The future looks brighter than we may have thought

[Hobbesarable]

Nice OP.

We will undoubtedly lose some games in the present, and suffer some growing pains, but I have confidence in our future.

And the new look Blazers are a breath of fresh air.

Totally. I wish I could like this more than once, bro!

 

[BigGameDamian]

Maybe if we traded Lillard we'd be a better team without him too?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Maybe if we traded BGD we'd be a better board without him too?

P.S. Just playing BGD!

 

[jlprk]

Maybe if we traded Lillard we'd be a better team without him too?

Another year of his uninspired shooting and many here will agree with you.

 

[MarAzul]

Another year of his uninspired shooting and many here will agree with you.

I always liked Bolero, you can hardly hear it in the beginning. But through the crescendo, the melody becomes clear.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I always like Belaro, you can hardly hear it in the beginning. But through the crescendo, the melody becomes clear.

Ravel's Bolero is a wonderful piece of classical music.

 

[WillG]

This team seems more balanced. I can see different 2nd scoring leaders every night. We may see a team with 5-6 players averaging double figures for the season.

Exactly - and that makes us more unpredictable - a trait which was sorely missing the last half a decade or so.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Because we have a starting big who can pass, and a starting big who can shoot, our offense will sometimes be "inverted" where the smalls are setting picks to free up our bigs. I can see other teams having trouble adapting to that.

That's actually a very good idea. If the other team switches, Meyers can just shoot right over the guy who's a foot shorter than him.

BNM

 

[riverman]

That's actually a very good idea. If the other team switches, Meyers can just shoot right over the guy who's a foot shorter than him.

BNM

Wait until Gerald Henderson dunks out of a Meyers pick and roll...or Aminu or Harkless from Plumee or Davis..this is going to be fun to watch..Meyers can literally shoot over anybody in the NBA if he speeds up his release..he's almost unblockable with the arc on his jump shot

 

[HailBlazers]

It looks like we won't really have a problem scoring like many of us predicted. That's a really good sign because I see our defense already improved.

This team's success will be reliant on teamwork. That's exciting, it's the Trail Blazers style of basketball I was raised on. Humble team players with identifiable skills on both ends the floor.
Truly a great combination with real potential, defense wins in the NBA and this team is athletic! call me a homer but Rip City could truly reemerge.

 

[riverman]

The defense tightens up even more when the bench comes in..that's rare in the league

 

[HailBlazers]

The defense tightens up even more when the bench comes in..that's rare in the league

It's truly a luxury. To see Noah Vonleh move like a three with that wingspan is crazy! Then Ed Davis is like Buck Williams down there with a nose for the ball.

 

[riverman]

I'm hoping Cliff Alexander is the next Brian Grant..an unmovable boulder with Doc Oc arms

 

[HailBlazers]

I'm hoping Cliff Alexander is the next Brian Grant..an unmovable boulder with Doc Oc arms

Heck yes. We could have a tough 11 man squad. Bring it

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Im hopeful for pretty much everyone on the team to get better, its a positive outlook for the future!

 

[HailBlazers]

Im hopeful for pretty much everyone on the team to get better, its a positive outlook for the future!

Too soon?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Ravel's Bolero is a wonderful piece of classical music.

Written by a man going slowly mad.

 

[riverman]

 

[Draco]

It is exciting but I'm in the lets wait and see camp. The veteran NBA teams such as the Warriors and the returning west playoff contenders aren't in game shape. They will aim to be at their peak in April. Our players are trying to earn roles and have been working out for months so many of them are in mid season form at least from a physical standpoint. I expect us to have a bunch of wins the first few weeks of the season as well. But I'll wait until 20 games into the season to decide how real any of our success is. Often bad teams have a 7-3 stretch to start the season. But you don't see bad teams follow that with another good 10 games.

 

[riverman]

I'm just thrilled to have 2 meaningless Blazer games to watch..all the practical, reasonable logic went out the window at tipoff against the Kings..I'm hooked

 

[THE HCP]

Im hopeful for pretty much everyone on the team to get better, its a positive outlook for the future!

I felt the same way about most of you guys when you joined this forum.......and we see how THAT turned out!

 

[riverman]

I felt the same way about most of you guys when you joined this forum.......and we see how THAT turned out!

Contenders...some of us stayed through the tough times, others went to work for the Lakers without blinking

 

[THE HCP]

Contenders...some of us stayed through the tough times, others went to work for the Lakers without blinking

That Lakers team jet is just as nice as ours FAMS!

 

[Eastoff]

Wait until Gerald Henderson dunks out of a Meyers pick and roll...or Aminu or Harkless from Plumee or Davis..this is going to be fun to watch..Meyers can literally shoot over anybody in the NBA if he speeds up his release..he's almost unblockable with the arc on his jump shot

Anthony Davis could shut down Aldridge sometimes. Is Meyers the anti Davis? Probably not...

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Anthony Davis could shut down Aldridge sometimes. Is Meyers the anti Davis? Probably not...

If anything Meyers draws AD out of the paint, LA did as well but Meyers can pass and won't demand high post looks against AD. If we get some sweet cutter action watch out Pelicans.

 

[stampedehero]

I think we can all agree after watching/listening/reading about last night that this team has massive potential going forward. There is so much talent on this roster, such a chip on their shoulders, and no hesitation. I feel like this group of players really want to be here and prove a lot, as a lot of them are cast offs by their former team.

Also, Stotts seems to have been given new life with this team, his offense looks smooth and his defense looks team oriented and competent. It's like he has instilled confidence in this team(Maybe Dame as the leader has helped in this regard as well), for instance all our wings and young guys so far have taken the open look given to them or have gone to the basket strong, we didn't see that much the last few years.

I think without LaMarcus here we are finding ourselves, our team is no longer about feeding/coddling one mid-tier all star by giving him 22 shots a game and letting him slack on defense. This team is about heart, scrap, hustle, and finishing. The effects of a real leader are in place.

Whether this team wins 20, 30, or 40+ games this season, it's certainly going to be fun to watch this team grow. It's just really nice knowing the talent is in fact real and there on the court.

Let's Go Blazers!!!

Without LMA thay will be more TEAM

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I resent the word we. The most depressed I got was 71-11. Im back to 82-0

 

[Hobbesarable]

Written by a man going slowly mad.

Nevertheless, it's an excellent composition.

 

[Sinobas]

Who thought you'd ever live to see this?
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/

Bottom of the league in team salary, but a long shot. Paul is going to turn a decent profit this year.

 

[Sinobas]

If Portland can finish near .500 this year, Neil Olshey should win some kind of GM award.