We don't know how teams will look at the end of the season, but I'll play along. I agree with you the Blazers will slip, but the only team I can't see them beating in the playoffs is OKC. IMO, they can definitely win 4 games from the Rockets, Clippers or Spurs. If the Rockets trade Asik and get a key player in return, maybe the Rockets go to the next level. To be determined.
Coaching is a concern to me come playoff time for the Rox, but I think Harden and Howard would eventually wear the Blazers out in a series. They really haven't slowed down either one of them this year.
ya when that guy posted that reddit post about how the players dont respect Mchale and how they just yell at Lin it makes me question if Mchale is the right guy to get us to the ship and win it
Like in my reply to KingSamJack, they haven't really come close to containing the Howard and Harden. Rox dominated them the first time they played them and the second time could have won with a few more plays and both games were on their home court.
Blazers have had a cupcake schedule, they got the Clips tonight on their 2nd night of a back to back. Now, they will get Miami and then OKC on the 2nd night of their back to back. I see two losses in their immediate future. In January they get to do the Texas three step and play Dallas, San Antonio and our Rockets in a 4 night span in Texas. They will lose 2 out of three of those games, at least. They schedule they have had has been cupcake, the hard games for them have been at home, and most of them have been on the 2nd night of back to backs for the away team.
yeah, it is insane how many of their games against good teams have been b2b for the opposition. ontop of that they have the 2nd easiest schedule in the west. i'm willing to concede they could sway me, but at the moment... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0x2HzpIHo-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Portland is a good team, but they shoot too many mid range jumpers. That won't bode well for them in a 7 game series.
Teams stacked this way traditionally don't go far in the playoffs regardless of their regular season records.
Heat on a 2nd night of a back to back after an OT on the road last night, on the road tonight against the rested Blazers, plus no Lebron after he hurt himself last night. Why does it feel like 99% of their national TV games have been at home btw?
I am not sure they are the Top 5 team but one thing is for sure. They know how to take care of business against lesser teams and mediocre teams. Rockets can learn from that.
There's only a problem with midrange shots if the player who shoots it is very inefficient at it. That is the case for most players in the league today as the midrange shot has become a lost art.
they play good basketball, they have virtually no injuries (healthy and durable) they don't seem to lose games
