Mags for some reason is hate your optimism. Maybe not top 3 but top 4 I feel there may be a shot if things fall our way. This team is deep and has a IMO very very well out together starting unit. I think our success hinges on stotts now AND LMA
We are definitely in the same class as the Warriors, Grizzlies, and Nuggets right now. If McCollum, Robinson, and Leonard develop nicely we could enter that Thunder, Rockets, Clippers, and Spurs category.. It's a big if but not out of the realm of possibility.
Why is Houston a Top 2 team? The Lakers barely made the playoffs last year with Howard. Unless Howard can start making some FTs, he's always going to be a huge liability.
Nicolas Batum @nicolas88batum I'm getting more and more exited about this season coming...#RipCity#2k14 Batum could very well be the key. A healthy, motivated Batum with the PER around 20 is just about the equivalent of a big 3. Here's to hoping ... Player Efficiency Rating 2012-13 1. LeBron James-MIA 31.6 2. Kevin Durant-OKC 28.3 3. Chris Paul-LAC 26.4 4. Carmelo Anthony-NYK 24.8 5. Brook Lopez-BRK 24.7 6. Tim Duncan-SAS 24.4 7. Dwyane Wade-MIA 24.0 8. R Westbrook-OKC 23.9 9. Tony Parker-SAS 23.0 10. Kobe Bryant-LAL 23.0 11. James Harden-HOU 23.0 12. Blake Griffin-LAC 22.4 13. Andray Blatche-BRK 21.9 14. Anthony Davis-NOH 21.7 15. Kyrie Irving-CLE 21.4 16. Stephen Curry-GSW 21.3 17. Al Jefferson-UTA 20.9 18. John Wall-WAS 20.8 19. L Aldridge-POR 20.4 20. Deron Williams-BRK 20.3
Nic and Lillard digging this signing. Now we need to hear from one more player that they are excited about the upcoming season.
The addition of Mo does push the team over the top. It may seem relatively small, but it changes everything with what the coaches can do with the roster. It means they won't rely on a rookie (CJ) to do or be anything. Whatever he gives now will be a bonus. (If healthy), this team is a lock for the playoffs.
He's too busy demanding trades and forcing his way out of Portland. Apparently players now need to Tweet immediately about any move their teams make in order to calm down internet and sports' radio people.
Just remember nothing much was expected from the blazers in the summer of 98. Many thought we would be a low seeded team. Then they came out and tore shit up! Yeah 1998-99 team without the mental cases. I love it!
It does look like the depth concern is the center spot. I like our depth every where else. But I would agree that the center position is fine......unless as you say Lopez and LMA get hurt. We need Joel to really step it up IMO. Either he or Leonard are the wild cards. One of them has to come through in case of injury.
Center is a pretty thin position on most teams. Other than the Rockets and maybe the Grizzlies, what Western Conference team has significantly more depth at the 5 spot than the Blazers?
Depth or Quality depth? I'd argue 10-15 teams have better quality depth than us other than that we are in that middling level when it comes to centers but the center position is weak as it is. We are luck to have good guards and forwards.
If Jerry Sloan was coaching the team, I would def say they are playoff bound. Mo, I think he makes the chances better. I still don't see it and unfortunately I don't see them being bad enough to keep their pick. Even if they do make the playoffs with this core. Where are they going? Think it might have been more beneficial to play for that lottery pick.
Memphis is not definitely better than us. Randolph's game is declining. They lost Arthur. And we have a superior bench now. We always had a better starting lineup. Parker was already at his prime in 2007 when he was Finals MVP. This. Howard had Kobe, who was still better than Harden, for most of the season and they barely made the playoffs. Harden was sort of exposed in the playoffs. He barrels into the paint, praying for contact and if he doesn't get it, he's average. The refs didn't fall for it in the playoffs.
Warriors have Bogut. Lakers have Pau/Kaman. I hate to bring this up, but the Lakers might be decent this year. Kobe is way ahead of schedule recovery wise. They had some nice pick ups who make them a little younger and more athletic. And Kobe, if healthy, is still a tremendous player. I saw him go for like 47/8/8, something like that, against us in the Rose Garden just 4 months ago.
