Spurs & Blazers 1&2 and both teams on a 7 game win streak

[k0kakw0rld]

Spurs 9-1 What else can we say about this team *BEAST*
Blazers 9-2 Playing great basketball The surprise of the year?
Lillard & LMA all stars, who's with me?

LMA 22.6 PPG 9.2 RPG
Lillard 20 PPG 4.5 Rebs 6 APG

[Droid101]

Are you a Blazer fan? Why would you want them to win? They can't win a playoff series with this roster. Why not tank for picks?

[VIntageNOvel]

Are you a Blazer fan? Why would you want them to win? They can't win a playoff series with this roster. Why not tank for picks?

sadly its true,
blazers need 1 more star player to become a legit contender,
its the perfect time to tank
they are young and have solid pieces in batum and LMA,
this way they would only on clippers territory

[BallsOut]

sadly its true,
blazers need 1 more star player to become a legit contender,
its the perfect time to tank
they are young and have solid pieces in batum and hickson,
this way they would only on clippers territory

I thought Hickson was with the Nuggets now

[Droid101]

sadly its true,
blazers need 1 more star player to become a legit contender,
its the perfect time to tank
they are young and have solid pieces in batum and hickson,
this way they would only on clippers territory

Right?

Don't get me wrong.. my entire family is from Portland so I enjoy when the Blazers do well...


But this is not the season to try. They'll get demolished in the playoffs.

Keep on keeping on.

[Mr. NBA]

Mike Conley is putting similar numbers to Lillard but better efficiency and much better defense.

19/5/2 on 50% with 2 steals.

Unfortunately, both guys have no chance over Westbrook and CP3. Too much star power.

[qrich]

I thought Hickson was with the Nuggets now

He is, I'm sure he meant Aldridge.



As already stated, Portland has some real solid pieces, but why go all out for a one and done? They aren't going to be a free agent destination and I can't see them acquring the final pieces via trade. I really like three of the five starters they have, but those three aren't going to be enough to overcome, and they need to further bolster their bench.

[All Net]

Fun team to watch but do agree they are one move away from contender status.

[VIntageNOvel]

I thought Hickson was with the Nuggets now

He is, I'm sure he meant Aldridge.



As already stated, Portland has some real solid pieces, but why go all out for a one and done? They aren't going to be a free agent destination and I can't see them acquring the final pieces via trade. I really like three of the five starters they have, but those three aren't going to be enough to overcome, and they need to further bolster their bench.

yeah my bad

Right?

Don't get me wrong.. my entire family is from Portland so I enjoy when the Blazers do well...


But this is not the season to try. They'll get demolished in the playoffs.

Keep on keeping on.

batum is great 3rd/4rd option just like chandler parson
but unless lilard become top 3 player in the future (which is i doubt), lilard&LMA would be another CP3 & Griffin

imagine if they add wiggin/randle/parker

same thing can be said to the wolves,
and look at the standing in the west,
#9-10 = suns and memphis with 55% win
this is the best time to tank yet they decide to grit their teeth aiming for playoff (including pelican, noel + pick for jrue just )

but its blessing in disguise for the lakers,
in the east we would be in the playoff

[Myth]

I disagree with the tank idea. If you build a culture of losing season after losing season, good players won't want to go or stay there. Last year, Blazers were in the playoff hunt with an atrocious bench and a defensive liability at center. If we try to tank or avoided getting better, we lose Aldridge in hopes of getting a lottery pick that works out, but continue establishing a culture of losing.

What they need to do is model the team after the championship Mavs, and they have done a decent job of moving in that direction (Keep in mind that Stotts was credited with the Mavs offense). Mavs succeeded on offense by putting Dirk at the free throw line and surrounding him by 3 point shooters, who were good at swinging the ball around. Blazers are now starting to do this, which is why they are hitting shots at a high clip, with the difference being that Aldridge prefers to stand to the side of the elbow instead of right at the free throw line. The addition of Mo Williams is great, but not for the reason many think. He is great because he is the first vet lured to Portland to come off the bench and add depth, and him succeeding with the team can open the eyes of other vets. Blazers need to continue making the team a destination vets want to go to by making a culture of trying to win rather than being known to tank. All the Blazers need to do is get to the playoffs (which gives guys like Lillard experience), then hope that by the 2015 playoffs we have 1 good run (taking a team to 6 or 7 games in the 2nd round is sufficient) and players will view the team like the Warriors after their recent run, which will make them more willing to join the team in hopes of making the next jump.

[BlazerRed]

I disagree with the tank idea. If you build a culture of losing season after losing season, good players won't want to go or stay there. Last year, Blazers were in the playoff hunt with an atrocious bench and a defensive liability at center. If we try to tank or avoided getting better, we lose Aldridge in hopes of getting a lottery pick that works out, but continue establishing a culture of losing.

What they need to do is model the team after the championship Mavs, and they have done a decent job of moving in that direction (Keep in mind that Stotts was credited with the Mavs offense). Mavs succeeded on offense by putting Dirk at the free throw line and surrounding him by 3 point shooters, who were good at swinging the ball around. Blazers are now starting to do this, which is why they are hitting shots at a high clip, with the difference being that Aldridge prefers to stand to the side of the elbow instead of right at the free throw line. The addition of Mo Williams is great, but not for the reason many think. He is great because he is the first vet lured to Portland to come off the bench and add depth, and him succeeding with the team can open the eyes of other vets. Blazers need to continue making the team a destination vets want to go to by making a culture of trying to win rather than being known to tank. All the Blazers need to do is get to the playoffs (which gives guys like Lillard experience), then hope that by the 2015 playoffs we have 1 good run (taking a team to 6 or 7 games in the 2nd round is sufficient) and players will view the team like the Warriors after their recent run, which will make them more willing to join the team in hopes of making the next jump.

[Djsonny]

I disagree with the tank idea. If you build a culture of losing season after losing season, good players won't want to go or stay there. Last year, Blazers were in the playoff hunt with an atrocious bench and a defensive liability at center. If we try to tank or avoided getting better, we lose Aldridge in hopes of getting a lottery pick that works out, but continue establishing a culture of losing.
they have done a decent job of moving in that direction (Keep in mind that Stotts was credited with the Mavs offense). Mavs succeeded on offense by putting Dirk at the free throw line and surrounding him by 3 point shooters, who were good at swinging the ball around. Blazers are now starting to do this, which is why they are hitting shots at a high clip, with the difference being that Aldridge prefers to stand to the side of the elbow instead of right at the free throw line. The addition of Mo Williams is great, but not for the reason many think. He is great because he is the first vet lured to Portland to come off the bench and add depth, and him succeeding with the team can open the eyes of other vets. Blazers need to continue making the team a destination vets want to go to by making a culture of trying to win rather than being known to tank. All the Blazers need to do is get to the playoffs (which gives guys like Lillard experience), then hope that by the 2015 playoffs we have 1 good run (taking a team to 6 or 7 games in the 2nd round is sufficient) and players will view the team like the Warriors after their recent run, which will make them more willing to join the team in hopes of making the next jump.

well said man.

And to guys who say, if you arent going to be a contender, tank. Why bother playing sports if you feel you cant win it all. That means 80% of the league should just tank. Even if they tank, blazers owe this years pick to bobcats, no reason to tank because theres no pick to tank to

[SpurrDurr]

Blazers might be the surprise of the season if they keep playing like this.

They most likely end up having the 5th seed in the west which is really a big accomplishment for them.

Lilard outplaying Irving badly so far.. really impressive.

[KNOW1EDGE]

I think the biggest reason the Blazers dont tank is Aldridge.

Portland desperately wants to keep him, but LA is in his prime and wants to win a chip, not tank and be in the lottery every year.

I believe LaMarcus will leave via free-agency. Portland would be smart to trade LA for a high draft pick, tank, and shoot for Jabari Parker

[gin17]

instead of tanking, they should try their best at getting a playoff spot so that this young team can get playoff experience, which will be valuable/priceless for the team. also, it will show other players that Portland is a good place to be in. Winning attracts good, veteran players (see Miami), which are key to success (glue guys, specialists, leadership, experience).