8. Portland Trail Blazers (3-2)
Even though they really didn’t make many improvements after being swept out of the first round by the New Orleans Pelicans in last year’s NBA Playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers are still picking up where they left off during the regular season last year.
Damian Lillard has gotten off to a sensation start, averaging 30-plus points and seven assists through the first two weeks, and C.J. McCollum is still one of the better second options in the NBA, not counting the Warriors.
I still have my doubts about this team already having hit its ceiling, but, as is, they are still one of the better two-man punches in the Western Conference and all the NBA. The Blazers will be dangerous this season, but I’m not sure this team is built for a deep playoff run, quite frankly.