The Portland Trail Blazers rough start to the season has seen many fans upset. Some have even been calling out players on social media. With thanksgiving upon us it’s probably time to reflect on some things that this fan base should be happy about!
This Portland Trail Blazers team has been consistently good for a long-time. Where teams like Minnesota or the Knicks have only made the playoffs once or twice in fifteen years, the Blazers have made the playoffs habitually. They have established stars and a strong front office. Sometimes the grass may be greener on the other side, but tanking for picks is never fun. What things can fans give thanks for this holiday weekend?
Playoff success
This Blazers team has made the playoffs 34 out of the last 42 years and nine of the last eleven. Rebuilding on the fly, they have made moves each year to keep themselves in the running in what has been a stacked western conference.
Fans might see the team with a losing record this year and think about tanking, but that’s not in this team’s psyche. As mentioned above, teams go years without making the playoffs in multiple years, or if they do its three or four years then a rebuild where they go ten years without making it back.
Some context on the recent playoff runs is also important. The Warriors dynasty that yielded three titles on five straight finals trips put this team out of the playoffs three out of four years. Being knocked out by one of the greatest offensive dynasties of all-time shouldn’t be a black mark on their record.
Being a perennial playoff team is something to celebrate, be thankful that this team isn’t the Knicks!
One of the best backcourts in the league
In a league obsessed with shooting, NBA teams could go years without drafting one franchise guard, let alone two of them!
The pairing of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is one of the best in the league. You only have to cast your eye back to the recent conference finals run to see how they stepped up with contrasting performances in different series.
Lillard and McCollum have averaged 25 and 20 points for four straight years. This consistency has been a massive part of why they have been able to make the playoffs in these years.
Though they are vastly different players in terms of play style, this means they complement each other so well. They are both in the prime of their careers, and when this team is healthy. they can foot it with anyone in the league.
While these two are in town this team are never out of the playoff picture. Have faith Rip City
Great young core
Teams have tanked for years to get top five picks in the draft. The Blazers haven’t had a top five picks in twelve years yet continue to get great value in the draft.
Zach Collins was selected with the tenth pick, Anfernee Simons with the 24th pick, Gary Trent Jr with the 37th pick and then Nassir Little with the 25th pick. You don’t need to have a top five pick every year, you just need to get your picks right.
All four of these young players have shown promise and will look to form the core of this team moving forward.
Collins has had a great start to his time his with the Blazers and looks to have a long career ahead of him as a defensive anchor who can shoot at seven feet tall. Simons has broken out this year and is the perfect piece to pair with Collins. He can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and with his physical tools he may be able to develop on the defensive end.
Though Little and Trent Jr are both young and had fewer opportunities, in their limited minutes this year they’ve shown that they can be of great value considering their draft position.
Little, at only 19, has already started games for this team in his rookie. Only last week he was leading his position across the entire league in offensive rebounding percentage.
The youth on this roster should give even the most negative fan something to look forward to. The front office hasn’t mortgaged their future to get the next superstar, but has continued to develop talent while still competing.
Yes, this season hasn’t started exactly as people liked. But as you are mulling over the Blazers at thanksgiving, maybe think about all the things this team has going for it.