OT Utah

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Rastapopoulos, Jul 7, 2016.

  1. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    I think Utah has quietly had a great offseason to add to a terrific young core. They picked up oldies Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson and added perhaps the most underrated PG in the league in George Hill. Plus they get Dante Exum back and Trey Lyles is looking great in Summer League. I think they should actually be favorites in our division now.
     
  2. JFizzleRaider

    JFizzleRaider Sad Panda Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Messages:
    12,870
    Likes Received:
    5,188
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Who Knows?
    Over minnesota?
     
  3. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Nope. we are young, so we'll improve
     
    Eastoff and Nikolokolus like this.
  4. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2010
    Messages:
    50,346
    Likes Received:
    22,528
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Doesn't Hayward want out though? If not now, eventually he will.
     
  5. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Lol all aboard the Utah hype train SMH
     
  6. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    14,414
    Likes Received:
    13,349
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Marcos, CA
    They still lack a go-to scorer, unless you are willing to have old man Joe Johnson as that guy - but I agree, they have the potential to be a very good team.
     
  7. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Our top 2 players are better than anyone they got.
     
    Eastoff, illmatic99 and Natebishop3 like this.
  8. HolyBackboard

    HolyBackboard 2 Hot 2 Stop It

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2015
    Messages:
    718
    Likes Received:
    1,589
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Rip City
    You gotta score more than 85 points a night to win games. They don't even have a 2nd option on offense, let a lone a go-to player (Hayward is a perfect 3rd option, imo).
     
  9. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    22,362
    Likes Received:
    34,003
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Investment Management / Financial Planner
    Location:
    Lake Oswego
    Offensively that is very true. What we struggle with has been their size, defense and shot-blocking ability when they are healthy.
     
  10. GDiama

    GDiama Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2016
    Messages:
    1,565
    Likes Received:
    1,398
    Trophy Points:
    113
    For their offense Hood is getting better and better and Hayward is really good+They have a scoring big guy-Favors and this is really important nowadays. If Lyles keeps improving they'll also have a second one too while we have none.

    In my opinion they have done some really solid moves, they'll increase ball pressure with Hill and Exum while now they'll also have some veteran leadership and improved playmaking with Diaw and J.Johnson. I couldn't imagine a better offseason for them really. Solid!
     
  11. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    21,008
    Likes Received:
    13,564
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yes they will be a very deep team, and improved. Hill is a solid addition. Boris and Joe will provide good solid leadership off the bench. They have as good of a chance an anyone to win the division. Not sure I could adequately pick a favorite. It will be pretty even IMO.
     
    e_blazer likes this.
  12. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    May 24, 2007
    Messages:
    72,957
    Likes Received:
    10,620
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Never lost a case
    Location:
    Boston Legal
    I'd watch out for the TWolves. They finally have a coach and GM that has a clue. Their roster has at least two of the more talented young players in Towns and Wiggens. They added a great draft pick in Kris Dunn. They have a quality backup C. Rubio will fit Thibs' system as a defender quite nicely. Zach LaVine is solid, too. They added Cole Aldrich via free agency.

    I've seen Thibs basically win with girls. He's going to have these guys winning lots of games.
     
  13. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2008
    Messages:
    31,952
    Likes Received:
    40,230
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yeah, I think the Nuggets are probably the only NW division team that doesn't have a realistic shot at winning the division.
     
    Chris Craig and TBpup like this.
  14. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Yeah, still though. Just not that impressed by their team. Don't think they'll be as good as us. We'll be right their with the Clippers and Grizzlies and the Jazz/Thunder/Rockets will be in that next tier.
     
  15. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    53,587
    Likes Received:
    54,649
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yeah I'm glad they didn't get wade
     
  16. drexlersdad

    drexlersdad SABAS

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    4,825
    Likes Received:
    255
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    NEW New Hampshire
    Wait, they got Joe Johnson too? Shit!

    They will probably go undefeated.
     
    Chris Craig likes this.
  17. Harry's Raincoat

    Harry's Raincoat Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2007
    Messages:
    926
    Likes Received:
    620
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Sorry, not to sacrilegious, but I also think Utah just got better than our beloved Blazers this offseason.
    Damian is clearly the best player. CJ and Hayward are about equal IMO. Favors and Hood really good players. Impactful.
    I've got them 7th in our Conference. We get the 8th.

    * Early prediction - rosters not fully set - season hasn't begun yet.
     
  18. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    But...........Internal development?
     
  19. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    53,587
    Likes Received:
    54,649
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The Timberwolves are going to be good, they have a lot of talent, and Thibs is going to turn them into gold....I think they have a good chance at winning the NW, and making the playoffs, if they can get their ducks in a row.

    The Jazz too should not be underestimated. They have a lot of pieces and have been on the outside looking in of the playoffs several years in a row, and intend to make a push again. I hear alot that they don't have go to guys. They have nearly gotten away with an everyone contributes offense, and with Johnson, Diaw, and Hill, added to the mix, not mention an up and coming Rodney Hood, things will be a bit easier for Hayward and Favors. Plus Gobert inside...damn. Don't count the Jazz out

    The Nuggets......


    The Blazers with a Durantless OKC, are the favorites to lead the NW, if Olshey can finish the offseason wisely...Still, it's going mean a lot of hard work to keep the Jazz and Timberwolves off our backs.

    Projected 2016-17 NW Division standings

    1. Portland Trail Blazers
    2. Minnesota Timberwolves
    3. Utah Jazz
    4. Oklahoma City Thunder
    5. Denver Nuggets
     
  20. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Honestly, as it stands now, other than Denver I can see it being a tight race the entire season.

    OKC got worse, while Portland, Minny and Utah all improved. If everyone stays relatively healthy, it should be fun
     

Share This Page