Blazers looking like a top team

[Tr1boy]

They beat the Pacers yesterday. Thrilling game.

Whenever the Pacers took a little lead, the Blazers just kept coming back and then closed the game late 4th. 

A team that has been mediocre for so many years, look like the real deal this year.  Robin Lopez and Mo Williams have been excellent additions. Lillard and Aldridge are putting the team on their back. The teams three point shooting is deadly. A nice tool to have in order to comeback from a 10 point deficit or run away with a good lead

Still early or this team looking like one of the top West conf team to beat?

[Who]

Still early or this team looking like one of the top West conf team to beat?

Still early, I think. They look more like a 45-50 win team to me than a league leader.

[pearljammer10]

Still early, not sure how much of a contender they can be but that certainly shouldn't take away from what they have done so far this year.

Honestly, I hope they continue to play this well, the Blazers have had such bad luck over the years (Roy, Oden etc.)and it really hasn't been because of poor management, just luck of the draw. They deserve to have a fully healthy year to see just what they can do.

Also, they are a pretty likeable team to root for and are fun to watch. Aldridge, Lillard, Batum, Matthews, Lopez, Wright even Williams... All likeable players that deserve the shot theyre getting.

[Fafnir]

Still early or this team looking like one of the top West conf team to beat?

Still early, I think. They look more like a 45-50 win team to me than a league leader.

Yup.

Wes Matthews isn't going is going to shoot 50% from deep all year. Once he regresses to his normal shooting levels they'll fall from a top 5 offensive team to a top 10 or maybe lower. Also their defense will probably get worse as teams won't shoot 33% from deep on them the rest of the year either.

They're going to win 50 games barring some awful injuries just because of the number of wins they've piled up already. But I don't see them as contenders.

[PhoSita]

I don't view them as contenders -- this season.  They'll need more experience and probably another key addition or two to get there.  But the foundation is in place.

Lillard is a nice player and still probably has room to improve -- particularly his defense and his scoring efficiency from inside the arc. 

The Blazers have had one of the best starting fives in the NBA this season and last.  Getting consistent production from the bench and gaining experience and familiarity with one another will help them to consistently win close games against good teams, which is the basic prerequisite to becoming a contender.

[Rondohara]

Lillard's the real deal. Kid is actually underrated by most, not for long though. Aldridge is a bit overrated, but that's shomewhat expected since he is at his very peak of his career. They won't win the title (barring a miracle) but will give somebody a run for their money in the playoffs.

[Donoghus]

Lillard's the real deal. Kid is actually underrated by most, not for long though. Aldridge is a bit overrated, but that's shomewhat expected since he is at his very peak of his career. They won't win the title (barring a miracle) but will give somebody a run for their money in the playoffs.

I just wish Lillard would get his FG% up for fantasy purposes.  Glad that I kept him in my keeper league this year, though.