What happens if/when the season resumes?

[d-train]

I don't think that there will be a format that does not have Zion Williamson playing meaningful games. So teams like Portland that are above the "Zion line" are in.

Good point. I hadn't thought of this, but this is exactly how the NBA thinks.

[JasonStern]

Read on Twitter

[Pattycakes]

Blazers about to win that chip with a healthy/prime Nurk, quote me on that part

[d-train]

Blazers about to win that chip with a healthy/prime Nurk, quote me on that part

Well placed optimism, IMO

[d-train]

Blazers have the elements of a successful team if they play as a team.

[d-train]

I'm excited Blazers might still have playoff chance. Thank you, Zion.

[dunlop212]

Well ... Portland is unlikely to grab the 8th slot, but has a very good chance at qualifying for a playin slot. The way that's set up, assuming #8 is Memphis, Portland would have to beat Memphis twice without losing, roughly a 25 percent proposition, and then play the #1 seed. Figure in as well the calls NO is going to get from the refs. Tough proposition, but probably better odds than to they were looking at before the stoppage.

[JasonStern]

Portland would have to beat Memphis twice without losing, roughly a 25 percent proposition

It's only a "25 percent proposition" if you believe the Blazers with a healthy Nurkić and Collins are equal to the Grizzlies.

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Blazers win the play-in, push the Lakers to 7, then lose Nurkić to an injury while squandering a 15 point 4th quarter lead due to a dominant performance from someone the Blazers passed over in the draft.

Read on Twitter

If true:

Memphis
Houston
Dallas
Boston
Philadelphia
Brooklyn
Utah
Memphis

Two games against Memphis helps, although if they hold onto the 8th seed, that means Portland might face them 4 times in 10 games.

[Norm2953]

There is going to be some ragged and frankly ugly basketball . I would presume Portland like a number
of teams will rely on their star players but the more veteran teams will have an edge over the
less experienced teams for they will try to simplify the games by relying on guys who have played
together for years and can always fall back to what they've been doing before. I'm doubtful Nurk
or Zach will be able to help us much for they have been out for an extended period of time.

[Pattycakes]

Blazers about to win that chip with a healthy/prime Nurk, quote me on that part

Well placed optimism, IMO

Unless I’m mistaken, Zach, Nurk and Hood will all be back - and Little/Anfernee will have almost 6 months of gym work to show hopefully at this point. Ain’t nobody stopping Nurk and Whiteside, not a single team can or will mess with that -

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Blazers about to win that chip with a healthy/prime Nurk, quote me on that part

Well placed optimism, IMO

Unless I’m mistaken, Zach, Nurk and Hood will all be back - and Little/Anfernee will have almost 6 months of gym work to show hopefully at this point. Ain’t nobody stopping Nurk and Whiteside, not a single team can or will mess with that -

I don't think Hood will be back, but our front-line will certainly go from a weakness to a strength.

[d-train]

I assume Hood is out half of 20-21. I believe a torn Achilles tendon is a 1 year injury.

[JasonStern]

Read on Twitter

[d-train]

Read on Twitter

I believe this. Blazers are the only team with a more difficult path to playoffs. Every other team with a path to playoffs has either same or easier path. The 8 teams with no path were already eliminated and now they don't have to play with nothing to win. Still, it's not the NBA's job to please everyone.

[JasonStern]

looking at the cancelled schedule:

Thu, Mar 12 vs Memphis
Sun, Mar 15 vs Houston
Tue, Mar 17 vs Minnesota
Thu, Mar 19 vs Dallas
Sun, Mar 22 @Minnesota
Tue, Mar 24 @Charlotte
Wed, Mar 25 @Detroit
Fri, Mar 27 @Boston
Sun, Mar 29 @Philadelphia
Mon, Mar 30 @Brooklyn
Thu, Apr 2 vs Utah
Sun, Apr 5 vs Memphis
Tue, Apr 7 vs Cleveland
Thu, Apr 9 vs Denver
Mon, Apr 13 @Golden State
Wed, Apr 15 vs LA

2 home games versus Memphis
6 games vs. non-playoff teams, 10 vs. playoff teams
3 back-to-backs, 1 vs. a non-playoff team

Blazers weren't playing good ball at the end of the season. Last ten games included losses to Nawlins (big), Boston, @Indiana, @Atlanta (ugh), Sacramento, @Phoenix (ugh)...

[d-train]

That is an incredibly easy schedule for Blazers. Too bad we don't get to play it. That's the way it goes. Our new schedule is way more difficult. It's better than no chance.

[JasonStern]

Read on Twitter

https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/nba-restart-season-western-conference-8-seed-format-race

[d-train]

So, Blazers get 14th pick if they are eliminated from playoffs. Or, 17-18th pick if they win the 8th seed.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258343/NBA-Freezes-Records-For-All-14-Eventual-Lottery-Teams

[JasonStern]

From what I've read, the Blazers have the 14th pick regardless. Memphis could be locked out of both the lottery and playoffs if they play poorly.

[d-train]

I don't trust the NBA to schedule the 8 games fairly. I believe the NBA is going to rig this to favor Pelicans.