5 realistic predictions for the 2022 Portland Trail Blazers

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Michael Porter Jr., Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

1. Dame returns to All-NBA form

Damian Lillard has been the heart and soul of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise since he was drafted back in 2012, and after an injury limited him to 20 games a season ago, armed with some new teammates, the year 2022 will be all about the return of Dame Dolla. While other names like Luka Doncic and Ja Morant have emerged in Lillard’s absence, he’s still one of the most talented players in the league, and at 32-years of age, he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Much has been made of his fierce loyalty to the Blazers, but with a few new faces in the starting lineup and bench unit, the offensive talent around him is better than it has been in the past few years, this could be the best year of Dame yet. With Steph Curry still dominating at an all-time level, to go along with several young names, making the All-NBA First-Team is certainly going to be tough, but there’s absolutely no reason why Dame can’t be considered one of the top-6 guards in the NBA again in 2022.

The team may not go as far as Lillard believes he can carry them, but in trying his best to do so, Dame could be in line for a career year, and in the process, should be given his 7th All-NBA honor in his fantastic career.