Grantland: Portlandia
http://www.grantland...urbished-roster

Portland Trail Blazers
#1
Posted 27 August 2013 - 08:49 AM
#2
Posted 27 August 2013 - 03:28 PM
They had a pretty decent offseason. They stocked their bench with some talent without giving up much of anything. I still think they end up outside the playoff picture in the West. Lopez should improve their defense when he's around the rim vs what Hickson did for them (or more accurately, didn't). But as the column pointed out they were awful defending against the pick-and-roll last season, and Lopez (a.k.a. "Slopez") does not offer any improvement there.
The important thing will be getting a Top 12 lottery pick after the season, otherwise their 1st Rounder next year (a much more talented draft) goes to Charlotte. I don't want to use the T-word, but if they aren't realistically in the playoff picture down the stretch, then they need to make sure they position themselves to keep that pick.
Ultimately, I think they need to deal with the LMA situation sooner-than-later....and really should have done it this summer, as I think his trade value is at its peak right now. It's no secret that he'll be outta here when his contract is up in 2015, if he isn't traded by then. Even with him, their current ceiling is a 7 or 8 seed at best, and one-and-done in the playoffs, so might as well try to use his value now to get something for the long-term.
#3
Posted 28 August 2013 - 12:07 PM
They had a pretty decent offseason. They stocked their bench with some talent without giving up much of anything. I still think they end up outside the playoff picture in the West. Lopez should improve their defense when he's around the rim vs what Hickson did for them (or more accurately, didn't). But as the column pointed out they were awful defending against the pick-and-roll last season, and Lopez (a.k.a. "Slopez") does not offer any improvement there.
The important thing will be getting a Top 12 lottery pick after the season, otherwise their 1st Rounder next year (a much more talented draft) goes to Charlotte. I don't want to use the T-word, but if they aren't realistically in the playoff picture down the stretch, then they need to make sure they position themselves to keep that pick.
Ultimately, I think they need to deal with the LMA situation sooner-than-later....and really should have done it this summer, as I think his trade value is at its peak right now. It's no secret that he'll be outta here when his contract is up in 2015, if he isn't traded by then. Even with him, their current ceiling is a 7 or 8 seed at best, and one-and-done in the playoffs, so might as well try to use his value now to get something for the long-term.
Yep...You like their talent but you are right, they are only going to be so good in the west.
They would have done well to trade LMA to a team that is likely to be in the lottery next year and maybe hit the jackpot with a high pick...Now, maybe that deal wasn't out there for them but that's what I would have been looking for if I were them.
#4
Posted 28 August 2013 - 03:03 PM
Yep...You like their talent but you are right, they are only going to be so good in the west.
They would have done well to trade LMA to a team that is likely to be in the lottery next year and maybe hit the jackpot with a high pick...Now, maybe that deal wasn't out there for them but that's what I would have been looking for if I were them.
I loved the sound of the potential deal with Houston if the Rockets could have put together something centered around Asik. But I think that was probably a now-or-never deal, since Asik's 2014-15 salary balloons to nearly 3 times what it is this season, making it much more complicated for Portland to get a decent return if they wait until next summer.
#5
Posted 21 November 2013 - 09:30 AM
Grantland: The Portland Trail Blazers Are Scorching, but can it last?
http://www.grantland...but-can-it-last
#6
Posted 24 November 2013 - 01:27 AM
Nobody makes the playoffs in November, but I may have to rethink my position on the Blazers coming up short in the West. I wasn't that impressed with their current winning streak until they beat the Bulls and Warriors on back-to-back nights to take it to 10 games. Their defense still isn't good, especially once you get to the postseason, but right now it's good enough (especially late in close games) to get them in.
That said, they could have some issues in the next several games since Wes Matthews and Mo Williams got tossed tonight for fighting and could be facing suspensions....and despite their offseason additions Portland's bench, outside of Williams, has contributed little so far.
#7
Posted 05 December 2013 - 09:39 AM
Sports on Earth: Out of nowhere
http://www.sportsone...ticle/64391450/
#8
Posted 06 December 2013 - 11:51 PM
Before they cleared their bench to start the 4th Qtr (with a 38 point lead over Utah) the Blazers had made 15-of-19 3-pointers (79%).
#9
Posted 07 February 2014 - 09:21 AM
Sports on Earth: Bringing a title to Portland
http://www.sportsone...wants-two-rings
#10
Posted 23 March 2014 - 11:23 AM
#11
Posted 24 April 2014 - 10:39 AM
CBS Sports: No stopping Aldridge
http://www.cbssports...king-ahead-4/23
#12
Posted 28 April 2014 - 12:56 PM
#13
Posted 28 April 2014 - 01:30 PM
Donald Trump weighs in (Washington Post)
He got set up by a very, very bad girlfriend, let’s face it. She’s called ‘the girlfriend from hell.’
Luckily, Trump added, “What he said was terrible and despicable and a very strong action is going to be taken,” so as not to be labeled the worst person in the world.
#14
Posted 28 April 2014 - 01:38 PM
Donald Trump weighs in (Washington Post)
Not really Blazers-related. But a good example of why Donald Trump is very unlikely to be the next owner of the Buffalo Bills.
#15
Posted 28 April 2014 - 01:40 PM
Not really Blazers-related. But a good example of why Donald Trump is very unlikely to be the next owner of the Buffalo Bills.
I meant to put that in the Clippers forum, changing it now.
#16
Posted 04 July 2014 - 08:09 AM
#17
Posted 04 July 2014 - 11:46 AM
I like Kaman better for a backup 5 than the Blazers first choice, Spencer Hawes. Best of all only $1 million is guaranteed for 2015-16, since the Blazers are probably going to have a major roster overhaul next summer and will need the cap space.
#18
Posted 08 July 2014 - 11:12 PM
#19
Posted 10 July 2014 - 01:54 PM
Steve Blake will return to Trail Blazers after agreeing to free agent deal
Backup PG was their biggest remaining need, and I think Blake still makes his offseason home here in the area, so it's a great fit for both sides.
#20
Posted 11 July 2014 - 08:59 PM
Still love Stevie, and if my friend who is a Blazers fan is any indication, he was pretty popular during his run with the Blazers. Seems like a really solid move. I've said before if Blake is your starting PG, that's probably a weakness, but he's capable of being one of the best backup PGs in the league.
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