This season, just about everyone expected us to win 55-60 games and get out of the first round. Is that he expectation next year? More? Less? I personally think we should be talking championship next year and making the moves needed to take that step. Let's look at the 2007 Lakers. They also lost to the Suns in the first round and then Kobe said he wanted out unless deals were made. They added Gasol and reached the Finals. The following year, they won the title. That is what we need to do now. There is talent on this roster but it needs to be molded and coached. Anything less than the WCF will be a big disappointment for me and I really think we should be talking Finals/Championship and doing what it takes to get there. Thoughts?
Too many variables between now and training camp to even start thinking about this question. -Will Oden be fully healthy -Will this team make the right moves to fill holes or otherwise bolster the roster -Will this team be reasonably healthy -Is Nate coming back or is he going to be let go -Is KP still GM (for better or worse) If nothing significant happens and just Oden come back and stays modestly healthy and productive next year then I think this should probably be a 55 win team with WCF aspirations, but saying they should immediately jump from back to back 1st round exits to elite title contender status doesn't seem particularly realistic.
Agreed. I'm not sure that we will take the neccessary steps to get there but if we can stay healthy like the suns and the thunder we might not have to make (m)any moves . I've got my eyes set on draft day now, then summer league, then training camp. It's a long offseason but we'll all get through it.
I'd really like to see us active in the free-agent market this summer. We need to fix the bench, add a PF that is mean and nasty under the boards - - and if we hope to get out of the first round, we'll need to bring in a key free-agent; Rudy Gay? Chris Bosh (my dream addition) etc. I'm very glad we extended Camby. Imagine going into the summer with this not in place? What a mess. So with that accomplished, I think this changes what happens over the summer. I can envision Joel being packaged in a trade - most likely in a Sign & Trade to land one of the key free-agents on the market? As much as I loved Miller this year - I also think we could see Andre moved in a trade as well. The real question going into the summer is "who's untouchable?" At this stage, I can only add Roy to the list. He's the current face of the franchise and he won't be moved anytime soon. I think we'll be a playoff team next year. Anything beyond 50 wins depends on this Summer's acquisitions and next year's injuries.
Who knows what we can expect? Obviously, the progress of Oden is critical if we want to hit that 60 win plateau. Camby is really, really solid. But Greg could be dominant and we sorely need a post presence. We need a makeover on offense if you ask me. I watched Utah last night and (I know they lost) they get good shots almost every time down the floor. They're running Korver off a double wheel screen on one possession, then Wiliams and Boozer pick'n'roll the next, then Williams brings the ball up & tosses it to the wing, fakes a down screen and pops back out but now (because of the switch) he's got a big on him and he dumps it to Millsap who scored an easy bucket with Lawson defending him in the post. That play took about 4 seconds. We need more motion.
If we can develop an offense, we'll immediately be a contender. Even without one we can be one with a healthy Oden - but developing an actual offense could get us there regardless. We have too much talent to struggle as badly as we do on offense. We can't set screens, our ball movement is awful, etc.
Honestly, my expectations are lower now then they were a year ago. As bad as the Houston series was, there were at least a few positive signs.
60 wins and WCF. so that same as this year. those should be the expectations every year until the current core changes. hopefully injuries don't derail things this time. i just wish bayless was starting next to roy instead of miller(who can come off the bench).
Expectations for next year are this. 1. Learn how to fucking get out of a double team 2. Learn how to create an offense that has motion to avoid the double team 3. Learn how to pass out of the double team 4. Learn how to shoot perimeter shots quickly when star player is double teamed and you have open shot 5. Learn how to get Alridge and Roy shots without always doing ISO's. I could go on and on.... most of it lies with our coaching staff.
- More jumpshots. - More offensive breakdowns when the opposition takes away our first option - More bad switches on defense. - More not closing out on 3-point shooters. It's basically the same checklist I've expected the last 3 seasons or so.
Alvin Gentry in the post game press conference pretty much summed up how they killed the Blazers. He said Nate runs a play called "twist" that is play where two screens are set to ultimately get the ball to an open player at the end of the play. Gentry said they just double teamed the first screen to take away the 2nd screen. That adjustment was in game 2 and Nate kept going back that well for some insane reason.
I think I have shared this before, but if not here you go. I have a friend who is a scout for the Dallas Mavericks, and he has told me on several occasions that the Blazers are the easiest team in the league to defend. He said the reason they are so successful is because of Brandon Roy and incredible offensive rebounding.
Your friend who is a scout simply must be an idiot because sir, I must inform you, he is not a tried and true coach! WHAT AN IDIOT.
True. Afterall, HE wasn't an assistant coach on the olympic team. And HE doesn't have a nickname of an entire franchise. And HE can't see the value in starting Steve Blake over Andre Miller. Heck HE doesn't even stand with his arms folded.
