[Game Thread] Portland @ Dallas

Wizenheimer · Post #61 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:01 am

A fitting performance by portland heading into the break, unfortunately.

Portland's starting frontline combine for 11 points total...yuck

the 11 points was equaled by Barea...double yuck

11-22 from the foul line...triple yuck

I think Mike Rice is right, those first 3 games after the all-star break are critical for portland. All winnable games and portland needs all 3.

d-train · Post #62 » by **d-train** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:12 am

Blazers are beginning to look like the 10th team in a 9-team race. Actually, staying the 10th team is a more realistic goal. Sacramento might give Blazers a challenge for that meaningless number 10 spot.

d-train · Post #63 » by **d-train** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:14 am

Wizenheimer wrote:I think Mike Rice is right, those first 3 games after the all-star break are critical for portland. All winnable games and portland needs all 3.

Beating Kings in Sacramento is doable but it isn't going to be easy.

doogul · Post #64 » by **doogul** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:11 am

d-train wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Beating Kings in Sacramento is doable but it isn't going to be easy.

The Sacramento game is at home, but either way, they're beginning to show that they are a tough team so I agree it won't be easy

PDXKnight · Post #65 » by **PDXKnight** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:15 am

I hate to say it but even it's even questionable if the Blazers can beat seattle both times. If the Blazers continue to play the way that they have on the road (not saying that they will but it's something to take into consideration), It's going to be really hard to even finish .500 this season.

pr0nny · Post #66 » by **pr0nny** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:52 am

enjoy being above 500 while it lasts, guys

Wizenheimer · Post #67 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:59 pm

Oden2 wrote:I hate to say it but even it's even questionable if the Blazers can beat seattle both times. If the Blazers continue to play the way that they have on the road (not saying that they will but it's something to take into consideration), It's going to be really hard to even finish .500 this season.

I predicted the blazers would win 32-35 games this season in several threads this summer. Maybe that's why I'm not overly concerned about a young team doing what young teams always do in the NBA: struggle a lot at times, especially in a period when they're schedule is heavy with road games.

Can the blazers go 13-17 the rest of the way and end at .500?...I don't know, but I'd estimate it will be difficult for them. A 39-43 record would still be an accomplisment in my view.

Obviously, they have weaknesses. I'd guess that means that KP will be more inclined rather then less inclined to make some major moves this summer.

Still, it's the all-star break and portland is 4 games over .500. Just about everybody would have 'taken-that' 4 months ago, especially after a 5-12 start.

Wizenheimer · Post #68 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:07 pm

doogul wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The Sacramento game is at home, but either way, they're beginning to show that they are a tough team so I agree it won't be easy

For the rest of the schedule, portland has 16 games with teams 'behind' them in record and 14 with teams 'above'.

They need to win the home games with those 'behind' teams if they expect to have a respectable season. The first game after the all-star break will be a good test of their mettle.

Post #69 » by **BlackMamba** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:23 pm

are the blazers missing jones this bad?

i supposse last night it was a terrible game? the stats look so "uncolored"...

PDXKnight · Post #70 » by **PDXKnight** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:55 pm

Wizenheimer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I predicted the blazers would win 32-35 games this season in several threads this summer. Maybe that's why I'm not overly concerned about a young team doing what young teams always do in the NBA: struggle a lot at times, especially in a period when they're schedule is heavy with road games.

Can the blazers go 13-17 the rest of the way and end at .500?...I don't know, but I'd estimate it will be difficult for them. A 39-43 record would still be an accomplisment in my view.

Obviously, they have weaknesses. I'd guess that means that KP will be more inclined rather then less inclined to make some major moves this summer.

Still, it's the all-star break and portland is 4 games over .500. Just about everybody would have 'taken-that' 4 months ago, especially after a 5-12 start.

This team has definitely accomplished a lot this season and deserves a lot of credit for what it has done. While playing on the road is difficult, especially for a young team, they have done wonders at home and have established themselves as one of the best home teams in the league. The playoffs may be out of the question (while anything can happen in the NBA) but they have definitely blown everyone's predictions for the Blazers out of the water. Even without making the playoffs, this season has been great in terms of the development/ maturation of Outlaw, Roy, LA, Martell, ect. and this is really going to help the Blazers once Oden arrives. It should be interesting to see how things turn out next seaon.

d-train · Post #71 » by **d-train** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:11 pm

doogul wrote:The Sacramento game is at home, but either way, they're beginning to show that they are a tough team so I agree it won't be easy

That will make a difference. Blazers should win the next 3 games but they could be the only games we win the rest of February. We should win at least 3 games or 4 wins would be good. Blazers need at least 5 wins to stay within a prayers reach of Warriors and Rockets. Realistically, even if we win all 7 games left in February we will still be in 10th place.

d-train · Post #72 » by **d-train** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:28 pm

Oden2 wrote:This team has definitely accomplished a lot this season and deserves a lot of credit for what it has done. While playing on the road is difficult, especially for a young team, they have done wonders at home and have established themselves as one of the best home teams in the league. The playoffs may be out of the question (while anything can happen in the NBA) but they have definitely blown everyone's predictions for the Blazers out of the water. Even without making the playoffs, this season has been great in terms of the development/ maturation of Outlaw, Roy, LA, Martell, ect. and this is really going to help the Blazers once Oden arrives. It should be interesting to see how things turn out next seaon.

Several players have improved and played better than expected but the sole difference maker has been Brandon Roy. Roy's emergence as one of the NBA's better players is why the Blazers have been able to win more games than people predicted. And, that is a positive going forward because the difficult task in building a contending team is getting 1 or 2 top ten players. The Blazers should have 2 players, Oden and Roy that could be top 10 players. That gives the Blazers the hard to find ingredients of a great team and the best tandem in the NBA. There are only 2 or 3 teams with a tandem that is even close.