At this point in time, the Blazers are given 18-1 odds of winning it all next year. Based on some of the moves other teams have made and what we haven't done thus far (although free-agent signings aren't yet an option), I'd have to agree with Blazers' spot in the rankings. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...n-2010-championship-following-?urn=nba,174375 Top teams: Gramps...
With Yao seemingly lost for the season, there's no way Houston belongs at #7. I think Portland, Denver and San Antonio are all very close, the same tier. I'd put all three ahead of Orlando. LA, Cleveland and Boston should be the top three.
That's the way I'd size it up, too, depending upon Garnett's knee. Without KG, the Celtics drop out of contention, IMO.
I think Portland needs to prove it can beat good western conference teams on the road before they can move any farther up the list then 7th. And they are not close to the Spurs right now. Maybe with a couple of injuries to Spurs players, but if they are all healthy Portland would not beat them in a 7 game series. This list must have been made before the news about Yao's foot. They should be about 100/1 odds, since neither T-Mac or Yao are really going to play next year.
I think injuries are going to be an issue with Duncan and Ginobili from now on, so I wouldn't base evaluations on both remaining healthy all season. I agree that Portland needs to start beating good teams on the road, but even without doing so much last year, they were even with San Antonio and Denver. With any improvement at all from the group of Oden, Aldridge, Batum, Rudy and Bayless, I think Portland will turn more close losses on the road into close wins. While it may not be reasonable to assume improvement from ALL of those players, I definitely think that the default is that they'll get more from that group of players as a whole.
Deal! Now would you like to hear my conditions? I would put it in writing but it could be considered solicitation . . .
Oh... you're going too? That's a "condition" I hadn't contemplated. Can I get back to you on that, I need to rethink this whole thing.
Denver has one decent post season against two cream puff opponents and they are ranked above us? We should be 6th on this list.
Ahh women . . . I know . . . you're a woman, it's your prerogative to change your mind. Let me know when you come to a decision . . . I will be waiting for your answer (story of my life)
I just don't know if the above is true. If Duncan and Manu can play fewer minutes next year due to RJ picking up some of the offensive slack, then injuries might not be a big a deal. If the Spurs have a healthy Manu, Parker and RJ, then they are better then Portland even with half a Duncan. I hope to see improvement from all of Portland's players this off season. I expect to see a huge improvement in Oden. None of this means I wouldn't lay a 100 bucks on Portland winning it all. Once the playoffs start, anything can happen.
