Western Conference Predictions - Blazers 3rd in NW

[GrandpaBlaze]

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/nba-predictions-western-conference?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

A couple of interesting quotes:

The West is too deep for Portland to make a huge jump, but if everything goes as planned, they’ll be in position to contend for a bottom playoff seed.

They talk about the additions of Robinson, Wright, CJ, Mo, etc. and then have this:

Center Robin Lopez, the Blazers’ other significant offseason addition, ensures All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge won’t have to log time in the middle, something he apparently detests

It is something discussed regularly here and I've seen hints of it elsewhere but never seen someone in the press put it so blatantly.

Gramps...

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Minny is at #2?

I'd rather have the Blazers roster. Minny does have a better coach, though.

 

[handiman]

That dude uses a lot of commas.

"Denver had quite the tumultuous summer, as NBA Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri, replaced by new general manager Tim Connelly, left for Toronto, while the league’s Coach of the Year winner, George Karl, simply wasn’t retained, leading to the hiring of Brian Shaw as head coach."

"Last season, which many observers thought would result in another championship, ended up being a disaster, one of the most disappointing campaigns in franchise history, and extended into the offseason, when Dwight Howard left in free agency."

"On the brink of moving to Seattle, the Kings not only are staying in Sacramento, but literally have a new lease on life, as they are now equipped with a new owner, general manager and head coach, the latter being highly-regarded longtime assistant Mike Malone, best known for his defensive strategies."

Uh... His insight isn't much better than his writing. The Big Pekker is a bruiser? He's a big softie, no pun intended.

 

[Rhal]

You know its still the off season when no name writers, who wouldn't otherwise write anything involving the Blazers, are writing about the Blazers.

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[Fez Hammersticks]

I think the Wolves will be good this year for the simple fact that Kevin Love is healthy, as is Budinger.

 

[handiman]

I think the Wolves will be good this year for the simple fact that Kevin Love is healthy, as is Budinger.

On the other hand, they lost Kirilenko and added Kevin Martin to the worst defensive front court imaginable. (Well, adding Hickson alongside Love could make it worse.) They'll only win games when they can't miss a shot.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

3rd is probably right, but I don't think it'll be Minny ahead of us.

 

[Mediocre Man]

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/nba-predictions-western-conference?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

A couple of interesting quotes:



They talk about the additions of Robinson, Wright, CJ, Mo, etc. and then have this:



It is something discussed regularly here and I've seen hints of it elsewhere but never seen someone in the press put it so blatantly.

Gramps...

People that aren't blinded by their Moda colored glasses have said it many times

 

[KingSpeed]

I think the Wolves will be good this year for the simple fact that Kevin Love is healthy, as is Budinger.

Since when does a healthy Love lead to victories?

 

[illmatic99]

You know its still the off season when no name writers, who wouldn't otherwise write anything involving the Blazers, are writing about the Blazers.

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No kidding.

I want to at least see Dame in some preseason games before making projections. It's not that hard to make predictions based on what the rosters look like on paper, but when so much of our success depends on a rising sophomore, we gotta get some evidence first. If Dame blows up like Wade did his second year, we will win ~50 games. If he stays about the same, I expect about 41. If he declines and fails to adjust to the new roster, I expect about the same record as last year.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I don't think Denver will be as good as last year, but I'll believe the all out demise of Denver only after I see it.

 

[Draco]

If he declines and fails to adjust to the new roster, I expect about the same record as last year.

I think if that were the case Mo could play a lot of PG and the team would be ok. Even with an underperforming Damian I'd be shocked if we didn't improve on last years win total. Now if we have injuries in the front court its a whole different matter.

 

[crandc]

Since when does a healthy Love lead to victories?

Healthy love can lead to some good things!

Sorry, KS, couldn't resist. Peace.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Healthy love can lead to some good things!

Sorry, KS, couldn't resist. Peace.

Darn you crandc, I was gonna say that, lol! Dare I say "great minds think alike?"