blzrs

[six7]

[ShireNiner]

Just caught up. I have not watched the NBA since Nash on the Suns lol but this is a fun follow. Are the Blazers a major rebuild team or is the record mostly because of the hard schedule?

[six7]

Just caught up. I have not watched the NBA since Nash on the Suns lol but this is a fun follow. Are the Blazers a major rebuild team or is the record mostly because of the hard schedule?

excellent question:

tldr: a bit of both.... here's an ESPN preseason rankings article

Preseason Rankings
No. 23. Portland Trail Blazers
Chances to make playoffs: 4.4%
Projected wins: 33.9

Biggest thing we'll be talking about this season: Whether their young core will rise in time to make the fading seasons of Damian Lillard's career at least mildly competitive in a playoff sense. Shaedon Sharpe, their bouncy fourth-year wing, looked excellent in his preseason debut. Team insiders say he has been dropping jaws regularly behind the scenes in training camp. If he makes a leap, if Scoot Henderson flashes as the future star Portland needs and if Donovan Clingan proves to be a reliable center, then Lillard will return next season from his Achilles tear to a refreshed Blazers team that could perhaps give him one final clutch moment on the brightest stage.

Biggest strength: Their defense. In 27 games after the All-Star break last season, the Blazers quietly had the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA. Toumani Camara was named All-Defense second team on the wing. Clingan is an anchor on the back end. Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija provide requisite length. Portland added Jrue Holiday (a defensive pest) and traded Anfernee Simons (a liability) this summer. If the Blazers are to surprise and challenge for at least a play-in spot, they'll do it through a top-10 defense.

Biggest concern: How will they score enough? The Blazers finished with the 22nd-ranked offense last season and then traded their leading scorer, Simons, to Boston. It makes sense to lean into their defensive identity, but points are needed to win games. Sharpe averaged 18.5 last season on subpar efficiency. Portland will need him to spike the points and raise the percentages, in addition to mini offensive leaps from Henderson, Avdija and others. -- Slater

Bold (but realistic) prediction: Portland finishes with a top-five defense and a bottom-five offense. The Trail Blazers were already better on the defensive end last season, with wing stopper Camara leading the way. That imbalance should be even more skewed this season, after Portland traded Simons for Holiday and waived Deandre Ayton to elevate Clingan to the starting lineup. Defensive aces Matisse Thybulle and Robert Williams III could also play more after combining for just 35 games last season -- Kram

Number to watch: 1.19
The Trail Blazers had a top-five defense in the second half of the season, thanks in part to their transition defense. They allowed 1.19 points per possession in transition in their last 41 games, third best in the NBA during that stretch.

[Agent]

Focused on Shai so much that Dort cooked you

[Captain Canada]

Not going to be too fun when Avdija is your go-to scorer

[six7]

Focused on Shai so much that Dort cooked you

seems to becoming a pattern...

Not going to be too fun when Avdija is your go-to scorer

yea we just need more tbh. he just hasnt been consistent enough in this game to be our go-to guy

[six7]

[redsox907]

SGA is averaging 49 PPG in my chise and torched me for 50 plus at least twice

sounds like you need a top pick to nab a scorer

[Xixak]

Layouts in this are nice as hell, will keep an eye out!

[James]

This is a flogging all the time. Hopefully you can start to put things together.