The Remaining Schedule and the Drive for #5 (Column)

[-Ace-]

Not winning it all doesn't mean you don't gain experience.

They had just lost to MJ and the Bulls the year before in the finals. How is that not experience? Then lose the first round to the nuggets the next season? They were experienced. Don't fool yourself.

Seattle didn't make it to the finals against Chicago until 1996. They lost to Denver in 1994.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Seattle didn't make it to the finals against Chicago until 1996. They lost to Denver in 1994.

You are correct. They went to the western conference finals and lost to Phoenix the year before and lost to the Jazz in the second round the year before that. Thats some seriously good playoff experience though.

 

[riverman]

I think everybody enters the playoffs 0-0 but half the teams have home court...the key is who's peaking at playoff time, who's burned out, banged up or slumping. That's the fun of it..that random element of uncertainty. History has repetitions but also doesn't always repeat itself.

 

[fumanchu]

I'm hoping for the 6 seed and OKC. I think they're beatable. I really want to see it because we've never played OKC in the playoffs.

 

[LaScrewus Alldridge]

San Antonio 100%, I'd rather have however small a chance to screw up LA's season and dreams of getting a free chip off a rental team than maybe win against any of those teams that will more than likely beat us too. Revenge is a dish best served cold, ice cold like Dame's clutch jumper against houston.

 

[TBpup]

You are correct. They went to the western conference finals and lost to Phoenix the year before and lost to the Jazz in the second round the year before that. Thats some seriously good playoff experience though.

Okay, this is too much fun. All that good playoff experience got them what? No title and a 1st round exit in 1996. If that is what 'good playoff experience' gets a team, perhaps I'm unclear as to what the goal is. WINNING a title would have been much better playoff experience it would seem for all the good the rest of that did for them.

 

[BonesJones]

The way I see the standings at the end of the season based on schedules:

5 Grizzlies 45-37
6 Blazers 43-39
7 Jazz 43-39
8 Mavericks 42-40
9 Rockets 40-42

 

[DreamKillah]

Yeah, he owes us that much.

Imagine all the woofin' that the media would encourage outta the Texas Turncoat, that alone would incite our boys to shut him up . . .

 

[KingSpeed]

I want 6 seed. We can beat OKC.

 

[KingSpeed]

If we get 6th best record in West, it is exact same place as last year.

 

[BBert]

If we get 6th best record in West, it is exact same place as last year.

That would be epic.

 

[-Ace-]

Only dropping off by eight wins (with that 43 win prediction and 6th seed) after bringing back just six guys from last year's roster, two of whom really only play in garbage time, and only one starter......that's a damn good accomplishment right there.

 

[TBpup]

Interesting perspective from BlazersEdge http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/2/1...-blazers-playoffs-damian-lillard-terry-stotts
There are a number of opinions from different writers/contributors but this one was the most in-depth.

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Eric Griffith (@DeeringTornado)

Question 1: Do I think the Blazers will make the playoffs? I really really REALLY want to say yes to this...but pragmatism is rearing its ugly head. The Blazers just finished their best stretch of the season, going 12-3 over the last 15 games. They also had only five road games over the span, have played only one back-to-back in the last month and most of their opponents were bad teams. But even after that easy and successful series of games, the Blazers are still only just barely in the playoffs. Portland is still going to have to finish the season with a better stretch record than Utah and Houston to sneak into the eight seed.

The problem: The Blazers schedule from here out is downright brutal. Possibly the hardest in the entire NBA. The Blazers will go from Feb. 27-March 26 without consecutive home games. It's a de facto 15 game road trip. To make matters even worse, 11 of those 15 games are against teams with records of .500 or better. Staying in front of a hot Utah team, winners of eight of their last 10, is likely going to be virtually impossible, and even staying ahead of the floundering Rockets is going to be difficult. That being said, the Blazers have put themselves in an excellent position. Their playoff chances have gone from maybe two percent in October, to 30 percent in February, and that's pretty exciting.

As for whether or not I hope the Blazers make the playoffs, I'll admit to getting caught up in the excitement. As of this moment, I'm all for it.

But, I'm guessing that if they do make it I'm going to be wishing they hadn't by May. The Thunder, Warriors, and Spurs are on pace to become only the fourth triumvirate of teams to win 60 games in the same conference in the same season. The Clippers are 19-5 without Blake Griffin and have lost ground in the standings. Basically, the quality of play at the top of the conference is historically high, which means the first round of the playoffs this year is likely going to be historically lopsided. It's just as likely to provide "playoff experience" as it is to make a player think "wow...we overachieved by this much and still got beat THAT BAD. What hope do we have going forward?" Similarly, I know that by game four I'm going to be (theoretically) wishing the team had retained the incredibly valuable and tangibly beneficial first round pick.
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Very well stated IMO.

 

[riverman]

Interesting perspective from BlazersEdge http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/2/1...-blazers-playoffs-damian-lillard-terry-stotts
There are a number of opinions from different writers/contributors but this one was the most in-depth.

****************************************************************************************************
Eric Griffith (@DeeringTornado)

Question 1: Do I think the Blazers will make the playoffs? I really really REALLY want to say yes to this...but pragmatism is rearing its ugly head. The Blazers just finished their best stretch of the season, going 12-3 over the last 15 games. They also had only five road games over the span, have played only one back-to-back in the last month and most of their opponents were bad teams. But even after that easy and successful series of games, the Blazers are still only just barely in the playoffs. Portland is still going to have to finish the season with a better stretch record than Utah and Houston to sneak into the eight seed.

The problem: The Blazers schedule from here out is downright brutal. Possibly the hardest in the entire NBA. The Blazers will go from Feb. 27-March 26 without consecutive home games. It's a de facto 15 game road trip. To make matters even worse, 11 of those 15 games are against teams with records of .500 or better. Staying in front of a hot Utah team, winners of eight of their last 10, is likely going to be virtually impossible, and even staying ahead of the floundering Rockets is going to be difficult. That being said, the Blazers have put themselves in an excellent position. Their playoff chances have gone from maybe two percent in October, to 30 percent in February, and that's pretty exciting.

As for whether or not I hope the Blazers make the playoffs, I'll admit to getting caught up in the excitement. As of this moment, I'm all for it.

But, I'm guessing that if they do make it I'm going to be wishing they hadn't by May. The Thunder, Warriors, and Spurs are on pace to become only the fourth triumvirate of teams to win 60 games in the same conference in the same season. The Clippers are 19-5 without Blake Griffin and have lost ground in the standings. Basically, the quality of play at the top of the conference is historically high, which means the first round of the playoffs this year is likely going to be historically lopsided. It's just as likely to provide "playoff experience" as it is to make a player think "wow...we overachieved by this much and still got beat THAT BAD. What hope do we have going forward?" Similarly, I know that by game four I'm going to be (theoretically) wishing the team had retained the incredibly valuable and tangibly beneficial first round pick.
***********************************************************************************************************

Very well stated IMO.

I read that article Tpup...one thing they don't mention is that in my view...we're much better prepared to play those top tier teams now than we were in Nov...and those elite teams with older vets will rest them more as the playoffs approach. Again at work the fellow I take care of watches non stop college hoops and I feel informed enough to say....the vast majority of draft picks available aren't even close to NBA ready...I just don't see this next star in this draft...and I'm a guy who thinks Sabonis and Simmons are WAY overrated at the NBA level. I'm lovin' Neil Olshey's recent trend of picking up 2nd year players that have already adjusted to the speed of the game. Personally, I'd rather get another Gerald Henderson type impact player than another rookie project. Our pick has more value in a trade than an acquisition. You can still draft someone like Crabbe in the 2nd round

 

[riverman]

Okay, this is too much fun. All that good playoff experience got them what? No title and a 1st round exit in 1996. If that is what 'good playoff experience' gets a team, perhaps I'm unclear as to what the goal is. WINNING a title would have been much better playoff experience it would seem for all the good the rest of that did for them.

Disagree completely...even getting swept in the first round or making it to the second round is a difference maker for young guys moving forward. Yeah...we want a title but you've got to get battle tested to get there. In so many sports, there's a dominating guy or team with everyone trying to get the upset...Golf, tennis, soccer, etc....but that's not a reason to discount their willingness to compete or desire to achieve the ultimate goal..it's thrilling to see an underdog beat a giant and win a title. Don't tell me you wouldn't relish seeing a rag tag Blazers rebuilding team beat Golden State in the playoffs...I live for those stories in sports. What makes being a lottery team a more exciting prospect? Ben Simmons? I'm not that impressed with the guy.

 

[TBpup]

Disagree completely...even getting swept in the first round......Don't tell me you wouldn't relish seeing a rag tag Blazers rebuilding team beat Golden State in the playoffs.

Wait, so which is it? Getting swept in the 1st round (almost useless) or a rag tag team beating Golden St....which of course everyone would love. Huge difference.

As for the OP, Portland is now just a 1/2 game out of 6th although Memphis is still 4.5 games ahead and has won 2 in a row despite Gasol being out. They are in the middle of a stretch of playing the Sisters of the Poor so probably won't lose too many in the next week or so but it will turn around for them schedule wise as well.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Fun Fact: The only West playoff team we haven't scored a win against is San Antonio; we've beaten the others at least once each.

 

[Draco]

Okay, this is too much fun. All that good playoff experience got them what? No title and a 1st round exit in 1996. If that is what 'good playoff experience' gets a team, perhaps I'm unclear as to what the goal is. WINNING a title would have been much better playoff experience it would seem for all the good the rest of that did for them.

I'd rather have a 5% chance to win a title every year for a decade than 100% one year and 0% nine years. I appreciate a lot of NBA teams that didn't win titles.

A title would be great but for me rooting for my sports team is about the journey more than the destination.

 

[TBpup]

Fun Fact: The only West playoff team we haven't scored a win against is San Antonio; we've beaten the others at least once each.

Not sure if it's a fun fact but when is the last time a team beat the best team in the league by 30 and lost to the worst team in the league by ~30 in the same season?

 

[riverman]

I read that article Tpup...one thing they don't mention is that in my view...we're much better prepared to play those top tier teams now than we were in Nov...and those elite teams with older vets will rest them more as the playoffs approach. Again at work the fellow I take care of watches non stop college hoops and I feel informed enough to say....the vast majority of draft picks available aren't even close to NBA ready...I just don't see this next star in this draft...and I'm a guy who thinks Sabonis and Simmons are WAY overrated at the NBA level. I'm lovin' Neil Olshey's recent trend of picking up 2nd year players that have already adjusted to the speed of the game. Personally, I'd rather get another Gerald Henderson type impact player than another rookie project. Our pick has more value in a trade than an acquisition. You can still draft someone like Crabbe in the 2nd round

I listened to several ex coaches...Jeff Van Gundy, etc...talk about how much better it is for a new roster to get that playoff experience even if they get swept...echoed my sentiments exactly..we basically have such a young roster of high draft picks now. I watched the supposed number one pick in the draft really get blown out last night and again...4th game I've seen him play and Pat Connaughton would kick his ass on the court....there's nothing that compares to playoff intensity. I want that for Vonleh, Harkless, and all the young talent we have now. If you asked anybody on our roster the same question..I'm pretty sure they'd agree with me across the board. After kicking Golden State's ass...I want it even more now...fuck the draft this season is my mantra

 

[TBpup]

I'd rather have a 5% chance to win a title every year for a decade than 100% one year and 0% nine years. I appreciate a lot of NBA teams that didn't win titles.

A title would be great but for me rooting for my sports team is about the journey more than the destination.

I can appreciate that. One of my best friends is a Cub fan.

 

[riverman]

Not sure if it's a fun fact but when is the last time a team beat the best team in the league by 30 and lost to the worst team in the league by ~30 in the same season?

It happens....we lost to the worst team in the league in the lockout season and beat the best..that was the Gerald Wallace, Ray Felton, Camby Blazers I believe. Fact is, we aren't getting blown out much at all this year..off the top of my head I think Philly, Detroit and GS have tromped us.

 

[riverman]

I can appreciate that. One of my best friends is a Cub fan.

My mom (RIP) was a life long Cubs fan

 

[TBpup]

I listened to several ex coaches...Jeff Van Gundy, etc...talk about how much better it is for a new roster to get that playoff experience even if they get swept...echoed my sentiments exactly..

Yes...I'm not surprised Jeff would say that as he has never won a title. And of course the Draft is now getting more and more out of the question but most people talking about it were doing so when the Blazers were 10 or so games under .500 in a weak West and very close to the #4 pick. Glad the Blazers are playing better and hope they win a series or at least are competitive.

 

[riverman]

Yes...I'm not surprised Jeff would say that as he has never won a title. And of course the Draft is now getting more and more out of the question but most people talking about it were doing so when the Blazers were 10 or so games under .500 in a weak West and very close to the #4 pick. Glad the Blazers are playing better and hope they win a series or at least are competitive.

Jeff's never won a title but he's been to the finals...that's noteworthy. He's also someone who stood up for the Blazers beating the Warriors and said we didn't get the respect when they say Curry scores 31 in a loss. Darkweb was all over that one.

 

[TBpup]

Jeff's never won a title but he's been to the finals...that's noteworthy.

It is noteworthy...but fairly forgettable as well. Then again, he got to the Finals which means it was good playoff experience for his team which is quite different from getting swept and blown out in the 1st round. Again, things have changed. Portland was terrible in a very weak West early in the season. Now they are finally over .500 in still a weaker West but the team is improving. So as they have grown, good playoff experience would be helpful. At the time, if they had kept playing at that level, they needed more help than a 1st round drubbing would have provided.

 

[Sinobas]

Remember that brutal stretch in November where they lost 7 striaght games. But 4 of them were games they just flat out blew. Collapsed against the Pistons, lost to freaking Denver by 4, lost in the last seconds to Memphis by 1, then blew that triple OT game to Houston.

If we had just won 3 of those games, including Memphis, we'd be seed #5 right now.

 

[Sinobas]

I think the Spurs might actually be the best matchup for this team though.

 

[riverman]

It is noteworthy...but fairly forgettable as well. Then again, he got to the Finals which means it was good playoff experience for his team which is quite different from getting swept and blown out in the 1st round. Again, things have changed. Portland was terrible in a very weak West early in the season. Now they are finally over .500 in still a weaker West but the team is improving. So as they have grown, good playoff experience would be helpful. At the time, if they had kept playing at that level, they needed more help than a 1st round drubbing would have provided.

They also would've probably needed more help than a draft pick would've provided as well

 

[Draco]

Yes...I'm not surprised Jeff would say that as he has never won a title.

I'm not surprised you would say that; you've never won a title.