Current Record: 26-27 (9th in West, 0.5 games behind 8th, 1.0 games behind 7th) +/-: +0.3 (6th in West) ORtG: 107.7 (Tie for 7th in NBA) DRtG: 106.7 (18th in NBA) SOS: -.41 (23rd in NBA) http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential
Not phased. I think it was good that the team was able to gel early in the season with an easier schedule. I'd much rather have a harder SOS after the AS break than before.
There has been some exaggeration going on in the media and on these boards, so here are the plain facts. We are not last in SOS. We ARE below .500, but above average in the more telling +/- category.
I heard that we have the hardest SOS in the NBA post all-star break. I didn't fact check so I'm not sure if it's accurate or not.
I guess one way of looking at it is to ask yourself, given the SOS before and after the all star break is it realistic to think that we could go .500 in our remaining games? Is .500 a worst case scenario? If so that puts us at about 40-41 wins. What does that mean to you and is it enough to make the playoffs or even have a chance to maybe upset a first round opponent?
IDK, but we have just beaten 2 above .500 teams on the road (Houston and Memphis), so there is definite improvement.
They will have the easiest or second easiest SOS by the end of the year too. The Spurs don't have to play the Spurs, and the Warriors don't have to play the Warriors. Unfortunately for the Lakers they don't get to beat up on the Lakers.
Definitely have a chance; we're two thirds of the way through the season so even with a harder schedule much can happen in such a small number of games. There might be some teams that are strong now but we get lucky and they have a key injury; or the last few weeks some opponents might tank or some team might be locked into playoff spots and resting starters when we play them. Now could we struggle mighty, lose 8 games in a row and fall well out of the playoffs race as in Lillards rookie year? Sure. There are a lot of plausible possibilities. That could make an exciting end of the season.
All-Star Break Current Record: 27-27 (7th in West (tie), 1.5 games behind 6th) +/-: +0.6 (6th in West) ORtG: 107.2 (7th in NBA) DRtG: 106.6 (18th in NBA) SOS: -.39 (22nd in NBA) http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/differential
Second half of the season has other features that may offset strength of schedule. Teams get dinged up, rest guys for the playoffs, have lost heart, have guys who know they're leaving (cut, via FA), etc. Our depth is a big key to our continued success. IMO
538.com has weighed in: Chance for Blazers to make playoffs: 74% Chance for Blazers to beat GS in our next game: 23% http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/ ESPN Playoff Odds (Hollinger) Chance for Blazers to make playoffs: 59% http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/BPI-Playoff-Odds/espn-nba-basketball-power-index-playoff-odds
Agreed. I thought we'd win 32 games but could easily be 10 over or under that prior to the season. I thought we would get out to a hot start since our young players were in midseason shape and trying to prove themselves. I also expected us to finish strong with a lot of wins the second half of the year just as the Jazz and Celtics did last year. We have good depth and other teams will either be coasting, banged up, flat out tanking, sitting vets for the playoffs, integrating trade pieces; meanwhile we are giving it 100% with the same level of play. Knock on wood we have no current injuries when many teams have multiple season ending ones. Being .500 already is the very high end of my prediction, but I agree the upcoming strength of schedule and back to backs aren't the doomsday scenario it could be for some rosters. CJ and Dame are the only guys who play over 30 mpg. Its very different than the roster 3 years ago that was .500 in the same spot but finished that year losing 13 straight. Back then we relied heavily on 5 starters and had historic zero production from the bench. A couple small injuries, normal season fatigue and the house of cards collapsed that year. I can easily see us finish this year .500 or a bit better. Of course nothing is certain but it should be an entertaining finish and I'm thrilled to be in the playoff picture. Go Blazers!
Interesting; 8 teams have better playoff odds, we are projected to finish 4 games under .500, and we more likely than not make the playoffs. These projections usually ignore injuries or trades; so with the Grizz and Rockets both having some of each we should boost our odds a bit.
CJ McCollum leads the NBA in miles run this season (during games). James Harden at No. 6. https://twitter.com/hoopshype
