Would anyone be surprised if Dallas won it all this season?

[magnifier661]

I mean do you think teams like Dallas, Thunder, Miami, and Boston have a shot at the title?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think Stern wants a Laker vs Boston finals so the Shaq vs Kobe hype takes center stage.

"Will Kobe get his 6th ring or will Shaq tie his former teammate with 5?"

Dallas has no chance in hell of winning the championship this year.

 

[Minstrel]

I'd be very surprised. They don't have the defense or rebounding and their offense, while good, is not a juggernaut. They are a solidly good team, but not a great one.

The other three teams you mention are all different from Dallas. I think Boston and Miami are title contenders, if Boston doesn't wear down and if Miami locks down on defense the way they did in the first half of the season but were inconsistent at as the season wore on. The Thunder, like Dallas, aren't talented enough IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

I'd be very surprised. They don't have the defense or rebounding and their offense, while good, is not a juggernaut. They are a solidly good team, but not a great one.

The other three teams you mention are all different from Dallas. I think Boston and Miami are title contenders, if Boston doesn't wear down and if Miami locks down on defense the way they did in the first half of the season but were inconsistent at as the season wore on. The Thunder, like Dallas, aren't talented enough IMO.

The reason why I ask is this very thing. Many picked the Blazers to have a 55-57 win season if they had Wallace during training camp. Those 4 teams I mentioned would probably have to win on the road all the way to the championship; except for the first round. So with this type of thinking, why couldn't the Blazers win a title? This is an entirely different team than the one that got us 48 wins. This is a team that would have probably been considerably better on the road, with a better record and probably HCA in the first round. I would argue probably the 3rd or 4th best team in the West.

 

[illmatic99]

Ya. They aren't winning it. That team has a ton of flaws that are so often glossed over because of their gaudy reg. season records.

 

[magnifier661]

Ya. They aren't winning it. That team has a ton of flaws that are so often glossed over because of their gaudy reg. season records.

How about Boston or Miami?

 

[illmatic99]

Boston isn't going anywhere without a center. I expect Miami to beat them in the second round. What flaws do you see in Miami, outside of a weak bench? They play good defense, have size up front to play D, and are very versatile. Heat is my pick for the title this year.

 

[Pinwheel1]

They were one Caron Butler away from having the whole package IMO. They were playing really well before he got injured.

 

[Minstrel]

The reason why I ask is this very thing. Many picked the Blazers to have a 55-57 win season if they had Wallace during training camp. Those 4 teams I mentioned would probably have to win on the road all the way to the championship; except for the first round. So with this type of thinking, why couldn't the Blazers win a title?

Boston and Miami have arguably underperformed their top level, in terms of regular season record. Either team could win the title if they play near their top level.

Portland, I would say, has not underperformed at all since getting Wallace. We've been watching their top level, IMO. I don't think they have a better level that they can reach for an entire month of play (four rounds of playoffs). That is what separates post-Wallace-acquisition Portland from Boston and Miami.

Nothing separates post-Wallace-acquisition Portland from Dallas or Oklahoma City, except home court advantage in the first round...which is a big deal. And neither Dallas nor OKC is winning the title this year.

 

[magnifier661]

Boston and Miami have arguably underperformed their top level, in terms of regular season record. Either team could win the title if they play near their top level.

Portland, I would say, has not underperformed at all since getting Wallace. We've been watching their top level, IMO. I don't think they have a better level that they can reach for an entire month of play (four rounds of playoffs). That is what separates post-Wallace-acquisition Portland from Boston and Miami.

Nothing separates post-Wallace-acquisition Portland from Dallas or Oklahoma City, except home court advantage in the first round...which is a big deal. And neither Dallas nor OKC is winning the title this year.

I would have to disagree with you on this one. In fact, Portland hasn't performed to their potential this season, and when they did, they beat the best when they played their Best. Beating Dallas, even when Dallas was shooting 58% from the field? How about beating Miami when they were shooting 50+ from the field and getting 28 from Wade and 30 from LJ? How about the win against Boston when Boston was doing well? Lakers? Comme on Minstrel. Okay I am a homer, but lighten up and see the big picture.

Portland can beat anyone if they play their A game, and I mean against anyone and their A game. The only team I would ever worry about would be Orlando, just because they have such a dominant big man. Other than that, I love our chances.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Hmm Only way Dallas sees a finals game is on TV or buy a ticket.

 

[Mamba]

Lol not going to happen. Dallas isn't gonna get past you guys.

 

[LittleAlex]

I would shocked if Dallas makes it past the second round, though I think that Portland may very well beat them in the first round.

 

[magnifier661]

Lol not going to happen. Dallas isn't gonna get past you guys.

Can't wait to mop the floor with the Lakers in round 2.

 

[Minstrel]

Comme on Minstrel. Okay I am a homer, but lighten up and see the big picture.

I'm plenty light. Sports is just an entertainment for me, not an important issue in my life. I call them as I see them. I might be wrong, but I don't think I bias myself towards being optimistic or pessimistic. At least, I try not to.

Portland can beat anyone if they play their A game, and I mean against anyone and their A game.

That's not the "big picture." In fact, that's the opposite of the big picture. Almost any NBA team can defeat any other NBA team if they play a perfect game. That's why I said Portland doesn't have a higher level for a month of play. Sure Portland can play a good enough game to beat anyone in any particular game. They might even be able to pull off a major upset in a series (I don't think beating Dallas would be a major upset). I don't think they can pull off three major upsets, though, which is what they'd have to do to win a title if they get past Dallas.

Since acquiring Wallace, I think Portland has been playing pretty close to their top level overall. The kind of top level you can sustain for a month of games, not the kind of top level that you could show in a single game.

 

[Rhal]

I'm plenty light. Sports is just an entertainment for me, not an important issue in my life. I call them as I see them. I might be wrong, but I don't think I bias myself towards being optimistic or pessimistic. At least, I try not to.



That's not the "big picture." In fact, that's the opposite of the big picture. Almost any NBA team can defeat any other NBA team if they play a perfect game. That's why I said Portland doesn't have a higher level for a month of play. Sure Portland can play a good enough game to beat anyone in any particular game. They might even be able to pull off a major upset in a series (I don't think beating Dallas would be a major upset). I don't think they can pull off three major upsets, though, which is what they'd have to do to win a title if they get past Dallas.

Since acquiring Wallace, I think Portland has been playing pretty close to their top level overall. The kind of top level you can sustain for a month of games, not the kind of top level that you could show in a single game.

Do you see us not being able to sustain that level of play in the Dallas series then?

 

[Minstrel]

Do you see us not being able to sustain that level of play in the Dallas series then?

I do...but I think Dallas is about equal to Portland now that Portland has Wallace. I don't think that level of play is likely to beat LA, unless LA is still struggling by that point.

 

[Rhal]

I think the only teams I wouldn't be surprised at if they won the title this year are LA/Spurs/Miami/Bulls. I'll be surprised if anyone else does. I think Boston lost way to much in the Perkins trade to be able to win the ECF.

 

[magnifier661]

That's not the "big picture." In fact, that's the opposite of the big picture. Almost any NBA team can defeat any other NBA team if they play a perfect game.

I didn't say that. I said Portland's A game can beat anyone's A game. That doesn't hold true to every team in the league. For example... If Dallas has an A game against Spur's A game, Dallas loses that game.

 

[magnifier661]

I think the only teams I wouldn't be surprised at if they won the title this year are LA/Spurs/Miami/Bulls. I'll be surprised if anyone else does. I think Boston lost way to much in the Perkins trade to be able to win the ECF.

Be surprised then! Blazers are the 2011 champs!!!!!!

 

[Minstrel]

I didn't say that. I said Portland's A game can beat anyone's A game. That doesn't hold true to every team in the league.

Fair enough, we disagree then. I don't think Portland's A-game can beat the A-game of LA, Miami, Boston or Chicago in a seven-game series. And possibly not a healthy San Antonio. Portland would need to play their A-game and hope that those teams played somewhere below their best.

 

[Draco]

I think its possible the Blazers could have had a similar regular season record to Miami if they had Wallace since day one. But the difference which makes Miami a contender is they relied so much on Wade and Lebron during the regular season those two had to take it easy here and there to rest. There are long road trips and back to backs. In the playoffs there are neither, those guys can play 45mpg at full intensity which will turn their performance up a notch from the regular season.

Despite the 3 goggles the Blazers were one of the worst 3pt shooting teams in the league this season. If we can't hit the outside shot the defense will pack it in on LaMarcus, Andre, Wallace causing our offense to struggle. If we can be above average from 3point land I love our chances against anyone, but to think that could happen for all of four playoff series is a pipe dream IMO.

We have a bunch of if statements that need to happen in order for us to have deep playoff success, sure its possible but I fear quite unlikely. Whereas a team like Miami just needs the big 3 to play at their average career production playoff levels to be a monster in the postseason.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Just about everybody would be surprised.

I actually think Dallas will beat Portland in six, but I don't see them getting past the second round.

Miami and Boston I think have more of a chance than Chicago. Boston proved last year that they can mess around for most of the second half and just ignite in the playoffs. Everything turns on Rondo, though. I have a feeling he's not healthy, and without him at full strength, they're toast. Losing Perkins hurts, but they were amazing early this season without him.
I would be very surprised, though, if Miami weren't the East's representatives in the playoffs.

 

[KingSpeed]

Dallas, SA, Miami, Chicago have no chance. Dallas won't make it out of the first round. Manu is hurt and Spurs don't have the endurance to go the whole way. Boston owns LeBron and Miami has no depth whatsoever. Chicago is not experienced enough to beat a team like Boston. Doc Rivers knows how to prepare a team for the playoffs and those guys are VERY experienced. Bulls will make it to ECF but that's it. A team that no one is mentioning is Orlando who is experienced and has been to the Finals. I think they have an outside chance of getting there again. Lakers are extremely lucky because their first round opponent is the weakest in the entire playoffs. I hope I'm wrong but they'll probably sweep and be very rested for us. Portland is the ONLY team with a chance to beat the Lakers because they have size with Camby and Aldridge and three premiere defenders (Wallace, Matthews, Batum) to throw at Kobe. If Lakers beat Blazers, it's a free ride to the Finals for the Lakers.

So in conclusion, since I don't think Portland can beat Boston but they COULD beat Orlando, the only teams that I think have any chance of winning the whole thing are Portland (major longshot), Orlando (longshot), Boston, and L.A. If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would pick the Lakers to win it all without hesitation.

 

[RoyToy]

The Mavs' roster just doesn't scare me. It's Dirk and a bunch of role players dominated by guard/wing players. Absolutely no toughness. Yes, I would be surprised if they won it all this season. Very surprised.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Jinx.

 

[mgb]

I would be extremely surprise since we are going to eliminate them. It's going to be tough for the Mavs to win it all after being eliminated. I think that would surprise everyone.

 

[RR7]

I'd be plenty surprised. I'm still shocked that they sat and did nothing at the trade deadline. It's quite possible they thought getting Beaubois healthy was like acquiring another player, but I would think with him, Butler's large expiring, Stevenson's expiring, they could have made an addition to help their club out. I liked them at the beginning of the year, because I think Chandler adds a lot to their team they didn't have. But sitting on their hands will cost them.
I mean, since losing Butler, their guard rotation is kidd, Stevenson, Beaubois, terry and Barea. That's a short rotation of guards. I think they should have tried ot integrate brewer a lot quicker. he'd have been an ideal guy over Stevenson. Oh well.
yes, I'd be shocked.

 

[Darkwebs]

I would have to disagree with you on this one. In fact, Portland hasn't performed to their potential this season, and when they did, they beat the best when they played their Best. Beating Dallas, even when Dallas was shooting 58% from the field? How about beating Miami when they were shooting 50+ from the field and getting 28 from Wade and 30 from LJ? How about the win against Boston when Boston was doing well? Lakers? Comme on Minstrel. Okay I am a homer, but lighten up and see the big picture.

Portland can beat anyone if they play their A game, and I mean against anyone and their A game. The only team I would ever worry about would be Orlando, just because they have such a dominant big man. Other than that, I love our chances.

Sorry to nitpick, but we didn't beat Boston this year. It was a close game in Boston though.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'd be extremely shocked; stunned actually. Out of all the teams in the west, I think only the Hornets winning it all would shock me more than Dallas. Even if Dalls gets bythe Blazers ( a big IF in my opinion). There's no way they get by the Lakers or OKC.

With the addition of Perkins, Mohammed and the emergence of Ibaka, OKC is suddenly a much more physical, better rebounding, better defending team. Dallas has no one who stands a chance in hell of stopping Durant or, especially Westbrook. Five years ago, Marion could have done a respectable job on Durant, but not now. Durant is both longer and quicker than 2011's version of the Matrix. Ten years ago, Kidd might have been able to slow down Westbrook. Not now, not even close.

I don't think Dallas could beat Denver or San Antonio in a series either. They have the same problems against all the other teams in the west (except the Hornets minus David West) as they'll have against the Blazers. Poor defense and an old, slow, undersized backcourt. Dallas will be lucky to get out of the first round. And, if they do (which I don't think they will), no way in hell, short of Kobe Bryant getting run over by a bus, do they get past the Lakers in the second round second round. So, I guess talking about how they'd match up with the Spurs, Thunder or Nuggets is pretty much moot.

And, spending even one second thinking about how'd they'd match up against any of the top teams in the East is a total waste of time. So, I won't bother to go there.

BNM