Lets face it, other then going on a 20 game win streak, I think there's always a point in every teams season that defines which way they are headed wether its wins or losses. You look back and say thats where the season turned. I have to think its gonna be pretty hard to make a bigger splash then the blazers just made. I mean going into this 7 game stretch, not many gave us a chance. Even the homers were freaked out. But wow they did it. Some of the most UNlikely victories I've ever seen as a fan. Perhaps when we look back at this season wether we make the playoffs and even advance, this past week will be in the back of your head, not the injuries, not the outcome but what an amazing week during the best time of year. For whatever reason the images from the Blazers/Nuggets game of the crowd, roy, and just the xmas vibe involved with the game.. will last a long time.
No. We will come back down to earth very soon. The team is playing out of their minds right now and there is no way they can keep this up with the players we have. Brandon is playing WAY TOO MANY MINUTES! He will break down if he keeps this pace up. I'd like to think we will continue this run, but I just don't think we have the talent to do so.
so hcp your saying we fail yet you always kill me for the same. what is your prediction on the final 50?
No my man, you claim the sky is falling no matter what, even after a win. I'm just saying that the sky is actually about to fall. You always called me a homer and I am not. I tell it like it is. Maybe 20-30 the rest of the way, if we are lucky. If everyone was still healthy we should have won 55. Injuries are a part of the game and we will look back on the 09-10 season as a memorable one. Hopefully we come back healthy next year. I am very proud of how these guys are bringin it, but the law of averages will sneak up on us soon.
I liked you better when you were toting the company line. 20-30? Don't you think when we get Rudy & Batum back that we'll be able to rest Brandon a little more? I mean, 20-30 seems just about worst case to me. Maybe there will be a trade, especially as we approach the deadline - who knows? I certainly wouldn't feel "lucky" about 20-30.
I think 20-30 sounds about right. Take a look at the schedule; our softest part is already behind us in the month of November. the additions of Rudy and Nic don't do a whole lot to change the numbers since all that happens when they come back is some guard (probably Jerryd) takes a seat. Nic pushes Webster's PT down some, but there's no telling how effective or how ready he'll be when he comes back. Even with a trade there is probably going to be an adjustment period and frankly expecting a big block-buster or a big consolidation is likely wishful thinking. The emotions this team are riding off of are going to wear off and teams are going to eventually punish the hell out of us in the middle when the mileage on Juwan catches up with him, and Penergraph hits the rookie wall.
Well I disagree about Brandon's minutes. Nate isn't going to play him 40+ min/night for another 50 games. And Pendegraph hitting the rookie wall? He missed the first 30 games, and his high is 20 minutes so far - he should be fine. I think you're selling this team short if you say they've won 6/7 against some really good teams on emotion. 2-32 this team had gone in Texas before last week. Can "emotion" get you wins in Dallas and SA? And then against division rival Denver? I'm going to assume the Blazers go out and get a big man. They know Howard can't play 35 minutes for another 50 games. They don't need a premier guy either. Isn't Diop available? He might be alright - a serviceable guy who can defend a little and take up space for 20 minutes/night. When you think about it, there aren't that many teams that can "punish" the Blazers inside for playing small. I know the schedule gets tougher, but I still think they are a .500 team as currently constructed (assuming we get Rudy back, possibly adding a guy like Diop, & maybe getting something out of Nic) and finish with 44-50 wins.
I get it Nik, the team has major holes. We have 1 really good/borderline great player (Roy), 1 guy who is pretty good (LA), and 1 guy who WILL be really good (JB) . . . and a bunch of role players. The emergence of Bayless, even when he doesn't play well like last night, gives the defense another playmaker to think about. That's creating more open shots for the role players. I just can't see, now that Nate has seen this, how he can put Bayless back on the bench. When you watch the team, they are playing with confidence & playing loose. The parts are fitting together, and the effort is there every night. I'm trying to just trust what I see & not get caught up in how old so-and-so is, or what so-and-so's weaknesses are. On Paper this team should be getting killed on the boards, but they aren't. Smoke & mirrors? Emotions? Scouting reports haven't caught up? Teams taking them lightly? I'm not saying they are going to get a top 4 seed, but they are better than some are giving them credit for.
nah i think 25-25 at worse which gets us 45 wins and likely no playoffs BUT with a couple bounces our way.. we can get 48. the wild card is the trade... if kp makes one... we should be ok. if not.... its 50/50 but i stil doubt howard holds up for 50 games. mixums magic number is 48 but i disagree with hcp... sitting at 20 wins in december means you would have to play awful from jan-april. he is also saying roy an la arent good enough. stars carry you in the nba.
Well said Mix. One thing we can all agree on - if Roy or LA go down for more than a week or two all bets are off. I like this new outlook you have buddy. Stay with me, even if we lose tomorrow night to a bad Philly team, or Wed. against the Clips - don't jump ship!! There will be dark days. Even if they follow your 25-25 prediction, that will mean they are going to lose some games to bad teams - even at home. That's what .500 teams generally do.
