Going to the playoffs is going somewhere. Making the playoffs while using 19 different starting lineups is very impressive.
It will be interesting to see how the Blazers react to a 1st round butt-whupping. Will they make changes - or make excuses?
The bench still needs work. The SG position is a huge question mark. Wes may never be the same after an injury like that. There is also the possibility that someone will offer to over-pay RoLo as a FA. Same with AA. Letting them leave could wind up being the lesser of evils. I won't even address the LMA situation, which is too painful to contemplate! IMHO, it is not a matter of will there be changes - but whether Olshey is driving the changes or being carried along on the tide.
I've was waiting for this as well but that was when the key parts were healthy. I think they had another level or two. And who knows. In the second quarter of the Warrior game. We might have saw that other level... It only lasted a quarter. I think it's defense. It has to be a complete concerted effort on defense. More intensity, More scrapping, More covering for each other by ALL 12 guys. Scoring has never been an issue. They need to stop them. It's been great labor this year. In anything they did.
Exactly how I feel. Since about the middle of January this season has had it's share of disappointments (mostly due to injuries). This season may very well be 1 and done, but don't let it be to the Rockets. It would be so satisfying for the Rockets to exact revenge by conquering the team that ended their season last year. That would just be too bitter to swallow, & would just about erase any of the good feelings that are left from ".9" I'd rather take a shot against the Grizz & still feel like we're 1 up on Houston.
I'd really like to see them upgrade at sf this summer, but they'll have their hands full re-signing everyone.
Yeah I am just about at that point as well, just tired of his inconsistency, may as well get some value as opposed to overpaying for him next summer when so many teams will have so much money to spend with the big cap increase.
This isn't directly directed @ you but more of a general post to the subject theme. To be realistic you also have to be realistic with the Blazers. What is the Blazers record without Aldridge this year? I don't know the answer... But I do know the Blazers have lost to the Celtics/Grizz/Dubs/Jazz. At least four losses. What is the Thunders record w/o Durant and with Westbrick? I know with Durant+Westbrick they were 17-10. Does anyone really think the Thunder would be fighting for the 8th seed w/ Durant on the court? Point of these statements are... teams are better w/ their best players on the court... Aldridge despite what many used to say about him as been the Blazers best player sense the 2010 season. Do I think the Blazers should have beat the Jazz? yes. Is the sky falling because we lost to them without the guy the Blazers offense is designed around? No. People really should look at the positives when the best player on the team is resting... Not just the wrong negatives. People have been saying Lillard has been playing like shit and questioning if he is overrated... 28 points, 12-22FG, 3-8 from three. 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals. When Aldridge is back and if Lillard plays that well... Highly doubt the Blazers lose many games. Honestly if you want to look @ the defense... Look directly @ Nards. Trevor Booker(who?) lit him up and there was nothing Nards did to stop it. Without him getting 19 points in the first quarter(previous career high was 17 for a GAME).... The Blazers blow the Jazz out. Last game vs the Jazz the Blazers had Aldridge on Booker(for stretches)... He certainly didn't drop 19 in the first quarter vs Aldridge... Nor did he get 36 with Aldridge guarding him... I don't take much away from last night other than Nards isn't ready defensively to be an asset in the playoffs.
I was thinking about the same thing yesterday, but trading Batum is a hard thing to do, idk what his value is. Maybe a decent player+mid 1st rounder?
Now i'm not against trading Nico or really anyone not named Lillard but lets be real about it. What can we get for Batum and to trade Batum we would need to have a SF lined up and who would that be? Its okay to put him on the block and say we should upgrade his spot but there just isn't a lot at SF and as frustrating as Nico is he is a great defender and one of a few of our starters who can actually dribble and pass. As for not resigning everyone we can, contracts that look bad next year are going to look great the year after. Having to overpay Lopez a few million more won't handicap us long term because of how high the cap will jump. Its fine to want to upgrade spots but toss some names out on what your thinking if you are thinking it would be a good idea. Also this is the perfect summer to "overpay" players because they will go from overpaid to underpaid in the next CBA.
Thats true they had Hayword and Favors sit, their two best players. We got our butts whooped and there is no two ways about it. I didn't take much from this game because it was obvious the Blazers just assumed they would win and the Jazz would falter at some time and that never happened. Its just one game and NBA isn't a game, where unlike football, one game really matters. It sucks we came out and looked down upon the Jazz but I took more away from the GSW game then I did from this game.
This team is going somewhere. The playoffs! When they start everyone is 0-0 and to get out of any round you must win on the road. We won without home court last season and we can do it this season. To shrug off the Blazers is to disrespect Lamarcus. I still believe we can win but for those who've given up already, see you next year.
I don't want Houston either. Never did But to answer your question in this scenario.........it would be Nic. Rolo/Joel on Howard, LMA on Smith. That leaves Dame on Brewer and CJ on Ariza. Both excellent in the open court and from deep....but will they really be shooting that much down the stretch. I mean will Harden defer to them? Giving up offensive rebounds would be a concern though.
Far too often this year this team has seemed disinterested and unmotivated. It's what they have exuded. Which is why I'm open to putting Nic on the block. I don't want it to replicate itself next year.
