Top 8 in the West

[The_Lillard_King]

It's interesting to see posters take on Phx and helps me relate to the NBA crew who wonder if the Blazers are for real.

While Phx fans would wonder what they have to do to prove they are for real, I can't help but wonder if Phx can keep it up and wouldn't be surprised if they slipped to 7 or 8 or even out of the playoffs.

I can see why there are analysts wondering if Blazers are for real or suspect they may fall out of HCA. And is that really insulting giving the way we view the Suns? Suns have only lost 4 more games than the Blazers and yet some wonder if they will even make the playoffs while putting Blazers in top 4 by season end.

Not bagging on anyone as this is my mentality as well (Blazers top 4, Suns may drop) . . . just pointing out that maybe it's not as insulting as some make it to be when the national analysts think Ptd will drop from being one of the top teams in the league (record wise)

 

[KeepOnRollin]

It's interesting to see posters take on Phx and helps me relate to the NBA crew who wonder if the Blazers are for real.

While Phx fans would wonder what they have to do to prove they are for real, I can't help but wonder if Phx can keep it up and wouldn't be surprised if they slipped to 7 or 8 or even out of the playoffs.

I can see why there are analysts wondering if Blazers are for real or suspect they may fall out of HCA. And is that really insulting giving the way we view the Suns? Suns have only lost 4 more games than the Blazers and yet some wonder if they will even make the playoffs while putting Blazers in top 4 by season end.

Not bagging on anyone as this is my mentality as well (Blazers top 4, Suns may drop) . . . just pointing out that maybe it's not as insulting as some make it to be when the national analysts think Ptd will drop from being one of the top teams in the league (record wise)

Valid point. I think people are still hesitant to give them their due because before the season it looked like they were trying to tank purposely. Now that is not the case. In fact someone from the Suns said they would do a deadline deal to improve now.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It's interesting to see posters take on Phx and helps me relate to the NBA crew who wonder if the Blazers are for real.

While Phx fans would wonder what they have to do to prove they are for real, I can't help but wonder if Phx can keep it up and wouldn't be surprised if they slipped to 7 or 8 or even out of the playoffs.

I can see why there are analysts wondering if Blazers are for real or suspect they may fall out of HCA. And is that really insulting giving the way we view the Suns? Suns have only lost 4 more games than the Blazers and yet some wonder if they will even make the playoffs while putting Blazers in top 4 by season end.

Not bagging on anyone as this is my mentality as well (Blazers top 4, Suns may drop) . . . just pointing out that maybe it's not as insulting as some make it to be when the national analysts think Ptd will drop from being one of the top teams in the league (record wise)

Excellent post. I agree on all accounts.

Both Portland and Phoenix are surprises, but in different ways.

As discussed, our bench needs to step it up for us to sustain our top 3 positioning. Not necessarily in total points, but just with better shot selections and less turnovers. Phoenix because of their two good point guards has less of a drop off with their second unit. You barely notice when their second unit is in. But our first unit is better when the game is on the line.

 

[magnifier661]

It's interesting to see posters take on Phx and helps me relate to the NBA crew who wonder if the Blazers are for real.

While Phx fans would wonder what they have to do to prove they are for real, I can't help but wonder if Phx can keep it up and wouldn't be surprised if they slipped to 7 or 8 or even out of the playoffs.

I can see why there are analysts wondering if Blazers are for real or suspect they may fall out of HCA. And is that really insulting giving the way we view the Suns? Suns have only lost 4 more games than the Blazers and yet some wonder if they will even make the playoffs while putting Blazers in top 4 by season end.

Not bagging on anyone as this is my mentality as well (Blazers top 4, Suns may drop) . . . just pointing out that maybe it's not as insulting as some make it to be when the national analysts think Ptd will drop from being one of the top teams in the league (record wise)

I think the difference is we have two stars and they have a mix of solid players without a true standout. Not saying it's right believing this way, but it's the way people think.

I see Phoenix like Denver was last season. Many people, even analysts, thought Denver had no real shot at making the top 5. They made top 3.

Phoenix has a group if good players, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get HCA in the first round. And like Denver, probably lose in the first round because they don't have that star to carry them.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I see Phoenix like Denver was last season. Many people, even analysts, thought Denver had no real shot at making the top 5. They made top 3.

I don't recall who it was right now but someone from ESPN picked Denver to finish 1st in the West last season.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

New Orleans is looking a lot better and Minnesota or Denver could easily get their shit together also. Dallas, Golden State and Phoenix could all easily slip, but for the most part I agree with the current lay out. I figured the irony of this season will be when we wrap up the #1 seed and then play Phoenix in the first round.

which would be fine because we would have hca and are undefeated against phx in rose city.

 

[Draco]

I don't recall who it was right now but someone from ESPN picked Denver to finish 1st in the West last season.

With Iggy and Galinari along with 3 solid centers they had much more talent last year.

Denver has the best opportunity to overachieve in the regular season. They play at elevation, their airport is far from the arena. Teams are often playing back to backs when on the road.