Last year, the Portland Trail Blazers went deeper in the playoffs than almost all NBA fans predicted. On the way to the Western Conference Finals, they became a Cinderella team under the guidance of Damian Lillard.
Even though they were eliminated by the Warriors, the Blazers still put together a very impressive season.
Lillard spoke about the raised anticipation for the upcoming season since last year's success:
“For sure. I think probably more anticipation now than probably any other time. After my rookie year when we had a solid year and the next year we knew we were going to be good, I was really excited to get to that, and we ended up having a great season. Then after everybody left (in summer of 2015), coming back with a new group, I was excited … but this year, it’s like, it’s even bigger change it seems like. We are pretty much bringing in a whole new team, different types of people. You know, everybody has been ‘What about this guy? He’s this and he is that …’ So it will be interesting. You know, I’m excited to see what it’s going to be.”
The Blazers have put together a solid roster around Lillard. C.J. McCollum is a budding star, Hassan Whiteside has plenty of potential and a chip on his shoulder, and Rodney Hood and Kent Bazemore are solid wings.
The team has a good shot of surprising people again this season and getting far once again.
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