Last week after the Brandon/Greg/LA bombshell, I'll admit things didn't look to good. After today's additions, I believe we will have a pretty good season. Before I said around 30 wins and no playoffs. With the additions of Crawford and Thomas I think it bumps us up to 40-42 wins and a 6th seed. Don't know why, just my opinion. What do you guys think? PS- Lineup I'm looking most forward to seeing on the court together you ask? LA GW Nic Crawford Felton
It pushes back the inevitable, but the Blazers have a chance to be pretty decent if Nate lets them run a bit
Felton & Crawford should really help the outside shooting and getting off to slow starts in games. Add to the mix a healthy Wes and I think the opposing defenses will have to stay honest and give LMA more room to operate.
The two signings today definitely strengthened our bench. Crawford gives us some much needed scoring off the bench and can back-up both guard spots, and Smith FINALLY gives us that back-up power forward banger we've been missing for YEARs. With all the SuperFriend teams being formed, we're not a serious championship contender, but we have a legitimate shot at winning our division and at least being competitive in the first round. We're much better off than most other small market teams. I mean good god, how'd you like to be a Hornets or Kings fan these days. Wouldn't it be ironic if we finally make it out of the first round the season after Brandon Roy retires? Not saying it will happen, but it could. We also have a lot of guys playing for their next contract, either in the last year of their current contracts, or a player option for next year. So, they could overachieve this year. At the very least, it should be fun to watch this team get after it this year. And, Nate is probably pissing his pants right now. This team has a lot of SCRAP. No excuses, they just have to make their shots (another Nate "gem"). BNM
True, but nobody expects us to compete for the #1 seed. As long as we're in the mix for a top-4 seed, I'll feel pretty decent.
Individually, none of those guys excite, but collectively they make the team deeper and stronger. I tend to believe that a low play-off seed is better than being stuck in the ass-end of the lotto....so I'll take it....for this season. None of this negates the need for a strong, long-range plan.
I'm waiting for the Durrant/Westbrook clash of egos and resulting team implosion. Westbrook froze out Durrant during the 4th quarter of multiple play-off games last year. When you're the point guard on the same team as the league's two time scoring leader, getting him the ball with the game on the line should be your first, second and third priorities - not forcing up your own shot. Westbrook has a shitload of talent, but he's a selfish ballhog who thinks he's the first option on the same team as Kevin Durrant. A guy can dream... BNM
What's your take on Perkins. I originally thought big blunder by OKC as Perkins did not seem to recover from his injury well (which is why I think Boston shipped him out). But he is coming back looking fit and slim and has always been tough. If he takes his game up a level, OKC scares me. But I agree, if Westbrook has a bad start and starts pushing or taking even more shots trying to find his game, there could be a Durant Westbrook clash. But if they come out firing on all cylinders, they are going to be scary.
Yes this will be interesting to watch. The PG is always the first to be blamed if a team falls short. And at some point Westbrook will get blamed......again. I agree that although he is very good, he may not be the best fit for Durant.
I'm not a big fan of LA at center, or GW at PF...and if I'm not mistake, they aren't really fans of playing long minutes at those positions either. I'm excited to see this lineup for running: Slim (Felton) Wes GW LA CJohn Lob city
Said after the bombshells that this was still the same team that took Dallas to six games and got rid of deadweight in Rudy. Anticipated some signings, but think we did better than my expectations with Thomas, Crawford, and Smith. My expectation was a seed 3 thru 6, with a very good likelyhood that we advanced out of the first round. Will bump that to 3-5, with 3 being a reach but think we are going to get out of the first round this year.
Dallas went from losing in the first round to winning the title in one year. If Aldridge can step up his game to superstar level, maybe we can win it all. It all rides on Aldridge. His has the skills to be as good as Dirk.
