The demise of the Portland Trail Blazers has been greatly exaggerated

[Denny Crane]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/06...ig-test-of-season/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

I like my crow a la mode. We’re just six games into the young season, but among the predictions I missed this season was I expected Portland to take a huge step back and be one of the worst teams in the West. Instead, they are 4-2 on the young season after a beatdown of Memphis on Thursday night, 115-96. They have done it with the fifth-best offense in the NBA — thanks to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combining for 49.5 points a night and killing it off the pick-and-roll (especially with pull-up jumpers) — and a solid defense. The young front line of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard has been impressive. We’ll see if this team can maintain a playoff-level pace of wins, but they are going to be better than I and a lot of others thought they would be this season. Portland is not gaming for a lottery spot, this is a team that wants to compete.

 

[Denny Crane]

That's how it's done, @HCP.

 

[HailBlazers]

Funny how they were saying Memphis was "in transition," that was supposed to be us!

 

[Further]

I didn't post much in the lead up to this season cause I've been so busy, but I was certainly in the doubter camp. I am happy to eat crow any way you serve it up. These Blazers are not only winning, but they are also one of the more fun teams to watch in the league. And considering how young many of the players are, and how new the entire team is to playing together, I think this team has plenty of room to improve as the season continues. I don't actually think this is a hot start but more along the lines of what I should have expected if I weren't such a Debbie Downer.

 

[Denny Crane]

I had them pegged as a ~.500 team. They may well exceed that expectation.

It's a long season with lots of games to go, though. We will see.

 

[HailBlazers]

I had them pegged as a ~.500 team. They may well exceed that expectation.

It's a long season with lots of games to go, though. We will see.

Likewise, my prediction was 41. Keep up the team defense and ball movement and we'll get there.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

They have already surpassed my projected win total for the year.

 

[HailBlazers]

They have already surpassed my projected win total for the year.

/@HCP.

 

[TBpup]

I had them pegged as a ~.500 team. They may well exceed that expectation.

It's a long season with lots of games to go, though. We will see.

I did as well and after this next home game against Detroit (it will be interesting to see how they handle Drummond) they have a long, tough stretch till the end of November. If they beat Detroit and are 5-2, they have 11 tough to very difficult games for the rest of the month. If after 18 games, they have 10 wins, I'l be quite impressed and very willing to have my crow served a'la mode as well. I'm still not excited about a late Lottery pick or a #7/8 seed as that is basketball purgatory but if enough players make enough big strides, okay. Contenders though are built on superstars the vast majority of the time and that is where I think this roster, no matter how much it develops, comes up short.

 

[kjironman1]

I still have then at 38-40 wins and missing the playoffs.

 

[PDXFonz]

And it slowly starts to trickle in...

 

[Sinobas]

I thought we'd be about 500 as well, but the unexpected production is coming from Ammino and Charlotte. I didn't know they were so good. I'd take them over LA and Batum anyday. I am so glad that era is over.

 

[barfo]

Who is Charlotte?

I expect the team to be wildly inconsistent. Wouldn't be surprised to see both a 12 game win streak and a 12 game losing streak this year.

barfo

 

[MARIS61]

This summer I said 52 wins. But I expected a slow start.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/06...ig-test-of-season/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

I like my crow a la mode. We’re just six games into the young season, but among the predictions I missed this season was I expected Portland to take a huge step back and be one of the worst teams in the West. Instead, they are 4-2 on the young season after a beatdown of Memphis on Thursday night, 115-96. They have done it with the fifth-best offense in the NBA — thanks to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combining for 49.5 points a night and killing it off the pick-and-roll (especially with pull-up jumpers) — and a solid defense. The young front line of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard has been impressive. We’ll see if this team can maintain a playoff-level pace of wins, but they are going to be better than I and a lot of others thought they would be this season. Portland is not gaming for a lottery spot, this is a team that wants to compete.

Hey Denny, you have a feather stuck in your teeth. HCP looks like his mouth is ready to take flight...

 

[BBert]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/06...ig-test-of-season/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

I like my crow a la mode. We’re just six games into the young season, but among the predictions I missed this season was I expected Portland to take a huge step back and be one of the worst teams in the West. Instead, they are 4-2 on the young season after a beatdown of Memphis on Thursday night, 115-96. They have done it with the fifth-best offense in the NBA — thanks to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combining for 49.5 points a night and killing it off the pick-and-roll (especially with pull-up jumpers) — and a solid defense. The young front line of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard has been impressive. We’ll see if this team can maintain a playoff-level pace of wins, but they are going to be better than I and a lot of others thought they would be this season. Portland is not gaming for a lottery spot, this is a team that wants to compete.

If anyone tried to tell our players not to compete, they'd probably stuff them in a locker.

 

[BBert]

Funny how they were saying Memphis was in "transition," that was supposed to be us!

Yes. Let the excuses roll.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I still have then at 38-40 wins and missing the playoffs.

And you claim kjironman is a fan!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[magnifier661]

I expected us to play hard and compete, but we are playing waaaaay better than I've ever anticipated. I think Harkless, Plumlee, and Davis look way better than I would have ever imagined.

 

[kjironman1]

And you claim kjironman is a fan!

Well i originally did say that they will be in the running until April. Does that sound better?

 

[e_blazer]

Olshey took an approach to the off-season of bringing in a whole bunch of guys who were mid-range first round picks and had been in the league for less than 5 years. All guys with upside and a bit of a chip on their shoulders because they hadn't been given much of a chance to see what they can do if given more minutes. I think taking that approach you'd hope that a couple of them would pay off big dividends, but so far it seems that they're all paying off. Kind of like pulling the lever on the one-arm bandit and getting nothing but cherries.

 

[blue9]

Let's not forget that we always start out fast out of the gate. I'm loving the way we're playing, but I expect that as the rest of the league rounds into shape - and scout us - things will become more difficult for us. Still, I'm enjoying this ride while it lasts - so much more enjoyable to watch 5 guys playing as a team on both ends of the floor, rather than 2 guys playing on offense and 4 guys playing on defense.

 

[magnifier661]

Let's not forget that we always start out fast out of the gate. I'm loving the way we're playing, but I expect that as the rest of the league rounds into shape - and scout us - things will become more difficult for us. Still, I'm enjoying this ride while it lasts - so much more enjoyable to watch 5 guys playing as a team on both ends of the floor, rather than 2 guys playing on offense and 4 guys playing on defense.

The difference before was we were more jump shooting and played man up defense. As the season progresses, arms get tired, teams can defend the jumper much easier and man defense is much harder.

Our philosophy has changed, with more pressure D, doubles and attacking the paint. As the season progresses, I don't see our offense sputter as much as it did in the past.

 

[riverman]

Neil Olshey..."I think our fans will be surprised at the brand of basketball we're building in Portland this season"

 

[PDXFonz]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/06...ig-test-of-season/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

I like my crow a la mode. We’re just six games into the young season, but among the predictions I missed this season was I expected Portland to take a huge step back and be one of the worst teams in the West. Instead, they are 4-2 on the young season after a beatdown of Memphis on Thursday night, 115-96. They have done it with the fifth-best offense in the NBA — thanks to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combining for 49.5 points a night and killing it off the pick-and-roll (especially with pull-up jumpers) — and a solid defense. The young front line of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard has been impressive. We’ll see if this team can maintain a playoff-level pace of wins, but they are going to be better than I and a lot of others thought they would be this season. Portland is not gaming for a lottery spot, this is a team that wants to compete.

Eerily similar to your article - "The demise of the Polar ice caps has been greatly exaggerated."

 

[crandc]

This was my first chance to see the team as they have not been on national TV (although I did see a preseason game). This is not a championship team, may not in the end be a playoff team, but for sure it is no pushover. This is not a team that opponents circle on a calendar, saying "that day is going to be an easy win".

It's still very early - they could get better or defenses could catch up to them and they could struggle. Too soon to tell. But I was very favorably impressed by what I saw last night.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I had them in the mid 30's. I had faith in the Dame/CJ back court (Unlike a lot of you)
I knew what we had with Leonard, Crabbe and Davis
I have been " slightly"surprised with Aminu and Harkless

The real difference maker for me is Plumlee. Yes he sucks at the line, but everything else is better than expected. Defense, rebounding, scoring inside (Not just put backs) leading the fast break at times and most of all his PASSING. I can't emphasize enough my pleasure with having two good passing bigs in that starting lineup.

Have you noticed how Plumlee looks when he moves around? He walks and runs like an all around athlete. Hard for me to explain but I can picture him playing football or baseball. He is not stiff in his movements. Not to pick on LMA because he ran well, but he ran straight up. (like most bigs) Plumlee moves around like a tight end. He doesn't move like your normal 6'11 guy. Why he sucks so badly at the line.........baffles me. (He needs to start over with his stroke.)

 

[blue9]

There's nothing I love more (in basketball) than bigs who can pass well (and dribble). Really hoping that last night was Meyers finally shaking off the rust and jitters, because having both him and Plumlee playing to their potential will be amazing.

I'm really having a tough time picking a new favorite player. Harkless has been tempting me, but I really like Plumlee, and before the season started I thought it'd be Meyers. It's great to finally like the team from top to bottom! It's been a looooong time since I've felt this way about the team.

 

[BBert]

This was my first chance to see the team as they have not been on national TV (although I did see a preseason game). This is not a championship team, may not in the end be a playoff team, but for sure it is no pushover. This is not a team that opponents circle on a calendar, saying "that day is going to be an easy win".

It's still very early - they could get better or defenses could catch up to them and they could struggle. Too soon to tell. But I was very favorably impressed by what I saw last night.

Teams will think the Blazers are an easy win...until they play them. Our guys are full of fight! They are all playing with a chip on their shoulders, from Dame all the way down the line.

Don't sleep on the Blazers, NBA!