NBA: Which teams are contenders/pretenders at the All-Star Break?

Portland Trail Blazers (34-23)

The Portland Trail Blazers are doing what they’ve done successfully over the last few seasons. They’re playing up to their strengths in the regular season, and are taking advantage of the up-and-down play of other teams in the West.

They are currently fourth in the conference, and are being powered by the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. They were swept in the first-round of the playoffs last season, at the hands of Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Can they perform any better this season? Could they prove the naysayers wrong? Could this finally be the year where they get hot and make a run to the Conference Finals? As good as they are, I don’t think so.

Verdict: Pretender