After a 7-2 trek in the Wilderness, Q asked what my encore would be. I am going with The Gauntlet, starting with the assignment by Commissioner Blakelock to Detective Shockley - fly to Las Vegas and escort Gus Mally back to Phoenix.
It's a nothing witness for a nothing trial.
The Wolves host the Blazers tonight who are 9-1 in their last 10 games. And after that, the real test begins with 7 straight games against top 5 teams from both conferences, including 4 games against the conference leaders. Now that's a Gauntlet! If the Wolves can survive that stretch with a win here and there, they'll be set up really well for the stretch run.
Both Conley and ANT were added to the injury report yesterday as "questionable". A betting man (Cool?) would say they both play. Garza got 2 minutes last game. I wouldn't mind seeing his minutes go to Shannon or Clark.
Go Wolves!
Last edited by 60WinTim on Sat Feb 08, 2025 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Love the title of the next stretch, Tim...good work! You successfully guided us through the wilderness, so I'm hoping for similar success through the Gauntlet. 4-4 would be a very nice outcome, but 3-5 is more likely and not unacceptable. And then after that the schedule really lightens up and sets us up for a very good finish leading into the playoffs. If we can split the 8 Gauntlet games, and then go with my 15-7 prediction in the final 22, we can still finish with a respectable 48 wins (and a wins prediction victory for Doper!).
But first we have to take care of the hottest team in the Association (along with Memphis) with 9 wins in their last 10. Despite this and despite the Wolves missing two key rotation players and having two other starters questionable, we are still favored by 6 1/2. I think this one will be closer than that and the smart money should be on Portland. One thing I think is certain: after losing two in a row to this team, we will come out motivated. I think we win a close one and kick off a good start to the Gauntlet.
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 10:14 am
Does anyone have thoughts on what the catalyst has been for the Blazers going on this run?
Toughness and required accountability by Billups. He reportedly sat down individually in early January with each Blazer he thought was not being effective on defense and showed them film of why they were failing. He told each of them they would no longer start if they didn't improve their defense. Sharpe was moved to the bench. And the result is the Blazers have the best defense in the Association the past 10 games. It's as great turnaround story.
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 10:14 am
Does anyone have thoughts on what the catalyst has been for the Blazers going on this run?
Toughness and required accountability by Billups. He reportedly sat down individually in early January with each Blazer he thought was not being effective on defense and showed them film of why they were failing. He told each of them they would no longer start if they didn't improve their defense. Sharpe was moved to the bench. And the result is the Blazers have the best defense in the Association the past 10 games. It's as great turnaround story.
Yeah, Sharpe going to the bench was certainly a factor, although they've had injuries at various stretches that kind of forced them to keep Sharpe in the starting lineup up until recently. But those wing guys are healthy now and playing well. They play big in the backcourt with Simons running the point (Scoot has come off the bench for quite a while), and Simons has been playing really well.
However, it doesn't hurt that most of their recent success has been against play-in or lower teams. And it doesn't hurt that they are coming off a 7-game home stand!
I think the Wolves will be ready, especially after that 2-game butt whipping they suffered in Portland (as FNG mentioned)...
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 10:14 am
Does anyone have thoughts on what the catalyst has been for the Blazers going on this run?
Toughness and required accountability by Billups. He reportedly sat down individually in early January with each Blazer he thought was not being effective on defense and showed them film of why they were failing. He told each of them they would no longer start if they didn't improve their defense. Sharpe was moved to the bench. And the result is the Blazers have the best defense in the Association the past 10 games. It's as great turnaround story.
Yeah, Sharpe going to the bench was certainly a factor, although they've had injuries at various stretches that kind of forced them to keep Sharpe in the starting lineup up until recently. But those wing guys are healthy now and playing well. They play big in the backcourt with Simons running the point (Scoot has come off the bench for quite a while), and Simons has been playing really well.
However, it doesn't hurt that most of their recent success has been against play-in or lower teams. And it doesn't hurt that they are coming off a 7-game home stand!
I think the Wolves will be ready, especially after that 2-game butt whipping they suffered in Portland (as FNG mentioned)...
I’ve never liked Sharpe’s game, but he’s the kind of player who could really kill us off the bench if he’s hot.
Toughness and required accountability by Billups. He reportedly sat down individually in early January with each Blazer he thought was not being effective on defense and showed them film of why they were failing. He told each of them they would no longer start if they didn't improve their defense. Sharpe was moved to the bench. And the result is the Blazers have the best defense in the Association the past 10 games. It's as great turnaround story.
Yeah, Sharpe going to the bench was certainly a factor, although they've had injuries at various stretches that kind of forced them to keep Sharpe in the starting lineup up until recently. But those wing guys are healthy now and playing well. They play big in the backcourt with Simons running the point (Scoot has come off the bench for quite a while), and Simons has been playing really well.
However, it doesn't hurt that most of their recent success has been against play-in or lower teams. And it doesn't hurt that they are coming off a 7-game home stand!
I think the Wolves will be ready, especially after that 2-game butt whipping they suffered in Portland (as FNG mentioned)...
I’ve never liked Sharpe’s game, but he’s the kind of player who could really kill us off the bench if he’s hot.
Thanks for the info FNG. The Blazers are a pretty young team but I thought they would be better than they had been earlier in the season. Like Tim said they did have some injuries but if they are playing D now that's kinda impressive.
