Denver? Look like SHIT lately, no defense, players look lost. Utah? Boozer hurt, Sloan makes them play hard but... still pretenders. Dallas? Blazers own them. 'nuff said. Phoenix? Balling out of their minds, but... get them in a half-court game and they are in trouble. There's no potential first round opponant that the Blazers should fear.
While that's ^^^^ the logical answer. This season has been far from logical, sane, predictable. To guess that we would get 51 wins with this many injuries is truly unbelievable. If there is a will there is a way, and this team has proven they have that at least, No Fear
Believe me I get that, but a 7 game series is much different. In that time span the other team is going to figure out your strengths and weaknesses and exploit them, especially without your best player. I know the Blazers won't give up, but it's just going to be really tough. I think at some point Roy will give it a test though, probably game 3. Just a hunch.
In a season where the Blazers have persevered in the face of injury, it is almost sacrilegious to believe they won't persevere in the playoffs. Teams will underestimate them and the Blazers will rally around each other. My only concern is that in a close game we don't have that go-to closer. On the other hand, it makes us unpredictable to defend. I am curious to see how the Blazers perform and will be ecstatic if they can advance.
No Doubt someone will have to step up. So far this season its been all Miller, Camby, Howard. Hopefully one of the young guns will get it going.
I'm calling massive bullshit on the idea that Portland is automatically one and done in the playoffs without Roy. I saw Legler say it today. I heard Hollinger basically say it today. Isaak and Suke. PTI. Around the Horn. I'm calling bullshit. Not one ounce of me would be shocked if this team advanced without Roy. This team, right now, is different than they've been all year. They're experienced, hardened, well coached, and unified. On paper they're easy to discount. But my eyes tell me something completely different.
A blessing in disguise perhaps....? So far having Roy out at times this season has been really good for the rest of the team. I'm with you TPF
I know I don't think I want Phoenix any more... Just closed out the 3rd quarter up 97 to 70. 97 through 3 quarters...
I also think that this team has more of an ability to play physical playoff basketball than last year. With Batum a year older and Camby, this team can defend in the half court. It's still not the team's strength (a physical game), but I have more confidence in this year's team than last year's team to win a physical game. I love that everyone doubts them. Still, it's going to be damn tough.
Well, I'm not going as far as to say the Blazers are better without their best player. That seems pretty idiotic. But the addition of Miller and Camby (and subsequent chemistry development), Batum's emergence as a premier defender, and the awareness/ball movement with Rudy at the 2 has me somewhat more optimistic than pessimistic. The Blazers have overcome so much this year it would be foolish to write them off without Roy. Absolutely foolish.
It's not possible for us to play Denver. If San Antonio loses we cannot affect our seed. If San Antonio wins the 3 seed will be Dallas or Phoenix. If San Antonio loses we will play the winner of Utah/Phoenix.
I think we have a chance against Phx or Dal but even then I really don't think we will win the series. I really hope I'm wrong and we are playing really well.
No, If the Blazers win we are 6th seed. If Utah beats Phx tomorrow and the Mavs win Utah is the 3rd seed and plays the Blazers.
