So the spurs with a banged up Manu was a contender last year? Because if the spurs with a banged up Manu were contenders, the the non-contender Hornets took them to a seventh game. If the spurs with a banged up Manu were not contenders, then LA was the only contender out of the western conference last year? Maybe this is really about it being a fine line of what contender means, but if NO wasn't a contender last year, then that is one tough line . . .
If other teams' star players keep going down at the current rate, then yes, absolutely. And I think this team could surprise. The Dunleavy-coached teams surprised for a couple of years - that JR Rider team that knocked the Timberwolves out, for example. It depends what you mean by a contender. I can think of five teams that are OBVIOUSLY better than us without a beat. Could we rise above the remaining pack? Maybe. Could one of those five teams go down in flames? If they lose key players to injury...
I don't think the JR Rider team ever beat the Timberwolves in the playoffs. That 99 team beat the Suns & Jazz, I believe. The earlier Rider teams lost in the first round to the Lakers, I think.
Contender to me means a legitimate threat to win it all ... last year I would say the Spurs minus Manu were also not a contender ... the only club that had a decent chance of upending the Celtics Juggernaut was LA, and even they got manhandled. It's not a knock on the Hornets last year and the Blazers this year to say that neither are legitimate championship material, both are/were very good teams with lots of room for improvement, but not a serious threat to beat the top 1 or 2 teams in the league. We're parsing the words here pretty finely, but I'd say the Hornets and the Blazers fall into the second tier of teams you might call "Challengers;" they can keep it competitive, and give somebody a workout, but just aren't there yet, minus some serious lucky breaks.
I think this all just comes down to the definition of "contender." Considering the #6 seed won the championship in 1995, I think you have to at least consider the top 6 records in the LEAGUE as contenders.
I don't think Portland has a chance to win it all. I think they have a decent chance to reach the second or third round.
probably not unless we make a trade for butler or a different sf. i think there is a slim chance though without a trade that we could get to the WCF.
Absolutely not. I have faith at this point that we will get it done. I'd hope we get a top 4 seed, but I'd put my money on the 6th seed.
The win that put me over the top was the Utah win. We absolutely needed that win and we got it. We're in great position now.
It is hard to argue Blazers (or for that matter NO) are a legit threat to win it all. I only put Boston, LA and maybe SA (because it is their year) in that category. So I agree Blazers are not a contender (and I agree NO was not a contender last year as I don't think they had a chance against LA . . . I do think NO had a chance against SA with game 7 at home) But, because I'm a Blazer fan I will expand the defintion of contender to kingspeeds defintion. So I think the Blazers are a contender.
Don't put to much stock in taht Jazz win. Utah was ccoming off a back to back game, have not been good on the road this year and were missing AK (Boozer too, but he has been out a good part of the season) . . . all the while the Blazers had a tune up game at home with a rest befoer playing the Jazz. I think tongiht's game will be very a good indication of where the Blazers are right now . . .
Not if you have no real chance of winning both the WCF and the Finals. I think there would be an element of over-performance for Portland to reach the WCF and, at that point, they'd be in a final four with three much better teams...the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers. At that point, their chances of winning two seven-game series would be essentially zero.
God forbid we lose to the Mavs tonight (we always suck in Dallas) or against the Thunder on Friday (who pose a serious matchup problem in Durant and Westbrook; serious athletes at the wing and point guard which always seems to give us fits). I will say this however, if the Blazers actually win tonight and Friday and do it in convincing fashion then I'll be much more optimistic about their ability to close this season out -- they will officially be on a hot streak.
If Oden doesn't dominate against OKC, I will be severely disappointed. Who is their starting center anyway?
That's funny, because I don't recall ever facing Russell Westbrook. Oh, and when have small forwards ever dominated us? Besides Bron.
