There are a few important differences between the Portland Trail Blazers and the just-covered Raptors, and very few of these provide support for Rip City’s greater chances.
The Blazers were lean annually, buttressing a elite beginning five with next to nothing off the bench. Bringing in Chris Kaman and Steve Blake doesn’t feel like a great remedy.
Of course, second-year shield C.J. McCollum needs to see his role increase this season, and he has the combo-guard abilities to make an effect. Head coach Terry Stotts is apparently leaning toward him as a sixth man; McCollum directed all Blazers reservations in minutes per game during the preseason.
For all this, it is hard to grasp why Portland is seen as a bigger name hazard than Toronto. The Blazers’ convention is tougher, their bench is still thinner and they ended the year at only 23-19 after a start. Portland is a good team, but it may not be more than that.
It is going to be around Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and the remaining starters to replicate that fifth-ranked offensive rating. If they can not do this, imagine defense and also an abysmal bench may ultimately hit one of the past year’s biggest surprises having a painful dose of reality.
Read more: attworldnews.com