Staff Writer Spencer Gordon fields questions on the Trail Blazers’ season so far.
The Trail Blazers are 45 games into the season, so we thought it would be a good to sit down with one of our writers to see the season from their perspective. Spencer Gordon has been covering our weekly reviews since joining our staff. With that in mind, we figured he would be the most qualified to answer some questions at the mid-point of the season. Let’s see what Gordon has to say about the Trail Blazers’ season.
Steven Dewald: In light of the major changes in the offseason, have the Trail Blazers exceeded your expectations so far this season?
Spencer Gordon:
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They really have, and above all else is coach Terry Stotts. He took the rebuild and ran with it, proving his worth to the Blazers as well as telling off critics. Portland was supposed to be a bottom feeder, competing with the Lakers for worst team in the West. Instead, we’ve proven to the country that the tradition of success here in Portland will continue under his leadership. But hey,
’s emergence as one of the league’s premier scorers helps as well.
Dewald: What has been the signature win of the season? The Cav’s and Thunder games certainly come to mind for me.
Gordon: That Thunder game was huge. Sure, Damian Lillard has been getting his stats, but this was the first time all season that he looked like a superstar. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could only watch as Lillard declared himself the best player on the court that night. Without a doubt, that game instilled a confidence that I hadn’t felt since last year before Wesley Matthews went down.
As long as we’ve got Dame D.O.L.L.A., we can beat anybody.
Dewald: C.J. McCollum and Allen Crabbe have been all the rage for improvement talks, but has anyone else stood out for you?
Gordon: Mason Plumlee and Ed Davis and all of their double-doubles.
Dewald: Speaking of Ed Davis and Mason Plumlee, have they been the best fit of all the new players added in the offseason? If you had to pick one, who would it be?
Gordon: If I had to pick just one, it’s Mason Plumlee. They guy has so much heart and puts up some great fantasy stats. However, he’s also had a few plays that have really sold himself as a player Portland fans could rally behind. The one that comes to mind is his game saving block on Kenneth Faried. We haven’t had a post in a long time who was willing to take on dunkers like that, and it has been a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Dewald: Portland is surprisingly in the hunt for the playoffs, is it a surprise for you? Also, how much of this positioning is due to Portland’s play? The Western Conference has certainly taken a turn for the worse this season.
Gordon: Everyone thinks before the season, “You know, we could surprise some people,” but I never thought we would be in the playoff hunt. I don’t look at the conference and blame our contention on that, but instead I see it as an opportunity that the Blazers are seizing. Nobody thought we would win 30 games, I thought we could and now we can make the playoffs. We’re a young team and this is an experience that is invaluable.
Dewald: Now the big question. Should the Trail Blazers go all in on a Playoff berth, or try their luck in the NBA lottery?
Gordon: PLAYOFFS! I know the NBA is drafting kids in diapers nowadays, but this age shift has caused a time consuming learning curve for rookies. We don’t need to draft, I know that we all we’re thinking it at the beginning of the season, but Portland has proven they can play with anyone.
The fact is, there is only one rookie that has ever led his team to a title in his first year, and that’s Magic Johnson. There will never be a player like him ever again, especially at 18 years old.
In my opinion, I believe we’ve got our team and they’re hungry, so let’s make the playoffs and get that valuable experience while we’re so young. That way, as the Blazer’s age to their prime years, we will be mature and ready to take that next step towards a championship.