The Blazers this year have done much better than nearly all of us predicted (aside from a few hard-core homers). Lately they have devolved into the team most of us expected to see all year. Better than last year and fighting for a playoff spot. If they had played this way all year we would be regularly frustrated but also excited about the progress we've seen. However, because they played out of their minds early in the season and we've seen what they "can" do, anything less seems to accentuate the negativity most of us harbor. If they had played TO expectation, we would be happy that they were looking good for a playoff spot. As it is, we are busting their balls for exceeding expectations for a time and coming back to earth. My goal for the year remains the same. Make it to the second round (hopefully). Anything beyond that is gravy. Some nights I think "yup, we're gonna make the second round". Other nights I wonder what it will take this team to pick it up and be consistent. Ah, the life of a Blazer fan. Gramps...
I believe in balance and symetry. We're going to finish strong like we started. We'll be underestimated in the playoffs, get hotter than shit, and make a deep run. Black cherry kool aid tonight.
The first 40 games go the season LA and Dame were both playing like MVP candidates, and were clutch down the stretch of close games. Batum was flirting with triple doubles and shooting well,. Wes was shooting 50% on 3s, and RoLo was RoLo. Bench was iffy, but all 5 starters were playing well at the same time. And in crunch time! Since mid Jan, it's been different. LA has been dominant most games, but he's back to struggling late in games. Dame is hot/cold, and that late game mojo is missing. Wes has been in a wretched slump, before last night. And Batum hasn't been consistent. We've seen what these guys can do when they are all on point. Is it drinking kool aid to think they can get back to that?
I agree it would be different if we played this way all year. But we didn't. We were on pave for 62 wins at halfway point and Aldridge was considered a top 3 MVP candidate. So the collapse had been miserable to me.
