No matter what happens over the next few days...

......I'm very proud of the team. Very proud.

From 21-61 to 32-50 to 41-41 to 54-28, 4th seed and our first playoff win (game 2) in 6 years. This series has been a great experience for them. Next year, the butterflies will be gone and they'll know how to bring their A game so that they don't get trounced in Game 1. They'll learn from their mistakes on the road these last two games. And they'll be a very strong playoff contender next year. Plus, Oden will have had a whole summer and preseason to take the next step in his development. We'll be fine.

 

#2 seed next year.

 

Just had to squeeze that in didn't you?

 

I agree with this. While some people would say I'm making an excuse or give me a participation award for being proud of our successes, I'm very happy with what this team has accomplished, regardless of Game 5.

 

and Outlaw . . .

 

I think we'll get a better perspective of what we accomplished this season in the middle of summer. But I think some posters (including me) are just caught up in the heat of the moment and are just disappointed we're down 3-1 when we had HCA, when we have had chances to be 2-2 or even up 3-1 ourselves. This whole weekend has really reminded me the heartbreak of the playoffs..

 

And move Blake to the bench.

 

Like Barkley said last night...

Once this team establishes a low-post game, we will be SCARY.

Next year, LMA will be even stronger and better in the post. And Oden will begin to develop a low-post game.

 

I actually want to add to this a bit. I'm very proud of the guys for the season, but also the way they showed in games 4 and 5. Yes they hit some serious rough patches, but by no means were they out classed, or should their hearts ever be questioned. They fell behind double digits in each game, to a team with far more experience, let alone playoff experience and had to fight tooth and nail against some questionable calls and foul trouble. They not only hung in both games, they had chances to tie or win in the last minute. A couple of shots go our way, and we're up 3-1 looking to close it out in 5. While i'm dissapointed today, I'm so encouraged for the future of this franchise I can hardly wait for the offseasons maturing and growing process to begin. With the lessons learned and the potential heartbreak of this series looming, theses guys should/will take huge strides in bettering their games this summer and 60 wins and a 2 seed next year should be the realistic goal.

Now that being said, lets get this series back to Houston so we can all wash our mouths of this terrible taste and a game 7 here in Portland!

 

Who is the teacher of this low post game coming soon to an arena near us? Bayno???? Great guy, and a great assistant, but he is not a low post teacher. The Blazers need to bring someone in to help Greg learn some footwork. Send him to dance class....whatever.

 

The team won 6 more games then I thought they would, so I am very happy with the progress. Frankly, I don't even think these playoff loses are on them. Not many teams are going to win with the cards stacked against them like they are against Portland.

 

I'll wait for the series to be over to assess the season.

I will say that the ultimate success or failure of a season hinges on what you do in the post-season. The regular season, when looking at a team's success, is almost irrelevant.

 

Agreed.

Walton?

 

Without a decent regular season, there is no post-season to evaluate.

 

I actually don't agree with this at all, unless you're the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics or Spurs. These teams all have "been there, done that" before and came in with aspirations of winning this years championship. The regular season is very relevant for a team like the Blazers who are so young in their maturation process. Had you said day one of this year, that a long playoff run, or a championship was the only way this year would be a success, we'd all have said you were crazy. The goal this season was to get into the playoffs, and gain the valuable experience needed for the years to come. To say this year was anything but a success based on a possible loss in this series is incredibly short sighted on your part.

 

I've very happy with how far we've come this year. I keep having to tell myself that after these playoff losses, but it's true. I'd definitely like to see some moves made in the off season to help our chances in the post season next year. The cake is looking great, we just need a little more frosting.

 

We are playing with house money right now. There's no shame in losing some of it.

 

I agree. And we'll have Webster back.

 

walton is too old....ewing?

 

It won't be long until Oden's little jump hook is going to be money and when that happens he's going to be dominate on offense. Just a matter of time.

As to the season, I agree, I'm very proud of our team and happy with what they've done, but it's ain't over! All season they've came back when down and I see no reason they can't do the same in a series. Our back is against the wall and it's going to be tough to eliminate us. No way will we bow out.

GO BLAZERS!!