Playoff question revisited with Mo aboard

[Carlito]

I asked this question in early July and it was a 50/50 response on wether this blazer team makes playoffs. Does the Williams signing push u over or still on the fence?

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I thought before and still think the Blazers will be in the fight for the 6-8 playoff seed. Some people on here see that as a bad thing, that perpetual tanking is preferable to maximize catching lighting in a bottle to get a 1-4 seed. I do not agree. I want to see constant progress, not regression. This team is on the road back.

 

[tlongII]

I agree with chris.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Certainly a playoff team.

 

[Carlito]

Honestly I think it all depends on Aldridge and Lopezs health. If either miss significant time we are in trouble.

If they stay healthy I think we are in.

 

[blue9]

Without having looked at the rest of the NBA landscape, at this point I think it'd be a failure (maybe not monumental...I had wanted to write monumental, but I'll hold off on that) to miss the Playoffs. Prior to the signing my thinking was somewhere in the 7-9 range. With Mo on board I'm thinking the 5-8 range. I may amend this as we get closer to the season and I actually look at the other rosters around the league.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I wish I had placed a bet on us making the playoffs before the draft, the odds are going to drop significantly now...

 

[illmatic99]

Agree on the still in the 6-8 range. We'll take that leap only if/when Dame does. Another decent big man behind RoLo can solidify our playoff chances.

I think all these teams are still definitely better than us: OKC/SA/LAC/MEM/HOU

Borderline on GS because they rely heavily on Curry's and Bogut's health. DEN will stumble a bit. Minny will never be better than us no matter how hard they try. NO is gonna surprise a lot of people this year I think. Could be better than us, but they've got no depth at all

 

[magnifier661]

Honestly I think it all depends on Aldridge and Lopezs health. If either miss significant time we are in trouble.

If they stay healthy I think we are in.

This

 

[magnifier661]

Mark my words. Top 3

 

[Eastoff]

Mark my words. Top 3

in the west, I assume

 

[julius]

Mark my words. Top 3

Maybe in the division.

 

[magnifier661]

in the west, I assume

Yes in the west

 

[magnifier661]

Maybe in the division.

Conference

 

[Natebishop3]

Mark my words. Top 3

Let's assume that Houston and OKC are the two best teams in the west next year.

You think we're better than San Antonio?

Better than Memphis?

Better than the Clips? You saw who LAC added, right?

I think we're on par with Golden State, I think we're better than Denver, and I guess we'll see how Minny does this year. If they can stay healthy, they should be in the hunt. I think our ceiling is 5-6 range. I don't think we're top three. Not even close.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

You think we're better than San Antonio?

Dammit, SOME year they've got to age and fall off.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dammit, SOME year they've got to age and fall off.

I've been saying that for, what, six years? At this point I'm just going to count them in until Duncan retires. They just went to the Finals for pete's sake.

 

[magnifier661]

Let's assume that Houston and OKC are the two best teams in the west next year.

You think we're better than San Antonio?

Better than Memphis?

Better than the Clips? You saw who LAC added, right?

I think we're on par with Golden State, I think we're better than Denver, and I guess we'll see how Minny does this year. If they can stay healthy, they should be in the hunt. I think our ceiling is 5-6 range. I don't think we're top three. Not even close.

Yes to all. Sas and clips will be fighting for the 4-5th seed

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Dammit, SOME year they've got to age and fall off.

They did a few years ago kinda... They were a 7 seed in 09-10. Then Parker hit his prime.

I think they fall off this year unless Leonard becomes a true superstar.

 

[e_blazer]

Honestly I think it all depends on Aldridge and Lopezs health. If either miss significant time we are in trouble.

If they stay healthy I think we are in.

I think that it's pretty clear that health is going to be a major factor for any team wanting to make the playoffs in the West. Without LMA, the Blazers chances would take a nose dive, but then so would any other team's if they were to lose their best player.

 

[PapaG]

I thought before and still think the Blazers will be in the fight for the 6-8 playoff seed. Some people on here see that as a bad thing, that perpetual tanking is preferable to maximize catching lighting in a bottle to get a 1-4 seed. I do not agree. I want to see constant progress, not regression. This team is on the road back.

Bravo!

Repped

 

[blazedanugz]

Conference

Mags for some reason is hate your optimism. Maybe not top 3 but top 4 I feel there may be a shot if things fall our way. This team is deep and has a IMO very very well out together starting unit. I think our success hinges on stotts now AND LMA

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We are definitely in the same class as the Warriors, Grizzlies, and Nuggets right now. If McCollum, Robinson, and Leonard develop nicely we could enter that Thunder, Rockets, Clippers, and Spurs category.. It's a big if but not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[PapaG]

Let's assume that Houston and OKC are the two best teams in the west next year.

You think we're better than San Antonio?

Better than Memphis?

Better than the Clips? You saw who LAC added, right?

I think we're on par with Golden State, I think we're better than Denver, and I guess we'll see how Minny does this year. If they can stay healthy, they should be in the hunt. I think our ceiling is 5-6 range. I don't think we're top three. Not even close.

Why is Houston a Top 2 team? The Lakers barely made the playoffs last year with Howard. Unless Howard can start making some FTs, he's always going to be a huge liability.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Nicolas Batum @nicolas88batum
I'm getting more and more exited about this season coming...#RipCity#2k14

Batum could very well be the key. A healthy, motivated Batum with the PER around 20 is just about the equivalent of a big 3. Here's to hoping ...

Player Efficiency Rating 2012-13
1. LeBron James-MIA 31.6
2. Kevin Durant-OKC 28.3
3. Chris Paul-LAC 26.4
4. Carmelo Anthony-NYK 24.8
5. Brook Lopez-BRK 24.7
6. Tim Duncan-SAS 24.4
7. Dwyane Wade-MIA 24.0
8. R Westbrook-OKC 23.9
9. Tony Parker-SAS 23.0
10. Kobe Bryant-LAL 23.0
11. James Harden-HOU 23.0
12. Blake Griffin-LAC 22.4
13. Andray Blatche-BRK 21.9
14. Anthony Davis-NOH 21.7
15. Kyrie Irving-CLE 21.4
16. Stephen Curry-GSW 21.3
17. Al Jefferson-UTA 20.9
18. John Wall-WAS 20.8
19. L Aldridge-POR 20.4
20. Deron Williams-BRK 20.3

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Nic and Lillard digging this signing.

Now we need to hear from one more player that they are excited about the upcoming season.

 

[Masbee]

I asked this question in early July and it was a 50/50 response on wether this blazer team makes playoffs. Does the Williams signing push u over or still on the fence?

The addition of Mo does push the team over the top. It may seem relatively small, but it changes everything with what the coaches can do with the roster. It means they won't rely on a rookie (CJ) to do or be anything. Whatever he gives now will be a bonus.

(If healthy), this team is a lock for the playoffs.

 

[PapaG]

Nic and Lillard digging this signing.

Now we need to hear from one more player that they are excited about the upcoming season.

He's too busy demanding trades and forcing his way out of Portland. Apparently players now need to Tweet immediately about any move their teams make in order to calm down internet and sports' radio people.

 

[magnifier661]

Just remember nothing much was expected from the blazers in the summer of 98. Many thought we would be a low seeded team. Then they came out and tore shit up!

Yeah 1998-99 team without the mental cases. I love it!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Honestly I think it all depends on Aldridge and Lopezs health. If either miss significant time we are in trouble.

If they stay healthy I think we are in.

It does look like the depth concern is the center spot.
I like our depth every where else. But I would agree that the center position is fine......unless as you say Lopez and LMA get hurt. We need Joel to really step it up IMO. Either he or Leonard are the wild cards. One of them has to come through in case of injury.