Who's better than us now (in the West)?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Rastapopoulos, Jul 1, 2022.

  1. Propagandist

    Propagandist Well-Known Member

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    The Gary Payton II threw me a little, but I've come around on him. We are doing our thing. Someone's got a vision, whether it's Cronin or Dame or Billups or a combination of the three whatever, I'm ready to see it in action...

    I love the forum, but really there is no knowing how a team is going to play. We talk and talk, but really it's about a team meshing. I didn't pick Boston to be in the Finals, nor Phoenix the year before. Shit can happen. We are solid solid in 4 of 5 starting positions and just drafted a future Hall of Famer. Anything can happen.
     
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  2. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    We have a lot going for us to be as good as we've been in the Dame era but we don't have anything going for us as far as actually contending for a title this upcoming season without a very unseen move. So people that are saying that we're going to miss the playoffs are jumping to some big conclusions but obviously we're not winning anything of consequence,
     
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  3. Propagandist

    Propagandist Well-Known Member

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    We have to start somewhere though. The goal of next season should be to strike fear. Our squad should be competitive against anyone. There'll obviously be growing pains. But coming out of next year, I don't expect the waffling from Dame and whatever else; I think we will be locked in and dangerous. A lot depends on Ant, Nas, and Sharpe, but that's okay. Those guys are super talented.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2022
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  4. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Warriors
    Clippers
    Suns
    Grizzlies
    Wolves
    Pelicans
    Nuggets
    Mavs
    Lakers

    It's a much shorter list of who's worse than us, Pathetic, four rebuilding teams and the Kings;

    Kings
    Jazz
    Thunder
    Rockets
    Spurs
     
  5. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Kings might not be worse
    Jazz are right now
    Thunder has a nice young core
    Rockets have a really nice young core
    Spurs are worse
     
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  6. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Jazz Thunder Rockets all have better assets in terms of rostered players and picks.

    So really we have the worse position to build a contender than all but 2 teams in the west, and that's with an all NBA player. So Pathetic.
     
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  7. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Yep. Start the fuck over
     
  8. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

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    Yep, time to move on
     
  9. BoomChakaLaka

    BoomChakaLaka Well-Known Member

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    Come playoff time 2023, the team with fewest injuries will emerge ad WC champs.

    simple as this.

    If Clippers are missing KW, PG, etc. (And judging by recent history this could happen)….

    If AD is (again) sidelined for the Lakers…

    If Nurkic goes down….

    something can be said of every team in the West. So
    Depth will come into play. Chemistry (its still a team sport) will be critical.

    summary

    if Portland can stay healthy and find a high level of chemistry, I think we have a perfectly reasonable shot at making the playoffs and advancing. How far depends upon the injury scenarios of the other teams.

    weaknesses:
    1. Power Forward that is a mean, tough, s.o.b. Hmmm, I heard Miles from Charlotte may be an available free agent?

    2. Back-up center. Has Cousins signed with a team yet?
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2022
  10. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    The Blazers are improved...but it might only move them a couple spots up in the Playoff standings and as of now, not sure it is high enough to stay out of the Play-In.
     
  11. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    The Jazz are literally trying to tank. If they finish better than us they'll be madder than we will.
     
  12. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    ...in the hearts of Blazers fans? Because I can't imagine fear being struck anywhere else
     
  13. Wade Garrett

    Wade Garrett Exactly right.

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    Truth is nobody knows shit.
    What are we basing any of this on?
    Names?
    Last year?
    Each year is different, the league is way too talented top to bottom to know anything without one ingredient.......
    Chemistry.
    All the analytics in the world cannot factor that. It is truly the single most important aspect.
     
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  14. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Rosters aren't even finalized yet so I don't see how anyone could project the top seeds in the league at all yet. That's talk for around Xmas time when we've actually seen some basketball
     
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  15. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    With chemistry this squad could rocket up from 10th in the West to possibly even 8th!
     
  16. AmirIcon

    AmirIcon Well-Known Member

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    I think there's a lot to like with what the Blazers have done and what they have.

    Were they able to get any star-studded names? No, not really. But the skillsets we added and how they'll fit, could result into some really good play.
     
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  17. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Without any star studded names Ant, Nurk, Winslow and Hart beat the Warriors around the deadline and had to be shut down after winning 4 in a row......people have such short term memories about that eye opening stretch where with just Winslow and Hart's defense....we absolutely looked great and that was all without Dame and CJ..that stretch was probably our best example of "Chauncey ball" and at that point we'd erased Olshey's additions to the roster the previous couple seasons.
     
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  18. Wade Garrett

    Wade Garrett Exactly right.

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    That is when I began my strong belief in Chauncey.
    Chemistry.
    Walter White knew it.
     
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  19. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    In my view right now we're way better than we were starting last season and it's not close. I do love going into the season with underdog predictions from the media though.....those folks saying..might make the play in? I feel more like, might actually have home court advantage in the playoffs ...choices.
     
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  20. Tince

    Tince Well-Known Member

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    I'll bet we're not a top 4 seed.
     

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