I have had fun and some great hits (along with a share of misses) numerically covering the Trail Blazers over the past several years. Even using numerology my assessment of the upcoming season mirrors the consensus view of most writers and prognosticators. Just from a numerology point of view and setting aside for the moment the usual pratter about the aging Dame, CJ and looming luxury taxes this is a peak year and it becomes increasingly difficult chasing the Championship after that.
I made my prediction statement August 9, 2019 and stand by it now. >>>> “With the power vested in me, I declare that they are going to reach their goal within the next two or three seasons! I am old man numbers and that’s the way I see it!“ Subject to change upon illumination! 8/9/19
Here are some quick comments. Dame seems solid again and CJ has some new wrinkles. He could flirt with all-star status this year. Kanter’s return can prove even more significant than the usual favorable comments already said. Jones is a find. Covington excels. Nurk is steady. Hood has some catching up to do, but contributes. Good to have Melo. Miles is a find. Trent picks up where he left off last season. Ant is the question mark. Does he inherit his legacy? Nassir Little will be good to have around. Elleby surprises. Zach cannot seem to shake the injury bug.
More than ever, as I have pleaded every year with Terry Stotts, “please play the talent and let them rip! Hopefully, he drops the now institutionalized three year plan for rookies and gives the Rook some valuable playing time. It will pay off.
Numbers aside and speaking as a fan, I hope this is the year they go beyond being bridesmaids (err bridesmen?) and beat out the braggarts from conference south!!
(Afterthought) I have been exploring a numerological formula to determine the best fit for line ups. Here is how it plays out. Starting lineup >>> Dame, Trent Jr., Melo, The Cov and Nurk. Second unit>>> CJ, Jones, Hood, Giles and Kanter. It would be hard for any other second unit in the league to compete with this crew, and there is little drop off with the first unit. It could solve a lot of issues regarding distribution and use of man power, and allows to plug in some of the other talent at the right time.But don’t expect to see it.
Despite all the talk of the coaches offensive imagination, the Blazers have proven to be predictable to elite teams, and end up wearing out the core and three or four rotation players. 12/23/2020.
