NBA: Three West Teams That Need A Post All-Star Break Turnaround
Portland Trail Blazers (10th in Western Conference)
The Portland Trail Blazers have seen better days but with the talent on the roster and a “pretty good” head coach in Terry Stotts, they should be better.
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Posting a (23-33) record before the NBA All-Star break, the Trail Blazers will need to almost run the table to match their (44) wins from a season ago. Portland sits at (2) games out of the eighth spot and defense continues to be an issue for an undersized scoring lineup in Rip City, the Trail Blazers rank (26th) in defensive rating per 100 possessions.
Although their offensive pace and offensive rating rank in the Top 15, their defense continues to give up entirely too much to stay in ballgames.
With the addition of Jusuf Nurkic, the front office adds a scoring threat that should be in their plans for years to come while hoping to bolster Nurkic’s defensive awareness and presence to anchor rim-protection.
Nurkic averages (13.0) points per game, just one block and only (6.0) rebounds. Rounding out Nurkic’s game will translate into long-term success if it comes to fruition, the Trail Blazers are in search of a force to protect C.J. McCollum’s and Damian Lillard’s shortcomings on that end, and Nurkic can be that player if coached right.
To make a significant push for April, Stotts will need more from the bench. Reserves Allen Crabbe and Al-Farouq Aminu lack the scoring from a proper second unit with aspirations of a championship. The “other three” combine for less than 30 points per game, and only Crabbe is averaging double digits (10.4).
A decrease in turnovers per game (13.8) and increase in three-point percentage (.360) will help the Trail Blazers chances of finishing strong reminiscent of their season in 2016. While the load will continue to be carried by Lillard and McCollum, role players adding consistency should place Portland in a first-round matchup with Golden State.
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If Portland misses the playoffs after the high expectations heading into this season, look for Terry Stotts to be moved (unfortunately). The Trail Blazers have the best odds of the three teams, they face only 10 teams with a winning record from now until April, it couldn’t be any easier.
*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com