2013-2014 NBA Season

[Cannon Shell]

Portland is good but they have 2 real issues that don't have any easy solutions. As CJ said the starting 5 is strong but the bench is a pretty big drop off at every position. They cant afford any injuries at all. Plus that bench is almost all young guys with little experience. The only veteran bench players that they have are PG's and Dorrell Wright. They essentially have no front court players with any playoff experience.

The other issue is that they have problems getting defensive stops and don't create many turnovers/easy transition baskets. Outside of trading for Asik I don't know how this will change.

I liked Portland more than most people coming into this season but they may be a bit overrated as a deep run playoff team. Their best players (Lillard, Mathews and Aldrich) are all having career years. Can Lillard and Mathews continue to shoot 43% and 44% on 3 point shots as season progresses and their leg get tired? Can they find enough points on nights that the 3 point shots aren't falling? Can their starters all avoid injury? Can any of the bench players step up?

I think they will win a series and probably get knocked off 2nd round but if they can keep the core intact and add possibly one impact guy and find a player among the younger bench guys they will be tough the next few years

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Portland is good but they have 2 real issues that don't have any easy solutions. As CJ said the starting 5 is strong but the bench is a pretty big drop off at every position. They cant afford any injuries at all. Plus that bench is almost all young guys with little experience. The only veteran bench players that they have are PG's and Dorrell Wright. They essentially have no front court players with any playoff experience.

The other issue is that they have problems getting defensive stops and don't create many turnovers/easy transition baskets. Outside of trading for Asik I don't know how this will change.

I liked Portland more than most people coming into this season but they may be a bit overrated as a deep run playoff team. Their best players (Lillard, Mathews and Aldrich) are all having career years. Can Lillard and Mathews continue to shoot 43% and 44% on 3 point shots as season progresses and their leg get tired? Can they find enough points on nights that the 3 point shots aren't falling? Can their starters all avoid injury? Can any of the bench players step up?

I think they will win a series and probably get knocked off 2nd round but if they can keep the core intact and add possibly one impact guy and find a player among the younger bench guys they will be tough the next few years

Chuck what good team does not have a good starting 5? I would take Golden St or Houstons starting 5 all day over Portland. I would also take OKC and the Clippers. Maybe I would take Portlands over San Antonio, but w/ Leonard being a huge wild card, Im not so sure. As for the last paragraph.... What teams are not lined up to be good for the next few years?? OKC is. Golden St and Houston are both going to be good. I dont see how Portland jumps any of these teams? Is it true they are trading Batum and Aldridge for Melo? If so that would be a total disaster. Melo is a ball hog gunner no defense disaster. Its funny I get bashed for bashing Melo, I used to like him. I grew, I understand the game better. Every team this man plays on is better when he is gone. I cant wait to see where he goes in 6 months. Rumor is the Lakers. What a joke that would be, plus if Kevin Love is smart he stays awak in 2015 if Melo is there.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Is it true they are trading Batum and Aldridge for Melo?

Are you high? Seriously...where do you get this stuff?

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Are you high? Seriously...where do you get this stuff?

um I hate Melo. Im not saying I would do it. First take discussed it last week.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

um I hate Melo. Im not saying I would do it. First take discussed it last week.

I'm sure Olshey won't either.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

I'm sure Olshey won't either.

Who knows. It seems like a lot of GM's are willing to trade for this no defense, ball hog, gunning clown.
Clevland was willing to give up like 4 young players and picks to hook him up with Irving.

[RockHardTen1985]

Golden st looking great in Miami tonight, if they win this game they have a chance to go on a major run.

[RockHardTen1985]

Hell of a win for Golden St tonight on the second night of a road back to back. To go to Atlanta and win after destroying Miami at home is a pretty solid accomplishment. Atlanta was 12-4 at home coming into the game. I thought it would take them about another month to have the solid stretch I said a few times I thought they could have, but I guess its happening now as tonight was 9 wins in a row. Next 3 games they play are on the road and by the end of it, they will have played 7 in a row on the road. But they are all winnable games. That West is insanely good right now. If you count Portland there are 6 teams that can win an NBA Championship, at the least make it to the NBA finals. I dont ever remember a year where there were this many really good teams. The last 10 years the Spurs and Lakers have pretty much dominated. I mean there are no easy outs right now. If the playoffs started today I would give Dallas a long long look to beat Portland in the 1v8 series.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The other issue is that they have problems getting defensive stops and don't create many turnovers/easy transition baskets. Outside of trading for Asik I don't know how this will change.

I think they will win a series and probably get knocked off 2nd round but if they can keep the core intact and add possibly one impact guy and find a player among the younger bench guys they will be tough the next few years

You're right regarding the defense...9 straight games opponents have scored 104 or more. The problem with the Blazers right now is they're just trying to outscore opponents...the defense is terrible. In the beginning of the year they were defending and trying to score within the offense. Asik would be a good addition, depending on what they had to give up to get him.

Winning a series in the playoffs would be a great accomplishment for this team. Obviously they are outperforming everyone's expectations so far this season, but they aren't far off from being a real legitimate contender out West...give Olshey another offseason.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

You're right regarding the defense. The problem with the Blazers right now is they're just trying to outscore opponents...the defense is terrible. In the beginning of the year they were defending and trying to score within the offense. Asik would be a good addition, depending on what they had to give up to get him.

Winning a series in the playoffs would be a great accomplishment for this team. Obviously they are outperforming everyone's expectations so far this season, but they aren't far off from being a real legitimate contender out West...give Olshey another offseason.

If they are a top 4 seed they can win a series, but is that even a lock? I dont think it is. They have a 4.5 game cushion now, but dont you expect Houston, LA and GS to make a push? I do.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

If they are a top 4 seed they can win a series, but is that even a lock? I dont think it is. They have a 4.5 game cushion now, but dont you expect Houston, LA and GS to make a push? I do.

All those early season close wins are starting to even out now, so things will be tightening up in the standings. Before the season started I pegged the Blazers as the 7 seed out West, right now I believe they finish as a top 4 seed. I don't know, all those teams you mentioned have holes...I don't trust Golden State healthwise.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

All those early season close wins are starting to even out now, so things will be tightening up in the standings. Before the season started I pegged the Blazers as the 7 seed out West, right now I believe they finish as a top 4 seed. I don't know, all those teams you mentioned have holes...I don't trust Golden State healthwise.

I know I might overrate GS, I just keep thinking they will go on a big run and they might be on it right now. I know I definitely underrated Portland. I did not expect this from them.

[RockHardTen1985]

Lebron on a bad ankle, sore knee, sore groin and testicles. Plus a 103.3 temp and possible bronchitis.
He still leads his team to a road win in Denver w/ this line 26 points 10 assists and 6 rebounds. Not to mention another superb field goal % night.

[RockHardTen1985]

Kevin Love 36 and 11 at home and they get beat.
Shawn Marion decided to play his best game in years though. Dude is going for 10 and 7 a game and goes for 32 and 6 tonight.