ESPN: Blazers Ready to Contend

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by e_blazer, Sep 19, 2016.

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  1. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    e_blazer, Sep 19, 2016
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  2. PtldPlatypus

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

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    Not a very deep dive, and no real insight or analysis. Seems like the national media is really hedging their bets on the Blazers this year.

    "In all, it was a positive summer for the Blazers, quite different than a year ago. Wouldn't it be a coincidence if the Blazers, after such an encouraging summer, did an about-face on the court and floundered this season?"

    Translation: "We have no idea what kind of team Portland is, so we're going to be as vague as possible."
     
    PtldPlatypus, Sep 19, 2016
    #2
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  3. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    Yeah, the article doesn't exactly warrant the excitement promised by the title.
     
    e_blazer, Sep 19, 2016
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  4. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    jlprk, Sep 21, 2016
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  5. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    ESPN?
     
    tlongII, Sep 21, 2016
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  6. Denny Crane

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

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    I liked this part:

    It's a credit to coach Terry Stotts, GM Neil Olshey and star guard Damian Lillard that Portland is suddenly a player in the West when plenty thought they'd be picking up the pieces now.
     
    Denny Crane, Sep 21, 2016
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  7. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Solid, high quality leadership from top to bottom. Damian Lillard is the best leader I've ever seen in my time watching the NBA, period. Stotts and Olshey know their jobs very well and do them very well. Allen finally has the people around him to feel engaged in the team again. This is a special time.

    Plus, you gotta think Dame KNOWS it'd be super-special to win on the 40th anniversary of winning the championship last time... I feel like he's going to push HARD to get it done this year!
     
    BlazerCaravan, Sep 21, 2016
    #7
  8. Denny Crane

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

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    Dame is one of the easiest players to root for in my 30+ years of following the NBA. That's for sure.

    It sure looks to me like PA revamped the organization a few years back, bringing in NO and modernizing the way the business is run. In all these things, I am very happy with what I am seeing.

    From a basketball decision standpoint, they have made every move possible to try to win. I don't demand championships, those are rare for any team but a few. I do want my team to try. And try we did. Instead of tanking we won and won and won.

    There is a lot to be said for depth, and we have that in spades. But in the playoffs, you need talent, and we have enough of that to contend in Dame and CJ. Adding Turner is going to give us a guy we don't cringe when he shoots.

    I really like the combination of guys Stotts can choose to put out there depending on situations.

    An all 3pt shooting lineup with Leonard at C.

    An all defense lineup with Turner/Crabbe at guard, Ezeli at C, Mo and Aminu. Davis, too.

    An all scoring lineup with Dame, CJ, Turner, Crabbe, and Plums

    An small lineup of Dame, CJ, Turner, Crabbe, and Aminu

    A twin towers lineup with Plums and Ezeli.

    Plus individual flexibility to put a Harkless on either a PG or SG if we need it.
     
    Denny Crane, Sep 21, 2016
    #8
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  9. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    we are the latest team featured in Peltons projections. Not sure what he said BC I don't have insider anymore. Anyone care to fill us in?
     
    PDXFonz, Sep 21, 2016
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