Portland

[Packfill]

It is hard not to be impressed with how well that team is playing considering how very young that team is and the injuries they have had.

[DrReality]

FIRE WOOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Packfill]

That certaintly wouldn't be a bad thing.

What is it that Portland has that allows them to win while the Hawks lose?

[rascurrein]

Quote:

---

FIRE WOOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---

3 years here, i haven't been around for about 6 months and the lemma is still the same "FIRE WOODY" LOL

[Yeti]

You asked "What is it that Portland has that allows them to win while the Hawks lose?"

Portland drafted to fill the five traditional positions. They did their homework and are very active on trade day - look at the 2006 draft day moves (the lottery took care of 2007). They are a very deep team. And they went out and got an experienced head coach who can work with young guys. Just think how good they can be if Oden comes back. They've got a well-heeled, knowledgeable owner who wants to win.

Meanwhile we have some very athletic, very "versatile", 6-8 players who don't have the skills for some key positions, don't get the development coaching, or decent courtside coaching. We had opportunities to get star PGs, Bynum, Branden Roy, etc - but we wanted versatility or "NBA ready now." We've taken other teams leftovers and tried to make them starters and it hasn't worked. We often play more playground ball than pro ball. They can't play like a team, but they can sure dunk and block shots. We took an assistant without head coaching experience who has trouble with international players and seems lost when it comes to developing young players - and gave him a bunch of rookies. We have the second most screwed up ownership (after Seattle) which has said that the team focus is entertainment rather than winning and who can't spend enough money to improve the team.

No comparison in any category. Players, coach, GM, owners. But it all starts at the top.

[DJlaysitup]

Well Stated.