So, the Blazers were assumed by most sportswriters to be in full tank mode when they dumped Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby for peanuts, but I'm thinking that the team may actually be better from a talent standpoint now than before the trade deadline. Getting Hickson off waivers after the deadline was a key in this, but I think the current roster and rotation would definitely beat the pre-trade roster. Joel getting in shape and taking over the starting center position is pretty much a wash over what Camby brought. Moving Nic back to the starting SF spot brought more outside scoring punch, while Hickson taking Wallace's position in the small-ball unit actually is a significant upgrade since he has better size. Matthews going to the starting SG spot seems to have revitalized his game. Felton seems like a new player now that McMillan is gone. I don't know if that was due to a personality clash or if Ray is just finally getting in shape, but either way it's a significant improvement. Flynn seems to me to be an upgrade as the backup PG over what Nolan Smith was bringing, but Smith is still around if that proves not to be the case. I like the fact that Canales is letting a backup PG play instead of using Crawford at that spot. Letting Luke Babbitt play the backup SF spot seems to be working out well. I guess we'll see tonight when they play the Jazz, but I think the Blazers are the best team of those on the outside looking in on the playoffs. I think the Rockets are going to lose a few games here with the next several on the road including the next two against the Bulls and Lakers. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Blazers back in contention for the last playoff spot by the end of the week. I get a few chuckles thinking how much that's going to piss some of you off.
I'm 100% with u on this. I actually think this team is better. I think it took a few practices to get the team on the same page. A couple more practices and this team could be really scary if we actually make the playoffs.
The team fired Nate McMillan and they're playing better without him... how can this be?!? Nate McMillan is the greatest coach in the history of the world. This must all be a clever rouse.
They look like they aren't playing with the weight of the world on the shoulders anymore and chemistry looks better, but no, this team isn't "better" they're just playing harder.
Trying as hard as they can, this team is nowhere near as dangerous as the one that started the season. That team was expected to be a threat to go deep in the playoffs. The best this team can do is threaten to win a game against the Jazz. Turns out they dumped the wrong people. It's become a yearly ritual.
Allen's money gives us good depth. We need a coach who believes in exploiting that advantage. McMillan was the opposite kind of coach. These guys have been freed from prison and are showing they can win more with no coach at all than with McMillan.
They've scored over 100 points two times in that span, and their Pace factor has dropped from 9th to 18th! Fun team to watch! Great thread!! They've also played 4 road games and 7 home games over that great stretch!!! 5-6 is awesome with 7 home games during that time frame!
Yep, you nailed it; it's all about having a team that plays a fun style. I think you'd find a lot of people who would rather see D'Antoni coach the Blazers over Popovich because that up and down tempo is so entertaining!
Will you guys follow Nate to his new team? How rude to keep him only 7 years here, when all the other teams give coaches lifetime contracts.
Nah, I'll stick around here just to make sure you complain about the next coach, since it's always the coaches fault... I'm sure Nate won't get another NBA job anyone because he's such a horrible coach, right?
Okay, okay. This thread was a massive mistake. I neglected to consider that Ray Felton has the ability to single-handedly grasp defeat from the gaping jaws of victory.
If you want to see complaining about the new coach, see post #13 above. PapaG has written many such posts already and maybe you will next year. I expect to view next year's coach as a breath of fresh air. McMillan's limitations will be exposed at his next job in a less worshipful city than Portland. I give him 3 years at the next stop. Then 2 years at the next. That's all, folks.
