I really liked this guy's analysis and I tend to agree. I guess the spread is 28.5 wins? That seems a bit low to me as I think we win 30+.
it's the unknown that keeps Portland down in the win projection. Nobody can predict what trade deadline moves Cronin has planned. Joe has altered the course of the season 2 years straight. Trading good players for picks and engaging a rumbling stumbling tank for a top draft pick. Last year's Blazers were in the playoff race, a ~.500 team. A series of cap shaving "win later" moves by making Coach Billups "try out" 3rd string players on the active roster. Benching ALL the starters quickly dumped a heavy load of losses onto this franchise. Were the Blazers bad enough to draft #3 in last year's lottery? Hell no. Is this year's Blazer team bad enough to draft another top 5 rookie? It sure doesn't look like the case. But after the trade deadline... Cronin has incredible skills to make sure the Blazers decline rapidly in the standings.
This is a very solid point that I hadn't considered. I hope we don't do too much of that. I'd rather tank next year with the better draft to be honest and be a playoff team this year to send our pick to Chicago.
Gut feeling.... Jack Ramsay would love to coach the talent, and the spirited team play together mentality of this roster. There is a very good chance this team will have a better record then the "experts" are projecting. No more boring slow play hero ball, yippee!!!!
