Updated through the All-Star break Philadelphia 76'ers::::: 21-35... .375 Minnesota T'wolves::: 22-35.... .386 - 0.5 games back from #5 Dallas Mavericks::::::: 22-34.... .393 - 1.0 games back New Orleans Pelicans: 23-34... .404 - 1.5 games back New York Knicks ::::::: 23-34... .404 - 1.5 games back Trail Blazers::::::::::: 23-33... .411 - 2.0 games back Sacramento Kings:::::: 24-33... .421 - 2.5 games back Charlotte Hornets:::::: 24-32... .429 - 3.0 games back Miami Heat::::::::::::::: 25-32... .439 - 3.5 games back Portland currently still at #10 but just a minuscule 2 games from the #5 spot. The problem is, those teams below (above) them aren't going to win many games so it will be tough improve ones Lottery position. I don't think they get all the way to #5 or #7 but could climb as high as #7. Dallas would like to make the Playoffs as Dirk just doesn't have much time left. New Orleans plays decently when they are healthy. New York may get Carmelo wanting to prove over a stretch run that he isn't a team cancer. Portland has 3 road games right after the All-Star break that could put them right in the #7 spot. Then it will be a matter for management to decide if they want to stay there or win a few games that will put them right back in the #10/11 slot.
The season is now at a point where it's about growth, not wins. Like last night, I wasn't upset that they lost...in fact I embraced it. Although I have tempered expectations of Nurkic (tho his points weren't a Jake Laymen "who the hell is this guy shooting 3's, and why should I guard him?"). Because of the 3 draft picks, and a decent to good chance at a serviceable player...bring on the lotto threads!
He has been swamped with a new position but also, I think he got tired of people telling him he was clueless and stupid when 10 years of his Draft recommendations could hardly have been more correct than if he'd had a crystal ball. We stay in touch and he shares some of his research. Whether the Blazers host, or I have a Draft party of my own, he always shows up to that and shares a lot of great info before it begins. I hope the 'regulars' can make it and we usually have room for one or two more. With 3 picks as of now, it should be fun. @Charcoal Filtered, Billy, Rich, Mika, Todd, Jenn...hope we can all get together.
With so many people posting here, I tend to forget who is who...but who is d69 and was I one of the people who said he was stupid for his recommendations?
He was a long time poster on another forum, then was asked to be the Grand Poobah of another site (kind of like what Denny is here). He doesn't come on here so unless you @julius were on those site, I doubt it was you. It was just a general purveyance of no matter what he said, no matter his background, history or sources, people were often giving him crap that really had no idea what they were talking about. After a while, he just stopped. Don't blame him.
If we move into top 6/7, it's a chance to draft a potentially great small forward. Jackson will go earlier but Isaac and Tatum could still be available. Then Memphis pick at 19/20 (possible) will get us a decent power forward I hope. If we end up around 10 it's also time to get a power forward - plenty will be available right there: Williams, Markkanen, Giles and Adebayo to name a few. Cleveland pick I hope we will use on a backcourt player or a back up center (Jeanne? Bryant?). Hard to follow all those young players when you are in Europe.
would ainge's face look the same as the oden lottery when roy and the blazers won the first pick? if so it would make it an even more rewarding experience for me.
Or, we got so far ahead of schedule last year, we are just now back on track ,but traded last years lottery for playoff experience. Nobody in last year's draft would have been a difference maker on this years team. Not evne Simmons cause, well you know. He hasn't played.
And where is Timmy? lol. Exactly. Last year, if there was a season to not be concerned about the draft and get our young guys playoff experience, last year was the year. Man there have been some bad draft years, but last years is just a wowser of nothingness.
Kings could be a good team to trade up to. They need multiple young, talented players. If 13 and 28 got 8 last year, what does 10 and 28 get? Maybe 6?
#4 Orlando: 22-37... .367 (2.5gb) #5 Philadelphia: 22-36... .379 (2gb) #6 New Orleans: 23-37... .383 (2gb) #7 Minnesota: 23-36... .390 (1.5gb) #8 Dallas: 25-35... .397 (1gb) #9 New York: 24-35... .407 (0.5gb) #10 Trail Blazers: 24-34... .414 (0.0) #11 Sacramento: 25-34... .424 (0.5ga) #12 Charlotte: 25-34... ..424 (0.5ga) #13 Milwaukee: 26-31... .456 (2.5ga) #14 Miami: 27-32... .458 (2.5ga)
We're so close to a top 5 pick but I just don't see us keeping up with the Timberpups and Sixers, they're masters at tanking.