Trail Blazers NBA Picks
The Portland Trail Blazers were the darlings of the 2013-14 NBA season. The good news about that? They caught everyone by surprise, starting the year 24-5. The bad news? They won’t catch anyone napping on their NBA odds in 2014-15. Cappers Picks provides free NBA HOOPS handicapping tips all season long.
2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers
Western Conference
2013-14 Record: 54-28 (31-10 @ Home) .659
Odds to win Title: 40/1
Odds to win Conference: 20/1
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I’ll admit, this is my team, so I’m always betting with my heart when it comes to Rip City.
Blazers Key Losses
Mo Williams – The Trail Blazers only have one key loss from last season’s rotation: Mo Williams. The combo guard was Portland’s only true source of scoring off the bench, which makes his loss a tough one to swallow considering this group was the worst scoring team in the NBA when it came to second units.
The loss is made easier knowing that Williams didn’t always make the smartest choices. Three-point shooting is something you can replace, especially when that player was known for making a less-than-intelligent play now and again.
Top Newcomers
Steve Blake – Replacing Williams is veteran point guard Steve Blake. The floor general won’t be as strong of a points-per-game player, but he’s a smarter floor general and just as competent a shooter from long range.
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Chris Kaman – As important as Blake will be in replacing Williams, Chris Kaman is the biggest addition to this roster. The center position was backed up by a misfit group of players comprising Thomas Robinson, Meyers Leonard and Joel Freeland last year, and as long as Kaman stays healthy, the backup 5-spot will be the most improved position.
Top Players
LaMarcus Aldridge – LaMarcus Aldridge finally came into his own last season with Robin Lopez doing the dirty work. He made his third-straight All-Star Game, and he did it while being not just a go-to option on offense, but a true leader as well.
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Damian Lillard – There aren’t many players who come into the league and become instant stars, but that’s what Damian Lillard has done early in his career. His All-Star appearance last season proved it, but he’s more than just flash. He was one of the most clutch players in the game last year, statistically, and the hope is that he continues to make a name for himself as he improves on both ends of the floor.
Strengths
If the Trail Blazers are known for anything, it’s their three-point shooting. Aldridge has proven he can score both at the rim and beyond the free-throw line, but long-distance shooting is what has shaped this team’s identity.
Rebounding was also a surprisingly strong asset for this group in 2013-14. The team was the No. 1 squad in the league in terms of rebounds per game, and while Aldridge is the All-Star, the credit for this category belongs to the undervalued Robin Lopez who clogged the middle every game last season.
Weaknesses
Bench scoring is a problem for this group. The team was last in scoring off the bench last season by a long shot, and the loss of Williams means players such as CJ McCollum, Thomas Robinson, Dorell Wright and Will Barton must step up for the team to succeed.
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As big a problem as bench scoring is, defense is as big a problem. The team has talent on that end of the floor, but with so much dedication to getting up count and outscoring the opponent, the team was just 22nd in points allowed in 2013-14.
Prediction
The Blazers finished this past season with fifth-best record in the West, and projecting them in the same spot, give or take a spot, is safe. While Portland has grown since last season, other teams out West have also gotten better. The Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, for instance, finished seventh and eighth, respectively, but could easily see a spot or two increase in the rankings.
Then again, a team like the Houston Rockets that finished fourth has seemingly taken a step back with the loss of Chandler Parsons.
The Blazers are contenders, but at this point, it’s fair to call them second-tier contenders behind teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs out West. Another solid run is in order, but until the depth and defense become stronger, the ceiling appears to be the second round.
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