At the beginning of the NBA season, not many people predicted that the Portland Trail Blazers would be 18-4, holding the second best record in the entire NBA. Not many could have predicted that the team would take down the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers– five of the best teams in the NBA. Not many predicted that they would be averaging 106.2 points per game, good for 2nd in the NBA, or top 5 in almost every offensive category. Not many predicted that LaMarcus Aldridge would be the best power forward in the NBA, putting together an MVP caliber season. Nobody predicted that they would have three, yes three, players in the top 10 of the NBA (Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, and Nicholas Batum). These mind-boggling facts introduce some tough questions. How are the Portland Trail Blazers doing it? How are they doing so well in this rigid Western Conference? What makes a team who added just one new player to their starting lineup (Robin Lopez) so good? Is it a fluke? Or are they a legitimate title contender? These questions befuddle most, but they’re not unanswerable.
Last year, the Portland Trail Blazers had a starting-five consisting of Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicholas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and J.J. Hickson. They finished 33-49, ending the season with 13 straight losses. They were a mediocre team at best. Watching them, one would see a young, inexperienced team with raw talent, showing flashes of potential greatness. Their point guard, Damian Lillard, won Rookie of the Year, so they weren’t a complete disaster. Most NBA fans thought, “Oh, maybe in 3-4 years they’ll be able compete with the best in the West.” Think again. This year, the Blazers have a starting lineup of Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicholas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Robin Lopez. How can a team with essentially the same starting five have an 18-4 record through their first 22 games? They have the same coach as last year and the same core players, so how did they improve so much? You can’t answer this question by looking at stats. Sure, if you look at the stats you’ll see that each player in their starting five is putting together a better, more efficient season than their career averages, which is obviously the reason for their success. But then that raises the question: why and how did each player improve so much? You see, you have to watch them play to see what’s so different about this rejuvenated Portland team. They have a confidence and swagger about them, like they know that they’re the superior team every time they walk on the court. And once they start to play, they look like it too. Every time they put up a shot, you think it’s going in. And it usually does! There’s just something about the Blazers that makes them exciting to watch. They have great team chemistry, they’re unselfish, and they always knock down the open (and sometimes guarded) shot.
The Trail Blazers are getting particularly heightened play out of LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews, who have taken charge of this team in the early going. Aldridge has always been one of the most underrated players in the NBA. This year, people are finally starting to take notice as he comes into his own. Aldridge has been an absolute beast down low, and his mid-range jump shot and rebounding has improved noticeably. His ability to play basketball doesn’t make Aldridge a superstar, though. Rather, his refined leadership is what is making him, and subsequently the Blazers, so outstanding. Nicholas Batum stated, “He’s the captain of the team. He’s more vocal in practice, games, and off the court.” Aldridge is the anchor of this team, and his improved play has made the Blazers a force to be reckoned with. Speaking of Batum, the talented swingman has been great this season. He’s a true jack-of-all-trades, as he’s averaged 14 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.2 three pointers per game. He’s also the athletic defensive player the team needs to stick on the opposing team’s best player, such as Kevin Durant, Paul George, or Lebron James. In addition, Wesley Matthews has transformed into arguably the best shooter in the NBA. He simply cannot miss, leading the league in effective shooting percentage and true shooting percentage. It also doesn’t hurt the Blazers to have a top point guard either. Last year’s ROY, Damian Lillard, has continued his unbelievable NBA career, and his pass first mentality has only made his teammates better. He’s quickly turned himself into a viable MVP candidate, averaging 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 three pointers per game, with the potential to put up 30+ points every night. Finally, the Blazers made a smart move when they organized a transaction with the New Orleans Pelicans to get Robin Lopez this offseason. They’ve gotten great production out of the newly acquired center, as he’s averaged a near double-double, and he’s been a force for them in the paint, defensively and offensively, greatly complementing Portland’s core scorers.
If this outstanding starting five isn’t a big enough reason as to why they’re doing so well this year, take a look at their much-improved bench. Last year, the Blazers had the worst bench in the NBA, without a doubt. They set out to change that in the offseason. They landed feisty veteran Mo Williams, young and talented forward Thomas Robinson, and energetic contributor Dorrell Wright. These bench players have made a noticeable difference in Portland’s depth. A good bench is the single most underrated aspect of a championship caliber team. You can’t win consistently without a good bench, and last year the Blazers just didn’t have it.
There are many nonbelievers who think this hot start is a fluke. The Blazers are determined to prove those doubters wrong. They’re legit. It is logical that they won’t be able to keep up their current torrid winning rate. But, with their talented starting five and refined bench, they’ll most definitely be a contender come playoff time, a team with the potential to bring back a title to Rip City.
