True or False: Oden coming back strong is necessary to make the playoffs.

True or Not?

I believe that in order for the blazers to solidify a playoff spot, Oden will need to be better than he has been thusfar. He needs to prove his critics wrong and more importantly Portland needs to establish itself offensively and defensively within the context of Greg Oden.

Teams are playing stronger....Oden needds to man up and finish the year strong or whether or now we make the playoffs may be up in the air. The team needs to be there.

 

False, Phoenix is done. But it would sure help us do better than 8th!

 

so you would say we're a lock?

phoenix has been playing fine as of late, haven't they?

 

I say "True."

The team has been noticeably less effective rebounding the ball since he's been out, and a frontcourt rotation of LMA, Travis, Oden, Przybilla is a lot more solid defensively than LMA, Przybilla, Travis, Channing.

And no, I wouldn't count Phoenix out, Shaq has been a force all year and has only elevated his play since the all-star break.

 

To make the playoffs, false.

To make noise in the playoffs, they need Oden.

 

My thoughts exactly. Of course, the earlier he comes back - the better the seeding will be and the more likely they are to advance a round.

 

I think the team can still make the playoffs if Oden misses even more time than expected, but having him back would be a big boost and help us secure some breathing room. We routinely get outrebounded and give up huge point differentials in the paint without Oden available to man the middle.

 

As inconsistent as Oden has been, the team is still better off having him in uniform. I don't know if he is "necessary" for us to make the play-offs...but playing short-handed just makes the road even rougher.

 

I don't think he is necessary to make the playoffs at this point because Phoenix lost Amar'e and I don't know how long Shaq can hold up. However, I think we require him back to secure anything higher than 7th or 8th seed - and also to make any type of noise or real attempt to win a playoff series.

 

How about put it this way:

If Oden comes back and plays like he has this year and we miss the playoffs, is it his fault?

 

Oden coming back STRONG will almost certainly guarantee the blazers home court advantage. Now add webster to the active list and we're looking at winning the West, and maybe the whe whole thing... maybe i should mention that by STRONG, i'm talking about dwight howard strong, which i believe is possible. then again i'm the opposite of mixum.

 

You definitely need Oden back to compete in the playoffs. Big man are so important and unless LaMarcus some how improves his rebounding, Oden will be key. Not to mention he's a huge X-factor is he can get his scoring going.

 

Greg wasn't strong before he went down. 8/7 with about 5 fouls a game, I'll take Przybilla over that garbage any day.

Strong play? you could make a case if you compare him to Channing Frye, I guess.

 

Absolutely FALSE! He's needed if we want to get past the 1st round though...

 

Yes. Just so long as you want to give him the credit for all the wins we have won previously when he's "played like he has this year".

 

Seriously, what in the hell are you talking about?

Oden wasn't even in the same universe as Dwight Howard at any point this season, yet you think he is going to return and suddenly be as "STRONG" as Dwight Howard?

 

We don't need him to make the playoffs, but we need him back with enough time to get back in game shape by time the playoffs are here for us to do well in the playoffs.

 

false i think we will get to the playoffs regardless however oden coming back with confidence (somehow) will solidify it a lot more and possibly secure HCA we do however need oden back to do well in the playoffs. and saying webster makes us WCF champs is a stretch by far i would be suprised if he even plays at all this year

 

obviously false. we havent been able to rely on him for any sort of production up until now and we've done ok in spite of him. im happy with joel in the middle heading into the playoffs.

 

In his own way, Joel is as valuable as any player on the roster outside of Roy right now.