Hmm. I don't entirely agree with this. If you feel they won a disproportionate number of close games last year, that's one thing, and I'd agree that if they did, it inflated their record. But a long winning streak or losing streak isn't indicative of luck. The streak might be a fluke (putting them in a row), but the wins aren't, necessarily. Performance often clumps into strange shapes; you have to evaluate the macro-level end results, not the micro-level of winning streaks and losing streaks. The first is predictive, the second is just curiosity, IMO.
I'll put it this way: If the team has a superior scoring differential (points scored - points allowed) this season, I'll be satisfied. Team records tend to track very closely with scoring differential (no shock...points scored and allowed are what determine wins), but bad/good luck can cause a record to be out of step with scoring differential. If the team has a greater scoring differential than last year, but not a better record, I'll be comforted that the team improved, even if the record didn't.
They will be developing for years, but could certainly win the Title each and every year while they are developing. It's up to the coach.
Which is why so many fans wanted his head as recently as the beginning of last season... I live down in smogville, I remember.
Clearly, anyone who trades Caron Butler for Kwame Brown & Laron Profit is a genius... But you're right, he is smarter than Laker fans. And that is why you have no room to preach to us about patience. Oh, like when Laker fans were so up in arms that Mitch turned down that Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd deal? I mean, c'mon. Somehow hypocritical just doesn't do this justice.
I think it was a scheduling fluke more than anything that resulted in the 13 game winning streak in December. They had an EXTREMELY friendly schedule last December. During that streak 10 of the 13 consecutive wins were at home. Prior to the 13 game winning steak, they were 5 - 12, with all 5 wins coming at home - including 4 in a row over NOH, MEM, DAL, DET in their first home stand. So, they had already shown they were capable of winning at home, even against some very good teams. The three road games they won during the streak were spread out with a couple home games in between each - no long road trips during the streak. Many of their opponents during the streak were sub-.500 teams. About the only surprising wins during the streak were the road wins in Utah and Denver and if I remember right, Utah was below 0.500 at the time (they got off to a really slow start last season). If those same 13 wins, over those same 13 teams, would have been spread out over two months, nobody would have batted an eye. They just all happened in a row thanks to a very favorable schedule. With a 28-13 record at home, including wins over many of the top teams in the league, the young Blazer last year showed that they were capable of winning at home against anyone. Their biggest hurdle this year will be the same as it was last year - winning consistently on the road. That is where their youth hurts them. With the home crowd behind them, they play their best and excel and are capable of beating anyone. As they mature, they need to play with that same intensity, energy and confidence on the road. The ability to win consistently on the road is what differentiates veteran teams from young, up and coming teams like the Blazers. Once they learn to win on the road they will be serious contenders, but until they do, they won't have home court advantage in the play-offs and will struggle to advance. BNM
Well this thread isnt about the Lakers but at the time nearly everybody agreed with the trade. Lakers needed a big man desperatly..Kwame also led to Pau The situations are completely different. Do you guys have the best player in the league entering his prime? No. Me personally, I was hating Kobe more than anyone else in that whole situation.
I'm so confused in saying this...I, agree? with DaRizzle? I just feel dirty now. I'd be disappointed if they didn't make playoffs, but adding 4 new guys to the mix (at least 3 who will probably play a lot of time) will kind of throw things off a bit. They're going to have to get that chemistry from last year going again. I don't think it'd be a fail if they missed playoffs, but I would be disappointed.
Just as long as you admit that there were a lot of opinions going around in Lakerland that might have helped you that year, but not been good in the big scheme of things... And as long as you can admit that many Laker fans had incorrectly labeled Bynum a bust and were freaking out... The teams situations were different, but not the stupidity of fans and their ideas. That's all I'm saying. I just love getting preached to by people who do the exact opposite of what they're saying, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Im speaking for me..not a billion internet retarded Lakers fans. I was always against Kidd just for his age and salary. He is no savior so what would have been the point at that time. Fans wanted to trade the savior Within my circle I heard nobody calling Bynum a bust up to that point..just a project
I'd agree with DaRizzle's original post. Let 'em play and see what happens; in a town as sports-poor as Portland, it's non-stop Blazers coverage and obsession all year 'round. We need to see what these guys can do together, separate the wheat from the chaff, and probably make a roster adjustment or two before we are really at the upper echelon of the Western conference. Right now, I still believe we are very much an 'on the bubble' playoff team. 45 or 46 wins would probably be my over-under for the Blazers this year, so 44 wouldn't be a major dissapointment. I think finishing @ .500 would be under-performing, though.
We travel in different circles then. My circle encompasses the majority of reality. For the record, I'm with you as far as your original post goes. I'm not shooting the message, just the messanger...
To me, the success of this season is measure by how well our big three develop- I expect the playoffs- but if I could get 2 out of 3 of the big three at near all star level and the other at a good level- then this is more important to me than playoffs. In other words, if we look strong at the 2,4 and 5 but miss the playoffs because our point guards all suck- I could live with this. Now, the enjoyment of the season is heightened by the playoffs.
