The demise of the Portland Trail Blazers has been greatly exaggerated

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Denny Crane, Nov 6, 2015.

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  1. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/06...ig-test-of-season/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

    I like my crow a la mode. We’re just six games into the young season, but among the predictions I missed this season was I expected Portland to take a huge step back and be one of the worst teams in the West. Instead, they are 4-2 on the young season after a beatdown of Memphis on Thursday night, 115-96. They have done it with the fifth-best offense in the NBA — thanks to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combining for 49.5 points a night and killing it off the pick-and-roll (especially with pull-up jumpers) — and a solid defense. The young front line of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard has been impressive. We’ll see if this team can maintain a playoff-level pace of wins, but they are going to be better than I and a lot of others thought they would be this season. Portland is not gaming for a lottery spot, this is a team that wants to compete.
     
    Denny Crane, Nov 6, 2015
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  2. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    That's how it's done, @HCP.
     
    Denny Crane, Nov 6, 2015
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  3. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Funny how they were saying Memphis was "in transition," that was supposed to be us!
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    HailBlazers, Nov 6, 2015
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  4. Further

    Further Guy

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    I didn't post much in the lead up to this season cause I've been so busy, but I was certainly in the doubter camp. I am happy to eat crow any way you serve it up. These Blazers are not only winning, but they are also one of the more fun teams to watch in the league. And considering how young many of the players are, and how new the entire team is to playing together, I think this team has plenty of room to improve as the season continues. I don't actually think this is a hot start but more along the lines of what I should have expected if I weren't such a Debbie Downer.
     
    Further, Nov 6, 2015
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  5. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    I had them pegged as a ~.500 team. They may well exceed that expectation.

    It's a long season with lots of games to go, though. We will see.
     
    Denny Crane, Nov 6, 2015
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  6. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Likewise, my prediction was 41. Keep up the team defense and ball movement and we'll get there.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    HailBlazers, Nov 6, 2015
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  7. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    They have already surpassed my projected win total for the year.
     
    EL PRESIDENTE, Nov 6, 2015
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  8. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    /@HCP.
     
    HailBlazers, Nov 6, 2015
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  9. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    I did as well and after this next home game against Detroit (it will be interesting to see how they handle Drummond) they have a long, tough stretch till the end of November. If they beat Detroit and are 5-2, they have 11 tough to very difficult games for the rest of the month. If after 18 games, they have 10 wins, I'l be quite impressed and very willing to have my crow served a'la mode as well. I'm still not excited about a late Lottery pick or a #7/8 seed as that is basketball purgatory but if enough players make enough big strides, okay. Contenders though are built on superstars the vast majority of the time and that is where I think this roster, no matter how much it develops, comes up short.
     
    TBpup, Nov 6, 2015
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  10. kjironman1

    kjironman1 Well-Known Member

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    I still have then at 38-40 wins and missing the playoffs.
     
    kjironman1, Nov 6, 2015
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  11. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    And it slowly starts to trickle in...
     
    PDXFonz, Nov 6, 2015
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  12. Sinobas

    Sinobas Banned User BANNED

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    I thought we'd be about 500 as well, but the unexpected production is coming from Ammino and Charlotte. I didn't know they were so good. I'd take them over LA and Batum anyday. I am so glad that era is over.
     
    Sinobas, Nov 6, 2015
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  13. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Who is Charlotte?

    I expect the team to be wildly inconsistent. Wouldn't be surprised to see both a 12 game win streak and a 12 game losing streak this year.

    barfo
     
    barfo, Nov 6, 2015
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  14. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

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    This summer I said 52 wins. But I expected a slow start.
     
    MARIS61, Nov 6, 2015
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  15. UncleCliffy'sDaddy

    UncleCliffy'sDaddy We're all Bozos on this bus.

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    Hey Denny, you have a feather stuck in your teeth. HCP looks like his mouth is ready to take flight...
     
    UncleCliffy'sDaddy, Nov 6, 2015
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  16. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    If anyone tried to tell our players not to compete, they'd probably stuff them in a locker.
     
    BBert, Nov 6, 2015
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  17. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Yes. Let the excuses roll.
     
    BBert, Nov 6, 2015
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  18. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    And you claim kjironman is a fan! :yeahright:
     
    PtldPlatypus, Nov 6, 2015
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  19. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    SlyPokerDog, Nov 6, 2015
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  20. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    I expected us to play hard and compete, but we are playing waaaaay better than I've ever anticipated. I think Harkless, Plumlee, and Davis look way better than I would have ever imagined.
     
    magnifier661, Nov 6, 2015
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