I don't see how anyone can argue that we don't have more talent than last year. Williams, Wright, and even Watson are huge upgrades to our bench. I also don't know if the team will win anymore games because if either Aldridge or Lopez go down for any real time, we are in big trouble...potentially. I say potentially because for all anyone knows T-Rob could be the second coming of Brian Grant.
True, but you can say that same thing about any almost team in the league. Quality big men are a scarce commodity in the NBA and there aren't many teams, even the preseason favorites, who have solid backups at both the 4 and 5 spots.
Agree 100% and repped. The team is better, will win more games and will be in the playoff hunt. Sounds good to me. I can't wait for the games to begin so I can watch and cheer for my favorite team. Looking forward to an enjoyable season. BNM
I buy that center is still a weak spot on the team, and that some of the problems from last year will carry over to this year. I still see this Blazers team as a mediocre rebounding and defensive team. Combine that with a team that will rely on the 3pt shot on offense and you can see that there will be stretches of games where the Blazers look like a contender, and stretches of games where the Blazers don't look like a playoff team. That's just what you get with a mediocre defensive team that relies on the 3.
I don't think you read Mags' post very well. He wasn't presenting a "best case scenario". He was suggesting that the change in bigs alone might be worth 10 wins (which is clearly a stretch), ignoring every other aspect of our perceived improvement. However, we (the "lemmings") also expect improvement via Williams as backup PG, Wright as backup SF, and Lillard's natural growth, not to mention (at least for me) the fact that LMA will be healthy all offseason, meaning that he will start the season in better condition than he did last year. If I were to assign expected win increase values to those improvements (as in, how much better would last year's team have been if these things had been there then), I would probably do so thusly: Lillard's progression: 4-6 wins Lopez/Robinson: 3-5 wins Williams: 2-4 wins Aldridge ready: 1-3 wins Wright: 1-3 wins I think I'm being pretty conservative here, and I'm giving us a minimum 11 win improvement over last season. Based on that, I feel very confident about us being a playoff team this year (barring catastrophic injury, of course).
Yeah, I would be pretty shocked if that happened, but I guess it's possible. I'm expecting somewhere in the neighborhood of 13-15 more than last year.
I think our team will be much better, but our record wont' really reflect that. I think coordinators will scheme for Lillard better and until any back up big shows they belong in the league, I think we are kind of stuck in that 35ish win territory
So, would it be fair to say that if the team had made no changes from last year to this, you think we would have won fewer games this year than last? Or are you just saying that none of the "improvements" are actually material?
Not sure what is considered A list, but there is a big list between Lopez and Dwight Howard, IMO. This summer is no secret. The Blazers had salary cap space and a #10 pick and could have gone after a big name if they wanted to. Instead Olshey decided to get a serviceable center and fill the bench (since it was such a weakness for the Blazers) I can see both why national press isn't overly impressed and why Blazer fans are excited. Let's start the season!
I guess I tend to look at things in terms of "points differential." I think it's likely we'll be good enough to shave around 3 points off of that average, which puts us at just around even to maybe a little bit better than that. Since that's usually a pretty good predictor of overall record I'm guessing we'll be good enough to go 41-41 or maybe even 42-40. Improvement for sure, but ... Yay?
I'd also point out that this article was written by Ben Golliver who would likely rather be stripped naked, covered in honey and staked out next to a fire ant hive than risk being stuck with the dreaded "homer" label. No way he would give Olshey an A.
I see Lopez getting the same minutes as he did last year. And I am Ok with that. Lopez 26 Leonard 14 LMA 8
I would also be willing to say that Stotts growth and comfort level with the players might be good for a couple of wins. That along with a new defense scheme could help too.
That would be a fundamental difference between your perspective and mine. I'm of the opinion that the same squad, with Lillard a year better and Aldridge able to train all off-season, would be improved, even with the same crappy bench.
Conversely, I think Lillard will get more calls from the officials. We started to see it at the end of last season, but I think he will continue to get better calls if he keeps up his play. The kid couldn't buy a foul for the longest time.
