What teams can Portland beat in the playoffs out West.

[Ballings7]

Outlaw is only a slightly above average scorer. Webster I would say is below average, especially of late. Frye is below average (though he has teh potential to be a good offensive player). Jack is average.

I think Bell is a very tough defensive matchup for Roy. Marion is also a tough matchup for Aldridge.

I just have a hard time seeing a veteran, savvy team like the Suns losing to a young team with no post presence.

Which lacks depth, size, and playoff-level defense and rebounding. Inconsistent defense, and poor rebounding in general.

Portland is of course unproven in the playoffs, but they still have much more size, lots of athleticism, and depth everywhere. More equipped to defend and rebound better than Phoenix.

I think Outlaw's an above-average scorer. He can shoot as a threat out to three, has an in-between game, slash, and post up a bit.

Aldridge I think would be too much for Marion or Amare. Marion's not big enough, though quick and skilled, and Amare isn't much on defense outside of being a decent shotblocker. Skinner doesn't play enough or late in games. So he can only do so much. Aldridge I don't think would be on Marion, at least not for the series. I see one of Jones, Webster, Outlaw being on Marion. Marion self-offensively is not that reliable or skilled, off the ball (cutting and standing on the wing for 3Pters) and on the break? Yeah. That's where he gets most of his scores. But that can be limited with solid defense. Especially in the half-court.

Frye's jumpshot is very good, and while he isn't too much in the low-post, his bigger size and what he does have there I think would be effective against Marion or Amare. Than in general.

Then you have offensive rebounding, which I think goes up for a lot of teams because of Phoenix's team and style. That especially relates to Portland and the players they have. Athletic, long, and scrappy.

Jack's driving ability, passing, and improved shot makes him better than ordinary for me.

Bell will probably give Roy problems, assuming he's healthy - but the Suns don't have the interior defense to contain Roy. I think Roy would at least have a solid series.

[yunggunz]

Outlaw is only a slightly above average scorer. Webster I would say is below average, especially of late. Frye is below average (though he has teh potential to be a good offensive player). Jack is average.

I think Bell is a very tough defensive matchup for Roy. Marion is also a tough matchup for Aldridge.

I just have a hard time seeing a veteran, savvy team like the Suns losing to a young team with no post presence.

Which lacks depth, size, and playoff-level defense and rebounding. Inconsistent defense, and poor rebounding in general.

Yeah, but those arent areas where the Blazers excel. Portland is a poor rebounding team. Portland has "height", but not much size outside of Pryzbilla. I also dont think the Suns are shallow, and definitely not moreso than the Blazers. Defensively, neither team is especially strong or weak.

Basically to beat the Suns, you have to take them out of their element or dominate them in some aspect. how will the Blazers do that?

[DNIsLeGiT]

A portland vs denver series is slim to none so there's no point argueing it,but if they actually did meet up in the playoffs by some chances and matched up against one another you can bet carmelo first round curse will end.Denver's eye would light up if they faced portland in the first round,same can be said with the rockets because of how desperate they are of getting out of the first round if they make the playoff which i believe they will.

As for which team i believe they have a chance at beating is golden state and the jazz,they are playing amazing right now that they might actually give these two team a scare.Outside of those two teams i doubt they have a chance against any other team out west.

[farzi]

Does anyone doubt we could beat Utah in a series now? Being up 20 on them with less than 2 minutes left without Roy...

[Ballings7]

Which lacks depth, size, and playoff-level defense and rebounding. Inconsistent defense, and poor rebounding in general.

Portland is of course unproven in the playoffs, but they still have much more size, lots of athleticism, and depth everywhere. More equipped to defend and rebound better than Phoenix.

I think Outlaw's an above-average scorer. He can shoot as a threat out to three, has an in-between game, slash, and post up a bit.

Aldridge I think would be too much for Marion or Amare. Marion's not big enough, though quick and skilled, and Amare isn't much on defense outside of being a decent shotblocker. Skinner doesn't play enough or late in games. So he can only do so much. Aldridge I don't think would be on Marion, at least not for the series. I see one of Jones, Webster, Outlaw being on Marion. Marion self-offensively is not that reliable or skilled, off the ball (cutting and standing on the wing for 3Pters) and on the break? Yeah. That's where he gets most of his scores. But that can be limited with solid defense. Especially in the half-court.

Frye's jumpshot is very good, and while he isn't too much in the low-post, his bigger size and what he does have there I think would be effective against Marion or Amare. Than in general.

Then you have offensive rebounding, which I think goes up for a lot of teams because of Phoenix's team and style. That especially relates to Portland and the players they have. Athletic, long, and scrappy.

Jack's driving ability, passing, and improved shot makes him better than ordinary for me.

Bell will probably give Roy problems, assuming he's healthy - but the Suns don't have the interior defense to contain Roy. I think Roy would at least have a solid series.

Yeah, but those arent areas where the Blazers excel. Portland is a poor rebounding team. Portland has "height", but not much size outside of Pryzbilla. I also dont think the Suns are shallow, and definitely not moreso than the Blazers. Defensively, neither team is especially strong or weak.

This is about Portland versus the Suns, though, not Portland in general. I think their team matches up pretty well against the Suns.

The lack of playoff experience is a possible issue, but that hasn't always mattered. It's not like most of these guys are rookie or 2nd year players, too. Portland has good talent, versatility, confidence, depth, and coaching. I think that would favor them to give the Suns a serious series.

Basically to beat the Suns, you have to take them out of their element or dominate them in some aspect. how will the Blazers do that?

Scoring in the paint in various ways, and being a better rebounding team than usual. Because of the Suns lack of size, defense, and depth. Portland can shoot and score with them.

The Suns are a bad interior defensive team, and have a designated defensive big man in Skinner, who plays in the mid-teens MPG, and not later in games. Point guard defense is bad. They can't defend the paint.

Amare, Diaw, Marion, Skinner is not a solid group for defense and rebounding.

In the aformentioned areas a lot of teams can exploit the Suns weaknesses. Portland's team favors to give them issues in the Suns weaker areas.

I think with Portland's quickness, size, athleticism, and depth they can defend the Suns effectively. McMillan isn't a bad defensive coach, too.

[yunggunz]

-= original quote snipped =-



Scoring in the paint in various ways, and being a better rebounding team than usual. Because of the Suns lack of size, defense, and depth. Portland can shoot and score with them.

The Suns are a bad interior defensive team, and have a designated defensive big man in Skinner, who plays in the mid-teens MPG, and not later in games. Point guard defense is bad. They can't defend the paint.

Amare, Diaw, Marion, Skinner is not a solid group for defense and rebounding.

In the aformentioned areas a lot of teams can exploit the Suns weaknesses. Portland's team favors to give them issues in the Suns weaker areas.

I think with Portland's quickness, size, athleticism, and depth they can defend the Suns effectively. McMillan isn't a bad defensive coach, too.

Blazers are one of (if not thie biggest) jump shooting team in the league, and one of the worst offensive teams in the league scoring in the paint. So no, they wont exploit the Suns weak interior D. And Steve Blake will never kill you (Jack, in all lieklihood wont either) so the PG defense is hardly an issue.

And they are a bad rebounding team as well, so no, they wont exploit the Suns there.

[Ballings7]

Blazers are one of (if not thie biggest) jump shooting team in the league, and one of the worst offensive teams in the league scoring in the paint. So no, they wont exploit the Suns weak interior D. And Steve Blake will never kill you (Jack, in all lieklihood wont either) so the PG defense is hardly an issue.

And they are a bad rebounding team as well, so no, they wont exploit the Suns there.

Okay, but specifically against Phoenix, I think Portland would be a consistent factor in those areas. I'm not going by their overall stats (or play to a lesser extent) on the season against the league, for a playoff series against one team. Especially in Phoenix, being a unique team.

I just think Portland would match up pretty well with the Suns to make it a tough series, at least.

[BiggieSmalls]

it depends, i think if portland was able to have homecourt than they would beat any of those teams except the spurs, they are the patriots of the nba to much experience and veteran knowledge leading that team.

[black06eclipse]

game 1 - Denver demolished Portland
game 2 - Portland demolished Denver

game 3 - too tough to count. Melo was Denver's center wasnt he? Nene and Kmart (Denver's 2 best man-defenders were out). i dont think Camby played either.

when's game 4?

[Nuggetsfanduh98]

We will see what this portland team is really made of this month...You might notice they ain't a good road team. But a great HOME team. Last month most of their 13 game winning streak was indeed at home. The rest of their games this month are...

01/09 vs Golden State
01/13 @ Toronto
01/14 @ New Jersey
01/16 @ Boston
01/18 @ Miami
01/19 @ Orlando
01/21 @ Atlanta
01/23 @ New Orleans
01/25 vs Houston
01/27 vs Atlanta
01/30 vs Cleveland

[Nuggetsfanduh98]

game 1 - Denver demolished Portland
game 2 - Portland demolished Denver

game 3 - too tough to count. Melo was Denver's center wasnt he? Nene and Kmart (Denver's 2 best man-defenders were out). i dont think Camby played either.

when's game 4?

I beleive Feb. the 4th

[AZ BLAZER]

Wow, eight pages of this crap just to dump on the Blazers. This is the only way that you can make your selves feel better about your own teams, by dogging on Portland?

Look, the third youngerst team in NBA history is 21-13 right now. The first and second youngest teams ever only won 15 and 16 games. Portland bested that last week and their 13 game streak alone almost bested those numbers. If you have not noticed, Portland is a team, not a cast of aging all-stars chasing the ever elusive ring. They are showing that their "we" ball is better than other teams "me" ball.

Maybe some day it will click with all of you that Portland has incredible depth and some very good young players that are able to win as a team. It does not matter if their roster is not filled with household names like you all are used to, would prefer and respect. Portland is what it is, a great young team that now knows how to win, deal with that. I could care less if you think Steve Blake is a joke of a starting pg. He does his job and thrives in Portland for some reason just like Iavaroni did in Philly and Rambis did in LAL. Roy is every bit the leader of his team as any other player is of their team, Roy is just younger.

Complain about the schedule all that you want. Portland is playing the schedule they were dealt. Do you think they wanted to open the season @ SA, @ NO and @ HOU? Of course not, but they played the games. I do not care if they won 10 of the 13 during the streak at home. They were playing the schedule given to them and took care of business. They did manage to win in hostile environs in DEN and UTA. They have won four of their last five on the road.

So here is some homework for you doubters, go to your teams schedule and come back and show us where you will start your 13 game win streak. Where you will win 16 of 17 like Portland has. After all it seems easy to do from what I gather from this thread.

And quit whining about back 2 backs and injuries. Portland has lost in both DEN and UTA on the second of B2B's and they have won/lost many others. Also, Portland is 5-0 w/o Aldridge and 1-0 w/o Roy and 21-13 w/o the number one draft pick from the last draft, further demonstrating the teams depth, ability and I would say pride.

Who can Portland beat in the playoffs? Who the hell cares? Will they be at 100%? Will the opponent be 100%? Who has the HCA? Portland hasn't even gotten to play PHO, LAL or BOS yet this season, nor have they played a home game against SA or HOU yet. Can we wait on this type of crap until some more of the season plays out? Oh, of course not, many of you are already affraid of Portland now, so you have to belittle them to make you feel better about yourselves and your teams. Sorry, go ahead and keep bashing. I will just enjoy the ride and look forward to every conventional wisdom that my fav team destroys! Good luck.

[RoxFan08]

Just to add my 2 cents.

I'm as impressed with anybody with Portland, and pissed that Portland stole Roy out from under us two years ago (but lets let bygones be bygones, shall we? )

Nevertheless, I think Portland has an overinflated value with itself. I'm impressed with the amount of humility, as it seems they can generally admit they wouldn't have a chance against the West's Best. Do I think the Blazers could beat the Spurs? Not a chance.

Do I think they could beat the Suns or Mavericks? 5 and out at BEST. Hornets and Nuggets? Portland has played both exceptionally well in the regular season, but WE ALL KNOW the playoffs are a completely different animal.

I don't think Portland could beat a single Western Conference Playoff team from last year in a 7 game series this year. It's possible, even likely, they'd come out firing (as Denver did against the Spurs last year) and win the first game, maybe a second if they're lucky. But a 7 game series is a battle of endurance, where experience comes through. Young teams just can't keep playing great for such a lengthy period of time.

I also don't believe the Blazers would be able to finish off now-lottery-bound-former-playoff-teams in the Jazz and Rockets. Portland has badly beaten the Jazz, but if we all remember, the Jazz play whack a mole on defense, and Roy and the rest would go down after so much pounding for 7 straight games. And my Rockets are hiding in the shadows, about ready to burst forth in glory once Tracy gets back.

Does anyone think the Blazers will win it all? Not anyone in their right mind. Are they overrated right now? You betcha. Are they fun to watch and easy to root for? HELL YES!

Best of luck, Blazer fans.

[RoxFan08]

Wow, eight pages of this crap just to dump on the Blazers. This is the only way that you can make your selves feel better about your own teams, by dogging on Portland?

Look, the third youngerst team in NBA history is 21-13 right now. The first and second youngest teams ever only won 15 and 16 games. Portland bested that last week and their 13 game streak alone almost bested those numbers. If you have not noticed, Portland is a team, not a cast of aging all-stars chasing the ever elusive ring. They are showing that their "we" ball is better than other teams "me" ball.

Maybe some day it will click with all of you that Portland has incredible depth and some very good young players that are able to win as a team. It does not matter if their roster is not filled with household names like you all are used to, would prefer and respect. Portland is what it is, a great young team that now knows how to win, deal with that. I could care less if you think Steve Blake is a joke of a starting pg. He does his job and thrives in Portland for some reason just like Iavaroni did in Philly and Rambis did in LAL. Roy is every bit the leader of his team as any other player is of their team, Roy is just younger.

Complain about the schedule all that you want. Portland is playing the schedule they were dealt. Do you think they wanted to open the season @ SA, @ NO and @ HOU? Of course not, but they played the games. I do not care if they won 10 of the 13 during the streak at home. They were playing the schedule given to them and took care of business. They did manage to win in hostile environs in DEN and UTA. They have won four of their last five on the road.

So here is some homework for you doubters, go to your teams schedule and come back and show us where you will start your 13 game win streak. Where you will win 16 of 17 like Portland has. After all it seems easy to do from what I gather from this thread.

And quit whining about back 2 backs and injuries. Portland has lost in both DEN and UTA on the second of B2B's and they have won/lost many others. Also, Portland is 5-0 w/o Aldridge and 1-0 w/o Roy and 21-13 w/o the number one draft pick from the last draft, further demonstrating the teams depth, ability and I would say pride.

Who can Portland beat in the playoffs? Who the hell cares? Will they be at 100%? Will the opponent be 100%? Who has the HCA? Portland hasn't even gotten to play PHO, LAL or BOS yet this season, nor have they played a home game against SA or HOU yet. Can we wait on this type of crap until some more of the season plays out? Oh, of course not, many of you are already affraid of Portland now, so you have to belittle them to make you feel better about yourselves and your teams. Sorry, go ahead and keep bashing. I will just enjoy the ride and look forward to every conventional wisdom that my fav team destroys! Good luck.

Whoa there pal. Lots of anger in that post. Like I said, I'm impressed with Portland. But you can't call others out for making excuses and then make some of your own. Challenge others to win 13 straight games? The only two teams who did that last year were the SUNS and MAVERICKS, and HOW DID THAT WORK OUT FOR THEM COME PLAYOFF TIME?

Am I afraid of Portland for my Rockets? Hell no. Are the Spurs? Betcha not. Do you think the fact that you haven't played either of us at home will make a smidgen of a difference? I'm not one for bashing other teams, but if the Rockets come in 2 weeks from now and smash you, but you still have a playoff bound record and the Rockets don't, does that make you still the team to beat?

[AZ BLAZER]

-= original quote snipped =-



Whoa there pal. Lots of anger in that post. Like I said, I'm impressed with Portland. But you can't call others out for making excuses and then make some of your own. Challenge others to win 13 straight games? The only two teams who did that last year were the SUNS and MAVERICKS, and HOW DID THAT WORK OUT FOR THEM COME PLAYOFF TIME?

Am I afraid of Portland for my Rockets? Hell no. Are the Spurs? Betcha not. Do you think the fact that you haven't played either of us at home will make a smidgen of a difference? I'm not one for bashing other teams, but if the Rockets come in 2 weeks from now and smash you, but you still have a playoff bound record and the Rockets don't, does that make you still the team to beat?

Whoa there pal nothing. Very little anger in my post. Just amusement in other posts trying to belittle the Blazers and am not making up excuses. I do doubt that the Spurs are worried about Portland this season. That will come next year when Oden arrives. As for your Rockets, great. I look forward to the games. The point you missed in my post is that what Portland is doing here is defying all of the conventional wisdom that this thread seems to be preaching; young teams can not win, can not make the playoffs, can not win a series, etc... We will see about the playoffs, but if you do not think Adleman is worried about the Blazers then you do not know him well enough yet. He was Portlands coach for many seasons you remember?

The winning streaks that PHO and DAL had last year cemented their respect as top teams in the league. Portlands streak will not do that obviously, but at minimum should announce that they have arrived, should not be taken lightly when played and can do what GS did last season in the playoffs. To do other wise is just foolish. Good luck to all and lets just play the games.

[PDXKnight]

As a blazer fan, I don't believe that they'd beat any of those teams in a playoff series THIS season. All of those teams are loaded with veterans and Portland is the youngest team in the NBA after all. Next year with Oden, it might be a different story.

[kellex]

Of all the Playoffs type teams in the Western Conference, what teams could Portland beat in a playoffs series?


San Antonio
Dallas
Phoenix
LA Lakers
Golden State
New Orleans
Houston
Utah
Denver

they could take out the lakers, golden state, new orelans, houston (without tmac), utah and denver. they could make a great series with any of those teams and have been proving that all year. they just won their season series with utah and have taken out denver at home and new orleans a couple of times. those top 3 though, not a chance in hell.

[Craig McDermott]

0-0 vs lakers, but matchup fairly well with them

You got matchup probs w/ LA's SG and C.

Series over. Not much has changed since 97, 98, 00, 01, 02.

[Charlie78]

I know all you guys are ready to change bynum's Name to Baby Shaq. But hes still got some room to go before hes a matchup problem. Im more than comfortable with Joel guarding him and well see how bad those matchups are when we play this year. Certainly even you can admit that playing next to the best player in the game would tend to have positive impacts on your game. I also am not terribly worried about Kobe. he is what he is and we have shown the ability to win games even when he is on.

[Jules Winnfield]

I know all you guys are ready to change bynum's Name to Baby Shaq. But hes still got some room to go before hes a matchup problem. Im more than comfortable with Joel guarding him and well see how bad those matchups are when we play this year. Certainly even you can admit that playing next to the best player in the game would tend to have positive impacts on your game. I also am not terribly worried about Kobe. he is what he is and we have shown the ability to win games even when he is on.

Really? You enjoyed that 65 point game last season? You won that game?