Yes. It happens. Just a mix of the timing of a team's hot streak at the right time. How many people were proclaiming them "contenders" at this point of the year. Its completely homeristic and stupid to do so. The season isn't even halfway done, if we fall to the 4th or 5th seed in the west, then what...this "contenders" shit looks dumb. Its like a swing of 3-4 games to that spot. Playoffs start in May not now. These road means me fuck-all if we get a bad playoff matchup who adjusts to us over a 7 game series.
I hear what you're saying and I actually agree with you that the contender thing is getting thrown around haphazardly. However, there is an outlier giving them a little bit of a window to talk... We are a little bit on the same trajectory as that Dallas team. I am in no way, however, saying we are going to win a championship or that we'll even make it that far. I'm just simply showing this.
We are the only team in the NBA to have the same starting lineup all season so most teams have guys who sometimes start on the bench part time...this affects our bench stats in a unique way.
You don't become a contender during the playoffs. You are either a contender or you aren't. A contender is a team that has a chance to win the title this year. We are one of those teams. Playoffs start in April. And we'll be at the halfway point TOMORROW.
Yep. Dallas got knocked out of first round the year before and had a time during their championship season where they lost 9 of 11!!
I gauge being a contender by beating the contenders on a regular basis, which we've been doing. That's my 2 cents on the subject.
Much improved and highly competitive - yes. Not a contender. This roadtrip confirmed that the team is good, but not elite. The defense just isn't good enough.
You go .500 against playoff teams on the road in the playoffs, you're going to go a couple of rounds.
Until Blazers show that this roster and style of play can be successful in playoff basketball, I do not think it is safe to say we are contenders.
I dunno; you never play back to backs in the playoffs (unless they change that rule if we make it to the WCF). Our defense stinks, but the only time our offense stops working is when we fall over from lack of sleep.
Well sort of. I think playoff basketball is a different style ball than regular season. Will be interesting to see how this high powered offense / low power defense plays out in the playoffs. To say that this roster and their style of play will automatically translate into championship contender basketball in the playoffs seems to ignore that traditionally defensive teams thrive in the playoffs.
Becasuse I didn't say that. I said once Blazers prove this style of ball can be successful in playoffs . . . which does not mean winning the championship. Winning a tough first round series might do it. ( Even losing a tough 6-7 game series to a contender) My point I think regular season basketball and playoff basketball are different. I don't think it is safe to assume this basketball will translate into playoff contending basketball. Hopefully it will, but you ask if it is safe to just say they are . . . Isay no, but then again I'm all about safety.
