FYI, there have been only two playoff series that Portland has beaten the Lakers. Once in 1977 and another time in 91. Both times the Blazers made it to the finals and one time we won the title. As much as I would hate to meet the Lakers in the first round; I think they are our stumbling block. They are the Celtics and Pistons for the Bulls, the Celtics for the Pistons, The Pistons for the Heat, etc. If our main goal is to win a title, then we need to meet the Lakers and win the series. It is our destiny! GO BLAZERS!
I'm probably in the minority, but I think we can actually beat the Lakers in a 7-game series. We're deeper than the Lakers, for one thing, and we've got a lot of versatility. If Aldridge goes on a tear, and Matthews and Batum and Wallace all do their thing, it could happen.
I'm actually right there with you. I think the Blazers actually match up well against the Lakers. What if Roy brings his "A" game in that series? The funny thing about the Blazers is they have the tools to beat anyone in the league. Most of their "shortcomings" have been mental. This maybe the hurdle they need to overcome all the "shortcomings"
It's the truth. I mean seriously... We beat the Mavs, Spurs, Thuggets, Celtics, Magic, Heat and Bulls. Having beat those teams, then losing to teams like Charlotte, Golden State and other lower type teams proves this is mental. I think we can all safely say that if Portland's head is on straight, they can beat anyone in the league. I wonder if Allen should hire some Psychiatrist to mold these players into champions?!?!
Mags, WTF are you talking about? We LOST to them in 1991, which IMO was the best Blazer team of that era. You don't remember them sitting their players the last game of the season to keep from getting crushed by us, then coming from double digits down in Game 1 and then Magic's toss in the air and Cliffy's blown dunk in Game 6? I think that loss is more painful than 2000.
Oops, 92. The year we lost to the Bulls in the finals. That year we met the Lakers in the first round.
hardly anyone would agree that we are deeper, and besides, depth is for the regular season. In the playoffs the top 6 are the most critical. Do you really think we can BLOW OUT the Lakers? If you don't think we can run them out of the gym (which is ridiculous), do you think the refs are going to let the Blazers beat the Lakers fair and square?
I think we have a shot against the Lakers if we're healthy. That means Camby is at full strength. The problem they present is their size and they cause significant problems for anybody in that regard. However, I think we have players that can defend them pretty well which would give a chance at upsetting them if we shoot well. If we have a healthy Oden next season I think we're even with them straight up.
tlongII, I appreciate the humor in your avatar, but I hope you don't keep it up too long. That is just a very disturbing image!
In the last few years, I wouldn't have wanted the Lakers in the playoffs. But in Jackson's last year, they just don't have it anymore. They seem to have lost depth, while we've gone the opposite direction, and are no longer way too young. I think we would take them in a series, if Kobe remains cold. He didn't have it tonight, despite the 3 3-pointers in the 1st half. If they have a superstar and we don't, they barely win. Tonight they didn't have one, and we easily win. Same for a playoff series. Their second superstar is also cold--Phil Jackson. At least one has to get hot or they're at best a .400 team.
Beating the Lakers in 92 doesn't count. The Lakers were without Magic, and pretty much were floppy Divacs and James Worthy.
Cliffy didn't blow a dunk. He missed a pass. We were on a 3 on 1 break and he didn't catch the pass. Went right through his hands. And yes, that was our best team ever. At least in the regular season. We rocked teams in the regular season. Come playoff time, we got a first round scare by the lowly Sonics who took us to 5 games (best of 5).
yeah cliffy fumbled it out of bounds sad, i remember listening on the radio, it was deflating to say the least.
