Your opinion. You'd be hard pressed to find any off-season commentary from mainstream sports media that didn't include them in the conversation.
Blazers are extremely balanced and dangerous on O. They might not be Top Defensive team but they can be above average on that end Guys who say they will cool off need to watch them longer
I watch them a lot and a guy that works for me is a hard core Blazers fan and never stops talking to me about them. We have been texting each other the entire game. They will cool off. Wesley Matthews is shooting and scoring way over his head and will come down to earth. Batum is also shooting over his head. Mo Williams is the only guy on their bench worth a plugged nickel. They will definitely cool off. Even Blazers fans know it's coming. The only question is when.
Even though they won today, I'm not sold on Portland being a contender. They have been overachieving, but I think they'll finish in the 5th or 6th seed.
Ill take them seriously when LMA goes to the block. They have NO inside/post game at all. They are a jump shooting team. As soon as Mathews/LMA cool off a bit they will come back down to earth. This type of offense will win you games in regular season but not in playoffs.
Why would LMA need to go to the block? It's been 23 games - that's a fair number to assess that LMA's strength is his mid-range game.
I should also add that my respect for Terry Stotts has increased significantly. The guy is a very good coach. He's grown a lot from his days with the Bucks.
Where is the post game on all of the other teams outside of Indy and MAYBE San Antonio (assuming Duncan doesn't collapse from exhaustion). Are you trying to suggest that Howard is more of an inside/post presence than Aldridge?
Not post game, but a inside game. They really have no one that can consistently score inside. They live off jumpers more than any other team right now, even more than the Warriors.
Ehh, I think the model that you need a big inside game to win is becoming outdated. Who did the Mavs have in '11 that was such a big inside presence? Even the Heat the last few years are mostly a jump shooting team. The key is to play high energy defense and whatever is offensively comfortable.
Playoffs are an entirely different entity. They peaked too early. I think they will have a darn good record in Regular Season barring injuries and bad shooting slumps. Don't pretend a good shooting streak cannot be maintained at least for 40 more games. It can be done.
they will live and die by the jumper that wont win them anything. Not even hating i just dont believe in that type of basketball.
Even after the Rockets got beat - I agree with you. If Wesley Matthews continues a borderline all-star consideration performance all season, then they're a threat. If not, and if there's an injury, they are in trouble.
The Blazers next 4 games are on the road but very winnable: @PHI, @DET, @CLE & @MIN. If they keep up the intensity, 3-1 at worst. What impressed me last night was how their effort and physicality went to another level in the 2nd half. It wasn't just about shots falling. They have another 4 game road trip in mid-January: @SAS, @DAL, @HOU & @OKC. The "Texas Triangle" + OKC. I expect them to stumble here. Their last 6 games before the All-Star break will also be a good test: @WAS, @NYK, @IND, @MIN, OKC & @LAC. The isolated OKC game at home may as well be on the road. They could be running on fumes this point. I will be surprised if the Blazers remain a top 3 west team through the ASB. If they do, the next hurdle is avoiding a post-ASB slump that often happens to hot teams who can't recapture the magic after 7 days off. Veterans squads fall victim to this. But 7/8 at home should help them. I wish them the best. They are my 2nd favorite non-Rockets team in the West after OKC.
