OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA THREAD -May 2021

Except that we can pass LA given their schedule with a win on Friday.

 

I'm looking at the Western Conference standings with about 7 games to go for most teams and I don't see a lot of encouraging news for Portland:



to start with, I know quite a few people seem to be counting on at least a couple of Utah, Phoenix, or Denver resting starters when Portland plays them. But Utah and Phoenix are locked into a major battle for #1 seed, and unless one of them craps the bed in the nest 4 games, they will very likely be playing to win when Portland faces them

meanwhile Denver is locked in a battle with the Clippers for 3rd seed, with the loser likely having to face the Lakers. Now, the Blazer game is the last game of the season for both teams so things may be settled, at least for Denver by then. At the same time, Denver own the tiebreaker over the Clippers so that may increase the odds they will be playing to win

Dallas has an easier schedule than Portland but there are some mine fields there, so there is still a decent chance Portland can catch them...just as long as they don't blow one of the games against Cleveland and Houston. Bottom line though right now is that Dallas has one less loss

and if Portland falls into the play-in, look who could be waiting for the Blazers...the fucking Warriors. That's the team that Portland has a 1-12 record against over the last 5 playoffs, and has lost 10 in a row. That's a pretty scary matchup for Portland in game 1 of the play-in

 

I'm done with this team in its current makeup. We desperately need fresh ideas and approach.

Unfortunately, I think this the best hope of a major shakeup occurring.

 

Thinking outside the box a bit. Please allow me a little leeway here.

Just was thinking what if the play-in was pretty much a foregone conclusion and the Blazers played to that end. Resting players knowing they would have to win a couple extra games to get into the playoffs?

If the Blazers get into a position where the playoffs are only obtainable by getting through the play-in maybe they should plan for that? I feel it will be pretty obvious by the beginning of next week where they will be sitting.

Reasonable?

 

No, I don't think so. They need to play together as much as possible, especially with Powell and the tightened rotation. Nurk needs to play to keep getting in shape and a good rhythm. The easiest path is not to have to play-in, so go for that. Maybe if with one game left, they know they must play-in, then rest guys.

 

sure, that's possible. But, right now, the race for playoff vs play-in is so tight, and there are so many variables, I don't think teams will know where they stand till the last 1 or 2 games of the season. It still may come down to that last night of the season

for instance, look at the Lakers: they are in 5th place, but only 1 game above the play-in. Like Portland, 7 games left. But they have 3 back-2-back's left in that 7 game schedule; Portland has 2. Their first B2B is against the Clippers, then Blazers, starting Thursday. Their 2 stars are coming back from injury and haven't been playing both games of a B2B. I've seen people here say that Portland might catch a break and play the Lakers without Lebron or AD; maybe both. But from the Lakers perspective: they are 6 games behind the Clippers; won't catch them. And even if they did play both their stars there's no guarantee they'd win. On the other hand, there's a lot more at stake for them in the Portland game. If they play to win that game by committing their stars, they can actually gain 2 games on Portland because they'd win the tiebreaker. The Portland game is more important to the Lakers than the Clipper game. I wouldn't count of Portland catching a break Friday night

and if the Lakers do beat the Blazers, then it would probably come down to Portland vs Dallas for 6th. The two toughest games for Dallas are the next 2, at least on paper; at Miami, Brooklyn. Portland may be a game up on Dallas by Friday night, but on paper, Portland has a much more difficult 5 game closing schedule

 

Followed this by saying he didn't think he would ever be 100% healthy again.

 

Flopping from phantom fouls have ended so many careers prematurely ....

 

Lebron has been ruled out for the next two games, so he won't play against the Clippers or Blazers.

 

Actually, that result helped us. If Dallas loses tonight, we’re 6th. But if Lakers had lost, a Dallas loss would’ve put us at 7th since we lose the 3way tie.

 

What’s the difference between 1 and 2 seed this year? I don’t see why either team would care. Resting stars is way more important. They won’t even be able to control their matchup because of play-in.

 

HCA and every stadium except blazers allows fans so it’s not entirely fake

 

How does that work that we'd lose a three-way tie when we'd have won the season series with both other teams (if we beat the Lakers later this week)?

 

The 3way tie breaker is division winner. Dallas is currently winning their division. Totally stupid. If we’re 2-1 vs Lakers, we’ll be 2nd in 3way tie.

 

Thanks. Yeah, that is dumb. It seems like if you'd use that for a three-way tie it'd be the first tiebreaker for a two-way tie. It's dumb either way.

 

Still can’t believe with Olshey wanting a versatile big man so bad he rated Zach freaking Collins over Bam Abedeyo. This blunder right here cost us a bunch of wasted time for Dame

Smh

 

Well the Jazz and Nuggets always have a huge home court advantage because they train at that elevation, so they will definitely be fighting for it. Every day states loosen up their COVID guidelines so by the later rounds crowds could become a major factor. I even have to imagine that any team/player that can look up into the stands and see people cheering them on will get at least a little boost.

Edit: I would also imagine that the team that will have to face the Utah and Denver won't want to give them that advantage. I expect these teams to play it through the end.

 

What makes it even worse is that Olshey was the only GM in the NBA to pass on Bam. Oh, wait.

Check out the 2012 draft and tell me how many of the 30 players selected in the first round and the 5 drafted before Lillard are still on the team that drafted them, and how many are franchise players.