Hmm...Anyone know that Portland could get the 4th seed if they beat the Nuggets the last game? So what? Well That would make Portland's chances increase since they would have home court...and they'd give the Lakers a tough fight in the 2nd round seeing as how the Lakers haven't won in Portland since... I mean I still see the Lakers winning though, just saying since Manu is out the Blazers are any teams only chance at beating the Lakers. As crazy as that may sound.
The Nuggets have plenty of talent but they also may have the biggest collection of boneheads/hotheads on a single team. If they keep their heads on straight, they can make a nice run in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Nuggets fans, that is a big IF. Billups' leadership will be critical for them. He'll need to do everything possible to keep them focused. That may be a tall task.
if you saw the NO-SA series last year you saw how even the best PG (and the biggest loud mouth in the NBA) in the league choked in game 7 at home in the 4th Q. I personally don't believe Portland can win the series.
Yeah that was last year though and the Spurs had Manu. Also, there is some crazy odd thing where the Lakers don't like to play in Portland. I'm not even going by experience and the Blazers are a better team now than what the Hornets were then. Hornets never were deep. While the Blazers could make a case for being the deepest team in the NBA. They have the best shot at beating the Lakers moreso than any other team now that Manu is out.
Keep telling the truth! But don't count out Portland in the 1st round. We don't know how they will react. Personally, I can't see Brandon Roy choking like a dog in a game 7 situation as Chris Paul did. But you never know until the situation happens.
I wasn't speaking on 1st round basis, more on them facing the Lakers. But you're right, I shouldn't doubt B-Roy but playoff pressure is something different than regular season pressure so we'll see.
being deep really doesn't have to do with anything, the rotation will be short for the Playoffs, if you remember N.O. was beating SA by an average of 15+ points in their house during the first 6 games, than came game 7 and SA's experience came through.
If there was one team going into the playoffs who could beat the Lakers...who is it? Denver...well no, the Lakers have proved they are no match for them. Houston...again...the Lakers have proved that they own us. San Antonio...not without Manu no way and Duncan on one leg. New Orleans...lol with only Posey coming off the bench. Dallas...heh not really, not at all. Utah... Utah can't win on the road and the Lakers can win in Utah...and Kobe will average 20fta's. Portland is the best team against the Lakers, that really is my only point. Playoff experience or not...all the playoff experience in the world isn't going to help the other 6 teams i've named ahead of the Blazers.
The Lakers and Blazers will have the same rotation. Also...Being deep is everything when it comes to winning in the playoffs. You don't go far with one or two guys coming off the bench. Also the Lakers have the Experience edge on EVERYONE besides the Spurs...and the Spurs are shorthanded.
I'm not disagreeing with that. IF there was ONE team that COULD beat the Lakers...who would you pick? All those other teams have failed to even match up with the Lakers...except Portland this season. Not only that...but on paper. They are as athlethic as the Lakers, they have the same lentgh as the Lakers, they have a good frontcourt like the Lakers, a guy who has proven up until this point to make the big shots.
yea portland would be my pick... utah if they suddenly come alive and play up to their capability, but thats a big if. i mean if you remember last year utah lost 4-2, but they lost some close games. but yea, its the lakers conference to lose.... only an injury to kobe could stop them
