The future looks brighter than we may have thought

I think we can all agree after watching/listening/reading about last night that this team has massive potential going forward. There is so much talent on this roster, such a chip on their shoulders, and no hesitation. I feel like this group of players really want to be here and prove a lot, as a lot of them are cast offs by their former team.

Also, Stotts seems to have been given new life with this team, his offense looks smooth and his defense looks team oriented and competent. It's like he has instilled confidence in this team(Maybe Dame as the leader has helped in this regard as well), for instance all our wings and young guys so far have taken the open look given to them or have gone to the basket strong, we didn't see that much the last few years.

I think without LaMarcus here we are finding ourselves, our team is no longer about feeding/coddling one mid-tier all star by giving him 22 shots a game and letting him slack on defense. This team is about heart, scrap, hustle, and finishing. The effects of a real leader are in place.

Whether this team wins 20, 30, or 40+ games this season, it's certainly going to be fun to watch this team grow. It's just really nice knowing the talent is in fact real and there on the court.

Let's Go Blazers!!!

 

That was certainly fun. I'm going to take it one game at a time, though - remember that Philly had a winning record in the early part of last season and looked young and fun too.

 

One game. Preseason. Against the defending champs coming off their championship offseason hangover. I'm not reading anything into that game. I admit they looked good last night though.

 

Just remember to pay up when we reach 30 wins!

 

Nah. I was pretty up on this team already. So speak for yourself.

 

I too love the potential of this team and think we are going to surprise a lot of folks. But it's a long season and I'm trying to keep my expectations in check. While posing for photos at last weekend's Mo Lucas function, I got to ask Coach Stotts how he felt about this group. He said that he thought they had some real talent, they were a fun, close knit bunch and he was looking very forward to working with the group they had. And you could tell he was genuinely enthused. He wasn't just touting the party line for a bunch of schmoozer fans. He was pumped. That was so great to see. If he believes, I believe....

 

Nice OP.

We will undoubtedly lose some games in the present, and suffer some growing pains, but I have confidence in our future.

And the new look Blazers are a breath of fresh air.

 

The talking heads on Talking Ball (or whatever they call the post game show) last night were going on and on about how coachable all these young guys are. That they specifically targeted guys who weren't "stars" and didn't have that sense of entitlement. Jason Ropp especially was talking about what a smart coach Terry Stotts is, and how this team of young non-stars will more eagerly buy into his offensive and defensive schemes than established players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. I never thought of Wes as uncoachable. He definitely works hard on his own game and is an emotional leader on the court, but old habits die hard. He came up under Sloan and McMillan. Wes definitely benefited from the ball movement of Stotts' offense, but was not a generous passer himself.

All these young guys seem to be buying what Stotts is selling at both ends of the floor. I think this is the season we get to really see just how good Terry Stotts is as an NBA head coach. If this team overachieves and exceeds all the preseason expectations, he could be in running for COY.

BNM

 

Neil Olshey baby!

 

He's definitely done a good job at finding undervalued players that will fit well in Stotts' system.

BNM

 

Some actual team basketball will be refreshing.

 

Has been so far. Appears the extra work they put in getting to know each other has paid off to a degree.

Props to Lillard, a true leader. Now if he could only learn to drive and kick/or dish.

 

I've really enjoyed these first two preseason games so much...I haven't had to defend Nic once this season...I agree with Sinobas in a game thread..what's not to like?

 

OMG Im calling Guiness Something positive from you!!!

I am curious how quickly the other threads where the few of us got beat down for saying this teams will be better than most think will be bumped back up? Or will most people coincidentally forget the bashings they gave out to us... "Homers"...

I foresee a whole buffet of crow going around soon. People better get their appetites up!!!

 

I'll have a Guinness too, if you're offering.

 

Saw that on twitter. Made me hopeful.

 

As you are well aware...they have to reach 31 for me to pay up. Thirty wins is a push. It's irrelevant anyway as you will be paying me.