I am new to posting (not to the site) and a longtime blazer fan. My sense is that this is going to be very different than last year in that I think our overall record at the end of the season might not be as good as last year, but I think we will make and go farther in the playoffs. We have been hammered with injuries (thank god our roster is as deep as it is). If we did not have as much talent as we did, we would be even worse off. I think we will have players recover from their injuries and also learn to play together so that by the end we end up as a cohesive unit in time to make a playoff run. Obviously my argument is not based on facts, just a gut feeling. I do know that it is way to early to be worried about the sky falling. Just for the record to all the oden haters, he is our best player right now.........
thanks! I signed up so i could play the prediction game (which i really suck at) and figured i could give my two cents occasionally.....for what it is worth. I have been reading all the posts since the days of the old forum. I know all the personalities well and am well versed in your opinions........glad to be on board.
This is the year we will become like the young Spurs or the first addition rebuilt Bulls. Spurs start slowly but finish strong. The Bulls were highly rated, but could never get it together and faded. I think things will be okay in a year or so, but there is a chance that is just won't work with the current roster.
we have a good solid core and some great role players. I think changes to the roster are inevitable. I also think it remains to be seen if nate is the right coach for this team in the future. I am not a nate hater, i just do not know if he can take this team to the next level. He seems to be learning from mistakes which gives me hope for him.
The last two championship winners had something in common Portland hasn't figured out yet offseason focus and team chemistry from the main leaders on the team. The Big 3 in Boston all got together in the offseason to iron out any issues they might have with "who's team it is" and made defense a priority ahead of personnel stats and agendas. Same thing happened the summer the Lakers won their title. The team trained together in the offseason after an embarrassing loss to the Celtics in the Finals and entered last season with a purpose. This offseason the Blazers had a lot of distraction. Contract situations, rotations, new addition in Andre Miller etc. This team probably needs to do a lot of soul searching next summer. I agree with the ob conclusion though. I think the team might not be as successful in the regular season, but could advance into the second round in the playoffs. Once the team is healthy and if chemistry issues work themselves out through winning this team could enter the playoffs with a lot of momentum.
We need a vocal leader who will not IMPLY about what changes need to be made to the press in veiled attacks or allusions, but will take the fucking inititative to do it and tell the team this is how shit is going down (ROY, speak up!)
a teams momentum as they enter the playoffs is much more important than the regular season record. I just think things (injuries, chemistry issues) might be worked out just in time for them to go a couple of rounds.
Veterans go a long way in that regard Shape. It might have gone like that if KG, Ray, and Pierce were all young and on the verge of stardom. I agree though, that Roy, LMA, and Oden need to sit down on their own and work this all out.
No but we see this story every now and again. Young players with promise don't realize what they got until their career is winding down and they don't have a single finals appearance to their name. I agree though that Allen and Pierce were not even close to how bad Starbury was. That guy is a freak.
Sadly we do, but young players have different goals than veterans (usually). They want to establish themselves. They want a big contract. They want to build a legacy. We are starting to see it with Roy, which is why some of us have been concerned.
Welcome ob! You should try another one of the games on the board called Flame Out. It's trying to post a message and see how long before someone flames you for your opinion. The current record is 2 posts. Seriously, welcome aboard.
this made me laugh out loud (lol for the youngsters) I am sure I could do that but I think mixum wins that game every time.......
