… and Prichard has done a good job as GM (PA helps make things happen) but I think Presti’s team has done an even better job.

Lots of similarities between the 2 teams, for example the ‘family’ atmosphere etc(while they are still close there it seems to me that the Blazers aren’t as tight as they were perceived to be… playing time etc is certainly an issue with Bayless, Miller, Rudy and some jealousy when Oden was starting to play a bigger role).

I remember at the beginning of last year how apparently Roy and Aldridge stated how much emphasis they were going to put on becoming complete players (playing some D)… much like Durant said this year, but it seems like lip service as far as the Blazer’s duo was concerned but not with KD and co. (and I think that Durant had a worse reputation than Roy as far as being a one-way player), KD seems to have really stuck to his promise to work harder on D!

The Nuggs have 8 games left that are atleast semi-losable, (@BOS,@ORL,@Dallas,@OKC,LAL,SA,Memphis,@PHO) and the BOS, ORL, Dallas games are the 2,4,5 games in a 5 games in 7 nights stint.

We have 7 left that would be considered not-entirely-crappy losses, (SA, @LAL, @BOS, @Dallas, @Utah, DEN, @PHO)

Improbable? maybe… It pretty much comes down to us beating denver the night after playing in Utah

Blazers also have the benefit of Paul Allen’s never ending check book..

Anything can happen in the playoffs if the ball bounces the right way a few times and you play well. Denver over Seattle, Knicks over everyone in the lockout year, Warriors over Dallas.. the disparity between Denver and OKC this season isn’t that large. We probably have a better chance in a series against Dallas or Utah, but Denver’s not much tougher than those teams.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4055132

Regardless of who they play, the Thunder will be underdogs but they could really surprise and pull off the upset. Even though the schedule should keep them from getting home court I think the tough competition will only help them prepare for the playoffs all the more. Even the injury to Harden and getting Weaver some burn or compressing the rotation will pay dividends.

The cool thing is its all gravy from here in, the team wasn’t supposed to make the playoffs, management hasn’t made any last minute moves to help bolster the roster for the playoffs, its all about getting better and getting the most out of whatever series they are involved with so that next year, and for years to come, they can do real damage.

Word of caution, as good as it is all turning out so far the Blazers seemed to be in about the same spot last year (although the Thunder’s development seems even more abrupt) but with injuries this year their whole long term plan seems to have taken a serious downturn this year. I have followed both teams closely and I think that the Thunder is even more promising than the Blazers seemed last year. Can’t wait for the rest of the next game!

Joe :
@Eric4Mayor
Ok, your the expert. You win. I quit arguing with experts on blogs years ago.

I didn’t mean to insult you, my mistake.