1) They took the Mavs to 6 games with Roy at his worst and no Greg Oden. 2) They were still trying to figure out how Gerald Wallace fit into the team. 3) LMA was still playing a secondary role. Roy now stated in an interview he knows he is no longer his All-NBA self. 4) Andre Miller played OK in the playoffs, but had to dominate the ball, and was benched in the two wins. 5) Greg Oden. I thought I'd mention that one again. 6) Blazers had no help offensively off of the bench. 7) PG was gettting old. So ... the Blazers addressed 6 and 7, didn't they? The rest could improve, or perhaps even should improve.
Our bench improved offensively? Do tell? We basically lost Rudy and added Nolan Smith. Roy is not going to bring much, Batum we will see, no backup PF, and Johnson as backup center? I don't see it. Anyway I really would not be shocked if we end up in the lottery. Wallace, Aldridge, and Matthews are going to get burnt out with a weak bench and a mediocre PG and Camby who wont bring much on offense. I truly believe we are off worse then people may like to think.
basically see this: Felton/Smith/EWill Matthews/Roy Crash/Batum LMA/??? Oden/Camby think Babbit, Patty, and whomever else is probably negligible and/or worthless. desperately need a backup 4 and some spot up shooting.
I agree. MN has a lot of ground to make up, but Denver and Utah will be battling us for a playoff spot, and that's ... not good. Ed O.
Are you guys really going to doubt Portland's playoff chances for the 3rd year in a row? You guys are too much.
Blazers start off decently. Get a couple big wins, some big losses, some national TV games. But except for a few key injuries, the media doesn't pay attention to the Blazers. Then, Blazers shock the league again by surprising everybody through a series of wins or through the stellar play of a player. Suddenly, fans are excited and talk about upside of said young player or team. They say things like, "If Player A wasn't injured and Player B and Player C continue playing this way, the Blazers will win the championship within 'X' amount of years". Coaches either select or don't select certain players into all-star game; fan votes don't count contrary to Mike & Mike broadcasts. Then, mid-season trade for veteran player. Win some more games. Get a .700 record for the last month. Go to the first or second round. Match-up with team(s) that go deep into the playoffs and as a result, lose. After Game 6, Blazer fans congratulate the team at the airport or at the Rose Garden. Mixum banishes himself into the internet wastelands. Paul Allen fires the GM. Blazers draft another PG. Anticipation for 'next year' is higher than ever leading the Blazers Front Office to marketing a new slogan.
No. I didn't doubt the playoff chances either of the last two years. I was putting HCA as the standard for success, iirc. This team is going to be worse, heading in, than either of those teams, though. Ed O.
So what's the slogan for this year? "Rise with us...again" "Yes. We. Did." (With a picture of Raymond Felton) "It's Ray-ning in Portland"
Minnesota got better by adding a 3/4 and a PG to their roster? Meh. Utah will be interesting, as it seems the ershould be a trade to be made. I like both picks, but Kanter, Jefferson, Millsap, Favors, one needs to go. Wonder who they could get in return. Package one with Harris to improve their? Still, I'm not too concerned there. And Dnever adding a backup PF isn't going to be something that scares me about them.
I think Johnson will be able to give the team some solid minutes and who knows, maybe Oden actually plays next year. They could use a backup 4(sigh), but with a hole there that just means more minutes for Batum.
I don't think it's inconceivable that Chris John can give the team solid minutes. He's not bad a protecting the rim at all and he moves pretty well. Oden WILL play again at some point.
