We didn't play our starters, but I still don't like giving preseason games away to our main competition in the division.
Forget the lakers for a second, we got a tough rivalry in our own division. Utah is going to be tough and it will be a dogfight (if the Blazers are lucky) for the division title. Williams, Brewer, Price and Krover-that is one tough back court. Throw in Boozer, Milsap, AK and Miles- you got a powerhouse team. Oden should outplay Okur, but on paper I got give the team edge to Utah. Unless Oden is "overwhelming" or barring injury, Utah wins the division.
Utah has been highly underrated the last year or two. They're a top-tier team. Unless the Blazers are a surprise title contender this season (which would be stunning), they're not going to be on Utah's level.
I disagree. There is no question in my mind that the Blazers are now on Utah's level. I think we would have shown that had our starters played.
To Utah's credit, there were also without Deron Williams, and that changes a lot of the dynamic. I like our chances against them on any given night, but I still think we're a year or two away from being able to seriously challenge this team in a 7 game series.
We'll just have to agree to disagree then. IMO, Oden changes EVERYTHING. It's the same as when Shaq entered the league only Oden has better teammates.
I'm not sure where you're going with that. Orlando was in the lottery after Shaq's rookie season. Oden has better teammates, yes. So...what are we comparing?
Okie dokie, wasn't sure if he had some kind of minor injury that they were being precautious about or not
No, this was the plan from early on in the preseason. Nate said that Oden would play in the first back to back games, but would sit him in the second game of the final back to back to rest him for the season opener.