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OregonDucks
Oregon Is Faster
Portland is in a pickle. They are only a few games out of 8th place and could make a playoff push to try and get that 8th spot with a healthy Lillard returning back into the lineup. As a competitor and fan I will say I appreciate Portland's and Lillard's continued efforts to play for playoff seeding and not try to tank and build through the lottery. Since Stotts and Lillard's time in Portland the Blazers have consistently tried to rebuild Portland through a winning and competitive culture. IMO this is so much better than going say the Phoenix Suns route with building through the draft and just having terrible seasons. Also, what a shame to waste one of the leagues best guards by just not trying to get into the post season. However, Portland has sort of failed Lillard by not building more around him.
But, with that said, Portland is full of injuries. Some nights they only have 7 guys on the roster. They're still a couple games out of 8th spot, and they don't own the tie breaker with the Pelicans, so for them to get into the playoffs it will take a lot of late season wins and also for the red hot Pelicans to cool off. And of course for the Grizzlies to drop a few. Basically Portland needs help, but they need to take care of their own business and need to do so without a healthy roster.
IF Portland can get to the playoffs, they should get some of their big players back in Nurkic and Collins. That would be huge, but again you're stuck at the 8th seed and probably taking on the Lakers. Sure having a healthy roster would make Portland more difficult, but I still don't see them having a chance in a 7 game series with the Lakers. So work your butt off in these final weeks to only go out in the first round?
Or, wave the white flag this season. Rest everyone up, and try to get a decent lottery pick. Obviously they wont be around a top 5 pick and then the argument can be made that how impactful would Portland's pick around 14th be? But you never know.
Quiet frankly I think even if Portland made a push for the playoffs, I don't think they'd get in. I think Pelicans or Grizzlies have that 8th seed, and Pelicans owning the season series with the Blazers is huge. So I think even if you put more miles on Lillard's legs and shoulders, they come up short. I am leaning toward resting the all-star, get every healthy, and hope you get a decent lottery pick and get a steal in the draft.
But, with that said, Portland is full of injuries. Some nights they only have 7 guys on the roster. They're still a couple games out of 8th spot, and they don't own the tie breaker with the Pelicans, so for them to get into the playoffs it will take a lot of late season wins and also for the red hot Pelicans to cool off. And of course for the Grizzlies to drop a few. Basically Portland needs help, but they need to take care of their own business and need to do so without a healthy roster.
IF Portland can get to the playoffs, they should get some of their big players back in Nurkic and Collins. That would be huge, but again you're stuck at the 8th seed and probably taking on the Lakers. Sure having a healthy roster would make Portland more difficult, but I still don't see them having a chance in a 7 game series with the Lakers. So work your butt off in these final weeks to only go out in the first round?
Or, wave the white flag this season. Rest everyone up, and try to get a decent lottery pick. Obviously they wont be around a top 5 pick and then the argument can be made that how impactful would Portland's pick around 14th be? But you never know.
Quiet frankly I think even if Portland made a push for the playoffs, I don't think they'd get in. I think Pelicans or Grizzlies have that 8th seed, and Pelicans owning the season series with the Blazers is huge. So I think even if you put more miles on Lillard's legs and shoulders, they come up short. I am leaning toward resting the all-star, get every healthy, and hope you get a decent lottery pick and get a steal in the draft.