Portland has a lot of animosity towards the Thunder. Those games are when LMA amd company really show up to play. Portland seems to have an extra gear vs OKC. That series would be one where every game is decided by less then 5 points and if thats the case ill take the team with Lillard on it every day of the week.
The only team that is a true champion contender (in the west) is San Antonio. Injuries and unknowns limit who is a true contender. Could Portland become one? Sure, if Damian continues his growth and becomes a legit top 3 PG, the team stays healthy and the bench produces in the top 10 of the league. But right now, it's way too soon to tell or predict, imho.
I agree that our defense needs to improve, but that's on the coaches. I think we have the players to compete for the title. Do we have the right coaches?
I like what I see in the Blazers. The Kaman and Blake moves weren't sexy, but they were exactly what this team needed. The second unit, with those guys plus the natural maturation of the young guys, isn't going to blow the leads that the starters get and the starters shouldn't have to play as many minutes. Going into the year, I'm in the contender crowd Like always, it will take health and a few good breaks. I think we're due.
I dunno if they're a legit contender in the West, but I'd like to think they're just a step below. I mean, we beat Houston in six to advance a round, and I'm not sure how we're not a better team today than 5 months ago. We now have some playoffs experience, more vets, guys are jelling and familiar with one another. I'm not ready to anoint us champs by any means, but I do believe this team can and will hang with any team on any given night, and if you're good enough to do that, there's always the potential to really put it together.
I think the Blazers in the championship conversation are closer to the Mavs back in 11. I don't think they were lock down defensively but they along with getting hot at the right time were good enough. If the Blazers an improve to 11 or 12 in the league defensively and play to that level if not slightly better during the playoffs and they are going off shot wise. They can do it. If the bench can give this team quality time. I think the Blazers improve quite a bit defensively. The starters not having to spare energy to the end of the game can extend themselves energy wise defensively all throughout the game. This will effect their overall numbers.
I'd like to see our bench guys really step it up this year to say that we can make it to the WCF. CJ will need to produce consistently... I hope yesterday wasn't just a fluke... And Kaman and Blake will need to stay healthy. Plus Barton and Robinson need to bring some controlled energy. We should call them Danger Will Robinson when they're out there together causing havoc.
We were calling them that towards the end of last season. I can't remember who came up with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Who were the Blazers last season? Were they the team that we saw in the 1st half of the season and the 1st round of the play-offs, or the bunch who struggled to play .500 ball? Now take that team, subtract Mo (which is a 2 edged sword) and replace him with 30-40 healthy games out of Kamen and the empty uniform formerly known as Steve Blake. Stotts got 120% out of this roster last season. They will be very lucky to hold on to what was gained last season - let alone move up to contender status.
Stotts didn't have this roster last season and the bench just scored over 51 pts two games straight, one without an allstar playing. That empty uniform got 7dimes and was able to feed the shooters who never touched the ball with Mo on the court. I think we're better and I think hard work deserves more respect than calling it pure luck
