Woo hoo, we will contend for the 8th seed

[Mediocre Man]

Portland Trail Blazers

Changes: The Blazers were threatening for a playoff spot last year, but fell apart down the stretch because they lacked depth, with arguably the worst bench in the league. That has changed with the addition of Dorrell Wright and Earl Watson, and bringing in Robin Lopez to start at center will boost the team’s defense.

Outlook: Portland’s brass felt all that was keeping the team from a playoff spot was interior defense and depth. They’ve addressed both, and as long as LaMarcus Aldridge—rumored to be seeking a trade—is pacified, the Blazers will be contenders for the No. 8 seed.

Just what every fan dreams of.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

dreams dont often become realities MM

get your head out of the clouds

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The "analysis" ignores the addition of Thomas Robinson, the drafting of the presumably NBA-ready CJ McCollum, and the likely progression of Lillard. I think "challenging for the 8th seed" is a very conservative projection.

Also, remember--the Thunder went from 23 wins in 2009 to 50 and the 8th seed in 2010, reaching the conference finals in the next year. Gotta go one step at a time.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

NO WE NEED TO GO STRAIGHT TO WINNING THE TITLE FOR 20 YEARS IN A ROW

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Don't we want to join the 2/3 of the league that is tanking to get a lottery pick in the parade of demi-gods that is the 2014 draft?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

2009/10 #8 seed, lost in the first round

stuck in mediocrity FOREVER

 

[Boise Blazer]

I dont ever want to root for the 8th seed as my big goal for the season but I would love to see Dame in the playoffs and if we upset the 1 seed as an 8 seed I would consider that a good stepping stone and pretty successful season in the process of things.

 

[magnifier661]

NO WE NEED TO GO STRAIGHT TO WINNING THE TITLE FOR 20 YEARS IN A ROW

Right?! Some people these days! You must contend right now!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Right?! Some people these days! You must contend right now!

That's not the point. The point is that contending for the 8th seed this year is a mistake because of the loaded draft and we would not have a pick. More than likely he 8th seed would make Aldridge want out, IMO, so then we would need to rebuild anyway, but without the advantage of a player from the best draft in over a decade

 

[magnifier661]

That's not the point. The point is that contending for the 8th seed this year is a mistake because of the loaded draft and we would not have a pick. More than likely he 8th seed would make Aldridge want out, IMO, so then we would need to rebuild anyway, but without the advantage of a player from the best draft in over a decade

I don't see it in that case. I have a feeling that olshey will get a draft pick via trade. In the meantime, we do our best to get the best possible wins. I actually think we will be top 5. That's enough to keep Aldridge, IMO.

 

[ABM]

I actually think we will be top 5.

Hefty goals. Seemingly plausible, though. Can you say synergy?

 

[magnifier661]

Hefty goals. Seemingly plausible, though. Can you say synergy?

That's what I'm thinking. Everything will tie into each other perfectly. The players brought in will work. I think Lopez will surprise us all because of all the attention Aldridge will take away from Lopez. That will help his defense, rebounding and even offense.

 

[Boise Blazer]

This season will go a long ways towards confirm this but I feel I have enough trust in Olshey at this point that Im starting to get tired of hearing about the 2014 draft. If we really want or need to get into it I trust Olshey will find a way. But my hope is that we are competing enough that we are ready at add more of a veteran to make that push and not a rookie.

So in the meantime I want to compete even if that means for the 8 spot and we will cross that bridge when the time comes in regards to LMA and the draft. We have enough assets at this point including LMA that I trust Olshey can do what it necessary to get this team better. He has clearly proven that he can find that desperate team and take advantage of the situation to our benefit and there will always be desperate teams.

 

[Pinwheel1]

After next year one of three things could very well happen and none of which are that bad:

1) We play well and everyone is happy. LMA wants to stay

2) We don't play well enough, LMA is not thrilled, we don't get our pick so we trade LMA for a lottery pick.

3) Injuries occur, we really suck, we get our pick and we trade LMA for another lottery pick.

No need to tank. It will play out just fine.

 

[Boise Blazer]

After next year one of three things could very well happen and none of which are that bad:

1) We play well and everyone is happy. LMA wants to stay

2) We don't play well enough, LMA is not thrilled, we don't get our pick so we trade LMA for a lottery pick.

3) Injuries occur, we really suck, we get our pick and we trade LMA for another lottery pick.

No need to tank. It will play out just fine.

Agreed there are more good options than bad and management just to patient and smart enough to use those options wisely

 

[RR7]

We had the 3rd youngest team in the league last season. We didn't exactly get old in the offseason. It's not great to just strive for the 8th seed when you are an old ass team like the Lakers and Dallas last year. It's ok to try to get into the playoffs when you're super young and have a lot of room for improvement. Yet here we are with the 8th seed is mediocrity mantra, as if there isn't room to improve.

 

[magnifier661]

Agreed there are more good options than bad and management just to patient and smart enough to use those options wisely

Yep it's one thing if we completely cashed in and tried to build players around Aldridge and used up cap for overpaid talent; but olshey was smart. We didn't go after pek and blew our entire load. We didn't go after Evans and blew our load there.

Instead olshey found cheap pieces that can pan out and be great. But even if they are mediocre; they are cheap enough to trade out and have good value.

I bet most players we acquired are worth more than what we got them for.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Yep it's one thing if we completely cashed in and tried to build players around Aldridge and used up cap for overpaid talent; but olshey was smart. We didn't go after pek and blew our entire load. We didn't go after Evans and blew our load there.

Instead olshey found cheap pieces that can pan out and be great. But even if they are mediocre; they are cheap enough to trade out and have good value.

I bet most players we acquired are worth more than what we got them for.

And if Im not mistake they are all on short term contracts that make them even easier to trade and more attractive in some cases

 

[PDXKass]

Don't we want to join the 2/3 of the league that is tanking to get a lottery pick in the parade of demi-gods that is the 2014 draft?

i would not continue to support a team who would tank games for any reason. no, i don't think they did so last spring. in any sport, you play to win. every game.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The "analysis" ignores the addition of Thomas Robinson, the drafting of the presumably NBA-ready CJ McCollum, and the likely progression of Lillard. I think "challenging for the 8th seed" is a very conservative projection.

Also, remember--the Thunder went from 23 wins in 2009 to 50 and the 8th seed in 2010, reaching the conference finals in the next year. Gotta go one step at a time.

Actually I'd say the analysis completely accounts for those factors. Maybe Robinson or McCollum makes an impact, but it's hardly anything people should count on.

 

[Nikolokolus]

i would not continue to support a team who would tank games for any reason. no, i don't think they did so last spring. in any sport, you play to win. every game.

Team's play to win a championship, not every game. In order to get to that top of that hill, sometimes you make a tactical retreat.

 

[magnifier661]

Actually I'd say the analysis completely accounts for those factors. Maybe Robinson or McCollum makes an impact, but it's hardly anything people should count on.

They said the same with the addition of Hickson off of waivers. Having a PF like Aldridge and a fan base like Portland will do wonders to revamp ones career.

 

[PDXKass]

Team's play to win a championship, not every game. In order to get to that top of that hill, sometimes you make a tactical retreat.

i don't know if you're talking about late in a game when it's out of reach (that's a different story), but no one would ever consider intentionally losing a game to be honest sportsmanship.

 

[magnifier661]

Team's play to win a championship, not every game. In order to get to that top of that hill, sometimes you make a tactical retreat.

I don't agree with this philosophy. I understand why you believe it though.

 

[Nikolokolus]

They said the same with the addition of Hickson off of waivers. Having a PF like Aldridge and a fan base like Portland will do wonders to revamp ones career.

Having a power-forward like Aldridge limits Robinson's court time, thus hindering his development in season.

 

[Nikolokolus]

i don't know if you're talking about late in a game when it's out of reach (that's a different story), but no one would ever consider intentionally losing a game to be honest sportsmanship.

"Honest sportsmanship?" What the fuck is that? This is professional sports.

 

[magnifier661]

Having a power-forward like Aldridge limits Robinson's court time, thus hindering his development in season.

Hickson was a PF too. The concept doesn't apply. Hickson wasn't playing center when he first joined Portland. Yet, his numbers took a considerable jump. Sorry, I don't buy it.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Robinson has no where to go but up. The flip side of that argument is that playing with an all star like LMA day in and day out will speed up his progress. In the end TRob control whether he wants to get better or not. Stotts has proven to give the opportunity if the play warrants it.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Hickson was a PF too. The concept doesn't apply. Hickson wasn't playing center when he first joined Portland. Yet, his numbers took a considerable jump. Sorry, I don't buy it.

He played Center for us a majority of the time a luxury that Robinson won't have with Leonard and Lopez on the roster.

 

[santeesioux]

You guys do realize this is the nba, right? It's not like we have any chance of winning a championship anyway, may as well enjoy wins and making the playoffs.