Next 7 games should kill the Phoenix Suns

Lakers- W
@ Orlando- L
@ Miami- L
@ Houston- L
@ San Antonio- L
Dallas- L
Cleveland- L

That should put them a big hole and secure our playoff spot, don't you think?

 

Wow, they will be luxky to come out of that 3-4.

 

I'm more hoping for gettin' 6th rather than 7-9. 6th would be huge for us so we don't have to play LA or SA.

 

Ouch. Yes.

But apart of me is not thrilled about the Blazers making it in as the 7th or 8th seed. We simply could not complete with the Spurs or Lakers. It would be funner to get in at 6th or above, because I believe we could complete with any other team in the West.

 

Unless we get in with home-court advantage this team doesn't stand a chance of beating anybody in a seven game series. That's not a knock on their talent level, or the coaching, it's just the reality that their defense hasn't reached a level where it will be able to deal with a single team over the course of 7 games in a row and everybody else has experience in the playoffs, which means knowing what it takes to compete at playoff level basketball -- the only teams currently in the playoff race who don't play defense are Phoenix and Dallas, and I'm guessing Phoenix gets left out and we don't match up particularly well with Dallas, everybody else will hand it to them on a platter.

This year is just about getting in, in my opinion, everything else after that is gravy.

 

Well, the Suns clearly aren't consistent. They either blow someobody out or GET blown out recently. I will say this, there's only a few teams that can run with them. They are getting used to playing that frenetic pace again and they will give up baskets to entice you into running with them. If you try and play fast break ball with them, you're screwed. At least I think OUR team would be.

I don't think they are "done". Losing Amare was a dager, but the Big Cactus has been playing really well. 45/11 last night. I just don't see how Shaq is going to hold up playing that style. Can he stay healthy/fresh at that pace? He sure looked good last night. Granted, it was vs. Toronto who (minus J. O'Neal) throws Bargnani and Jake Voskuhl out there at Center . . . if Shaq does stay healthy, they could be a factor. That is one tough 7 game stretch though. At least they only have one back to back (Orlando/Miami) March 3rd/4th. Shaq sits out a lot of the back to backs - or at least he has most of this year. Interestly enough, last nights 45/11 WAS on the 2nd of back to back. Maybe if he's healthy they are going to turn the big man loose every night? He really has looked like the Shaq from 5 years ago recently.

 

I know this sounds terrible, but i'd rather not get in that to get swept by the Lakers. Sure, just GETTING to the playoffs is a good experience for our young guys - I get that. I'm just so darn tired of that scenerio. I guess I need to get over that.

 

yu downt cey...

 

Eeewe, that's ugly. Is ours any better? I haven't checked.

 

Nik brings up a good point... our team isn't built for the playoffs. We tend to play our worst when other teams are real physical... which is what we will face in the playoffs.

 

Exactly how I feel. I'm kind of surprised at how impatient people on the board got all of a sudden. Even with the trade deadline. The Blazers came out at the beginning of the season with the goal of getting into the play offs and getting the experience. KP has decided that an aging vet isn't going to put up over the top for a championship today so he's decided to "let it bake". They want to build for the future and multiple titles, they've said that since the beginning of the season. 3 years from now (if KP is playing his cards right) these young guys he stuck with will be better than a former All Star who's broken down and putting a strangle hold on the salary cap. If the NBA continues to decline in revenue that salary cap will get lower and lower over the next 3 years. You've got to be really smart about trades (or no trades) right now.

 

Well it's not going to be me. I'm more of a management type person and delegate that kind of stuff on to other people.

Thanks Julius! You rock!!!

 

or the next 7 games balance out and nobody moves. we could easily lose 3 of 5 as well

and... utah has an EASY EASY MARCH AFTER THE FIRST WEEK

 

Phoenix has no chance with Amare being out. No chance.

Print the tickets.

 

hope your right...

 

lol.. yes, print the tickets! That phrase is getting better than bake the cake. These next few weeks comes our separation to a 6-8 game lead over Phoenix. Excellent.
Print the tickets.

 

Yup. In fact there might be something rather appropriate about facing the Lakers or Spurs this year; either team is a helluva measuring stick and because both play great possession to possession defense and are incredibly disciplined and well coached squads, losing to either has the potential to show these young pups what a 'real' contender looks like face to face in a playoff series. In some ways getting the floor mopped with their asses might be a better teachable moment than stretching a series to 6 or 7 games against a lesser opponent -- leading them to believe they are closer than they really are.