Tip-off is still months away but the Blazers have already leapfrogged two Western Division foes. Kevin Garnett has already been shipped east but now comes word that Elton Brand has ruptured his Achilles tendon.
Neither Minnesota or Los Angeles were playoff teams last year, but neither was Portland. In the quest to reach the playoffs, which is still somewhat of a pipe dream for Portland, they'll have to pass several teams.
The fact that two teams that will presumably be fighting for the eighth playoff spot in the west are now weaker, helps the Blazers immeasurably. And training camp is still months away.
Last year, 42 wins got Golden State a playoff berth. 42 wins is not out of the question for Portland albeit it might be a little high. The fact remains that young teams just struggle to win games...particularly late in the season when the wear and tear on the body takes its toll.
But these two off-season happenings have undoubtedly strengthened Portland's stature in the west and makes the playoffs even that much more of a possibility.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Blog Update
With Blazers news hard to come by, we are going to fill the void by posting about other sports, notably college football and the Oregon Ducks. We'll also comment on other sports stories that are relevant but it will most likely be West Coast centric and even Northwest specific. With that in mind, I'd like to comment on the Pac-10 possibly leaving the BCS:
Commissioner Tom Hansen says that if college football adopts the plus one model the Pac-10 will leave the BCS "no question." I'm hopeful that this is just posturing on Hansen's part but this is ludicrous for several reasons.
1. The Pac-10 is not the SEC. The Pac-10 is essentially USC and nine others. If this happens, I guarantee USC leaves the conference and becomes an independant and the Pac-10 dissolves as a conference not long after.
2. If this was the SEC the football powers that be might listen. The SEC is easily the best conference in college football, produces huge ratings and produces dozens of NFL players each year. The Pac-10 doesn't have the depth or talent that the SEC does. The Pac-10's talent is in their coaches who are innovative and creative offensively.
3. The Rose Bowl ceased to be "traditional" years ago. True, it's still played on New Year's Day but the game has involved a Pac-10 and Big-10 school just three times since 2001. It's time to progress and buy into what the whole world wants to see.
The Pac-10 has tried to remain as traditional as possible. They have balked at adding members and splitting into a North and South. They don't play a conference championship game. They now play each team in football, something that no other big time conference does. In basketball they still play each team twice, once at home and once on the road for a total of 18 conference games. They also still play on the tradtional nights of Thursday and Saturdays with only a few exceptions. You rarely (if ever) see a Pac-10 team playing on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday nights.
As a fan of the more traditional approach, I understand what the Pac-10 is thinking. However I think Hansen's stance is misguided and wrong. The Plus 1 model is actually a worthwhile investment for college football. It gives us a small playoff without getting into the logistics of an eight or 16 team playoff.
The Pac-10 would be wise not to bite the hand that feeds it, and continue to feast off USC in football and UCLA in basketball...as sad as it is to admit.
Commissioner Tom Hansen says that if college football adopts the plus one model the Pac-10 will leave the BCS "no question." I'm hopeful that this is just posturing on Hansen's part but this is ludicrous for several reasons.
1. The Pac-10 is not the SEC. The Pac-10 is essentially USC and nine others. If this happens, I guarantee USC leaves the conference and becomes an independant and the Pac-10 dissolves as a conference not long after.
2. If this was the SEC the football powers that be might listen. The SEC is easily the best conference in college football, produces huge ratings and produces dozens of NFL players each year. The Pac-10 doesn't have the depth or talent that the SEC does. The Pac-10's talent is in their coaches who are innovative and creative offensively.
3. The Rose Bowl ceased to be "traditional" years ago. True, it's still played on New Year's Day but the game has involved a Pac-10 and Big-10 school just three times since 2001. It's time to progress and buy into what the whole world wants to see.
The Pac-10 has tried to remain as traditional as possible. They have balked at adding members and splitting into a North and South. They don't play a conference championship game. They now play each team in football, something that no other big time conference does. In basketball they still play each team twice, once at home and once on the road for a total of 18 conference games. They also still play on the tradtional nights of Thursday and Saturdays with only a few exceptions. You rarely (if ever) see a Pac-10 team playing on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday nights.
As a fan of the more traditional approach, I understand what the Pac-10 is thinking. However I think Hansen's stance is misguided and wrong. The Plus 1 model is actually a worthwhile investment for college football. It gives us a small playoff without getting into the logistics of an eight or 16 team playoff.
The Pac-10 would be wise not to bite the hand that feeds it, and continue to feast off USC in football and UCLA in basketball...as sad as it is to admit.
Monday, July 30, 2007
The New Eastern Conference Favorites?
If this proposed deal goes through, the Boston Celtics have certainly joined the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. They might have mortgaged the future to do so, but in the immediate future, say, the next two or three years, they've become extremely relevant.
Landing Garnett to team with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen gives Boston three superstars, including two in Pierce and Garnett who are still among the top at their positions. Ray Allen continues to be a good scorer and excellent shooter, capable of putting up big numbers.
I like that Boston is attempting a run at the Eastern crown. The (L)eastern conference has played the doormat to the Western Conference for too long and some balance would do the league some good. As would some good publicity for a change.
But, is it enough to get them to the finals and contend? Absolutely it is. For the next two to three years while KG and Pierce continue in their primes and Allen continues to be a very good NBA player, Boston has enough to challenge everyone in the East. The question is, have the Eastern contenders improved at all?
For the defending eastern conference champs, they haven't improved their roster at all. Lebron is still Lebron but as evidenced by the San Antonio massacre, he can't do it alone. Zydrunas Illgauskus, Drew Gooden and Boobie Gibson aren't enough. How could that team compete with a trio like Boston's?
Some say Detroit needs to blow it up and start again. I disagree, they're still talented enough to contend because their perimeter is still solid and 'Sheed would be a good matchup for KG. A Detroit/Boston final is a distinct possibility.
Despite having Dwayne Wade, Miami is in trouble. Their key players are getting older or aren't that good. Shaq can't dominate the way he used to and now that the refs will be scrutinized to no end (even more than they were in the '07 playoffs) Dwayne Wade will not draw a foul every time someone looks at him. His forays to the rim will not end with a whistle with every moan or arm flail as they have in the past.
It all adds up to a good chance for Boston to make a run. True, they've sold the future to make a run now but when the fan base is threatening a mutiny, you have to at least attempt to get better. Danny Ainge has done that and now he can rest a little easier having essentially traded Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff because those two helped him later land KG (if the deal goes through).
Of course, Doc Rivers still coaches the Celts and if you read certain writers, they'll tell you he is a grease fire. So having three great players might not do a bit of good. Only time will tell but for the first time in several years, things are looking up in Boston.
--------------------------UPDATE-------------------------
Truehoop is reporting that now Al Jefferson may not be included in the deal. If this is the case, Boston looks like the definitive favorite in the East in my mind. A lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Jefferson and KG would be formidable for the whole league, not just the East.
Landing Garnett to team with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen gives Boston three superstars, including two in Pierce and Garnett who are still among the top at their positions. Ray Allen continues to be a good scorer and excellent shooter, capable of putting up big numbers.
I like that Boston is attempting a run at the Eastern crown. The (L)eastern conference has played the doormat to the Western Conference for too long and some balance would do the league some good. As would some good publicity for a change.
But, is it enough to get them to the finals and contend? Absolutely it is. For the next two to three years while KG and Pierce continue in their primes and Allen continues to be a very good NBA player, Boston has enough to challenge everyone in the East. The question is, have the Eastern contenders improved at all?
For the defending eastern conference champs, they haven't improved their roster at all. Lebron is still Lebron but as evidenced by the San Antonio massacre, he can't do it alone. Zydrunas Illgauskus, Drew Gooden and Boobie Gibson aren't enough. How could that team compete with a trio like Boston's?
Some say Detroit needs to blow it up and start again. I disagree, they're still talented enough to contend because their perimeter is still solid and 'Sheed would be a good matchup for KG. A Detroit/Boston final is a distinct possibility.
Despite having Dwayne Wade, Miami is in trouble. Their key players are getting older or aren't that good. Shaq can't dominate the way he used to and now that the refs will be scrutinized to no end (even more than they were in the '07 playoffs) Dwayne Wade will not draw a foul every time someone looks at him. His forays to the rim will not end with a whistle with every moan or arm flail as they have in the past.
It all adds up to a good chance for Boston to make a run. True, they've sold the future to make a run now but when the fan base is threatening a mutiny, you have to at least attempt to get better. Danny Ainge has done that and now he can rest a little easier having essentially traded Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff because those two helped him later land KG (if the deal goes through).
Of course, Doc Rivers still coaches the Celts and if you read certain writers, they'll tell you he is a grease fire. So having three great players might not do a bit of good. Only time will tell but for the first time in several years, things are looking up in Boston.
--------------------------UPDATE-------------------------
Truehoop is reporting that now Al Jefferson may not be included in the deal. If this is the case, Boston looks like the definitive favorite in the East in my mind. A lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Jefferson and KG would be formidable for the whole league, not just the East.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)