Me: The town went apeshit for you, Bill.
Bill: Ya, that was a great time, Tom.
They are Portland’s only major league sports team (sorry, LumberJaxxx). However, expectations are unreal for this team. The city and the local fishwrap expect that this team will win 60 games a year. Yes, they are a good team. Yes, they are an improving team. But do I think they will make the playoffs? Sadly, no. I do think they will win 47 games, but the West is too deep. Last year, every team in the Western Conference playoffs had at least 50 wins.
Blazermania officially made a comeback in 2006 when the team drafted Brandon Roy. He has emerged as the team leader. In 2007, after failing the make the playoffs (again), the team drafted Greg Oden. There were explosions in the sky! Tears flowed from grandmothers’ eyes! Another championship was on the horizon! And, by 2009, of course!
My advice to Portlanders and the Oregonian is chill out. The team is good but they need another year (to make the playoffs) and a big-time free agent (to be a contender). In November, I saw that ESPN had ranked the Blazers at #4 in their power rankings. Yesterday the Oregonian ranked them in the top 10.
This is ridiculous.
The team is fun to watch and is steadily improving. If Oden can play every game like he did against Milwaukee and become a dominant player, then we can talk about a parade on Broadway. Dwight Howard is arguably the most dominant center in the League and a fun guy to watch. He is in his fifth season and has never missed an NBA game. All while averaging over 30 minutes per game and increasing his output.
In contrast Oden played half a year of college ball and has missed six games this year after sitting out an entire year with a knee injury. He’s injury-prone and inconsistent. Also, once he’s played 50 games he will hit the “rookie wall.”
Give Oden and the team time and we’ll see success.
It’s time to back off and let them grow up.
Dr. Tom -
ReplyDeleteIsn't it about time you blogged about the Blazers again?
-HJ