For the fans holding back, like me: Will a win over Miami finally sell you?

I thought you don't want to get too invested in this team unless you know the team will win a title?

It'd probably be better for you to go root for the Heat, that team is more likely to win a title.

I'm happy to root for these Blazers. If they win 60 games and lose in the first round it'll still be a great season.

 

co-sign. basically I won't be sold on the team until we get past the first round in the playoffs. Great teams have had historic runs before in the season only to get knocked out with the quickness later on.

 

Another idea, tape all of the Blazer games and then wait until you hear how far they made it in the playoffs. If you are happy with the results go back and watch the games as you'll know if it was worth it. If you aren't happy with the results throw the tapes out.

 

If people are saying championship or bust with this team... that's almost like they believe in this team, but guising it under the "realist told you so" facade. Interesting.

Tempering expectations is a really cool thing to do. Really good for the stress level too.

 

I'll be fucking pissed if we go out in the first round. I'd consider the season a failure.

It signals that the team isn't still ready to make that next step. That's the goal, just pop that playoff first round cherry.

 

when we play grizz gasol will be back. not easy win. have u seen what solid centers do to us?

 

2nd rd is what i expect in 6-7

 

So if you don't get that, will you become a Heat fan? Good riddance.

 

Is this post directed at me? My point was I don't need a title to enjoy watching the team play. I also won't believe that this is actually real until we make it past the second round. Whether it's real or not, however, isn't important to me. I'm enjoying the ball movement, the esprit de corps and chemistry of the team and the never-say-die attitude that has given us this incredible record.

 

Beating the Thunder at home will be much more impressive.

 

It would be a disappointing ending to a terrific season, but I certainly wouldn't be angry about it. What a playoff loss like that would do, however, is demonstrate what we need to obtain to take that next step. Remember, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. I'm amazed at what this group has accomplished; almost nothing can take the bloom off of that rose.

 

I want that more than beating "Miami". We won't be facing Miami unless we make it to the finals. OKC could be a WCF or second round opponent. That needs to be a win!

 

Yes. They put up huge numbers and their teams generally lose.

 

It would be so much better if they were still the Supes, but I kind of like our rivalry with OKC. We're two small towns with only one team, and a fan base that's pretty intense.

 

To answer the OP, no, beating MIA will not make me believe (more than I currently do) that we're a contender. And losing to them won't make me less of a believer. Didn't we beat them at home last season? We certainly weren't a contender last season, so why would beating them this season make me think we're a contender?

I do think the better barometer will be how we fare against OKC. But even that won't be an indicator for how our season will end. I'm far more interested in trends, than single games. So far I've been pleased with the trend of winning games, but I've been less pleased with how we've performed in those wins.

Wins like last night's may happen throughout the course of the season, but I don't see us winning those sorts of games in the Playoffs. LAC had 14 more shot attempts than we did! That will not lead to a win in the post-season. Our opponent has shot a better FG% than us in every game since the PHI explosion, and our 3-point shooting has dipped. Wes' early-season shooting percentages were unsustainable - after his scorching Nov, he's now shooting below his career averages for the month of Dec.

 

I'd be really upset. We've already been to the playoffs several times, one and done. We're hungry now...we need to do this RIGHT NOW.

 

So what you're saying is we are going to beat one of the top 4 teams (you said 5-6 seed) and then take the 2nd rd to 6-7? You homer.

 

Having the best record in the NBA heading into the new year should already have you sold!

 

I enjoy the Blazers regardless of their record. Them winning is obviously more enjoyable, but if it got to the point where the team was bringing negativity into my life, I'd probably just stop caring about them.

For me, sports is a diversion, and I like my diversions to be positive.

 

When are you guys going to just sit back and enjoy this ride? Quit waiting to win the next "big game" to justify a great run!