I don't understand why anyone would think the Nuggets are going to finish ahead of Portland this year. Roy/Aldridge/Oden all will get better, we add Miller, Webster back and healthy, no more Serg, Batum/Rudy obviously stayed in shape during international competition...Denver lost Kleiza and Jones ...I'm sorry but Denver beating us out for the NW title just doesn't add up.
While they didn't spell it out, their reasoning was pretty clear. This season is not about potential, or making excuses - it is time to put it all together. If we do that, we can win the division. There are, however, no guarantees. The team has to *prove* they deserve it. Frankly, I'm glad most people aren't just blindly declaring us the "team to beat". I would rather see the team stay hungry! Overall, I thought that was a very good article.
FWIW, Marc Stein's current power poll on ESPN has the Blazers 8th. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2010&week=-1 I agree that both Denver and Dallas are capable of finishing ahead of us - but I would say the odds are against BOTH of them actually doing so.
Nice preview! I ddn't see anyone pick Denver ahead of us. I guess everyone is assuming if we finish 2nd it'll be the Nuggets finishing 1st?
Travis Heath-2nd Place Northwest Division Luke Byrnes-2nd Place, Northwest Division Yannis Koutroupis-2nd Place, Northwest Division I'm assuming these guys think Denver will beat us out for the Division title..
They are a few pieces away from being a damn good team. Westbrook/Harden/Durant is going to be an incredible trio in a few years. I think Harden was the 3rd best player drafted this year. (Griffin and Flynn ahead of him). Portland/OKC will be a great rivalry once they round out their roster and get out of the lottery.
I agree. Bringing in front office people from the Spurs organization was the best move that franchise has made in a number of years.
Ehh. Better shooter than Brandon out of college from 3. Probably a little stronger too. Lacks the mid-range game and ball handling. He's also not much of a threat going right. Roy is extremely dangerous off the bounce because he's equally good going left or right. I also think Roy is the better athlete. Brandon gets better lift on all of his shots and is just overall a much more fluid athlete. With that said, I think Harden was the right pick and fit for OKC. Especially with Rubio's decision to stay overseas. Being drafted by OKC instead wouldn't have changed that imo.
[video=youtube;ABw4d_sw1M0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABw4d_sw1M0[/video] He doesn't like to finish right at all but it doesn't look like his right handed drive is bad. I would compare him to Manu before Brandon.
