The Four Quarters: What we learned about the Trail Blazers 4/22-5/6
That’s it. There are no more games to wait for this season. After providing a glimmer of hope in a Game 4 comeback against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated in game 5 at Memphis last week. This leaves fans with two things to wait for during a long off-season: the 2015 NBA Draft and what is sure to be a busy free agency period. Before we shift our primary focus to those subjects, let’s take a look back at some of the Trail Blazers’ highlights from the last two weeks.
1) LaMarcus Aldridge all the buzz: Aldridge’s upcoming free agency is creating quite a stir around the league even before this post season ends. ESPN‘s Marc Stein outlines the reasons that Aldridge could bolt for a number of potential suitors, and suggests that Neil Olshey will be one of the busiest General Managers in the league this summer with eight potential free agents on the roster. While the rest of us wait anxiously for Aldridge to make a decision, Olshey reportedly looks forward to the challenges of building next year’s roster. My personal belief is that Aldridge will return to Portland to continue his march toward becoming the greatest player in franchise history, but, as we’ve seen before, anything is possible when you’re talking about free agency in the NBA.
2) Damian Lillard gets his degree: Three years after entering the NBA and rising to stardom, Lillard accomplished another impressive feat. Last Friday, he received a degree in Professional Sales from Weber State University. Lillard’s mother, Gina Johnson, and ten or so other members of Lillard’s family looked on as he spoke at the commencement ceremony about the importance of the college experience and how it can shape an individual’s path later in life. Lillard showing that he’s about more than basketball is refreshingly humanizing for a professional athlete.
3) Robin Lopez would love to come back: As is customary after the end of a season, the Trail Blazers conducted their exit interviews for each player. Lopez stated in his interview that a return to Portland would be something he would love to do, but that both he and the Trail Blazers must take time to evaluate what is best for both parties. I have loved what Lopez has done for Portland from the moment he stepped on the floor two years ago. To lose such an impactful presence in the middle of the floor would be a devastating blow at one of the thinner positions on the roster.
4) Nicolas Batum will be great again: Another exit interview that intrigued me was that of Batum. The small forward has had a roller coaster two years during which he has racked up a number of nagging injuries. He went from being considered by some to be a top-5 player at his position last season, to being considered a possible trade candidate after a lack-luster first half of the 2014-15 season. Batum performed at a higher level following the All-Star break and will look to carry that momentum into next season after some well-earned time off this summer. In his interview, the French national team star spoke with confidence, knowing exactly what he must do to regain the swagger he played with for much of his time in Portland.
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