1) We are a full 20 games above the hated Los Angeles Lakers. 2) We are a full 9 games ahead of the Thunder in the division race. 3) Even with an injured thumb, our All Star LaMarcus Aldridge just scored 38 points on a hot Cavaliers team 4) Wes Matthews is in the 3 point contest 5) We have third best record in the most competitive Western Conference maybe ever Add to this list please.
The Blazers didn't make a huge trade or signing (like Dallas or Houston) and under perform after it. They did it the old fashioned way and had injuries!
The Thunder have 36 games to make up 9 games in the loss column. Although if Portland keeps playing this way... So to Pass Portland, the Thunder need to win 10 mores games than Portland does the rest of the way. I.e.: If Portland continues it's current streak (4-6 in last 10 games) they'd finish the season 14-22, and end up 46-36. The Thunder would have to go 24-12 (a rate of 54 wins over 82. If Portland finishes the season .500 (18-18, and 50-32), the Thunder need to go 28-8 (a rate of 63 games spread out over 82) to get to 51 wins. If Portland gets to .600 ball the rest of the season (22-14 and 54-28) the Thunder have to go 33-3 (a rate of 75 wins per 82) to get to 55 wins. So the Thunder still have a chance, but if Portland can win at .60% for the remaining games it become hard to visualize the Thunder winning the division. That's a positive.
And they will. When we have our full complement of players, we can show what we can do. We get to weather this storm after gaining wins, whereas OKC didn't. So we are in a much better position to maintain. It's much better to come back from a 10 point deficit than a 10 game deficit.
another thing- Riverman and I are still pulling for 60 wins. That would require us going 28-8 which we did to start the season anyway. If we go 60-22, it doesn't matter how many games the 23-23 Thunder win, we'll win the division.
Seriously. Look at the other teams number of posts and members. Portland might have more posts than all other teams combined. Proud to be a newbie of this forum!
