nice take from Chris Sheridan on the Blazers

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/0...ed-depth-makes-playoffs-possible-for-portland

I agree with pretty much everything he says. think its one of the more spot on takes as to where this team is heading.

 

ive seen a lot of articles that don't see our moves as positively as Sheridan does. don't think you can call that the "obvious."

 

Even though it's on the sheridanhoops web site, the article was actually written by some guy named Shlomo Sprung.

BNM

 

Wow on those numbers. A -17.7 deff rating, when the next lowest is -9. I don't know what that number means, but it sounds bad. Our bench averaged 7 less PPG than the crappy Lakers bench. Our bench shot under 40% from the field over the course of an entire season.

 

Yeah.... How do you miss a name like Shlomo?

 

They were so bad it was an accomplishment. I don't think even the 6ers bench or the Suns bench will be near that bad this next year. Neil said he put that bad group together by design. Well he is very skilled at creating suck when he wants.

 

Absolutely stunning numbers. Wow.

 

When did he say that? I don't believe it. When he came here, he was on his "get a start to move the needle" kick, rather than getting depth.

 

I posted the quote in July. Not exactly sure which thread, but he did say the bad bench was by design.

 

Here it is.

http://blogs.trailblazers.com/Broad...188/EntryID/5052/BroadcasterID/4/Default.aspx

 

How does this guy have Denver as a for sure playoff team? They lost Iggy, Koufos and Gallo is out most of the year.

I don't think they are a given to make the playoffs. We are clearly better than them.

 

Olshey designed the bad bench to draft a needle-mover. If neither McCollum nor Crabbe move us, Olshey may get the hatpin.

Hey Sly, you understand that one?

 

Don't forget George Karl.

 

You think any GM could put together a bench that bad by other than design? Well, maybe PatterNash, but I mean a real GM? Olshey was holding onto his cap space hoping to find a lopsided trade. Nothing turned up, so he decided to build a bench this summer.

 

I don't understand that either. I think Denver will be one of the worst teams in the west, I'd be absolutely shocked if they made the playoffs. That team went on a lucky run last year, and as you said lost their two best players, their starting center, plus coach of the year and a great GM. They added two backup power forwards and some ball hog SG's. This writer isn't the only one saying it. I guess analysis must just be looking at the their record last season and assuming they will only lose 5 or 10 more games.

 

It pretty much comes down to Foye replacing Iggy. They lose his great D. I bet they go small in the back court playing two SG's a lot of minutes. (Lawson/Nate with Miller at the same time)

I don't think losing Koufus is a big deal. They like Mozgov from what I have read. And they added JJ. They still have Faried and McGee.

Gallerini is definitely a big loss but they added Arthur and they still have Chandler.

Bottom line I agree they will not be nearly as good, but I don't think they will be one of the worst teams. They have some talent

 

That is an enormous downgrade.

Also Gallinari tore his ACL at the end of the year and as we saw from Rose probably won't play until the very end of the season when the team is out of the playoff hunt.

Lawson is clearly Denver’s best player now. But he was one of three last year now he will have to carry the team on his own, that’s not just a big difference, it becomes exponentially harder without a legit second or third option. Farried, Wilson Chandler, are rotational players but they are not primary pieces of a winning team. Lawson is a very nice starter but he is not a guaranteed all-star level talent. Basketball is a team sport and one player can’t get his team to the playoffs on his own unless he is an MVP talent. Lawson isn’t close to that level. Paul Pierce was the sole great starter on those pre-Garnett Celtics teams and they were one of the 5 worst teams in the league. I expect similar struggles from Denver; Lawson is not as good as Pierce but his teammates while below average are still a bit better than those crappy Celtic teams.

 

It is. But the one of the worst teams in the west? I guess you are right as they will be a lottery team. But I just don't think they will be horrible. They will still be competitive and fight for a playoff spot. But I agree they won't make it in.