Portland can realistically be a contender next year

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by mook, May 19, 2009.

?

Portland can realistically be a contender next year

  1. Yes, with the proper realistic moves.

    53 vote(s)
    67.1%

  2. Yes, as currently constructed.

    16 vote(s)
    20.3%

  3. No.

    9 vote(s)
    11.4%

  4. Pudding.

    1 vote(s)
    1.3%
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  1. anonymous gambler

    anonymous gambler Member

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    Next year, the only teams I see being definitely better than us are Boston, Orlando and the Lakers. I think, even without additions, we'll improve enough to be the 4th or 5th best team.
     
    anonymous gambler, May 19, 2009
    #21
  2. Run BJM

    Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

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    In short, I agree.

    The Blazers do have the capacity to improve a lot though. They did really well with a below-average starting PG and below average starting SF. Batum's gonna get better. They will in all likelihood improve at least one of those positions. Depending on Oden, Bayless, Fernandez, and Batum's production they could be really good. They'll likely come back better next season as I expect at least on fairly decent trade/FA acquisition to shore up a starting spot in addition to internal development. But I still don't see them being up there with LAL, Cleveland, Boston.

    I think this year's playoffs will have been a good building block for them but they need more PO experience than that. I think they could definitely advance in the playoffs next season but they'll suffer bitter defeat once more (probably a few more seasons actually) but it'll help them in the long run.

    Its not a coincidence that pretty much all of the recent NBA champs have been teams that are among the oldest in the league. Boston, Detroit, SA, LAL w/ Shaq and co., the Heat, etc. etc. You don't just build an uber talented team and expect them to pull out a championship in a few seasons. It takes a lot of experience and players who've been in a lot of big games.
     
    Run BJM, May 19, 2009
    #22
  3. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

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    As constructed we could have won this year, or at least contended.

    Whoever coaches next year needs to get on board with KP's uptempo wishes and not abandon it in the playoffs.
     
    MARIS61, May 19, 2009
    #23
  4. Toko

    Toko Member

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    No. In 2-3 years though, I think so.
     
    Toko, May 19, 2009
    #24
  5. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    You can't blame the soup on the cook when the buyer brought you substandard ingredients.
     
    Nikolokolus, May 19, 2009
    #25
  6. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    When you're used to Derek Fisher like I am, and you have such a solid cast aside from him I don't think that should keep you from being a major contender. And that isn't a "glaring" weakness, one that will prevent you from title contention in other words.
     
    huevonkiller, May 19, 2009
    #26
  7. DaRizzle

    DaRizzle BLAKER

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    Not as currently constructed...ask me again before the preseason starts
     
    DaRizzle, May 19, 2009
    #27
  8. Samuel

    Samuel James “Hollywood” Robinson

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    what does "proper, realistic" even mean?
     
    Samuel, May 19, 2009
    #28
  9. DaRizzle

    DaRizzle BLAKER

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    Read the OP...
     
    DaRizzle, May 19, 2009
    #29
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