The Remaining Schedule and the Drive for #5 (Column)

28 games left, 14 at home, 14 on the road. and currently in 7th place due to a tie-breaker advantage. Right now that would get Portland a 1st round mechanical-like dismissal from the Spurs and although nothing would be better than sending LaMarcus Coattails home via our Blazers, that just isn't going to happen without a major injury on their side. So what is the best case scenario?

#6 would get them a match-up against OKC and while we have had a little more success against them, if they are healthy, I wouldn't expect that series to go past 5 games either. But if Portland could climb to #5......

...that would be a match-up against the Clippers. Granted, that would be inviting the whining, complaining and constant verbal abuse that is the Clippers and their coach, Doc (Cry me a) Rivers but that series has the possibility of being competitive and at least a chance at an upset. So how do the Blazer catch Memphis?

It will be very difficult. 7 of Portland's next 9 games are against teams with a .500 record or better. Many of those are on the road where before the last road trip, Portland didn't have a single road win against +.500 teams. But its' not all Portland's schedule.

The Blazers first have to catch Dallas (who is 4-6 in their last 10) and then hope they can close the 4 .5 game gap between them and Memphis as they should struggle at least a big till Gasol gets back. Before he went out, they were one of the hottest teams in the NBA and should still win their share against mid to lower level teams.

Portland has had a soft schedule so far but Memphis's schedule hasn't been much better. But while Gasol is on the mend, 6 of their next 7 are against cupcakes. MIN, Lakers twice, Suns, Nuggets and Kings. Then the Jazz and the Suns again before they actually start playing anyone of substance. Even if Memphis played .500 ball for the rest of the season, Portland would have to finish 17-11 over a very difficult stretch to do so. A tall order indeed.

So it is going to be very difficult to catch the Grizzlies just due to how soft their schedule is as they deal with injuries but that is where I think they need to get to in order to have a shot at a competitive playoff series and actually gain some playoff experience.

It will start against the Warriors who will have had multiple players at All-Star weekend and maybe you catch them a bit out of rhythm after a week off. If that happens.....look out. Confidence is a funny thing with a young team....and right now, these young Blazer have it.

I.

Want.

San Antonio.

I'm bumping this good read.

I listened to Joel Freeman and Casey Holdahl adamantly lobbying against a matchup with the Spurs....said it was their worst nightmare for coverage of the team in the playoffs....they'd have to interview LA and translate his answers...personally I think it'd make a great storyline

riverman said:

I listened to Joel Freeman and Casey Holdahl adamantly lobbying against a matchup with the Spurs....said it was their worst nightmare for coverage of the team in the playoffs....they'd have to interview LA and translate his answers...personally I think it'd make a great storyline

Click to expand...

I mean.... our chances of beating anyone in the playoffs are already slim....... but knocking off Aldridge and the Spurs, or at least have the chance to knock them off, would be a dream come true. And with our guards, I think they'd have a real problem defending us. Who on that team could stop Dame? Or CJ? Parker isn't a star player anymore. Their best player is a small forward, and I think that's our strongest position on defense. I would also pay good money to see Leonard try to get under Aldridge's skin.

Natebishop3 said:

I mean.... our chances of beating anyone in the playoffs are already slim....... but knocking off Aldridge and the Spurs, or at least have the chance to knock them off, would be a dream come true. And with our guards, I think they'd have a real problem defending us. Who on that team could stop Dame? Or CJ? Parker isn't a star player anymore. Their best player is a small forward, and I think that's our strongest position on defense. I would also pay good money to see Leonard try to get under Aldridge's skin.

Click to expand...

I think you undersell just how dominant they've been defensively this year. Imagine how much better (worse for their opponent) they'll be in the playoffs if they're even moderately healthy.

After watching Cleveland and Golden State destroy the Spurs this season and seeing as it took a buzzer beater for them to beat Orlando by a bucket the other night...I think age may finally catch up to the Spurs...Lamarcus was neutralized by ZBo in the Memphis series last year. I would welcome the challenge come playoff time. Beating the Spurs in the first round would be a great feeling for any Blazer fan. By playoff time, the Spurs will be even older and eventually, they're going to drop off. This could be that year. Spurs are a contender....most teams in the playoffs are going to be tough matchups...I'll take a Spurs series early instead of a Golden State series anytime

Yes age is finally catching up to the team that is 45-8.

Natebishop3 said:

I mean.... our chances of beating anyone in the playoffs are already slim....... but knocking off Aldridge and the Spurs, or at least have the chance to knock them off, would be a dream come true. And with our guards, I think they'd have a real problem defending us. Who on that team could stop Dame? Or CJ? Parker isn't a star player anymore. Their best player is a small forward, and I think that's our strongest position on defense. I would also pay good money to see Leonard try to get under Aldridge's skin.

Click to expand...

In crunch time. Kawhi Leonard would likely be on Dame and Danny Green on CJ. Parker could guard Aminu because he doesn't post up.

As for the Spurs losing to Golden St and Cleveland, they didn't have their full line-up either night. When they have everyone, they have only lost something like 4 games.

Nikolokolus said:

I think you undersell just how dominant they've been defensively this year. Imagine how much better (worse for their opponent) they'll be in the playoffs if they're even moderately healthy.

Click to expand...

San Antonio has excellent wing defense and interior rim protection. But their weakness is quick long range smaller scoring guards. Guess what we have two of?

We'd still be a massive underdog to them but in terms of having a chance at winning a few games against a higher seed I definitely like our chances against them more than the Warriors or Thunder. Not sure about the Clippers if they are healthy. An opponent being injured probably gives us our best shot though. Duncan and Manu have serious injury issues. I agree with others that LaMarcus is not good with pressure and expectations so I could see him having some horrific games in the playoffs.

B-Roy said:

Yes age is finally catching up to the team that is 45-8.

Click to expand...

It sure just caught up with Ginobli who is 45-8 and may never play again with testicular surgery...yeah...we know the Spurs have the 2nd best record going into the allstar break...got it but come playoff time, they might see some dropoff....not a popular slant when so many posters have them as unbeatable, but they are beatable...teams have been eliminated in the first round with high playoff seeds and great regular season records..

riverman said:

After watching Cleveland and Golden State destroy the Spurs this season and seeing as it took a buzzer beater for them to beat Orlando by a bucket the other night...I think age may finally catch up to the Spurs...Lamarcus was neutralized by ZBo in the Memphis series last year. I would welcome the challenge come playoff time. Beating the Spurs in the first round would be a great feeling for any Blazer fan. By playoff time, the Spurs will be even older and eventually, they're going to drop off. This could be that year. Spurs are a contender....most teams in the playoffs are going to be tough matchups...I'll take a Spurs series early instead of a Golden State series anytime

Click to expand...

No.

The 45-8 Spurs, who've won 6 in a row, are not going to morph into decrepit old men over the next two months. Their best player is younger than Damian. Aldridge, Danny Green and Patty Mills are still in their prime. They have a very deep team so their old-timers don't have to play heavy minutes, and Pop is the master of giving his guys rest, especially leading up to the playoffs. Parker rested their last game for example. Manu is out now with a groin injury and they're 4-0 since. Duncan hasn't played in 15 games so far this season, Parker 10. They're still 45-8.

Under Pop they have a tried and true system and it works year after year. I would not look forward to playing them in the playoffs and seeing Aldridge advance at our expense.

noknobs said:

No.

The 45-8 Spurs, who've won 6 in a row, are not going to morph into decrepit old men over the next two months. They're best player is younger than Damian. Aldridge, Danny Green and Patty Mills are still in their prime. They have a very deep team so their old-timers don't have to play heavy minutes, and Pop is the master of giving his guys rest, especially leading up to the playoffs. Parker rested their last game for example. Manu is out now with a groin injury and they're 4-0 since. Duncan hasn't played in 15 games so far this season, Parker 10. They're still 45-8.

Under Pop they have a tried and true system and it works year after year. I would not look forward to playing them in the playoffs and seeing Aldridge advance at our expense.

Click to expand...

I picked the Spurs to win it all starting the season...they still might but beating them instead of having Utah beat them would be amazing...I'm not someone who now thinks they are unbeatable....I do think Golden State is though. The Spurs are stacked...all the more reason to rise up to the challenge in my view..but as a team, they are no longer young top to bottom. We are though with the exception of Kaman and he's about 6 years younger than Duncan.

riverman said:

I picked the Spurs to win it all starting the season...they still might but beating them instead of having Utah beat them would be amazing...I'm not someone who now thinks they are unbeatable....I do think Golden State is though. The Spurs are stacked...all the more reason to rise up to the challenge in my view..but as a team, they are no longer young top to bottom. We are though with the exception of Kaman and he's about 6 years younger than Duncan.

Click to expand...

Everyone is beatable, even G.S. But I'm still not going to be rooting for the 2nd youngest team in the league to be going up against the team with the most playoff experience. And I'm definitely not going to hold out much hope in beating them 4 out of 7 times.

Blazers are always an underdog...doesn't stop me from rooting for them to be a spoiler team though...it's not like we're favored across the board to beat anybody so in the words of a wise person....we've got absolutely nothing to lose...they have everything to lose

Stranger things have happened

Crazier things have happened than the #2 losing to the #7 seed. I don't care if it is the world renowned San Antonio Spurs and we are just some young bucks looking to make a name for ourselves.

But there's no denying the odds would be on their side.

Natebishop3 said:

I mean.... our chances of beating anyone in the playoffs are already slim....... but knocking off Aldridge and the Spurs, or at least have the chance to knock them off, would be a dream come true. And with our guards, I think they'd have a real problem defending us. Who on that team could stop Dame? Or CJ? Parker isn't a star player anymore. Their best player is a small forward, and I think that's our strongest position on defense. I would also pay good money to see Leonard try to get under Aldridge's skin.

Click to expand...

As always, I'm sure the refs will give it their best shot.

I'd like to win a first round, thank you. That means we need No. 5 or 6 seed.

Go Blazers!

BBert said:

I'd like to win a first round, thank you. That means we need No. 5 or 6 seed.

Go Blazers!

Click to expand...

I'd prefer 4 wins in the first round...1 win would be a repeat of last season

B-Roy said:

Yes age is finally catching up to the team that is 45-8.

Click to expand...

I think it'll catch up even more after the break

No matter who the Blazers play in the playoffs, and I think they will make it, the Blazers are a dangerous team to face...a scrappy young group with nothing to lose and everything to prove, they will give their all...and I wouldn't want to be the other team

riverman said:

I'd prefer 4 wins in the first round...1 win would be a repeat of last season

Click to expand...

I think you misread me bro. (That's what I said.)

riverman said:

Stranger things have happened

Click to expand...

Yes...that was one miracle. Buster would have had to do that 4 out of 7 fights for it to be a good parallel.

TBpup said:

Yes...that was one miracle. Buster would have had to do that 4 out of 7 fights for it to be a good parallel.

Click to expand...

How about when Denver knocked the Sonics out of the first round when the Sonics had the best regular season in the league?

I think many of us have forgotten about that....

Orion Bailey said:

How about when Denver knocked the Sonics out of the first round when the Sonics had the best regular season in the league?

I think many of us have forgotten about that....

Click to expand...

I remember it well. The big difference is both SA and GS have won Titles....Seattle hadn't won anything so didn't have that experience going into those playoffs.

TBpup said:

I remember it well. The big difference is both SA and GS have won Titles....Seattle hadn't won anything so didn't have that experience going into those playoffs.

Click to expand...

Not winning it all doesn't mean you don't gain experience.

They had just lost to MJ and the Bulls the year before in the finals. How is that not experience? Then lose the first round to the nuggets the next season? They were experienced. Don't fool yourself.

TBpup said:

Yes...that was one miracle. Buster would have had to do that 4 out of 7 fights for it to be a good parallel.

Click to expand...

I think every player on our roster would rather play a 7 game series against the Spurs than go 10 rounds with Mike Tyson

I just thought about the funniest scenario for this season:

Blazers finish 7th and meet the Spurs, they lose 4-0 to the Spurs (of course), BUT LamarCooch gets a season ending injury because Mayers Damage kicked him really hard in the knee without even noticing (cue Leonard's clueless face\expression).

That would be the funniest thing ever, to see that the Blazers worked hard for 82 games just to get Lamarsha out of the playoffs, nothing more.


*Yea, i have a dark sense of humor. Really sorry if this offended the PC people.

Against Orlando Lamarcus choked in the endgame...Leonard bailed them out..I was checking the game thread and LA must have bricked 7-8 midrange jumpers in a row which kept Orlando right in the game..I'd love to see him do that in a playoff series with the Blazers