I don't get the "just a jump shooting team" thing. How many teams have a consistent inside game? Don't tell me the Rockets. As long as they have a reliable half-court offense, which they do, I don't see why they can't score in the playoffs. That said, they are not at the elite level (Miami, Indy, SA, OKC). Their weaknesses for now are: 1. Defense. Their defense is okay but not elite. You need a top 10 defense to contend. 2. Depth. They are one key player injury from dropping off quickly.
I was at the game last night. What most impressed me about the Blazers was how difficult they are to guard when both Lopez and Aldridge are in. They always had one mismatch, in terms of size. Aldridge is tough to guard (obviously) and if he can draw out the opposing team's big man, Lopez can just run a pick and roll on the other side and get some easy buckets. Or if the big man is on Lopez, then Aldridge can back down and get a turnaround on most anyone.
I'm surprised to see so many doubters. At the beginning of the season, I thought they might be an anamoly. But, I don't doubt conference leaders after a quarter of the season is already done. I still favor the Spurs in the playoffs, but this doesn't look like a team that's going to fade at this point.
Last year they were 2 games over .500 and chasing a playoff spot on February 2 with a similar cast of characters ~ then they proceeded to go 8-26 the rest of the way. I''m not saying that kind of grand collapse is likely, but I'd say some regression is probable. Unless last year was just some Groundhog Day style scenario.
NBA history teaches that a quarter of a season proves nothing at all. There will be teams (and players) that overachieve until January or early February but the inevitable happens. What happened to the Blazers last year (which most of their fans and many here saw coming) is a great example.
I'll take a slow start over a hot one any day. Look at the Heat and how they usually get hot towards the end of year and carry that over into the playoffs. That's how I want our Rockets to pan out. Teams like Portland and Phoenix I see flaming out towards the second half of the season. The definition of overachievers but I guess we'll just have to see.
Their starting 5 is nice, but their bench is still weak. Grinding your starters for longer minutes to win games is elevates the risk of collapse later in the season. How many 41 minute games is LMA good for? How will his body feel in March? No way to be certain one way or the other. But the recipe is there.
The Rockets don't have a post game but they do score in the paint frequently and efficiently. Driving to the basket works better than posting up in today's NBA anyway.
You could say the exact same thing about the Knicks, Nets and Bulls too. Doesn't mean any of them are contenders.
Former Trailblazer head coach Dr. Jack Ramsay thinks it's time to take this Trailblazer team seriously. According to the article in the Oregonian published on the day before the Rockets' game with that team just last Thursday in Portland, (click on link below), he says that this current team has 'similar components' and is 'kind of reminiscent' of his 1977 championship team. I'm curious to know if there are any thoughts out there of his analysis? Link-->http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...y_says_trail_blazers_have_similar_compon.html
You can say the same things about the Rockets 1. Defense 2. Solid depth: Inconsistent in key games 3. Too young.... in crunch time and critical situations- 4th quarter shrinking 4. Injuries
I remember the 1976-77 Blazers. 1977 was the first NBA Finals that I can recall details from. That Blazers team had great depth while this one has very little. They ran the offense through Bill Walton who was an extraordinary passer. Despite being very young, the 1977 team was made up of high-IQ players who understood the value of being unselfish and not caring who scored. This year's Blazers aren't nearly as talented and balanced. I guess Dr. Jack likes this team (for whatever reason) because the comparison doesn't make much sense IMO. OT: Dr. J was spectacular in the Finals. He was the best player on the floor by a mile. There was a major fight between Darryl Dawkins and Maurice Lucas and Dawkins ended up hitting a teammate instead of Lucas.
Reminds me of the Knicks run early last season. What are the blazers shooting as a team from 3 pt range and is it sustainable? If not, then I could see them cooling down like the Knicks.
LMA post game forces teams to double team him, which cause defenses to shift. Love does not force a double team because lots of his shots are 3 pointers. Love will never be the best player on a contending team. He's better suited as the second guy. Howard, for example , scores very little but gets lot of attention from opposing defenses. That is why his teams always win and Love hasn't sniffed the playoffs yet.
