yes, we will make the playoffs. A lot of questions have to be decided before positioning is determined.
I think we're easily a playoff team. We could have made the playoffs last season if we'd had a bench. Our starters were playing at a very high level, but they eventually ran out of steam and we crashed. I think with our current roster we are markedly better with a much deeper and more powerful bench. We definitely are a 7th or 8th seed, and who knows, if Lillard takes a bit jump we could be a 4th or 5th seed. I'm just not sure if we're good enough to get past the top four teams in the west. It would require health, a step from Lillard, and Batum actually playing up to his contract.
Last season, I expected the Blazers to win around 40-45 games - which they were on pace to do, until the Big Tank came in March. The upcoming season with the additions of veterans Robin Lopez, Dorrell Wright, and Earl Watson, plus youngsters Thomas Robinson and CJ McCollum, I see the Blazers being 8-10 wins better than last year's squad. I think 50+ wins is within the realm of possibility. So what would 50 wins mean? Golden State was a 6th seed last year with 47 wins. Memphis was the 5th seed with 56 wins. I think that's what the Blazers and Blazer fans should be hoping for: a 5/6 seed, with the possibility of overcoming homecourt disadvantage, and pulling a first round upset. GO BLAZERS!
Repped. That's what I'm seeing as well. Didn't Neil say he regretted not giving our guys a bench to back them up? Something along the lines of not predicting how well our starters would play, and lamenting the fact that he never did anything with our bench. Anyway, I think we make the playoffs last season if we had the kind of bench we have now.
Are you they much better than the teams that will be there again? 1 z - Oklahoma City 60 22 Durant-enough said 2 y - San Antonio 58 24 They just happen to get there every year. Maybe drops a few spots 3 x - Denver 57 25 Lost iggy but still have a good team-most likely take a step back a little bit 4 y - LA Clippers 56 26 Improved 5 x - Memphis 56 26 stayed the same-which is still really good 6 x - Golden State 47 35 -improved greatly with iggy 7 x - LA Lakers 45 37 -going down hill quick 8 x - Houston 45 37 -D12 showed up with out losing assets. Improved So I see the Lakers not making it. Other than them who's going to drop out for any other team to jump in. Almost everyone improved or stayed the same. The west got tougher, if that was even possible.
The Blazers have just as much, if not more, talent than the Warriors. Lillard/Batum/Aldridge is just as good as Curry/Iggy/Lee. It's funny because the teams are actually very similar, but the Warriors lost some of their depth this summer.
Denver lost iggy, gave away koufos, changed coaches and Gallo is out most the year. I do not think they are a given to make the playoffs. Portland definitely has a better team right now
Teams are similar but if you go down the starting lineup GSW is better slightly. Lillard and batum needs to improve. and you need mccollum and someone else to step up. It is very possible. There's a lot of talent and potential their. But give me a break. Curry/iggy/lee is way better than lillard/batum/aldridge.
Way better? How is it "way better"? Obviously Curry is better than Lillard currently, but Aldridge is better than Lee and Batum is pretty close to Iggy. Also, Lillard put up better numbers as a rookie than Curry so I guess we will see.
So Denver and Lakers don't make the playoffs. N.O/minny and Portland all improved. I see more if's on Portland out of those 3 fighting for the last 2 spots.
Just for comparison Batum was slightly better than Iggy last season. Aldridge was definitely better than Lee last season. Curry was definitely better than Lillard, but we should see a jump from Lillard this season. If you compare their rookie seasons, they were very similar, so I think Lillard could be on his way to a similar second season as Curry. Edited to add - while the Warriors get older (Lee is 30 and Iggy turns 30), the Blazers are in their prime. Aldridge turns 28 soon and Batum is only 24.
Lee is slightly better than aldrige. At best it's a wash. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=aldrila01&y1=2013&p2=leeda02&y2=2013 Lillard has to make a big jump to catch Curry. It's possible. Iggy might not be the biggest scorer but he's elite at everything else. Batum can only wish to get to his level.
How is LMA better than LEE? look at the win share Look at the TS% Look at the EFG% Look at the FG% Lee has him beat.
Yes, they have 2 good years left, then Portland will be a very good team. But in terms as next season. They are an 7/8th seed at best.
Which parts of his game is Iggy so much better than Batum? Batum: Higher PPG Higher win share Higher block percentage MUCH higher free throw percentage Higher three point percentage Higher offensive rating Higher PER Higher eFG% And, oh yeah, he's five years younger than Iggy.
