That's why I didn't specifically mention a 1 - 8 match up. Maybe a 2 - 7? If we catch lightning in a bottle and SAS passes GSW, which I think they will. Yeah, I know not very likely, or practical, but I did say it was my best case, dream scenario. BNM
The upside to making the playoffs and beasting from here until the offseason is we could increase Crabbe and Leonard's trade value immensely and get some value in offseason trades
I posted this in another thread...Denver plays their next 7 of 8 at home. I am guessing they will be up by at least 4 games after the next 10 games. If we stay 2 back going into our last 11, then we should catch them. I just don't think we will.
I guess if worst case scenario does happen, I can take solace in watching old man Z-Bo destroy lamarsha's hopes of getting out of the second round again. Spurs don't have Duncan anymore, meaning no longer do they have Memphis' #.
We have no way of beating the Warriors. -No one on our team can stop Curry. -Who can guard Klay? CJ can't do it and Harkless falls asleep too often. -Lillard had too much bad games against them. -We had defensive problems against their "small time players" - Ian Clark and Shaun Livingston. -Stotts is not equipped to handle Green - a PF who can shoot threes,pass well and play the pick and roll. -GSW can get away with as many illegal screens as they like. Draymond can straight up shove Lillard out the way for a wide open Curry three. -Lillard and CJ are unofficially on the refs shitlist right now. I was on the playoffs wagon last season, but this team needs a serious makeover. Too many placeholder players need to go: Turner,Meyers,Crabbe,Ezeli,Davis,Quarterman? Pat? You get rid of Stotts as well, if a better coach is available (ATL's Bud?)
I don't buy this.....29 teams have to deal with the GS roster to win a championship...and I think Stotts is a great coach...roster upgrades won't happen without trade value....Turner is a keeper....if Crabbe and Leonard play well in the post season we'll get something for them...if not..you're looking at a long rebuild through the draft..can't sell low on the guys we want to move and replace them with value
Nurk is the son Sabonis should have had. He really reminds me of an old Sabonis, with that rolling thunder hook shot and the passing. Domantas looks like a bench player at best.
It's not just that he could be the 3rd scorer, it's the balance he brings as the 3rd scorer. Having someone like Crabbe be the 3rd doesn't really balance the floor or get the team an easy basket at times. Nurkic provides that low-post presence that now creates opportunities for other players and down the road when the team makes the playoffs either this year or next, he is the type of player that can get tough playoff baskets when the defense gets tight.
I'm ready for an upgrade at any position pretty much always. You're correct in saying Plumlee had to be traded as there was no way he'd be resigned by the capped out Blazers. Nice player, but with the money spent last summer the writing was on the wall. Hopefully it really is the chemistry plus expanded role that has Nurkic producing well above his established Denver mean, but the trade seems to be more then a lateral move. STOMP
Plumlee was so over-rated here. He'd have been a decent backup PF on a good team, but he wasn't big enough to play center and had basically no offensive game.
He did have a good motor, but it's nice to have a real big man in the middle. I think Portland would be an above .500 team if Nurk had been starting the whole year.
Here's an 11 minute highlight reel of his playing in 2017 thus far. Lots of Blazer highlights, including the game against OKC.