Simple Question: Will The Blazers Make The Playoffs?

Assuming no big trades are made, can this current team make the playoffs?

 

If there's more players on the bench than coaches.

 

Assuming no other big trades are made from other teams either, my answer is no. That means melo stays with Denver and Nash stays with Phoenix

 

No, they won't.

They will probably have the best record of the teams in the lottery though.

 

Yes

 

I don't really see why not. If Camby comes back healthy soon, you've basically got average or better-than-average players at all five starting positions. Very few teams can say that.

Sure, some teams have true superstars that more than offset sub-par starters, and a lot of teams have better benches than we do.

But half the league makes the playoffs. I think the overall talent of the starting 5 is enough to make a 7th or 8th seed likely.

If Aldridge keeps balling, Przybilla and Camby come back soon at 100%, and Roy finds a way to really complement this team, I'd even have hope that we'd finally get out of the first round.

 

maybe... lol, a copout, I know, but I really am not sure enough to bet either way! Nate has a way of getting a lot out of a little and Miller/Matthews/Batum/Aldridge/Camby is not too bad a core....but we're as deep as Mixum's love for the Blazers! (just kidding! I think...)

 

I think so. I expect the Nuggets to trade Anthony, which will likely end their playoff chances. I also agree with mook that the team has a playoff-worthy starting lineup. The bench isn't great but could get a nice infusion if Roy learns to play well off the bench.

 

It's tough to say. I think they've got a shot as built, but I really don't believe Miller will be here post-deadline and it's impossible to say if what he's traded for is going to have immediate impact.

 

As constructed, and as the west is currently constructed, probably fighting for 7th/8th spot. So, likely, but not certain.

 

Well, that's assuming we trade him. It seems a foregone conclusion right now because our record is so shaky. But I think our record reflects the team's inability to adapt to Roy falling apart. It's clearly starting to make that transition, and we're seeing the benefits.

I think we'll be a pretty strong contender for the playoffs by the trade deadline, and the temptation to deal Miller and Camby to rebuild on the fly may dissipate.

Especially if both guys continue to be so good at feeding lobs to Aldridge. Remember how we used to worry about playing guys who could play well with Roy? That whole paradigm is shifting. If a player can do well next to Roy, that's great, but the real priority is to put guys next to Aldridge who can make Aldridge excel. Camby and Miller obviously do that.

 

This is my question too. We make the playoffs if brandon comes back and simply plays like he did against Phoenix. (meaning just hitting wide open shots) whether he starts or comes off the bench, we need the extra depth.

We can beat out Phoenix and NO.

 

It comes down to wether it not we stay healthy and find a way to fit roy in.

With that said.... I keep hearing the suns got better with that trade. I dont know if thats true.

So 3 spots for 6 teams....


Hornets
Nuggets
Blazers
Rockets
Grizz
Suns

I dont think the grizz get in. I think the nuggets depend on melo and houston is the dark horse. The suns will likely be the team we battle with. It will be tough but possible.

 

Yeah, yeah. Typical lawyer response.

 

Not only do Blazers make it . . . they end up 6th.

 

No. We are bad in the 4th quarter. We barely pull it out against bad teams. We lose to .500 teams. We will perform in the clutch part of the season as we do in the clutch part of the games.

 

Where's the option for "If LA continues to play in beast mode?" Because that's the only way we get in in my opinion. There are also outside factors influencing Portland's chances, such as Melo being moved and other trades, similar to what we saw with the Suns do. I really don't think we get anything from Roy this year, so with the team we have now..I think it will go down to the wire for the 8th seed just like what happened with us and Denver in 2004.

 

You should have put that assumption in the poll question since it's 2 or 3 completely different answers.

With no trade, no.

Trading Roy for equal talent, yes.

Trading others but keeping Roy, doubtful.