I'm not exactly sure how this stat would be measured, but according to Barrett's Blog, the Blazers' schedule for the first five games has been the toughest in the history of the NBA. Taking account of that, plus the injuries to both Oden and Marty, our 2-3 record doesn't look so bad. Two clutch (if probably a bit lucky) wins at home, plus two tough road losses where we played decently (plus admittedly one true stinkbomb)... that's a record we can live with, considering all five came against legit championship contenders and 3 of 5 were on the road. Now we just have to start making hay against weaker opponents, starting with Minnesota on Saturday, and we should be all right. SR
Yep. Jason Quick wrote about it after the game: "Portland is the first team in NBA history to play its first five games against opponents who won at least 54 games the previous season." http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/11/blazersrockets.html
NO LETDOWNS Saturday! We need to hit em in the mouth and get the crowd involved, 3-3 would be a Godsend
Portland needs to keep playing hard and keep its collective head up... the schedule will get easier and if the team learns to win now and not to let up... it'll pay big dividends down the road. Ed O.
Minnesota has improved a lot, but if we can get to 3-3, I'd be happy. This upcoming road trip (Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Minnesota, Golden State), if we can get 3 of those 5, I'd be ecstatic.
If they play as hard against the T'Wolves as they have against everyone outside the Lakers, they should win it going away. I am actually interested to see what kind of effort they come out with. The hallmark of teams that don't make the playoffs is that they play to the level of their competition. Playoff contenders play up to their potential in nearly every game. I am wondering which team Portland is.
It's not QUITE as rough of a start, but has anyone seen what Atlanta has done? They beat Orlando on the road. They beat the 76ers at home. Then they beat the Hornets on the road. That's pretty darn impressive. Ed O.
like has already been said, if we can get through the first 10 games 5-5, we should be in good shape to stay at or above .500 for awhile.
