Man, I can't help but think when Joel gets back and even a 1/2 Oden, this team is gonna be dangerous....very dangerous. Plus, they're winning without those two, so that's a bonus in and of itself. It just seems to me......if I were to forecast out some.....this team has a very nice blend of talented youth, a solid core, coupled with some quality, seasoned (veteran) leadership. Perfect mix, right??
This team does not strike me as different from last year's team. If it remains healthy, it is an elite team.
To me, trading Bayless was the key. There was just something a bit unsettling there. Now that I've had a small dose of Johnson, I'm like.....oh, man.
Bayless is far more explosive, offensively, than Johnson. I think the team takes a step back with that exchange. I agree with andalusian: if the team is healthy, it is an elite team. Ed O.
Well to be honest I feel like our schedule has been pretty easy, but we will have plenty of time to find out.
Armon Johnson played "the perfect floor game" last night. Bayless is a small 2. He's not doin much for New Orleans.
I pegged them to win 60+ this year if they stay reasonably healthy. They've talent, depth, and lots of size/length...welcome on board btw, two of my other main rooting interests are the Ducks (football) and SF Giants (baseball)... thats a perfect mix STOMP
To be fair, while this team lost some of the explosiveness of Bayless - it does have better depth at the big position - Camby,LMA,Oden,Joel,Oberto,Dante is better than Oden,LMA,Joel,Howard, Pendy,Dante and the team has better defined roles, improved perimeter defense with Wes/Armon - but maybe a bit less of a shooting fire-power, having lost Blake, Outlaw and Web while gaining Wes and Babbit (who is not likely to see much floor time). Overall, maybe a better balanced team and maybe more resilient to bigs injuries because of the addition of Camby.
Penis jokes aside, I'm with ABM on this one. I like what I've seen in Johnson. Not saying he's the "PGOTF" or whatever (esp after 5 games), but I do like his role as the "BPGOTN" (backup point guard of the now).
If it weren't that easy, no one else would want him. The idea that because Portland traded him, he must suck, is pretty faulty logic.
More realistically, he just wasn't a good fit for this team. Even Camby, after just a few games this season, was inclined to observe the same....at least in comparison to what Johnson appears to be bringing to the table.
the stat line (19 pnt 9 rbs 1.6 blk 1.8 stl) LA is putting up so far is pretty impressive... I've seen guys get to the AS game with worse if he continues that pace and Portland keeps winning 80% of their games I'll be satisfied STOMP
