Are we a contender? Legit shot at getting out of the first round? Hell, are we definitely making the playoffs? Which lineup would you go with? Miller, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge, Camby?
If what we saw from Roy last night was indicative, even if it was for 25 minutes a night - we will be in a good place.
i dont even know we are a playoff team we are 1 and a half games from being out of playoffs with suns coming strong
That's the probable lineup whenever Camby is healthy. When he's not you start Batum and move Wallace to PF. I don't know think this made us a contender unless Roy really hits a groove with Aldridge. Plus, we're just too limited in the front court. Beyond Camby and Aldridge, we just don't have any legit bigs. Wallace helps (he's a hell of a rebounder for an SF--8/game) but it's tough to see us getting past teams like Miami and the Lakers.
We're thin at Center, but I am loving the sound of that starting lineup. Even GW at the 4 with LA at the 5 would be fun too.
Starters (Miller - Matthews - Wallace - Aldridge - Camby): Solid offensively, great defensively. This is an aging but pretty damn good lineup. Bench (Roy - Rudy - Batum - Mills - Johnson): Small ball central. We have no backup center, no backup power forward. We essentially have five shooting guards that can also play some SF and PG if needed. In short, we're like an NBA team with a college bench. If our streaky shooters get lucky, we'll win games. But our starters better be ready to play 36+ minutes a night, especially if they're taller than 6'7".
Unless Roy becomes all-star Roy again along with new Aldridge plus Matthews, Miller, Wallace, Batum, and Camby then you have a good chance to make some decent noise in the playoffs. Not a contender IMO, but I think we can get past the first round depending on the matchup.
Having Roy, Rudy and Nicolas on the bench definitely helps the second unit and gives us real good depth. However... I shudder to think that Sean Marks is now going to get some PT up front.
I think they're extremely likely to make the playoffs (barring more injuries) and a legit chance to win a playoff series. As for lineup, the one you quoted is likely the starting lineup, but I'd rotate Batum, Matthews and Wallace through the 2/3 spots and Wallace, Aldridge and Camby through the 4/5 spots. Aldridge, of course, getting the most total minutes.
I don't see it that way. We also have tie breaker against PHX. Denver is going to takea while to get used to playing together, and I am hearing that Raymon Felton is giving a big "Fuck You" to the idea of playing behind Lawson. Utah is going to take some time for them to get used to playing as a team too. I think those losses during that time, will add up and make a difference. If you also consider that Denver no longer has a go to scorer, and Utah really doesn't have one now either, that doesn't leave them sitting pretty.
I think we match up well against OKC. We have a fighting chance against the Spurs. And no chance against the Mavs and Lakers.
I think this moves us from an above average team to a solidly good one. If LMA keeps up his torrid pace of play and if Wallace can fit in somewhat seamlessly then I think they've got great potential defensively, but they don't have the horses to beat a focused playoff-mentality Lakers team and they'd probably struggle against the likes of Dallas and OKC. Matchup wise, I think they can hang with the Spurs. Beyond that it all remains to be seen how this actually works on the court.
Now it is up to Camby. If he gets back out there and plays like he is capable of, the Blazers have an excellent shot at the play-offs, and a slight (but measurable) chance of getting to the second round.
