton's drinking some of our Zeroes Kool Aid!

[e_blazer]

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.

Well, if you put it that way....hand me my glass of Kool-Aid.

 

[Draco]

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..

Still took OKC a good 3 years to be a legit playoff team. Our guys aren't that young but still I don't see a real chance at the playoff the first year together. I agree with Pelton in that they won't be at the bottom of the standings though. Mid tier lottery team.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

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.

That's right! I totally forgot Doc Rivers actually used to be a coach.....

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

And when the unibrow misses 50 games due to his fragile body... NO certainly won't reach their potential.

 

[Draco]

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.

Yeah great point. It's also a real chance one of those 7 top west teams has major injuries as the Thunder did last year. While I don't expect us to be in the playoffs I don't expect us to be at the bottom of the standings. These predictions are for a range so Pelton saying the Blazers could finish from 8th-13th in the west isn't the "Koolaid" endorsement some here are painting it as.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Yeah great point. It's also a real chance one of those 7 top west teams has major injuries as the Thunder did last year. While I don't expect us to be in the playoffs I don't expect us to be at the bottom of the standings. These predictions are for a range so Pelton saying the Blazers could finish from 8th-13th in the west isn't the "Koolaid" endorsement some here are painting it as.

by the way..did they change the seedings for playoffs this year? What effect can that have?

 

[Draco]

by the way..did they change the seedings for playoffs this year? What effect can that have?

Yes they changed it. Is the division winner even guaranteed a playoff spot any more? If Durant injury returns, historically tall guys have foot problems, I wouldn't be shocked if we won the NW division with the 9th best record in the west. Kanter, Westbrook and Lillard could all equally be responsible for a Blazer playoff appearance.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

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.

2007-2008, anyone?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

This is pushing it.

It was HCP-approved - he liked it. He has thick...... skin. Yeah, that's it.

 

[riverman]

Bunch of scrubs, play good defense, don't score much

 

[julius]

I think the team COULD be better than some of us think, based on accepting their roles and giving effort better than last years team.

But I think the team COULD be far worse than we think because they're just so unproven and young.

I'd LOVE for them to make the playoffs, but I'd rather they get a top lottery pick, say top 3. But sometimes teams that know their roles, are athletic and decent shooters, can be better than you'd think. I mean honestly, did anyone foresee the Warriors winning almost 70 games? And no I'm not saying the Blazers are on par with the Warriors, just that sometimes surprises happen.

 

[Sinobas]

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

(nba.com/blazers, Cody Sharrett)



Rebuttal, HCP?

HCP gave me 5:1 odds that the Blazers don't win more than 33 games. He's on! I think we'll win about 38, he says 20.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

<--- Zero Cool

Mess with the best, die like the rest.

 

[BonesJones]

Glad someone recognized the talent... Most writers note how we lost 4 starters and end their analysis at that. As if this team is bad because of what happened to last year's squad, even though they're completely unrelated.

 

[Nikolokolus]

So long as everything breaks right we're good? Oh . . .

 

[BonesJones]

So long as everything breaks right we're good? Oh . . .

Things will go right as long as everything breaks right, right?

 

[BlayZa]

2007-2008, anyone?

lma, frye, jack, outlaw, roy, webster, sergio etc - went 50% on the year - they are saying 20 with this team? i think theres more in them than that at least!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'd LOVE for them to make the playoffs, but I'd rather they get a top lottery pick, say top 3.

I will never understand this line of thinking. If we had a bunch of overpriced aging vets, sure...but we don't. We have a bunch of young lottery picks. We are much better served by them actually being good players.

 

[H.C.]

If the Blazers sniff the playoffs I believe it will say more about the bottom of the West than how good the Blazers are...
Still expect the Blazers to beat up on the East with the talent they've put together.
Maybe they lose a few more road games due to lack of experience both on the floor as a unit and NBA experience...
But still.... the East is bad... Getting better but still bad.

You have teams that should make the playoffs pending injuries to major stars..
Spurs/Thunder/Pelicans/Grizz/Clippers/Rockets.

Then you have teams that have question marks for various reasons...
Mavs/Blazers/Lakers/Suns/Utah/Kings

Personally I believe the Kings/Utah/Mavs will fight over the last two spots in the West.
But they still have questionmarks.
Is Boogie going to get mono again? Is he grown up & ready to be the leader that team needs?
Can the Mavs get healthy before they drop too many games? How many times will JaVale make Shaqtin-a-fool?
Is Utah ready to take that step.. Or are they still too young?

Blazers/Lakers/Suns will be the odd teams out. respectable but nonetheless I don't think they're better than those three teams.


Oh I guess I shouldn't forget about the Wolves and Nuggets.
Lets just call them the ugly step child of the western conference.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If the Blazers sniff the playoffs I believe it will say more about the bottom of the West than how good the Blazers are...
Still expect the Blazers to beat up on the East with the talent they've put together.
Maybe they lose a few more road games due to lack of experience both on the floor as a unit and NBA experience...
But still.... the East is bad... Getting better but still bad.

You have teams that should make the playoffs pending injuries to major stars..
Spurs/Thunder/Pelicans/Grizz/Clippers/Rockets.

Then you have teams that have question marks for various reasons...
Mavs/Blazers/Lakers/Suns/Utah/Kings

Personally I believe the Kings/Utah/Mavs will fight over the last two spots in the West.
But they still have questionmarks.
Is Boogie going to get mono again? Is he grown up & ready to be the leader that team needs?
Can the Mavs get healthy before they drop too many games? How many times will JaVale make Shaqtin-a-fool?
Is Utah ready to take that step.. Or are they still too young?

Blazers/Lakers/Suns will be the odd teams out. respectable but nonetheless I don't think they're better than those three teams.


Oh I guess I shouldn't forget about the Wolves and Nuggets.
Lets just call them the ugly step child of the western conference.

You also forgot about one other team in the West. No one important, mind you, just the defending champions.

If the first 6 you mentioned are playoff locks, then there's really only one shot up for grabs. Personally, I'm not sold that the Pelicans will necessarily be so much better than last year--remember, they've just undergone a coaching change, and Alvin Gentry isn't really considered an upper echelon guy.

 

[Denny Crane]

HCP is wrong.

I think we are a 30 win team just because of Lillard. But...

I think we are even better because we're deep with young guys who put up really good advanced stats. Moneyball.

I like the moves Olshey has made, and we still have a huge chunk of cap space that could turn into a player that can help us make the playoffs.

This team reminds me of the 41-41 Milwaukee Bucks. 45 wins got you 8th seed in the West. I think we're that close.

 

[H.C.]

You also forgot about one other team in the West. No one important, mind you, just the defending champions.

If the first 6 you mentioned are playoff locks, then there's really only one shot up for grabs. Personally, I'm not sold that the Pelicans will necessarily be so much better than last year--remember, they've just undergone a coaching change, and Alvin Gentry isn't really considered an upper echelon guy.

Ha oops. I won't fix it everyone makes mistakes. ty tho. Warriors are easy for me to forget.

Well tbh for the Pelicans I was impressed by AD. With the Injuries that team went through they still managed to make the playoffs.
I really do believe if they're healthy they're 5-7 wins better than the Kings/Mavs/Jazz.
But who knows... Maybe losing a... 20+? point lead in game 4 of the playoffs on their home court rattled them and they start slowly.
But sadly, I don't give the edge to the Blazers getting more wins than 4 teams to make the playoffs.

Personally I expect the Blazers to finish in the 11th seed. Whatever number of wins that translates to everyone else can decide.

 

[Pinwheel1]

A few months ago I was thinking the Blazers (if Dame stayed healthy) could win half their home games, (21) and maybe about 10 road games. So anything over 31 wins will be a plus in my mind.

Lets not forget a few years ago, someone representing NE Portland (And Grant HS ) was adamant that the Phoenix Suns would break the NBA record for fewest wins in a season. (9 wins) So there is hope

 

[Natebishop3]

HCP is wrong.

I think we are a 30 win team just because of Lillard. But...

I think we are even better because we're deep with young guys who put up really good advanced stats. Moneyball.

I like the moves Olshey has made, and we still have a huge chunk of cap space that could turn into a player that can help us make the playoffs.

This team reminds me of the 41-41 Milwaukee Bucks. 45 wins got you 8th seed in the West. I think we're that close.

I'm still getting used to Denny saying "we."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[e_blazer]

I'm still getting used to Denny saying "we."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Me too. I think it's time for the initiation and tattooing the pinwheel on his butt.

 

[THE HCP]

I was just looking at the whole league and their rosters (I don't have to be at work till 1pm). I honestly think that we have a more talented roster than the following teams....
-Philly.........

Thats about it. Sorry, just being honest. So if you want to talk win total again, thats why I think 20 is about right. I honesty think we will be the underdog in about 70 of the 82 games this season. We will catch a few teams off guard and steal a win here or there. Talent wins out, plain and simple. Denny is drinking again if he thinks we are getting 41 wins.

 

[THE HCP]

And as far as being a fan or not, my allegiance to this squad should never be questioned FAMS. You guys who know me on here know I'm a realist. Even when we were winning 52 games and people were talking about going to the finals, I posted how I really felt. This will be like the season before we landed BRoy and LA. Hopefully some good will come from it.

 

[Denny Crane]

I was just looking at the whole league and their rosters (I don't have to be at work till 1pm). I honestly think that we have a more talented roster than the following teams....
-Philly.........

Thats about it. Sorry, just being honest. So if you want to talk win total again, thats why I think 20 is about right. I honesty think we will be the underdog in about 70 of the 82 games this season. We will catch a few teams off guard and steal a win here or there. Talent wins out, plain and simple. Denny is drinking again if he thinks we are getting 41 wins.

If talent wins out, plain and simple, then the Kings would have won more than 29 games.

It was only a preseason game, but I though we played surprisingly well against the Kings in the opener. I'm talking about our starters and rotation reserves against their starters and rotation reserves. We actually looked almost dominant against those guys.

We may not look dominant against the better teams, but we can win games if we keep the score close enough for Lillard to hit some clutch shots or hit our FTs to maintain small leads.

I have a good feeling that a few of the guys will step up every night to help us compete. It wouldn't surprise me if a few of the guys turn out to be very pleasant surprises given significant playing time.

 

[tester551]

I was just looking at the whole league and their rosters (I don't have to be at work till 1pm). I honestly think that we have a more talented roster than the following teams....
-Philly.........

Thats about it. Sorry, just being honest. So if you want to talk win total again, thats why I think 20 is about right. I honesty think we will be the underdog in about 70 of the 82 games this season. We will catch a few teams off guard and steal a win here or there. Talent wins out, plain and simple. Denny is drinking again if he thinks we are getting 41 wins.

We have more talent or are at least equal with these additional teams:
- Brooklyn
- Boston
- Charlotte
- Dallas
- Denver
- Knicks
- Sacramento

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I was just looking at the whole league and their rosters (I don't have to be at work till 1pm). I honestly think that we have a more talented roster than the following teams....
-Philly.........

Thats about it. Sorry, just being honest. So if you want to talk win total again, thats why I think 20 is about right. I honesty think we will be the underdog in about 70 of the 82 games this season. We will catch a few teams off guard and steal a win here or there. Talent wins out, plain and simple. Denny is drinking again if he thinks we are getting 41 wins.

So........if we win more than 30 games are you buying the beer at next season's first meet and greet?