4 game nightmare: actually very happy with the results

I'm sorry, maybe I'm not understanding too well. I agree that all teams will have tough schedules. I'm just trying to say that we would be in a much better position if we actually had a bench.

 

I was just responding to yuyuza's claim that the current stretch is "ridiculous." It might be, but it's not a unique situation.

 

Okay my mistake....

 

I was adding another caveat to our record during the 4 game stretch. We not only had to play against tough opponents, but we had to do it in 5 nights. Which is my 1-3 is not bad at all.

 

Yes, I'm happy to get a win out of this, and to see the team competitive in the losses.

More than anything, I like where it's going. I'm happy to see we've got 4 young starters on this team locked up long-term, one's an All Star, another is ROY-in-waiting, and a third is a poor man's Scottie Pippen. I like that we've got cap space.

There are a lot of borderline playoff teams in this league that have a lot less hope than we do. Assuming we can fill in the holes, this just does not look like a team that's going to spend years being mediocre.

 

Because. It's like my opinion. Man.

 

Listen I said it earlier in year, the front office is a disgrace to allow these starters to be in this situation. Regardless if u are tanking or not... U have to have a FEW quality bench players. With that said I also feel they never expected lillard to be this good. So that has really screwed the plan. Now I have a feeling the GM is hoping we start losing so his plan sticks. Problem is our starters have been too good and didn't get memo.

For a chance at playoffs we need to win the next three at home. Almost must wins if u would like to see playoffs. 2-2 was a must on the last 4. Like LA said, u always lose a few u are suppose to win. That is usually difference between making playoffs and not.

 

Not often that I agree with you, Carlito, but I think you're pretty much on target here. I don't think the FO is a "disgrace" to have gone with the plan of keeping money available for next summer by not signing veteran FAs. I also think that they expected to be losing a lot more games than the Blazers are and that the plan included having a good draft pick this year. That part of the plan appears to be off track and Olshey basically has two options:

1. Roll with the winning vibe, forget about a draft pick, and sign a couple of veteran FAs to contracts for the rest of this season.
2. Induce more losing by trading Hickson for future considerations.

Be interesting to see which way he goes.

 

If Olshey is a longterm thinker and can get Allen on board with a path to possibly becoming a contender in another year or two then B is the only right answer.

 

I'll give you one thing, Nik, you're consistant. What is there about this year's draft that makes you excited for keeping our pick and drafting around the 11th spot? Another Babbitt, Leonard-level talent seems about the best reasonable expectation.

 

Just the chance at getting a cheap player who might be starter material. The more bullets in the chamber the better your chances of hitting something. No bullets, no chance.

 

Fair enough. The way I see it, the essential piece of the rebuild is the cap space for this summer. I think Lillard, Matthews, Batum & Aldridge are four solid starters. If the Blazers can find a way to get a starting calibler center this summer, then I think that the remainder of the rebuild comes down to picking which of the young guys on the bench you want to keep and adding two or three veterans. Given the way that this undermanned group has competed against the Heat and Thunder without a true center or a bench, I think that the team would be very competetive next year with those missing elements filled in. That's why I'm not too concerned about giving up the pick this year and getting a shot at the playoffs. Playoff experience is a valuable thing, even if it's a quick exit.

 

Unless Olshey is going to make a trade into that capspace, I'm not holding my breath about a true difference maker choosing to sign here. Secondly, with many guys expiring (even if they mostly suck) he's going to have a lot of roster spots to fill.

 

There is an argument to be made that their minutes could have been reduced last night in Denver. That game would never go to OT with it, but at some point, those three need some rest. Hindsight says the game was lost anyhow, but I do like the idea of this young team playing to win every night, too, which means playing your 3 best players big minutes with this crap bench.

 

U usually disagree with me because I tell u what u don't wanna hear.