Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (0) high five after a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
27. Portland Trail Blazers
2014-2015 Efficiency Rating: 34.3
Portland had one of the more traumatic offseasons in recent history this past summer. The exciting, talented core that many were used to seeing in “Rip City” is now extinct. In fact, some may say RIP Rip City. Terrible puns aside, gone are Nicolas Batum (Charlotte), Wes Matthews (Dallas), Robin Lopez (New York) and LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio).
Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trailblazers guard CJ McCollum (3) attempts a shot defended by Memphis Grizzlies center
Marc Gasol(33) in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Now, Portland enters a new phase; an era centered around youth. After signing Damian Lillard to a maximum 5-year, $120 million deal, it appears this is his team for the long-term.
After the mass exodus of talent, Portland did a pretty good job rebuilding on the fly, all things considered. Trading for Moe Harkless, Mason Plumlee, Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson, were all decent moves.
Signing Al-Farouq Aminu was a head-scratching move at first, especially because of that being one of the first deals reported out all the NBA summer free agent madness. In the end, the young Blazers will look more towards player development.
When considering their bench, there are quite a few question marks. The personnel last year was suspect at best off the bench, and it does not seem to have been improved. The bench last season averaged 27.4ppg, which qualified them for 4th worst in the entire NBA.
Rip City Project
CJ McCollum, Harkless, and Ed Davis all seem to be the first recruits in off of the bench. There is definitely potential there for sure, but it’s also raw and unproven. Tim Frazier and the savvy veteran Chris Kaman round out the rest of the projected bench.
There are two main questions when looking at Portland’s bench. Does CJ McCollum take that next step? How do they play their big men?
In an ever evolving NBA, the Trail Blazers have numerous unique big men. The question is how do they all see time? Meyers Leonard, Mason Plumlee, Chris Kaman, Ed Davis, Noah Vonleh and Cliff Alexander round out their frontline.
How Terry Stotts figures out that rotation is beyond me; and until he does, expect the same production as last year (which was minimal).
Next: Sacramento Kings