While I am looking very forward to the coming season, I'm not comfortable making win/loss predictions with all the new faces on board. I have high hopes, but I'm trying to be realistic. The one thing I am absolutely sure of is that the roster is loaded with authentic potential. And, being the old fart that I am, I remember going into the 76/77 season. We were coming off 37 wins, which I believe was a franchise best at that point. We returned only 5 players from the previous season (Walton, Neal, Steele, Hollins and Gross). Walton already had a history of injury problems and Hollins and Gross were coming off their rookie seasons. The rest of the team were newcomers, and even though Lucas was known, he was coming from the ABA, which wasn't on the level of the NBA. This being Portland, we hoped for the best and supported the team wholeheartedly, but no one really thought we we were championship caliber. But one thing we knew for sure was that that particular team also had authentic potential. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we won't know till we know. But if you hope for the best and dream big, good things happen. In 76/77 our best hopes and big dreams came true. The latent potential became the real deal. I honestly don't believe we'll win big this year but I have high hopes and big dreams that out of all the potential on the current roster, we're a great deal closer than the negative nellies think we are. What purpose does it serve to trash this group and predict the worst? It is what it is and this team will be very entertaining at the very worst. Let's give them a chance to prove themselves, enjoy the process for the time being and see how it all plays out. There will be plenty of time later on for the "I told you so's" and the "you don't know jack shits". Right now, until the season is underway, all we're doing is pissing into the wind. Thanks for indulging an old man.....
That's what I'm saying. If anybody doesn't think we'll suck then mike and mike aren't homers lol My point of the whole thing was tnt has us on once for our caliber of a team is pretty shocking as it is. I love the Blazers and will always love them till I die but I'm not one of those dudes who says "I'm 100 percent certain.. Blah blah" I don't say or do homer things I'm coo on that.. Strenus ain't never been the same since his little guarantee, that's what happens to homers who aren't real with the situations..
Absolutely. THIS!!! Great post. See. Its the old analogy, better to have loved and lost than never lost at all. People talking about not wanting to be dissappointed.. so what if you are? Its not the end of the world is it? I just know if I lived my life doing, saying and acting in every way to avoid all disappointment, then I would never get anywhere. Id much rather have my life be full of highs and lows than some flatline of mundaness.
Then you should add to my wager since it's so certain we will suck: Tlong bet $100 that the Blazers won't win more than 20 games. Care to accept since this should be a sure bet, being a realist and all
OMG I want in on this bet!! I already have one that is honestly a crap shoot. So I need a sure thing to offset. Tlong, may I have the same proposal?
Let's look at some of the teams that play on TNT. The Lakers (4 times), the Knicks (3 times), Pheonix (3 times), Sacremento (2 times), Utah and Minnesota. If you think we're surely worse than all those teams then you are a debbie downer.
Really? You're going to call me out? I owned up to it. Did you not see it? I also hardly EVER post in the offseason. But, I'm sure you knew that. How is me saying i'm 100% certain a PLAYER is going to stay makes me a homer for a TEAM? If you know how I post, you would know that I am not a homer. So, please, be less aggressive on the assumptions, do some research, and then come back to me. Ask Kingspeed, he knows I'm not a homer. Ask Mags, he knows I'm not a homer. Do not ever call me out without the facts.
You say you'll bet on 25, but you're unwilling to bet on at least 27. That means you predict 25 or 26 (.305 or .317). You have proven yourself to agree with the pessimists. Stop waahing every time they speak.
I think we'll finish in the respectable .400s (33-40 wins). Unless it's a bet, it's ridiculous to require an exact number.
Well the dudes so sure we'll suck. I figured he would attach a specific number in relation to the suckage.
Hell of a good post UncleCliffysDad. Sure, chances are, based on our inexperienced roster, the Blazers aren't a playoff team. Maybe they are not a very good non playoff team. But I believe in the long term potential of a bunch of our guys. And there is a chance the Blazers end up being much better than the doomsayers are saying. Absolute proclamations about how good or bad they are seem kind of foolish. I think we'll surprise some people.