The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA thus far.
Just one year after making to to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, the Trail Blazers have slumped to a 5-12 start. Portland currently sits in 14th in the Western Conference after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, and the addition of Carmelo Anthony has hardly had the desired effect.
Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum acknowledged that fans might be frustrated, but that “real fans” will still support the team through thick and thin (via Chris Burkhardt of NBC Sports Northwest):
Asked after the game what his message was for a fan base that was struggling with the string of losses. CJ McCollum didn’t mince words.
“Real fans will still be fans and one that ain't won't. We are not losing on purpose. We like to win, too.”
McCollum had a decent game against the Cavaliers, but his individual play is part of the problem. He is shooting under 50 percent on all of his twos, and his free-throw attempts have fallen for the third consecutive season. McCollum is still shooting the ball fairly well from the perimeter, but he currently boasts a -9 net rating, according to Basketball-Reference.
The main problem is still the depleted front court. The Trail Blazers are struggling to find answers with Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins on the shelf, and Anthony is shooting 34 percent from the field on over 14 attempts per game through his first three games.
Damian Lillard can only carry this team so far. McCollum and the rest of the rotation need to get going, or else the Trail Blazers are in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs.
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