THUNDER @ BLAZERS 01.13.2013, 6:00 PM - GAME THREAD

Our bench had 6 points tonight.

 

Is that above average or below?

 

Guh!

 

Yes, if they get to that point they'll be "good" but probably not great unless the Olshey can somehow find another guy that "moves the needle." This team isn't just a few bits of duct tape here and some bailing wire there away, they've still got a lot of holes and some roster balancing ahead of them (particularly at center and probably at shooting guard, not too mention finding 3 or 4 additional bench quality players)

 

Earlier in the season that was right about average.

 

The bench was terrible, but frankly the starters didn't exactly acquit themselves all that well tonight. Pretty inefficient night for everybody besides LaMarcus. Too bad he was the only up for the challenge.

 

Ya maybe. But that all depends on Lillard how he progresses too. If he can evolve his game even further, as you know, a star/superstar can help a lot. Ya we still need a bench, but if you can find a sixth man that goes along way. Of course we have some young guys who have a chance to improve in Leonard, Claver, Freeland, but who knows how they turn out. For a team that has holes we are still doing well on what was and still is a rebuilding year, so I think we can be ok going forward.

 

Lillard is already 22 that hinders his ceiling somewhat ... he'll at least have some incremental growth going forward -- the biggest strides he'll take are probably just becoming more consistent. But counting on him to become a "superstar" (like a top ten guy in the league and in the conversation for MVP) is probably pretty slim.

Chances are if this team is ever going to have a shot becoming a title contender with this core of players (LMA, Batum, Lillard) they're going to need to be more like those early aughts Pistons teams vs. the traditional "2/3 superstars and roleplayers" model. To me that means that even if Lillard turns into a top 5 guy at his position, this team still needs another near all-star caliber acquisition to bolster this team.

 

Where do you think they are more likely to get that player?

 

Possibly a trade, probably not through free agency and depending on our draft position the chances could be decent or kind of poor.

All I know is that trying to make the playoffs this year and sacrificing the cheapest and most direct way of adding talent (the draft) would be a real setback for this team as it tries to remake itself in as short amount of time as possible -- before LMA's contract enters the last year.

 

I'm not sure what you're suggesting. The only way the Blazers can get their pick this year is if they decide to tank. Anything 12 and up goes to Charlotte. And they're probably better than the 10th or 11th pick with the current crew.

 

Look at the schedule, they aren't going to have to "tank" that hard.

 

I don't know. That sounds like the mentality of the people who thought we were going to be lucky to win 30 games all year.

 

I guess time will tell, but just going by strength-of-schedule We've got one of the toughest slates in the second half of the season.

 

Oh for sure. I just don't think they'll dip hard enough for a good pick. I'm really not enthused by the thought of a late lotto pick as most of them are garbage.

 

Actually the trouble with this draft look like like the top 5. Depending on who you listen to, 1-15 look almost interchangeable. Draft gurus like Givony and Ford are sounding pretty positive when talk about the quality of the players available in the late lottery.

 

‎"Glad that Lillard didn't shoot that three at the end, he's such a big-game player." -- Kevin Durant per Blazers Edge.

 

Blah blah blah. It's all talk. Historically the draft has been mostly a crapshoot (especially in the late lotto), and I don't expect it to be any different this year.

It wouldn't be the first time a draft has been lauded as deep, and then not delivered. (I'm looking at you 2007)

 

Draft basically is synonym for crap shoot. With that said you are better off with a chance then without one period.

 

Thanks guy! I was going to be around for the game thread tonight but forgot! I thought for sure Blazers would pull of the W... but a learning experience I suppose. I'll be around for the next game, was ready to make a video then they lost...