Following a Conference Finals trip last time out, will the Portland Trail Blazers kick on this year, or falter? Here are my 5 predictions for the new season.
If I’m being completely honest, every year I’m slightly skeptical about the Portland Trail Blazers. For the last three seasons, I haven’t quite believed that the Blazers would do anything too special; the Warriors being the Warriors and Portland’s lack of wing scoring gave me little hope. I’m never as down on them as most of the media (I remember the reporters the last few years who had them missing the playoffs), but I’m always a little, ‘meh’.
For years, the Golden State Warriors ruined any chance of a postseason run; Portland is often described as ‘Golden State lite’, and I wouldn’t be able to present much of an argument against this. 2018 became even worse, when at last the Blazers looked like a team ready to challenge the Warriors, they ended up not even getting there, as the Anthony Davis and co swept away the team, and sort of Portland dream.
But last years exploits have given me hope. Of course, last season didn’t come without some standard Portland back luck (Nurk going down), but Dame and the Blazers finally managed to overachieve, running all the way to the Conference Finals, with Rodney Hood and Enes Kanter becoming overnight heroes.
This years roster certainly comes with its questions, but I’m predicting another fun year to come in Portland. The Blazers start their campaign with a nationally televised game at home, as the Denver Nuggets are in town.
Factoring in the new players, the new conference and everything else, here are my 5 (not so) bold predictions for the upcoming season.