I am with you, Lakers are on a different level and Blazers are messing up now, not sure what's the reason, could be Melo's arrival or could be anything.
They aren't the same Blazers, but if they'll qualify in the 8 spot, I would still love to see them, but then I would not expect they'll upset the Lakers which will likely their possible rival in the first round.
Yeah, it is one thing to go through 1-2 rounds of playoff and beating 3-6th seeded team, (something that Blazers are capable of) and completely different to beat main title contenders, no matter who the got back on the roster. It is simply not realistic, and I think Barkley said that just to get some attention.
More bad news, Zion Williamson left Orlando bubble due family issues. Let's hope everything goes well with his family and he stays there less than 1 week, otherwise he might miss season restart, and that means no Pelicans in the playoff
We fully support Zion's decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said in a statement. "Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time."
If his absence lasts seven days or fewer, Williamson will quarantine for four days upon his return to the NBA bubble if he has a negative test each day he's outside the bubble
If he is gone longer than a week, he will still quarantine for four days if he has a negative test for the final seven days he is gone. If he doesn't have the required testing, he will quarantine for 10 days.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29474441/zion-williamson-leaves-nba-bubble-due-family-matter