What are YOUR season reflections?

[B-Roy]

Mine:

1. Roy and Aldridge are our future for years to come.

2. This team is great, winning 54, we should be proud.

3. We can only get better from here on out.

4. A great learning experience. We'll be ready for the playoffs next year.

5. Guys like Oden still need a few years to figure it out.

6. Outlaw/Sergio/Frye etc...Decisions need to be made on them.

7. Still looking for a SF/PG.

8. Our expectations were a bit too high.

We should be happy though. No shame in losing in the first round like that. Great season, looking forward to the next one.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Overall, we're looking for a slight upgrade at PG and possibly SF if Webster cannot make it back.

We learned Oden is a somewhat project player that will take another couple of years to really get it.

We learned that playoff defense is completely different than regular season defense.

We learned that before you get the calls from refs you have to prove yourself in this league or have great marketability such that the refs are precluded from getting you into playoff foul trouble.

We learned that Roy needs to either not play PG at all or learn to push the ball and also we have to have more solid 2nd & 3rd options at the end of the game.

It was a fun season and we'll be better next year.

 

[KingSpeed]

Mine:

1. Roy and Aldridge are our future for years to come.

2. This team is great, winning 54, we should be proud.

3. We can only get better from here on out.

4. A great learning experience. We'll be ready for the playoffs next year.

5. Guys like Oden still need a few years to figure it out.

6. Outlaw/Sergio/Frye etc...Decisions need to be made on them.

7. Still looking for a SF/PG.

8. Our expectations were a bit too high.

We should be happy though. No shame in losing in the first round like that. Great season, looking forward to the next one.

I agree with all of yours. It was a great season. Great learning experience. Glad we responded after Game 1. Glad we didn't get swept.

Without making a single trade or signing, we will be a better team next season. LMA and Roy haven't reached their ceiling. Rudy will improve. Batum will improve. Bayless too. Martell will be a welcome addition.

Greg better be better next season. Much better. Since his surgery was the excuse for not winning Rookie of the Year this season, then I expect him to win Most Improved Player next year, no excuses.

I'm very disappointed in Travis Outlaw. I thought he would flourish in the playoffs and make a name for himself. Not sure what his role will be next year. Martell is back. Batum has a bright future. And we need a Noah/Millsap/Bass type guy to back up LMA. Travis is not that guy. We'll see what happens.

Very very proud of all our guys. Except Raef LaFrentz. Where's he been all year??

 

[Nikolokolus]

I agree with all of yours. It was a great season. Great learning experience. Glad we responded after Game 1. Glad we didn't get swept.

Without making a single trade or signing, we will be a better team next season. LMA and Roy haven't reached their ceiling. Rudy will improve. Batum will improve. Bayless too. Martell will be a welcome addition.

Greg better be better next season. Much better. Since his surgery was the excuse for not winning Rookie of the Year this season, then I expect him to win Most Improved Player next year, no excuses.

I'm very disappointed in Travis Outlaw. I thought he would flourish in the playoffs and make a name for himself. Not sure what his role will be next year. Martell is back. Batum has a bright future. And we need a Noah/Millsap/Bass type guy to back up LMA. Travis is not that guy. We'll see what happens.

Very very proud of all our guys. Except Raef LaFrentz. Where's he been all year??

*raises hand* I know the answer to this one, the answer is backing up John Salmons in Chicago after KP trades him for Luol Deng.

 

[B-Roy]

Eww, why would you want Deng for what he's signed for?

 

[oldmangrouch]

I feel really sorry for Nate.

There is only one reason for a team to quit like this...they are trying to get the coach fired.

So much for this being a team of "great character" guys. Nate didn't deserve this!

 

[Sug]

1. We had a better year that I ever expected

2. Roy & LMA are solid cornerstones for a franchise

3. Joel & Greg are a good combo, but at some point it has to be Greg in the middle

4. Greg Oden is a raw talent with good instincts. He will be a high level defensive player, and a average post player

5. Oden & Joel can be a great one two punch at center for many seasons

6. The following role players are not essential for the future: Sergio, Outlaw & Frye

7. The following role players are essential for future success (in this order): Batum, Rudy, Bayless, Webster, Blake

8. Since we have Batum & Webster at SF I would not focus on that as our main need.

9. We need a starting PG that can lead this team while being the second or third fiddle. Blake is close, he is just not the guy.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Eww, why would you want Deng for what he's signed for?

OK, maybe not Deng (he's been pretty dinged up the last couple of years) but is there any question he'd be more reliable than Outlaw?

 

[MARIS61]

Something smells wonderful.

BAKE IT!

 

[craigehlo]

- 54 wins is solid, but also somewhat inflated since the West was very inconsistent this year outside of the Lakers

- Travis Outlaw, Sergio and Frye need to hit the bricks.

- The Blazers need to get Greg involved early and often. It all starts this summer with a great big man coach

- We can't start Joel and Batum. There's simply not enough firepower in that lineup.

- Nate didn't have this team ready to play in the post season.

 

[MAS RipCity]

just love how fast ppl turn on outlaw..haha some fans we have

 

[Minstrel]

- 54 wins is solid, but also somewhat inflated since the West was very inconsistent this year outside of the Lakers

What on Earth are you talking about? This Western conference was one of the toughest ever. Inconsistent other than the Lakers? You mean, any team that isn't elite across the board is "inconsistent?" Several teams could have reached the 60 win mark except that there were a bunch of tough teams that held everyone good except LA in the 50s. There was 6 teams that won 50 or more games.

This is really a desperate attempt to try and devalue what the team accomplished. Not even remotely convincing. You should give a better effort than that.

 

[craigehlo]

What on Earth are you talking about? This Western conference was one of the toughest ever.

Toughest ever? Guess you didn't watch hoops the last decade.

 

[Minstrel]

Toughest ever? Guess you didn't watch hoops the last decade.

I did. I just am intellectually honest. You should try it sometime.

Also, I didn't say "toughest ever." But again, as I said, intellectual honesty isn't your strong suit. You try for twisting facts, but aren't good at it.

 

[TP3]

We HAVE to be able to contain the drive one on one WAY more frequently. Until we take it seriously, give a better effort, and take some pride in not getting beat individually we will ALWAYS give up wide open shots. We will never consistently beat elite teams with our defensive system.

More importantly....on the other end of the floor we just throw way too many possessions away. Our standards of what a good shot is are so low! I can't believe the crap we threw at the hoop tonight in big moments. We allowed them to go on a 24-6 run in the first half because our offensive attack was undefined and undisciplined. It was a pathetic display of offensive basketball. We never attacked the hoop...we never had deep position on the post during that stretch. Inside/Out wins games...the Rockets killed us with just that. Did you notice how quickly they moved the ball to the open guy. They had a purpose and found wide open shooters...we fished around for 22 seconds and launched over a hand in our face. No way you win on the road doing that.

Great offensive possessions and limited scoring droughts (never go 3 poss without points)...lead to scoreboard pressure...if you are up or tied on the scoreboard your opponents have pressure and miss shots. That's winning. We don't understand that concept and have no offensive standards...thus our lousy road record.

Pretty simple. The ball goes through the LA in the post or Roy on the perimeter...period. Especially after they score or when we are in a drought and especially on the road.

 

[yinets1860]

Mine:

1. Roy and Aldridge are our future for years to come.

2. This team is great, winning 54, we should be proud.

3. We can only get better from here on out.

4. A great learning experience. We'll be ready for the playoffs next year.

5. Guys like Oden still need 10 years to figure it out.

6. Outlaw/Sergio/Frye etc...Decisions need to be made on them.

7. Still looking for a SF/PG.

8. Our expectations were a bit too high.

We should be happy though. No shame in losing in the first round like that. Great season, looking forward to the next one.

 

[Deebag]

That many Portland fans have no patience.

"ZOMG, IF ONLY WE MADEZ A TRADE!!1"

 

[Nikolokolus]

Something smells wonderful.

BAKE IT!

I've never been a big fan of shitburger stew myself. To each their own I guess

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Ah yes, the official slogan for this franchise...

"Wait until next year.."

 

[Nikolokolus]

Ah yes, the official slogan for this franchise...

"Wait until next year.."

Then why torture yourself rooting for them? I hear the Lakers are always looking for a few more people on their bandwagon, and judging the attendance of teams like Memphis, Charlotte and New Orleans I'm sure they could use some fan support too.

 

[B-Roy]

Then why torture yourself rooting for them? I hear the Lakers are always looking for a few more people on their bandwagon, and judging the attendance of teams like Memphis, Charlotte and New Orleans I'm sure they could use some fan support too.

Always the clever poster, Nik.

 

[oldmangrouch]

What are you talking about? You think we quit? We just got beat. Badly. I don't think we quit. We sucked, but didn't quit.

Outside of Roy, LMA, and Joel, can you honestly say that any member of the team showed up and played hard in all 6 games? It may not have been as blatant as what happened with the Hornets - but that is mostly because Paul was ready to throw Byron Scott under the bus, while Roy acted like a professional.

 

[Nate Dogg]

Outlaw was a disappointment in my books, constantly getting burned by his attacker as they drive towards the basket. Yes, he has made some killer last minute wins for us but is not the frontman that we want in the post season. Its obvious that he chokes defensively at times since hes been in the league for 6 years now. He has reached his plateau and can't get any better than where hes at now.

Batum, Oden have slowly improved with their skills. I still don't know what I see with Bayless since Nate still gives him garbage time. Either Bayless stays next season or is dealt in a trade because he is unhappy with his limited minutes. Blake has had his ups-downs during the season but at least hes more consistent than Sergio at point guard.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

We need a starting caliber point. Move Blake to a backup role, where he belongs.

Nate McMillan tried his hardest to turn Rudy into James Jones. That has to stop.

Greg Oden just isn't a good basketball player right now. Not even close!

We need a banger at the backup PF. Bring in Blair! This guy will be able to grab boards in bunches from day one.

 

[MrJayremmie]

1. Roy and LMA are the truth and a great foundation
2. Greg Oden... well... *sigh* - I will always believe, even if i'm the last one that will believe in you.
3. Rudy was a great addition and a solid core member for the future
4. The team did better than most anyone thought and got valuable playoff experience
5. We know who is a keeper and who is a goner for the most part with some fence players
6. Nate did a great job and is improving our team by 9-13 wins every year
7. We are still looking for a PG and SF but may have the long-term answers to both on the roster (and hopefully both will be backups with at least 15mpg)

I'm excited for this off-season, but no where near as excited as I am for next season. I guess whatever moves we make in the off-season will probably add/subtract from my excitement for next season.

Go Blazers!

Scarlet and Black for Life!

 

[crandc]

I agree with 1-7 on B-Roy's list. Not on 8. Expectations going into the season were a wining record and maybe a 7 or 8 playoff seed. We just got spoiled late.