Will the Blazers win 50 this year?

[tlongII]

I think it's very doable if they're relatively healthy.

[Flopper]

no

[monosylab1k]

35-45 wins depending on how quickly Oden figures out the NBA game.

[mardigan]

No way in hell, lucky to get 40

[midgetonadonkey]

No way in hell, lucky to get 40

agreed

[Findog]

they will finish around .500 and compete for the 8th playoff spot.

[incansables]

60-22

[ducks]

no in east only yes

if they hit 50 next season they are going to have very high expectations the year after that

[ducks]

60-22
what teams do you think they will only lose to?

and all good teams lose to a bad team a few times each year

[Medvedenko]

40 wins.....

[JamStone]

40-42 would be very impressive, considering they still need to get consistent perimeter shooting to balance the frontcourt and slashing of Roy. If James Jones and Martell Webster can be consistent three-point threats, they might be better than expected. Defensively, I think they'll still struggle. Oden will be in foul trouble a lot, and I don't know if James Jones or Travis Outlaw can be that "smart" lockdown perimeter defender to keep in check those superstar wing players out west, the likes of Kobe, T-Mac, Marion, even Durant.

I also think they could use a more veteran point guard with all that youth at the other positions. Andre Miller would be the type of older, veteran PG that would really make that team a threat.

If they flirt with a .500 record, I think that will be impressive.

[BacktoBasics]

They have a long way to go as a team and cohesive unit to have a record like that. Maybe in a couple of years.

[Obstructed_View]

Teams don't win with talent alone. It almost always takes a team a full year together before they start to play well. The Blazers are loaded with talent, but they are learning a new system with a ton of young players. They are also in the western conference.

Just for TLong's benefit I'll say they win 65 games and tie with Phoenix for the division. :rolleyes

[JamStone]

Portland and Phoenix are in different divisions.

[Obstructed_View]

Portland and Phoenix are in different divisions.
Oh yeah, they realigned. :)

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I don't think they'll make it much higher than 40, if at all. There are going to be serious growing pains in trying to work in such a big piece as Oden. They'll be rough out of the gate, but I expect they'll finish the season looking quite strong.

[tlongII]

You guys are NUTS! They will be well above .500.

[mavs>spurs2]

I'm goin with 40-42 wins, maybe sneak in as the 8th seed.

[Obstructed_View]

You guys are NUTS! They will be well above .500.
Why will they be well above .500? Because they have been together as a unit for so long? Because the coaching staff is so well established? Because they have so many experienced players? Because they are in such a weak division? Because the Western Conference is so diluted?

Let me clarify my earlier statement: The Blazers are loaded with talent. It isn't the first time in recent history they've had a ton of talented players. They've won 50 games 4 times in the last 14 years.

If they stay together and stay healthy, the Blazers are going to be a power in the NBA, but it will not be immediate. They are going to show signs of brilliance, but great teams take a while to develop.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

They MIGHT have a good chance for an 8th seed but even that goal will be really tough for them to reach. The Warriors wont be that good next season and neither will the Lakers or Jazz if all 3 stand pat. Memphis really improved their ball club as did Houston. Denver will be alot better too with Nene really blowing up along with them having their duo of AI and Melo. The Hornets, who are fucking dumbasses for signing the often injured Peja to that contract, can easily be a playoff contender if they can just stay healthy.The top 3 are still Spurs,Suns,Mavs. The Clippers,Sonics,Kings,Wolves will all be lottery bound. So yes Portland has a realistic chance but its gonna be a dog fight to get that 8th spot.

[MrChug]

Probably 46 wins or so.

[Strike]

60-22
:lmao

Easy there, Sparky. They won't have a Spurs style turnaround.

[tlongII]

Why will they be well above .500? Because they have been together as a unit for so long? Because the coaching staff is so well established? Because they have so many experienced players? Because they are in such a weak division? Because the Western Conference is so diluted?

Let me clarify my earlier statement: The Blazers are loaded with talent. It isn't the first time in recent history they've had a ton of talented players. They've won 50 games 4 times in the last 14 years.

If they stay together and stay healthy, the Blazers are going to be a power in the NBA, but it will not be immediate. They are going to show signs of brilliance, but great teams take a while to develop.

Why? Because of the talent assembled on this team and the coaching. These guys are all team-first players and they're already practicing together in August. The guys genuinely like each other. B-Roy is the indisputable leader and he may be the most team-first player of the bunch. This team is going to be special. The only thing that can hold them back is injuries and the refs.

[Medvedenko]

I still say 40 wins maybe 45....the West is very tough....however we'll see how Oden fares early on. He's got Bynum to compete with.... :)

[BUMP]

The only thing that can hold them back is injuries and the refs.

or maybe Oden's lack of experience and a developing offensive game. im sure Oden will become dominant and they will become a powerhouse, but not yet. you are getting way too excited.

[Obstructed_View]

Why? Because of the talent assembled on this team and the coaching.
Lots of talent, but it's young talent. Nate's had one good season as a coach, and that was with a bunch of guys playing for contracts, right?



These guys are all team-first players and they're already practicing together in August. The guys genuinely like each other. B-Roy is the indisputable leader and he may be the most team-first player of the bunch. This team is going to be special. The only thing that can hold them back is injuries and the refs.
Why would you even bother asking if you too busy blowing sunshine up your OWN ass to listen?

At least you've gotten your "refs" excuse in there to cover you.

76-6 :rolleyes

[BeerIsGood!]

35, 40 if they get a few fortunate bounces along the way. A lot of talent, but almost every WC team has a lot of talent. It's about much more than talent, and once you look past that you see a bunch of young, unproven guys with an unproven coaching staff and unproven front office. They have potential, but this season too much against them to win more than 40 games.

[tlongII]

Lots of talent, but it's young talent. Nate's had one good season as a coach, and that was with a bunch of guys playing for contracts, right?



Why would you even bother asking if you too busy blowing sunshine up your OWN ass to listen?

At least you've gotten your "refs" excuse in there to cover you.

76-6 :rolleyes

Hey I listen, I just don't agree with you.

[Obstructed_View]

Hey I listen, I just don't agree with you.
Well I certainly don't blame you for being excited. It's looking promising in Portland for the first time in a while.

[JamStone]

I'm guessing no.

[Tippecanoe]

with oden out for season, probably not

[METALMiKE]

Sorry Blazer fans, no 50 wins this year. :cry

[dallaskd]

im going with 30-35 wins.

[dallaskd]

They were never gonna do it even with oden.

[SAtown]

We shouldn't be giving Tlong the "Mav fan treatment" we gave them back in May. (Bringing up every single thread made by him)

[OdenCouchDynasty]

If Oden didn't sit on me they would've.

[Holt's Cat]

The lemonade in this for Portland is that they will likely end up with another lottery pick next June ( I guess they still have their '08 1st rounder I don't feel like checking it out). Oden's 19 or 20, so he will still have plenty of years ahead of him.

[SpursDynasty]

Blazers will continue to finish at the bottom of the NBA THANKS TO GREG ODEN NOT TAKING CARE OF HIMSELF.

Good going, Oden. Now a bunch of people have season tickets that are meaningless.

[stretch]

Blazers will continue to finish at the bottom of the NBA THANKS TO GREG ODEN NOT TAKING CARE OF HIMSELF.

Good going, Oden. Now a bunch of people have season tickets that are meaningless.
Greg Oden getting hurt is a fluke. If you add him to all the losses that the Blazers will have, minus some fluke losses to teams they should beat like the Spurs and Celtics, they will have well over 50 wins.

[Sportcamper]

I heard that Oden had a terrible physical pre NBA Draft....One leg 2 inches shorter than the other...Banged up knees, weak ankles...

But I guess the Blazers know what they are doing....They do their research....Its not like they would draft a Sam Bowie or pass on Michael Jordan or anything....

[Kamnik]

I heard that Oden had a terrible physical pre NBA Draft....One leg 2 inches shorter than the other...

Are you serious? 2 inches?!