Way too early playoff talk

[RR7]

Haven't had a positive reason to scoreboard-watch in years. Love being able to watch games like LA-LA last night and think "Lakers loss gets us that much closer in the standings", and legitimately feel like that matters.

Thought the same last night Alright, GS lost, 1 game closer to them, Houston lost, LA one was a double edged, Lakers move down, Clippers move up, but it all comes down to us handling our business, so better the teams ahead lose

 

[crandc]

Can we agree it's not way too early?

 

[Everything Beagle]

Can we agree it's not way too early?

Definitely

 

[blazerfan11]

remaining games:

Minnesota 3 games (2 away, 1 home)
Lakers - done (won series 2-1)
Clippers - 2 games (1 home, 1 away)
Suns - 2 games (1 home, 1 away)
Houston - 1 game, away

 

[crandc]

Houston won, Phoenix lost.

 

[KingSpeed]

Make it to the play in and lose that.

That’s what Dallas did and they got Flagg. That said, I want the 7 spot. Win one of two home games to make the playoffs and if you win the first one, you avoid OKC in first round. 8 is fine, 9 is would be disappointing, 10 is bad. No 10 seed has made the playoffs.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm legitimately torn. I want us to play well, but I also want that draft pick and don't believe we'd survive a first round series. So I would prefer to ignore the idea of playoffs and just focus on each game. That way I can root for the team to win with a clear conscience, even if in the long run it's counterproductive.

We can beat Spurs in playoffs. They have very little experience. At least we have Jrue and Jerami. And DC’s won two college titles.

 

[KingSpeed]

Like the consolidation trades the Blazers did with their draft pick the last 4 years? Oh wait that's right Cronin has never done one instead drafting a 19 year old with every single Blazers draft pick.

Or perhaps you want a trade like Olshey did where we sent out 2 Blazers picks for Robert Covington.

The Blazers either owe Chicago a picks one of these years or miss the playoff for 7 consecutive seasons. Just enjoy the playoff push and if we get it enjoy that its the best case scenario for the roster.

Having a dozen guys that can get the team to the playoffs is far more valuable than delaying a pick to Chicago one year.

Also giving Chicago our 2026 pick makes it EASIER to trade a pick in a trade as there would no longer be stipen restrictions on the blazers 2027 2028 2029 picks nor on the unprotected Orlando 2028 pick we own.

Clingan was 20 when we drafted him.

 

[KingSpeed]

Like the consolidation trades the Blazers did with their draft pick the last 4 years? Oh wait that's right Cronin has never done one instead drafting a 19 year old with every single Blazers draft pick.

Or perhaps you want a trade like Olshey did where we sent out 2 Blazers picks for Robert Covington.

The Blazers either owe Chicago a picks one of these years or miss the playoff for 7 consecutive seasons. Just enjoy the playoff push and if we get it enjoy that its the best case scenario for the roster.

Having a dozen guys that can get the team to the playoffs is far more valuable than delaying a pick to Chicago one year.

Also giving Chicago our 2026 pick makes it EASIER to trade a pick in a trade as there would no longer be stipen restrictions on the blazers 2027 2028 2029 picks nor on the unprotected Orlando 2028 pick we own.

Clingan was 20 when we drafted him

 

[KingSpeed]

Yeah, or not. Damian will be back, Jrue will be a year older etc.

Our roster right now does not have the talent to make any realistic run. But, adding Lillard and a consolidation trade for another star/better fit could change that next year.

Talent wise - if the team sees Lillard and think he will be 85% the player he was, I think you make a trade to go for it. What better way to try to entice a team than having a lotto pick this year to sweeten the pot.

Also, even if the wheels completely fell off and we did end up in the lotto, we can go to Chicago and say hey, we know we are in the lotto this year, but lets give you this pick, you send a 2nd and we call it good in 2027. Unknown what they would say, but its not unreasonable to think they would be open to that.

Who is the star we’re trading for? Giannis? Better get busy! Embiid? I bet he’s available if you want to take the risk! LeBron? As a 6th man? Who else is available that would be “going for it”?

 

[KingSpeed]

I get it, but if you want to win a title, we have to think long term. I also would like to see a title contender before I pass away.

Making the playoffs and losing in the first round means little to me. Hard to bet excited over those prospects.

6 years ago, (SGA’s first year there), OKC lost in the first round. It’s a process.

 

[KingSpeed]

Curry/Klay Warriors pulled off a first round upset in 2013, then lost in first round 2014, and THEN started winning titles. Winning play-in and taking Spurs to 6 or even winning that first round series would be great for us. Must avoid OKC and Denver. I wouldn’t be surprised if teams tank IN to the play-in to avoid a #3 Denver.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

6 years ago, (SGA’s first year there), OKC lost in the first round. It’s a process.

I don't think we have a prospect nearly as good as SGA on our team. Deni is going to be good, but I don't even think he can end up SGA good.

 

[KingSpeed]

I don't think we have a prospect nearly as good as SGA on our team. Deni is going to be good, but I don't even think he can end up SGA good.

They didn’t think he’d be this good then. And Deni does some things better than SGA already.

 

[lawai'a]

ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone surgery on his left ankle, citing sources. Adams, 32, will miss the rest of the season.
might have an impact though they have capela on the bench for next man up.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone surgery on his left ankle, citing sources. Adams, 32, will miss the rest of the season.
might have an impact though they have capela on the bench for next man up.

They're gonna get involved in the Giannis sweepstakes and somehow deal for KAT.

 

[lawai'a]

They're gonna get involved in the Giannis sweepstakes and somehow deal for KAT.

View attachment 80385

KAT and ryan rollins would upgrade their offense for sure but at a serious step back on "D" IMHO. could sengun, durant and kat all play at the same time with only one basketball? wait, your pulling my leg right ? no green font trades?