GSW has lost game to lesser competition this year. Memphis, Pistons, Kings2x, Hornets. Then if you look at teams GSW is clearly better than it gets worse. Every team loses games to lesser comp when they shouldn't. No I'm not comparing gsw to portland like ks would.
I look at this differently. I don't think they under achieved because they lost so many times to weak teams. I see it as over achieving against better teams. How many times in the past have we said that they feast on the shit teams but can't play with the good ones? Hell some said it this year. I much more prefer it this way. I honestly believe the Blazers over achieved this year. I do not think they have as good of a roster as many of the teams they are ahead of. Thus the reason why they lost to so many bad teams. They have to play good to beat everyone. No room to coast. I do think they have numerous players on the current roster who will get better. i.e Collins, Nurk, and Baldwin. Harkless also got better before he was injured. Those guys along with Dame, CJ, and Davis are my top 7 to return. Fill he rest of the roster with shooters at every position. (except center)
^^^I like the idea that they are overachieving.....except that would mean they really aren't a #3 seed and are more like a #6-8 seed. If that is the case, then they really haven't improved any at all in the last couple of years which would be somewhat problematic.
That goes back to the whole thing middle of the pack team. If you take away GSW & Houston from the equation. How many teams would you say. 'Yes, that team is clearly better than the other Western Conference teams.' Spurs? With Leonard, sure. But doesn't look like he's returning anytime soon. Utah? They're not clearly better than the rest. Pelicans? Not a chance. Minn? Maybe in a year or two. Denver? Nope OKC? Got star power, but does that make them better? Doesn't look like it. Portland? Maybe if Nurk continues to develop. I've said all along Portland is a middle of the pack team, battling with other middle of the pack teams. It's amazing to me how they've been able to get the 3rd seed and have a bit of a cushion.(before dropping 3 in a row) But that doesn't make Portland clearly better than the other teams right there as well.
When Gobert is healthy, I might put them at #3. They lost Gordon Hayward but when Gobert is healthy, they have only lost 18 games this year and only 7 of the last 35 he has played in...winning at an 80% rate.
Who can really replace Stotts? Money doesn't grow on trees and Paul Allen would not incur contract debt unless he found a guy he wants. I don't advocate Terry be fired but his decision making this last week has not been award winning.
haha...Re try Calipari! Actually their personalities are a perfect match for college age minds ...........
