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Trail Blazers: Top Ten Moments of 2015-16

By Spencer Gordon

Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

5.) First Day of Chemistry Class

The 2015 offseason saw one of the saddest breakups in recent NBA memory. For a team that had shown so much potential and was on their way towards one of the best seasons in team history, everything changed when Wesley Matthews went down with a season ending injury. From there, Aldridge checked out, Nicolas Batum’s injuries became annoying and Robin Lopez’ production fizzled as our team looked defeated and not interested.

So Neil Olshey and the Blazers decided to end the team and begin again. By replacing well known starters with unproved role players, everything appeared to be a classic NBA rebuild with next year’s draft in their sights. Yet, with the entire country labeling the Blazers as one of the worst teams in the league and with no possibility for the post-season, Lillard once again had to silence the haters.

Lillard invited the everyone able to San Diego for a summer workout/bonding session. After years of Aldridge leadership, where players were expected to work hard on their own and come to play every night, Lillard’s brand of leadership changed the culture immediately. Every player, new and old, spoke highly of not only the trip, but of Lillard himself. For such a young player, and someone who hasn’t enjoyed as much success as most of the NBA superstars, Lillard set the groundwork from day one that in order to win, you needed to be a team. From day one, Lillard’s leadership became something that inspired the team to play hard and make a run at the playoffs.

May 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0). Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0). Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

4) No Respect

When the news broke that Lillard didn’t make the all-star team, virtually everyone (fans and players alike) couldn’t believe it. The field just seemed a little too packed this year for Lillard to make an appearance, with Chris Paul, Curry, and Russell Westbrook filling out the roster. Also going against Lillard was that Portland didn’t start playing consistently until just a week or two earlier.

All those reasons and more led to his exclusion from Toronto this year and the result not only put a chip on his shoulder, but it inspired the whole team. After the news broke, the Blazers decided to turn on the jets and rally around their disrespected leader. The Blazers posted a 9-2 February, with important wins against Houston, Memphis and Golden State that shot the team straight into a playoff race. February turned into one of the best months in team history.

When you look back on it, due to the timing of the all star break, Lillard’s omission taught the Blazers to not get complacent. There were many fans, including myself, that felt an all-star bid would be the cap to the season. It was the only ceiling that critics felt like this team could achieve: send Lillard to Toronto. Instead, the whole team decided that they needed to earn our respect by taking it away, because they all knew that no one was giving them any.

Next: Moments 3 & 2