Portland overrated?

[Ewingfan]

So that Blazer team I saw last night is supposed to challenge the Nuggets for a playoff spot. That's sofunny.

[denvers_finest]

I think they probably are overhyped a bit. Sort of the "trendy" sleeper team.

Still, its only one game, way to early to say one way or the other.

[MHZ]

To say nothing about the Blazers being picked to finish ahead of Denver:

Are you kidding me? They played the consensus best team in the West, and played about as poorly as they could have played. Their all-star looked horrendous, and Oden couldn't have been worse. Getting embarrassed by the Lakers hardly seems a reason to disqualify a team - especially since none of us have disqualified Denver.

[Shady08]

They played poorly, but like MHizzle said they were playing the best team in the west. Looks like Oden could miss some significant time, I guess we'll see what will happen. With or without Oden I think Portland is an average/above average basketball club. If I remember correctly they have several key players that are in a contract year and I doubt they will be able to resign everyone after the season. Just like our man competition in the Northwest, the Jazz. If they lose Boozer, that will be huge, weather they trade him to get something back or he signs else were in the off-season remains to be seen. But who cares, GO NUGGETS!

[JRMelo15]

Portland isn't necessarily overrated, but Oden is and will be. I don't see Blazers challenging Jazz or Nuggets for division, but they'll finish decent, something around 43-39, but short of playoffs.

[EMB6903]

I wouldnt say over-rated, just a very young team with a ton of talent, its scary to think how good this Portland team is gonna be in a couple years.

[el loco]

To say nothing about the Blazers being picked to finish ahead of Denver:

Are you kidding me? They played the consensus best team in the West, and played about as poorly as they could have played. Their all-star looked horrendous, and Oden couldn't have been worse. Getting embarrassed by the Lakers hardly seems a reason to disqualify a team - especially since none of us have disqualified Denver.

Yeah, I have to agree with MHizzle on this one. The Blazers still have 81 games left on their schedule. They do have a brutal start to the season as far as there schedule goes. If they can weather that storm, they should still be in the hunt at the end of the year.

[corona]

i believe they'll underachieve given their expectations (making the playoffs, supposed to win 50+ games, supposed to improve on last season a bunch for a number of reasons) - but they're certainly a better team than they showed last night.

lakers are just in another tier (or two higher) and they looked to be in midseason form. i imagine they'll dismantle us in a couple days too. given their talent and coaching, it wouldn't surprise me if they get close to winning 70 games....even with how talented the western conference is.

[realfung]

Lakers is just too good.....

[SnakefromHell]

I don't think they're overrated... if you see them, it's clear about one thing: their offense has not clicked yet.

Defensively they're pretty good, but it's on the offensive end where guys looked like they just played together for the first time.

I think it will take 10-15 games to start seeing a difference from this team. But I think, just like most athletic, young, and skilled teams, they need to run to be successful.

The Lakers did not let them run, but in the open court, they're going to be hard to stop especially with Oden rebounding and the guards running. Half-court wise, they;re trying to incorporate Oden into the offense but he was slowed after the sprain. Roy was the only player who "connected" with other teammates, repeatedly penetrating Lakers offense and kicked out to open teammates. The rest of them just took a pass and shot the ball. Rudy was the other player who looked really really good, played aggressive when he needed to and unselfish when he had to.

I think once their offense clicks, they're going to be scary.

[SALMIEN]

hi laker fan here and i also love denver you have a good team and you'll make the play off( IN SHAA ALLAH) Thanks much for the complemnt about the lakers stay optomestic.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

If I remember correctly they have several key players that are in a contract year and I doubt they will be able to resign everyone after the season.

And one of them was just signed to an extension (Martell Webster) that has a yearly salary around $6 million shot of his potential cap hold. Portland will sign anyone and everyone they have to, and they just fired the first shot.