Didn't they have one of the easiest schedules to start the season? Oh well. Only the fittest and healthy survive.
they are 5-11 in their last 16 games they played WITH LaMarcus!! they're sliding fast. those games OP mentioned are huge.
Nah, they are a good balanced team, as soon as Lillard realizes it is time to get back to play unselfish bb, with or without LMA, they will make the playoff.
I actually wish Portland get into the playoff and stays at the 5th spot. They are the easiest opponent compare to the other 3 teams. Both Memphis and Dallas could be a tough match for us in the playoff.
Memphis is playing better now, and so, by virtue of that alone, I agree with you. However, I don't think Memphis is a particularly bad matchup for us anymore now that Asik is back and getting into shape. It is not often that the Twin Tower lineup works for us, but, against the Grizzlies, it could allow us to match up better with them than any other team in the Western Conference can. What other team has post defenders with the size and defensive ability as the Rockets do with Howard and Asik? Only Indiana, and they are in the East. So, again, I completely agree with you, I want Portland in the playoffs -- but I am not afraid of Memphis in the first round the way that San Antonio and the Clippers should be. If we match up with Memphis in the first round, I'd bet the Rockets in 5. I'd rather take on Memphis over Golden State or Denver.
Actually, since we do match up with Memphis better than the others, I'd rather not face them and have them knock out the Clippers, Spurs, or even OKC for us.
Hey, that's a great point. Ideal situation: Houston overtakes the Clips for the 3 seed, Memphis takes over the 5 seed, SA stays at 1. The Memphis upsets the Clips and Spurs to go to the Conference Finals, where a red hot Rockets team that has inexplicably overcome their inability to beat OKC, sweeps them and goes to the Finals. woo hah!
I don't think they will but I won't be surprised if they did. I mean, last year they had a playoff in sight then lost the last 13 games of the season. They choked worst than the 2011-2012 Rockets team. I wonder how their fans are feeling now? They were so high and mighty when the Blazers were all healthy and beating up weaker teams. Even media members were ready to name the Blazers a contender and LMA a dark horse MVP canidate and Lillard a top 5 point guard.
I wouldn't say a epic collapse. The West is just so stacked that a losing streak of 5 games could mean the difference between 3rd seed and the lottery. Epic would be being Miami or Indiana at the AS break and missing the playoffs this year, in the East.
