I highly doubt Wesley Matthews will continue to shoot 51% from 3pt and 54% from the field for the remainder of the season. He's off to a phenomenal start, but the numbers he's putting up right now are just too insane to be real. Blazers are a good team, they've had a few seasons to build on that chemistry and LMA is having his best year as a pro. With that said, LMA's numbers this year still aren't as good as prime Dirk's were, and barely as good as numbers Chris Bosh put up as lead dog in Toronto. LMA is good, but he's not a superstar player. The Blazers are good but they lack the star power to be a powerhouse in the west, they also have players who are playing way above their heads right now, like Wesley Matthews. I fully expect the Blazers to contend for a playoff spot, but I have a feeling it will be a 6th or 7th seed at best.
I'm happy for their fans. They, like us, have suffered through watching their stars fall to pieces due to career killing injuries. I don't know what their cap looks like, but I'm wondering if they will be able to keep their core together? Until FA forces them to make tough choices, though, they are a dangerous team.
They're basically doing what we are supposed to do and that without a Harden and Howard, but a LMA & Lilliard so it's very, very impressive. How can anyone take away anything from what they're doing?? I'm also happy for them, they're blowing teams out and playing consistent.
Their core is locked up for one more run, after this year. Unfortunately, they are capped out now and next season + are paying some questionable salaries like Dorrell Wright 2yrs/6mill, Joel Freeland 2yrs/6mill and TRob 2yrs/7mill. Not terribly egregious, but some of those guys are redundant and their production could have been easily replicated from a minimum salary player. Also, while they have McCollum debuting soon, they have no picks in the 2014 draft.
Take them seriously. They can make the WCF with the right breaks. They're so much fun to watch. The main thing to watch is their defense. If they can get it closer to 10th - 12th best they would look like a much better contender.
Not sure where you got those figures from? From what I see Wright & Freeland are $3m, TRob is a little more. Actually most of their contracts seem to be good to me, Batum and Matthews are a little questionable but otherwise they have rookie or small contracts that can maneuver around if need be.
No more cupcake than we have. We've both played 4 alleged contenders, and Portland has had better results. Portland: 1. vs. Spurs - W 2. vs. Warriors - W 3. vs. Pacers - W 4. vs. OKC - W Houston 1. vs. Spurs - W 2. vs. Warriors -W 3. vs. Clippers - L 4. vs. Clippers - L
