Talkhard

Call me crazy, but I think Portland has a chance to win the NBA championship next year. That's right, next year. Here's why:

Brandon Roy: This guy is a natural leader and a big-time clutch performer--something that every championship team has to have. He inspires the guys around him and helps give them the confidence that is essential for winning. His game has improved dramatically this season and will continue to do so. He's smart and savvy and calm under pressure--and he WANTS TO WIN in the worst way.

Greg Oden: Add him to this roster and he completes the circle. Rebounding suddenly becomes one of our strengths and makes us an even better running team. The attention that Oden will demand from other teams will free up guys like Roy and Aldridge and improve their games as well. And Oden won't have the pressure of having to "carry" this team--he knows that he's going to have plenty of help every night and he can focus on doing what he does best.

Shooting: For the first time in many years, Portland has guys who can really fill it up from outside. This is another essential part of championship play, since outside shooting is what you need to compliment your inside game.

Our Bench: In the last 12 games, our bench has outscored the other team's bench 11 times. Travis Outlaw has finally broken through, and James Jones has proven to be a reliable shooter as well as a guy who can play defense. We have one of the deepest teams in the league already--even without Oden and Fernandez.

Kevin Pritchard: One of the smartest GMs in the league--a guy who really knows how to draft and find hidden talent. I think he'll get us an excellent rookie next year as well as add a veteran or two to shore up any weak spots.

The X Factor: We've already seen it this season. Roy's miraculous catch-and-shoot 3-pointer against the Hornets; Rodriquez's half-court shot at the buzzer to end a quarter; Outlaw's last-second bank shot to beat Memphis; our ability to win even when we're missing our leading scorer and rebounder, or when our outside shooting is in a slump (as it was against the Hornets). In short, this team has something special in its blood.

Finally . . . we shouldn't think of this recent winning streak as an abberation. It's not. It's the real deal. You don't beat a team like Utah twice in one week because you're "lucky." You don't have a winning record of 13-12 with the 5th toughest schedule in the league just because the other guys didn't show up to play. And you don't win tough games on the road with the youngest team in the league without being a solid and fundamentally sound team. This Blazer team has talent and good chemistry, and all the pieces are coming together.

Don't let Pritchard's and McMillan's calm exterior fool you. They're thrilled with this team and are thinking big. And so should we.

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"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

B_&_B

Good post Talkhard.

If we stay healthy, there's no doubt in my mind that we'll be a playoff team next year. Championship contender, I'm not so confident about... but sure hope so!

I think asst. GM and salary cap/cba guru Tom Penn deserves some credit also.

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"People say we are coming, but I almost think it's to the point where we are here," he said. "I think it's no longer coming. We are here now."... Brandon Roy.

Tortimer

I agree I think there is a chance we could win it all next year. If not at least go deep into the playoffs. I think Oden if healthy is going to do better then some people think. We add Rudy and another good pick or trade that pick for a good veteran we need. We have some pieces to trade: Jack, Webster, our 1st round and 2 or 3 2nd round picks. Great time to be a Blazer fan. Right now though I'm just enjoying our team this year and the winning streak! Go Blazers!!!

thaKEAF

Them winning it all is highly doubtful but if their youngsters continue to play like they have this season, there's no doubt that they have a good chance to make the postseason with Oden and any new players they add.

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mediocre man

No.

Most every team in the league needs to learn how to win in the playoffs. IF Portland makes the playoffs next season, they will most likely be beat by a more mature team.


Give it a couple of years though, and if everyone stays healthy we should compete for the title

__________________
"SHOW ME THE BUFFET!!!"


Former Blazer Alaa Abdelnaby on being a student athlete at Duke. "The only way I could get 5 A's at Duke was to spell my name"


I'm Mediocre Man, and I approve this message.

Talkhard

When the Blazers won the title in '77, it was their first year in the playoffs. If the team makes the playoffs this year, that means next year would be their second year in the postseason.

__________________
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

mediocre man

Ok, we disagree. You continue to live in your world, I'll continue to live in the real one.

One year is not enough.

__________________
"SHOW ME THE BUFFET!!!"


Former Blazer Alaa Abdelnaby on being a student athlete at Duke. "The only way I could get 5 A's at Duke was to spell my name"


I'm Mediocre Man, and I approve this message.

Talkhard

It was for the '77 title team. And that's a "real world" fact.

__________________
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

mediocre man

Different times.

__________________
"SHOW ME THE BUFFET!!!"


Former Blazer Alaa Abdelnaby on being a student athlete at Duke. "The only way I could get 5 A's at Duke was to spell my name"


I'm Mediocre Man, and I approve this message.

croco

No, Portland will not make not make the playoffs this year and you should be perfectly happy with reaching the postseason when Oden comes back. It will take a while for a team to be contender, but I think the Blazers might end the reign of the Spurs in two or three years.

Talkhard

That's the conventional thinking, but conventional thinking isn't always correct. I recall all the experts saying that it would take a season or two for Phil Jackson to turn the Lakers around, but then they won the title in his first year in L.A.. And Pat Riley turned the Miami Heat around almost overnight. They went from being a floormat to a title contender in about two years. When all the ingredients come together in the right way, positive results can happen very quickly.

__________________
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

Tortimer

I was thinking the same thing about the Blazers this year. I was just hoping to win as many games as last year 32 wins or a few more. I thought if we got 34 wins and showed some inprovement we were set for next year and make a serious run for the playoffs. I know it is early but the way our team has played I think we have a real chance to make the playoffs this year and make a serious run next year.

mook

it's certainly a possibility. I don't think anyone thinks it's necessarily likely, but it's certainly possible.

nobod