Aug
15
Blazers ranked 8th in Western Power Rankings
By Siccolo
Derek Page wrote a article on Hoopworld about the Western Conference power rankings. I was expecting to see the Blazers around the 10-12 range like everyone else thinks we are. To my surprise we were 8th!!
8. Portland Trail Blazers (2012: 11th – 28-38)
-----Key Additions: Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard
Key Subtractions: Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton
Key Draft Additions: Damian Lillard (6th overall), Meyers Leonard (11th overall), Will Barton (40th overall)
After an injury-riddled 2011-12 produced the Portland Trail Blazers’ first lottery season since 2007-2008, the Blazers rearmed with a purpose this summer in the 2012 NBA Draft. Already featuring one of the best scorers in the NBA at power forward in LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers added the top point guard in the draft in Lillard and then took the second-best center on the board in Leonard.
The Portland reserves could be a little shaky but the Blazers’ starting five is going to be tough to compete with on a night-in, night-out basis. Even though it’s a difficult choice with the Minnesota Timberwolves looking much improved, it’s hard to see the revamped Blazers not returning to the postseason in 2013.------
This article caused much controversy in the comments. Most of the comments discussed how Blazers should be ranked so much lower than they were. Derek Page then commented with this
"I think people are forgetting just how good LaMarcus Aldridge is and the 7th best scorer in the NBA last season still hasn't reached his full potential. Remember that the 2010-2011 Blazers won nearly 50 games in a similarly stacked Western Conference featuring Aldridge as the team's best player.
I think this 2012-13 iteration of the Blazers has more talent and a solid shot at being a better all-around basketball team than the last Portland squad to make the postseason. Nicolas Batum is going to have to step up along with Wesley Mathews and the two rookies but I think that's a reasonable possibility considering their talent level.
Don't get me wrong, it's easy to understand other possible choices. There is an excellent argument to be made for Minnesota, Utah or maybe even Golden State to finish as the eighth seed in the West.
Obviously it's not a popular stance choosing the Blazers to secure the final spot in the West, but looking at that team right now it's hard for me to pick anyone else."
Awesome seeing Blazers have a supporter and believer! GO RIP CITY.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/ranking-the-nba-western-conference/
Here is a link to the article. My comment was from "BlazerFAN" it might make you laugh ..