Playoffs Update – Can Blazers Make the Playoffs?
The Blazers are in! … For now
It’s time to rejoice, Blazers fans. Portland is now the eighth seed in the Western Conference and staring down an improbable playoff berth. The eighth best team in the West was unthinkable after losing four of five starters in the off season. It was Damian Lillard with a bunch of relatively unknowns. Luckily, Portland had another star patiently waiting his turn in C.J. McCollum. Additionally, all the young players added to the roster this off season have each showcased their promise for the future. Due to the overall lack of expectations coming into the season, it has been an extremely enjoyable team to watch.
Before you raise your own expectations of the team, consider the amount of work left to do for Portland. There are 33 games left on the season, 21 of which are against teams with a winning record. Meanwhile, the Jazz play just 17 of their 35 remaining games against winning teams. That is not to say the Blazers cannot beat winning teams. They have some impressive wins at home this year. (OKC, Memphis, Cleveland, Indiana, L.A. Clips) It is just going to be a tough road ahead. Contrarily, the Jazz are back to a full strength roster with an easier slate of games down the stretch. So please, continue to temper your expectations and enjoy watching this overachieving team fight for a spot in the playoffs.
The Bottom Eight
*RCP Playoffs % is a complex algorithm that consists of watching NBA games and making partially educated guesses.
Utah Jazz: 22-25 LW: 3-1 RCP Playoffs % = 30% (+3%)
The Utah Jazz are basically back to full strength. With Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, and Rodney Hood all healthy – They have a really exciting young starting five. The Jazz are clearly just a point guard away from a perennial playoff team. No offense to Raul Neto, but he cannot be the answer. Luckily for Utah, Jeff Teague is available and the rumors are swirling. This potential trade should make the Blazers fans very nervous. It could push Utah over the top.
Portland Trail Blazers: 23-26 LW: 3-0 RCP Playoffs % = 28% (+4%)
The Blazers took care of exhausted Sacramento Kings squad, a sad Nic Batum, and held on against the frisky Minnesota Timberwolves. In other words, the Blazers did what they are supposed to do last week: beat weak teams at home. As mentioned above, the real work starts this week.
Sacramento Kings: 21-27 LW: 1-3 RCP Playoffs % = 19% (-2%)
The Sacramento Kings continue to toe the delicate line between dominant and disastrous. I might have just stumbled upon a perfect title for DeMarcus Cousins’ documentary in 20 years:
DeMarcus Cousins: The Delicate Line Between Dominant and Disastrous.
New Orleans Pelicans: 18-29 LW: 2-2 RCP Playoffs % = 15% (-3%)
The trade deadline clock is ticking. The New Orleans Pelicans should be one of the most active teams. Obviously, surrounding Anthony Davis with warm garbage did not work. It’s time for plan B.
Denver Nuggets: 19-30 LW: 2-3 RCP Playoffs % = 8% (-2%)
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- 3 Underrated Blazers who could make a massive impact this season
Once a depressing franchise, the Denver Nuggets are full of hope. This week was all about
. The Nuggets found an absolute steal in the second round of the 2014 draft. Jokic, in his first year, was the best player on the floor as the Nuggets snapped the Toronto Raptors 11-game win streak last night. He posted 27 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Add Jokic to
and
and the Nuggets have some building blocks for the future.
Phoenix Suns: 14-35 LW: 0-4 RCP Playoffs % = 0% (Unchanged)
Minnesota Timberwolves: 14-35 LW: 0-4 RCP Playoffs % = 0% (Unchanged)
Los Angeles Lakers: 9-41 LW: 0-4 RCP Playoffs % = 0% (Unchanged)
These three teams will be grouped together going forward, as they have no shot at the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Playing in a competitive game seems like a win for these franchises at the moment. At least Minnesota has Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns to keep fans interested the rest of the season. The Kobe Bryant side-show/retirement party will also keep tickets selling in Los Angeles. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns will need to show some creativity to keep fans interested. There is a pretty obvious move sitting on the table for the Suns:
Hiring player/coach/entertainer Jackie Moon.