Even with our youth improving I do think we likely need another big addition to contend for a title someday. But that addition can happen at any spot in the draft, in a trade, or in a free agent signing. All roads to build a contender are unlikely to succeed and at some point need a few lucky moves. The spot the Blazers are now in is better than nearly all the teams in the bottom of the lottery. Look at Phoenix; yeah they might even get the #1 pick; but their still going to be multiple pieces away from a contender if that pick pans out. If CJ didn't have a breakout year; Crabbe was ineffective, Lillard took a step back, yeah maybe we'd have a chance at a real good lotto pick. But then your talking about three key players being worse than they are now. Its still a gamble that we get a pick developing into at least a starter. If that pick pans out it would take a few years and we'd basically be right where we are today, still a move from contending. The great thing about Neil's moves is he built this team to either get a great pick or have great young players exceeding expectations on cap friendly deals. There would've been some excitement with a high lottery pick but I'm glad the second alternative has played out. It's a faster road to contend and a hell of a more scenic drive along the way.
Making the Playoffs gives the guys something to buy into. Guys like Gerald Henderson may be willing to take a bit less to stay in what they feel is a good situation. I had been thinking all about how big of an impact the playoffs could be for recruiting from the outside, hadn't thought about how big of a deal it would be for retaining. At the end of the day retaining is the important thing. One has to assume great things are possible with how much this team has grown together in this short amount of time.
Lol. That's funny, I did completely forget about that team. Not a coma, but I was living overseas. I didn't get to watch those teams. So mea culpa.
People always say the Spurs are built for the playoffs or such in such is a playoff tested team....you don't become that unless you do battle in the playoffs. No rookie we sign is going to come in to the league playoff ready. The guys we have are closer to that and if the Blazers can win a first round series and compete in the second round....sure they're not going to win the West this season but the experience will carry over to the next couple seasons and get us closer to where we want to be down the road. CJ is a perfect example of a player that used the playoffs (even in a loss) to take the next leap in his career. I see no downside to being in the playoffs this season
Hell no it's not. You started 3-0 and now face losing 4 straight come Tuesday ! How's that a great trip? You beat a bulls team with no Rose and butler, then beat Indiana without their 2nd best player, then beat a trash Knicks team. Quite frankly not winning just 1 of the Boston, Toronto or DET game was sorry Disappointing road trip
