The Playoff Chase

[TBpup]

man some of you guys act like if it doesn't result in a ring then it's no good. You'll never be happy as a fan at all thinking that way

Not sure I've seen anyone say that. However, I have advocated doing what it takes to be a contender.....which the Blazers have not been for 15 years and it was another 18 years before that when they were also a contender. So since 1993, one or perhaps two seasons was this team an actual contender let alone be in a position to win a title. Once in 22 years? I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for more often than that. Maybe the better assessment is, "some of you guys act like Cubs fans."

 

[e_blazer]

Not sure I've seen anyone say that. However, I have advocated doing what it takes to be a contender.....which the Blazers have not been for 15 years and it was another 18 years before that when they were also a contender. So since 1993, one or perhaps two seasons was this team an actual contender let alone be in a position to win a title. Once in 22 years? I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for more often than that. Maybe the better assessment is, "some of you guys act like Cubs fans."

As opposed to Sterling-era Clippers fans? "Man, we suck, but we get great draft picks." ☺

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Sounds like Tunchi.

No it was someone I don't have on block

 

[TBpup]

As opposed to Sterling-era Clippers fans? "Man, we suck, but we get great draft picks." ☺

If you feel Blazer ownership and Administration is as bad as it was during Sterling's run, then perhaps they are in for the same road and none of this matter. My hope is that we are better than one of the worst NBA owners since Ted Stepien.

 

[e_blazer]

If you feel Blazer ownership and Administration is as bad as it was during Sterling's run, then perhaps they are in for the same road and none of this matter. My hope is that we are better than one of the worst NBA owners since Ted Stepien.

Just messing with you, TBpup. Of course I don't think that Blazers management is anything like what the Clippers had during Sterling's inglorious reign. The Clippers' lack of success was predominantly because Sterling wanted it that way. He made money by drawing crowds to see high draft picks play yet having a string of those guys on cheap contracts. Frankly, I'd say that I have more faith in Olshey's abilities than some of you tankers do. I think he can build a winning team with or without having a draft pick this year.

 

[BBert]

Yeah, Sterling treated that franchise like a money printing machine. He traded his lottery players before they became too expensive, kept qualifying for the lottery, rinse repeat, go the bank.

The Blazers ain't about that.

 

[TBpup]

Just messing with you, TBpup. Of course I don't think that Blazers management is anything like what the Clippers had during Sterling's inglorious reign. The Clippers' lack of success was predominantly because Sterling wanted it that way. He made money by drawing crowds to see high draft picks play yet having a string of those guys on cheap contracts. Frankly, I'd say that I have more faith in Olshey's abilities than some of you tankers do. I think he can build a winning team with or without having a draft pick this year.

It's not a lack of faith. It's just that Portland needs a lot of pieces still. In a 'normal' year, this wouldn't be an issue as Portland would be very far behind the Playoff race. It just happens that for the first time in a long time, the West overall has declined significantly thereby putting Portland near a Playoff spot that is almost at an embarrassing pace. Teams with a projected 35 wins need a Lottery pick a lot more than a pretty much undeserved Playoff spot IMO. If Portland were able to keep their pick, then I'd say it doesn't matter as much but in this case it is an Either/Or.

 

[riverman]

The Clippers sucked for as long as any team in the league... I blame it on not having their own arena...cheap ass Sterling and sharing the Lakers homecourt is like sleeping on your neighbors couch...they need to move to Seattle....the Seattle Clippers ...the name fits.

 

[Tunchi]

Sounds like Tunchi.

Im 99.999999 % sure I would not say that

 

[BonesJones]

Not sure I've seen anyone say that. However, I have advocated doing what it takes to be a contender.....which the Blazers have not been for 15 years and it was another 18 years before that when they were also a contender. So since 1993, one or perhaps two seasons was this team an actual contender let alone be in a position to win a title. Once in 22 years? I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for more often than that. Maybe the better assessment is, "some of you guys act like Cubs fans."

Also, what good did most of those upsets do going forward?

 

[TBpup]

Im 99.999999 % sure I would not say that

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

 

[e_blazer]

It's not a lack of faith. It's just that Portland needs a lot of pieces still. In a 'normal' year, this wouldn't be an issue as Portland would be very far behind the Playoff race. It just happens that for the first time in a long time, the West overall has declined significantly thereby putting Portland near a Playoff spot that is almost at an embarrassing pace. Teams with a projected 35 wins need a Lottery pick a lot more than a pretty much undeserved Playoff spot IMO. If Portland were able to keep their pick, then I'd say it doesn't matter as much but in this case it is an Either/Or.

Yes, the bottom end of the West is definitely down from where it's been in recent years and the 8th seed may well get in without having a winning record. That said, I'm not sure that the Blazers are going to be the 35 win team you're projecting. That was my estimate going into the season, but they've proven themselves to be better than that. We've got one of the top-3 scoring backcourts in the league. In order to be competitive, I think that the Blazers need an All-Star level talent at one of the 3, 4 or 5 spots. The rest of the roster, with growth through player development and maybe one or two other tweaks, can work just fine. I think that there will be opportunities, either through trade or by FA signings, to improve the team enough to be competitive. If we end up with a lottery pick, great, but that's not the only way, or even the quickest way, to skin this cat.

 

[Han Dolo]

Seriously haha.. Some dude said on this forum today that Lillards shot to beat Houston was fools gold and didn't mean anything...

Blue9, comment #7 in this thread.

 

[TBpup]

If the Blazers are in the Playoff race at around a .500 record, then my opinion changes drastically. So far, halfway through the season they aren't close to that. This coming stretch of games could certainly help as they are playing a lot of poor quality teams....but that won't really tell us much. Now if they go 6-1 or 7-0 against the bad teams and two good ones, (all at home) then maybe I start to see it. March is a brutal road stretch and they have still yet to beat an > .500 team on the road yet this season.

 

[riverman]

I think the second half of the season our team will start to dial it in and players will gradually know where teammates want the ball. Other teams in the west that are penciled in for the playoffs have older players who may not be as vibrant in the spring as they were starting off. We have youth and hunger on our side. Be interesting to see if Olshey adds a piece or two before the deadline. Right now the glass is half full...Blazers could fill it up by playoff time. I'm sure not going to spend the season drooling over a lottery pick

 

[e_blazer]

Assuming that the Blazers pull into the .500 range by the All-Star break, which certainly look do-able, I think Olshey is going to be put into a box where he has to decide whether or not to make a deal to improve the team for a potential playoff run. Until we see what happens with that decision, it's pretty tough to make an intelligent guess as to what happens the last third of the season.

 

[TBpup]

Assuming that the Blazers pull into the .500 range by the All-Star break, which certainly look do-able, I think Olshey is going to be put into a box where he has to decide whether or not to make a deal to improve the team for a potential playoff run. Until we see what happens with that decision, it's pretty tough to make an intelligent guess as to what happens the last third of the season.

He had a chance to do that when the Blazers were first flirting with a Playoff run Dame's rookie season. He chose not to....wonder if he would do something different this time?

 

[chzbrgr]

He had a chance to do that when the Blazers were first flirting with a Playoff run Dame's rookie season. He chose not to....wonder if he would do something different this time?

Assuming that the Blazers pull into the .500 range by the All-Star break, which certainly look do-able, I think Olshey is going to be put into a box where he has to decide whether or not to make a deal to improve the team for a potential playoff run. Until we see what happens with that decision, it's pretty tough to make an intelligent guess as to what happens the last third of the season.

If there is one thing NO is not it is impatient. When the Texas Turncoat left he immediately hit the re-set button and put the gears in motion for a 3-5 year rebuild around Dame to reach the finals the same as when he started around TT. It worked out well the first time around 3 years later we we're beating Houston. WE ARE IN YEAR 1...EVERYONE NEEDS TO CHILL AND ENJOY OUR YOUNGSTERS. Everything we have heard from the front office and coaching staff has STRESSED the PROCESS to expect any moves to improve our PLAYOFF position is laughable at best.

It's great how we look when we are playing well but don't get it twisted. Nothing is going to be decided yet.

 

[PDXFonz]

Assuming that the Blazers pull into the .500 range by the All-Star break, which certainly look do-able, I think Olshey is going to be put into a box where he has to decide whether or not to make a deal to improve the team for a potential playoff run. Until we see what happens with that decision, it's pretty tough to make an intelligent guess as to what happens the last third of the season.

A thought like this means you believe the Blazers to be playing their best possible together, and that no amount of time would increase the productivity on the court. After only one year together it would be silly to assume they cannot improve. The only thing you could see is possibly taking on a big salary in exchange for someone like Pat Connaughton.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I think too many people look at this team as a short term thing, when they should be looking at it as 5 year plan. Five years being how long until Dame is due for his next contract. I think Dame believes in the future of the team and he trusts Neil to put the team in a winning position. It's possible that Olshey would evaluate the team after 3 seasons if they have bottomed out two years in the playoffs. But until then I think the belief is that if this team has enough raw talent to make the playoffs with only one season together, then in 2 years it's possible you might not need to make any trades.

Ask yourself how long until you think these guys should really be ready as a group to compete for a championship. I feel if you say anything less than 3 years then you are holding way too high of expectations.

Also keep in mind that Dame is the player with the most playoff experience on this team now. Other players like Aminu, Davis, Plumlee have made the playoffs but not in the same role they are in now.

Overall if you get what you want I don't think you should be disappointed with where it takes you. You want these guys to grow and develop as a group, and buy into the unselfish team style of play that the staff is trying to build here. Part of becoming that place is letting players grow and develop in the system. It's what makes the Spurs so successful over the years, and keeps players wanting to go there. They take a guy like Patty Mills and have him as a role player for a handful of seasons until Tony Parker leaves, and then he knows the system and can take over without a big transition at that position. Then they find someone nice later on in the draft who can fill that role, just like they are doing with Kyle Anderson right now.

You get to this point by relying on young players to develop, and as long as they are showing more and more potential, and continue to develop, then there isn't too much of a reason not to see how far they can go. If that happens to be a 4-0 pounding to the Warriors, then you come back next season and maybe you see a few guys playing a bit harder to get home court.

This^^^^^^^^

 

[e_blazer]

A thought like this means you believe the Blazers to be playing their best possible together, and that no amount of time would increase the productivity on the court. After only one year together it would be silly to assume they cannot improve. The only thing you could see is possibly taking on a big salary in exchange for someone like Pat Connaughton.

I don't see it that way at all. I see the Blazers ' cap space this season as being as big, or bigger of an asset as the draft pick everyone is mooning over. Right now, the Blazers can do a big unbalanced trade with a team looking to shed salary. Next summer, everyone has cap space. I think Olshey will try to get the best value for that asset by using it at the deadline.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Up by 4 with 10 seconds left, and the Knicks can't keep the lead. The game with the jazz goes into overtime.

Un.Be.Lievable. I was all ready to make a thread about how the Blazers were in the playoffs

 

[42N8Bounce]

Mike Rice chimes in -

 

[PDXFonz]

Mike Rice chimes in -

He's pretty accurate but there are a lot of CTC players in the league who probably don't care if they win or lose. I think Goran Dragic might be the biggest offender... Not sure Nic is actually CTC.

I don't think they play to lose though.

 

[TBpup]

In 2014, 8 teams in ths West had 30 wins at the All-Star break and Memphis just missed with 29. This year, with less than 3 weeks to go, 4 teams should make 30 wins with possibly Memphis and Dallas reaching that plateau as well. That is a big difference and a huge reason why Portland is in the Playoff race. That year, all 8 teams in the West that made the Playoffs finished with 50 or more wins. Last year was 7 of 8 teams. This season is projecting as 4 with Sacramento getting in with 37 wins...which is up from the pace Utah had for much of the season at 35.

None of these teams hovering around that #8 spot are what you would consider 'Playoff' teams....just that someone has to take that eighth spot.