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Portland Trail Blazers 2020 Preview

Trey Daubert / NBA / October 23, 2019

Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum. How far can they take the Portland Trail Blazers? That’s always been the question. It feels like this group has been together forever. Prior to last year, this group never had any real playoff success. That was until they played Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder. Cancer Westbrook handed them that series when he decided to be an asshole like he always is. Anyway, let’s get back to the Blazers. As the NBA season opens up, where do the Portland Trail Blazers stand?

Key Additions: Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver, Pau Gasol

Hassan Whiteside and Kent Bazemore and the make or breaks here. Whiteside kind of lost favor in Miami. At moments, he can be dominant. Other times, he looks unplayable. Portland hopes he can be that former version. I don’t think there’s any way to look as the Bazemore acquisition as hopeful. Evan Turner is a totally limited player who can’t score from 10 feet and out. Bazemore provides a scoring boost.

Key Departures: Enes Kanter, Seth Curry, Mo Harkless, Jake Layman, Evan Turner, Al Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard

I’m curious to see how they replace Enes Kanter. He actually did a really nice job for them last year and was a monster on the glass. Kanter is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. Seth Curry also leaves a lot of shooting the Blazers need to replace. Add in the loss of wing depth with Harkless and Aminu. It feels like the Blazers got worse this offseason.

That’s Some Cheese Presents: NBA Shorts – Time For A Lillard / McCollum Breakup? (Youtube)

Potential Starting Lineup: Damien Lillard, CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood, Zach Collins, Hassan Whiteside

The Lillard – McCollum can take you to the playoffs. The rest of the group determines how far this team goes in the playoffs. I still think the Blazers need another trade. Portland is missing one star wing. Losing Jusuf Nurkic really stings now that Kanter is gone. Zach Collins needs to take another step forward. Can he be a top tier big in the league? Add some size and stretch his range, I think it’s possible. Portland should be in the 2nd tier of teams in the West biting at the apple for a shot at the Finals.

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