Archive for the 'Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs' Category

20
Aug

Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs: Part III

By John 0 Comments
Categories: Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs

A five part series on why the Portland Trail Blazers will make the playoffs in the 2008-09 season.

Part III: That Winning Feeling

The Blazers finished the 2007-08 season with a .500 record (41-41). This was good enough to finish 10th in the West. The low point of the season came in the summer of 2007, when we all got the news that Oden would miss the season. The high point of the season? Obviously, the 13 game win streak.

There was more to that 13 game win streak then meets the eye. That win streak, in my opinion, will have more to do with the Blazers future success then any individual player. After winning 4-5 games in a row, a change happened in the mind of the players. They started to believe they could win. It didn’t matter who they were playing, because the Blazers were just as good. That mentality is what took the team to 13 straight wins. A similar situation took place in Houston with their 20+ win streak.

So how does last year’s win streak change the upcoming season? It’s all about that winning feeling. The Blazers proved they can win without Oden. They proved they can make a push for the playoffs, without Oden. But great news, we no longer will be going without Oden.

That winning spirit is contagious. The players started to believe they can win, the fans started to believe they could win and the other teams in the NBA believed it too. Now, the players, fans and NBA know that the Blazers are good, and with Oden, possibly scary. Vegas even has the Blazers as 12-1 to win the title, much lower odds then I would have expected, so even Vegas believes the Blazers will be a possible threat.

Winning is contagious. The Blazers have caught the winning bug, and that is the third reason why the Blazers will make the playoffs.

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20
Aug

Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs: Part II

By John 0 Comments
Categories: Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs

A five part series on why the Portland Trail Blazers will make the playoffs in the 2008-09 season.

Part II: An Aging Western Conference

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks, 7th in 2007-08):

The Dallas Mavericks used to be a power in the West, now they are a team fighting to regain their prowess. They could very possibly miss the playoffs in the 2008-09 season. Jason Kidd is 35, Dirk Nowitzki is 30, Jason Terry is 30, Jerry Stackhouse is 33 and Erick Dampier is 33. This team sure has the talent and the experience, but they are a step slower then they used to be in their prime. The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that should be scared of Portland, because Portland is eying their playoff spot. Dirk Nowitzki simply did not show up last season and Kidd’s impact on the team was not what Mark Cuban was hoping for when the trade was made. If Dallas can get it together, they might be able to make one last push, they certainly have the talent, but if they can’t get it together, don’t be shocked if they finish the season as the 9th or 10th team in the west.

Steve Nash and Shaq (Phoenix Suns, 6th in 2007-08): Now, the Phoenix Suns will probably easily make the playoffs, but there is a chance they slip far enough this year to put them out of the playoffs. Shaq is 36, Steve Nash is 34, Raja Bell is 31 and Grant Hil is 35. Those are a lot of big names, and a lot of big numbers. I think it is safe to say that Danny Ainge has beaten out Steve Kerr for the “Best GM at Bringing in Big Talent Through Even Bigger Trades (of former Blazer players).” The Oden v Shaq battles will be fun to watch, but I don’t see Phoenix as a top 4 team in the West anymore, and that means they are vulnerable. I am not prepared to say they miss the playoffs, because Steve Nash is still a great player, but they are not the lock they once were just 2 or 3 years ago. Plus, Terry Porter is their coach. Really?

Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets, 8th in 2007-08): Okay, Carmelo is only 24, but A.I. is 33 and Martin is 30. A.I. alone puts the Nuggets on this list. The trade of Marcus Camby was a huge loss for the Nuggets in the upcoming season. It might have been the proper move for the long-term, but this is a team that needs to win now. There are rumors of Anthony wanting out of Denver, and A.I. has few good years left. The Nuggets are in no way a lock to make the playoffs. I put them from the 7th to the 12th spot in the West. I know, how can they slip so far to 12th? As they continue to underachieve, further unrest will take foot in Denver and A.I. and Carmelo won’t coexist well in a losing environment. When the Blazers make the playoffs, Denver will most likely not be invited to the party.

20
Aug

Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs: Part I

By John 0 Comments
Categories: Why the Blazers Make the 08-09 Playoffs

A five part series on why the Portland Trail Blazers will make the playoffs in the 2008-09 season.

Part I: Key Player Additions

The team that finished 41-41 last season got three huge additions to the team this summer. After just missing the playoffs, the Blazers have positioned themselves for an improved record in the upcoming season. The only true driver and slasher on the team was Brandon Roy, but both Fernandez and Bayless have shown great potential to drive, and we all know Oden can throw it down when the ball is dished to him. Each of the following three players should help Portland in their playoff push.

Greg Oden: The #1 pick in the 2007 draft will be in the running for the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year title. He has began practicing and is looking strong. His knee will get a workout though, with the first five games of the season coming against some of the NBA’s best teams. With no offensive threat at center last season, the Blazers relied more on outside shooting then they will this season. James Jones was a key to the teams outside shooting and he is no longer with the team. That makes the offensive play of Oden even more important. I don’t see him playing over 25 to 30 minutes a game, at least until the All Star break. But his minutes will be huge. With a threat down low, defenses will have to man up on both Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge. I think this provides more opportunity for Aldridge to shine on the offensive end. In the previous season, he was the only low post scoring threat, and every defense could prepare for the one sided down low attack. Oden should have a game changing effect on the defensive end of the floor too. He is known to be an excellent shot blocker and rebounder, the question will be if he is tentative with the weak knee.

Rudy Fernandez: The Spanish star will join the Blazers this season. He has put a strong showing on during the Olympics and has excited many Blazer fans. He will be fighting both Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster for minutes in the small forward position. Webster is the likely starter, and Outlaw the 6th man, but expect to see respectable minutes for Fernandez this year. He should, hopefully, inspire Webster to live up to his potential. Fernandez has the ability to change a game. He is strong driving to the basket and could provide a similar spark as Outlaw of the bench. He is sure to be a fan favorite.

Jerryd Bayless: The summer league MVP. His showing in the summer league probably earned him an extra 5 minutes per game. I expect him to come off the bench in the second quarter to back up Blake. With Jack gone, and Sergio seeing an even further reduced role, Bayless should get a real chance. He can score, he can pass and he can lead an offense. At the University of Arizona, he was one of two scoring options (Chase Budinger). On the Blazers, Bayless’ scoring will be the perfect fit on the “White Unit.” Last year, Outlaw was the white unit’s first option, and I expect that to continue, but Bayless will be a welcome addition.

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