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The Final 11 Games for the Blazers Could Determine Their Future

By Spencer Gordon

Mar 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

The Final Stretch of the 2016-17 Season Will Define How Successful Blazers’ Core Will Be

With the addition of Jusuf Nurkic at the trade deadline, the Portland Trail Blazers have effectively solidified their core. Nurkic, C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard look to be Portland’s version of the “Big Three” that define NBA teams today. Now, with 11 games left in the season, this stretch will define how successful Portland can be. It’ll also determine if Portland should make another move on draft night.

There are big, games coming up for Portland. Games against the Rockets, Nuggets and Jazz are circled on the schedule as critical. Their 9-3 record in March is one of the best records in the NBA and has the national media giving Portland a likely shot at the Playoffs.

The question is whether a playoff berth after an otherwise disappointing season mean enough to build around this group. In retrospect, all of Rip City was on board with building around the group from last year but found that last season was mostly “Fools Gold.”

If the Blazers can put together a dominant stretch, including some wins against the West’s best teams, then it should be a no-brainer. Currently the Blazers are the youngest team in the NBA. Building around a core that can make the playoffs is similar to building around new draft picks. The Blazers are young enough that the right developmental coaching now could turn Portland into a dominant team in five years. Especially true as the Warriors, Cavaliers and Spurs continue to age.

Who to Keep, and are they Worth it?

Nov 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) points on the court during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-115 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) points on the court during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-115 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland will have to decide who to buy and sell with their current roster. Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, Maurice Harkless and Evan Turner are all role players, but more importantly locked into long contracts. Each passing year could be an opportunity wasted. This is true especially if none of those players can turn into valuable assets.

It will be interesting to watch this last home stretch of games. If Portland can put together a solid run, then maybe the Nurkic addition was enough to keep this young core together.

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