So when will people agree with me we can be a top3 seed?

When you stop caring, you start losing ball games. The last 6-8 of those were like preseason... going through the motions.

Everyone was saying they tanked the last 2 weeks, so how can that be a quantifiable argument for this year?

 

What would you be looking at to say it's one of the easiest schedules in the leauge so far?

 

That is just mean!!!! You better rep me or I will Keal you!!!!!

 

Or lots of 3's

 

I am under the belief of this year and this year only, so that's why I made the qualifier of "if healthy"... because they are as of now.

 

Benchm players usually don't perform as well on the road . . . I think the starters are going to have to show up and and play big minutes for a successful road trip (earn their pay). If starters can avoid logging big minutes at home, they are in prime position to earn some key victories on the road.

 

Well, since you put it so nicely (and since you're paying for a good seat for me at a Blazer game) I have repped you. Wait, it may have been the report a post button. I get so confused by this Internet thingy.

 

I don't believe in the most relevant sense this is true. Basically, we had 4 guys on the team last year, this year we have 8 (with CJ waiting in the wings). So, an injury to 1 guy last year is like having injuries to 2 guys this year. In the last 13 games we basically had 2 guys injured which is like having 4 guys injured this year or having 4 guys injured on a good team. Take 4 guys from the rotation of any team and they'll "suck hard."

How we finished last year has no bearing on this year.

 

Thanks for adding reputation to this user. May you be lucky enough to receive the same Reputation back in turn.

 

Yeah that has been my whole point you articulated it very well. The regular season is unpredictable and teams can easily have 9 wins more or less than they probably should. I agree those 5 teams are more likely to be a top3 seed, but lets figure one or two of those five teams will have some big injuries. Sure we also have a 1/6 chance of it being our team. But since injuries to 5 teams help us and only injuries to one team hurts us chances are much more likely than not we benefit from injuries.

 

Well I thought BBReference rated our schedule as the worst before the Pistons game but now its rated as above average.

 

And according to that, Detroit's record maybe a reflection on just how hard their schedule has been. They are a quality team!

 

What's surprising is Miami had a pretty damn easy schedule (24th) and they are not playing well.

 

Cool. I hadn't looked at SOS until today. Seems difficult to imagine on their ranking, that we'd be able to be lower than the Bulls -3.33 yesterday, and jump all the way to .68 today after a game against a then 2-3 team. Even with their tough schedule.

 

I know HCP would want me to have that steak dinner! I know I want it!

 

I'd guess the other teams we've played, Suns, Spurs, Rockets; probably increased in the rankings strength thus helping our strength of schedule.

 

We have a +3.857 differential in points. 5th in RPI, only trailing OKC, Phoenix, Indiana and SAS

 

I don't think anyone should be concerned about Miami until late February, and really only if they are injured.

But Miami does have the #1 offense in the league in ORTG (offensive rating) at 112.8. #2 is our Blazers at 112.7!!! Somehow Miami has the 27th ranked defense at 108.2 while our Blazers are ranked #28th at 108.6