Nate McMillan brought the question to a dead stop almost as soon as it had come out.
It was Sunday, and the Blazers were preparing for this week's road trip to Houston and San Antonio. They were venues at which the Blazers have struggled to win this decade, but arenas in which they may have to eventually win in order to be successful in the playoffs. It seemed reasonable that the trip would not only answer questions about the Blazers' position, but also serve as a training ground for learning to deal with postseason intensity.
But I barely got the question out.
"We're not in the playoffs yet," McMillan interjected, halting the conversation.
Sure, I was a little miffed by the response.
Typical coach-speak, I assumed at the time.
You know, "We take it one game at a time," and all the other usual clichés about not looking ahead. The Blazers were the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference at the time. They were 35-20. They are a good team. Why pretend otherwise?
Then this week's losses to Houston and San Antonio came, and it suddenly became easier to see McMillan's perspective. Another offensive drought in an opponent's arena led to the loss to the Rockets. And even with two stars out, San Antonio never appeared threatened. And after seeing those games, I stood back and felt foolish for looking so far ahead.
Yes, the Blazers were still a good team. But not good enough to take their position for granted..............................
