I've seen all the rankings and I am just STUNNED how low people rank the TralBlazers. In my book they are a lock for the playoffs and will challenge for HCA. The team played great after the Sheed trade, they probably had the 3rd best record in the West. They are loaded with talent. But most importantly they are extremely motivated. Stoudamire, NVE, SAR, Theo Rattliffe are all in contract year. Zach Randolf will be eligible for his extension. The situation with D.Miles is not clear, but it very well may be the case that he plays this year for the qualifying offer, which is rather rich (>$5M), testing the market again next year, rather than taking a shabby deal now. I was the first on this BBS to say that Pistons will be NBA champs, even before the playoffs started. Now I am the first to say that Portland will make the playoffs. Some serious bragging rights are coming Kayman's way...
Portland didn't play too bad last year after the trade. But are they going to beat Lakers, Dallas, Utah, or Denver for the last spot? Unlikely. Portland is the new Clippers, lots of talent, but bad chemistry and player don't seem to play hard.
probably....not. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teamsched?team=por They were 24-25 before the trade. They ended up finishing 41-41. Do the math..that's 17-16, this is what impressed you? Kayman's got something else coming to him....
I think the Clippers is a great comparison. Remember when they had all their guys in a contract year and people were saying they were going to the playoffs because they had so much great young talent? What happened? They sucked. Now, part of that is that they're the Clippers and you know the whole franchise sucks, which isn't the case in Portland which has a good winning tradition. But, having a bunch of guys worried about their next contract and trying to pump up their stats and grab the limelight didn't do great things for the Clippers' record. It won't do good things for Portland either. Will everyone be willing to play their roles, do the dirty work and let Randolf get the glory? No, they have contracts to earn. SAR is already wanting out because he knows he won't have the minutes to show his stuff in that frontcourt. I don't see good things for them ahead.
We are taling about a team that missed the playoffs last year for the first time in like +20 years. This is not a stretch at all.
Sure these guys are gonna be motivated...for themselves. Everyone is gonna be lookin to get their fair of shots of stats, and this doesn't work well if all 5 guys on the court are doing that. There's no way Portland will make the playoffs next year!
Teams loaded with final year players rarely do too well. Portland is either holding guys to get under the cap next year, or is looking to do more trading. NVE - can't be too excited to be in town (doesn't even seem happy to be in the league, period), 12 million this year with a team option for next year that won't be picked up by anyone. Damon Stoudamire - last year, almost 16 mill. SAR - last year, has publically asked to be traded, 14.6 mill Theo Ratliff, last year for 11 million Then there are the team malcontents, Patterson, Woods, Outlaw, and perhaps even Randolph. Zach started picking up a reputation as a me-first guy that didn't get along with many teammates or Mo Cheeks last year. Anderson and Telfair are guys that are good to have, but we'll have to see. On paper, they look like a lock, but they're carrying a lot of negative intangables.... Evan
Agreed. Players in contract years usually try to pad their stats. So having a team full of such players may not be a good idea for the entire team's sake.
Looks like Miles is Gone, paving the Way for Abdul Rahim to yake over the SF duties?. I think good move. oh ya, i expect damon and his 14 mill final year Contract to be an trade bait. i could see damon and say Patterson as good trade baites?.
It's hard to argue that the Blazers are really that much better than they were last year. It's harder to argue that they're much much better than Phoenix or Utah, the other teams that look good enough to get back to the playoffs.
Here's a prediction for you. Ratliff will miss half the season with injuries and the Blazers will finish 10 games below .500.
