Remaining schedule strongly suggests Portland will miss the playoffs

That series was nearly 20 months after Oden's first micro fracture surgery. It was the healithiest he's been since he was drafted. He was limited to only 96 minutes in that series due to foul trouble - not his health. He had almost as many fouls (27) as points (30). That's 4.5 fouls in just 16 minutes per game.

BNM

 

We have a real chance to upgrade this team in the off season by having a good draft (which may include trades) and freeing up cap space for a couple of top free agents. Too bad I have no faith in our front office right now. And please god, don't let Nate McMillan decide who we draft.

 

Deron wont stay in New Jersey unless Dwight goes there. There has been much talk Dwight prefers Los Angeles now over New Jersey.

Deron has not shied away from talking about his love for Dallas. Journalists have long talked about people from inside Deron's camp saying Deron to Dallas is almost a lock if Dwight does not come to New Jersey.


Cuban, from time to time, does know what he is doing.

 

Technically, Sebastian Telfair, in 2004 was the Blazers first ever lottery pick. It was the first time in franchise history that the Blazers were in the draft lottery.

They also obtained the 8th pick in 1995 in a trade with Detroit. They used that pick on Shawn Respert, who they then traded to Milwaukee for the rights to Gary Trent and a future 1st round pick.

Sam Bowie was taken 2nd in the 1984 draft - the year before the first NBA draft lottery. Bowie was the last top 13 pick for the Blazers until Respert and Respert the last until Telfair. The Blazers made the playoffs 21 years in a row, made the finals twice and the Western Conference Finals three additional times, without dipping into the draft lottery once. They were a very competitive franchise for over two decades and the only top 13 pick they had between Bowie and Telfair was the Respert pick acquired via trade.

Still think tanking, "blowing it up" and dipping down into the lottery is the best blueprint to build a future contender? Ask Sebastian Telfair and Martell Webster, the Blazers first two lottery picks, how that worked out.

BNM

 

I know, I'm saying the equivalent of a lottery pick. Either way, it solidifies my argument. The Blazers created a championship-contending team without having to draft really high for 3-4 years.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell if Dallas gets either Dwight or Deron. I'd say the odds are small that they wil get either.

Chandler was a sure thing. His defense and rebounding was a huge part of their championship. They let him go and got nothing in return except the potential for future cap space. My point is, they could have been contenders and better suited to defend their title if they'd simply resigned Chandler. If the goal is to win titles, they gave up a chance at one this year, for the slim chance they may add Dwight or Deron at a time when Dirk is 35. When your superstar is 33 and you just won an NBA title, that's pretty much the definition of "win now".

BNM

 

To add to the Bowie misery, the #1 pick in that draft was determined by a coin flip between Houston and Portland. Had the coin landed on the other side, Olajuwon becomes a Blazer, Jordan likely goes to Houston (they already had Ralph Sampson), and Chicago probably drafts Sam Bowie.

If anybody here ever gets the ability to time travel, please go back and change Portland's call from "tails" to "heads".

 

But Drexler wasn't the equivalent of a lottery pick. He was a mid first round pick (14th of 24). That's the the equivalent of a 17th or 18th pick these days.

But you are right. The Blazers built two contending teams over a 20 year period without dipping into the lottery once.

BNM

 

Actually, the Bulls probably would have taken Barkley, or maybe Sam Perkins. They weren't high on Bowie.

And, as much as the Blazers get beaten up for taking Bowie over Jordan, the Mavs could have had both Barkely and Stockon in that draft. Instead, they took Perkins at 4 and Terrence Stansbury at 15. Imagine how good Dallas could have been by adding Barkley and Stockton to a roster that already had Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper and Dale Ellis - all 25 or younger.

BNM

 

This thread is a pretty good read on where this community was 2 years ago.

 

I re-post this to show that even "tanking" relies on luck to get the right pick, or the right player. The year Roy and LMA were drafted, Portland had the #4 pick, yet had the worst record in the league. Even tanking doesn't ensure a Top 3 pick.

 

More often than not the team with the best chance at the #1 does not get the #1. So Yes Papa San I would say you are correct.

 

Prediction: No matter their finishing record, the L*kers will win the draft lottery.

 

That's a given. They WILL have the #1 pick, and it's not even a question that they will rig it.

 

Chemistry over talent in the season. Talent over chemistry in the playoffs. That's just the way it is.