Report: Blazers will have the worst starting 5 in the Western Conference

It's Tru Detective to a T.

 

I get what you are saying - I really do. Where I disagree, is that I would rather risk human error (bad trades and draft picks) than a process inherently biased against small market teams. (free agency) Look at how one draft (LMA/Roy) turned our fortunes around - even when they totally blew the next draft. The funny thing is - the LMA/Roy draft was supposed to be historically bad, and the Oden draft really, really good.

 

It is very interesting how we all can determine just how good or bad we will be. The proof will be in the play and just how the team plays together. If they play as a team and not individuals with frail egos they might surprise a lot of people. If they don't play as a team and let individual concerns get in the way then they will probably be very bad. I can only hope our coaches can instill in the players the need for teamwork.

 

The biggest problem I see with the group of guys we have is twofold. 1. They have a real dearth of scorers and no shooting to speak of and in the modern NBA that doesn't bode well for success unless you have a really dominant defense . . . which brings me to my 2. This team is really, really young. Teams this young take time to develop chemistry, particularly at the defensive end because it takes a lot of coordinated effort (built through experience) to be good at it.

So, despite their best intentions and best effort, chances are this team is going to be pretty bad this year. Is that an ironclad prediction? No. But if you think like a bettor in Vegas, that's probably the way to make your wager.

 

At some point around here we need to get past this notion that free agency is inherently biased against small markets. The reality simply doesn't support that commonly believed notion. This year, the two biggest market teams, the Knicks and Lakers got bupkiss in free agency. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Cleveland, small market cities in snow land, did just fine. San Antonio, a small market city, scored the top FA. Crappy teams, no matter where they're located, get no love from FA's. Good teams with good prospects, if they have cap space, get free agents.

For a lot of years, when the Blazers were solid, they had no cap space. This year, they have plenty of money, but every agent in the league knew things were getting blown up and the Blazers were going young. You don't get free agents in either of these situations. In a couple of years, if Dame takes a step up to superstar status and a couple of other players step up their games as well, Portland will be attractive to free agents. Success breeds success.

 

Yes teams with winning cultures and stocked rosters can be appealing to free agents, but with all things being equal, the advantage goes to the larger market, the city with the better weather, better night-life and lower state taxes. It's always going to be an uphill battle to attract elite talent to Portland because of that, so not impossible, but nothing I would want to bank on.

 

All things are never equal. I'll grant you that a major market team has the inside track if it and a small market city both can offer similar chances for success. But there's always multiple good FA'S available every year. If the Blazers look to be going in a positive direction and retain their cap room, they can be players in a coupleof years. That said, getting a blue chip rookie in this year's draft would certainly be a step in making the Blazers attractive.

 

I honestly believe this team will be better than will give it credit for. It may take a while but I think they will be more than the sum of their parts. However, if any of you are thinking they are going to make a run at a playoff spot, you need a straight jacket.

 

Bill Walton No. 1

He didn't have the longest career, but he was the best player we've ever had.

Clyde Drexler No. 14

Flawed but somewhat dominant. Got by on natural talent alone.

Soon to be Damian Lillard (We hope) No. 6

 

Not really. Dirk could face up and dribble. Dirk could pass the ball quite well. Dirk was a great shooter.

 

I would take Dirk over LMA on any team anywhere.

 

He still couldn't pass like Franz Beckenbauer. Wacca Wacca Wacca!

 

The good thing is that the entire league is talent-poor when it comes to guys with true start potential.

 

And NCAA basketball is starved for fully developed talent. There may be a connection here.

 

I dont think we have the worst starting 5
I think we have a better starting 5 than Lakers Denver and Utah
And I think were going to do better than most of the NBA thinks
I predict we are going to be #11 in the standings and make the playoffs in the 2016-17 season

 

Hey dude. Did you know Pro Wrestling is real? I'm serious!

 

I agree with this...
I think the big plus to this year, that is a real intangible, is that these guys are gonna play hungry.
I think they really feel like they've got something to prove to the league and will put forth a lot more effort than is expected into developing into a machine that WORKS TOGETHER.
I think there'll be a real 'team' mentality....hopefully with ego being minimized all around.
If we can stay healthy I think we will raise a lot of eyebrows this year and I think the fans are going to have a lot more fun falling in love with this team than they expect.