Are the new and improved Portland Trail Blazers pretenders or contenders?

Are the new and improved Portland Trail Blazers pretenders or contenders? 

The Portland Trail Blazers have had their fair share of trials and tribulations the last few seasons, but the sun is on the horizon for Blazers fans. Last season the Blazers were without their superstar, Damian Lillard, and ended up finishing 13th in the Western Conference, failing to make the playoffs.

This year, the Trail Blazers look to have regained their winning ways.

Going into the season, few believed that even with Damian Lillard back and healthy, losing McCollum and the lack of stardom would limit the Blazers this season. However, they look incredible and are performing at a much higher level than anticipated.

The Portland Trail Blazers currently ranks near the top of the NBA, but is this success maintainable, and is Dame Time now?

While most NBA fans disregarded the Trail Blazers as a team in a rebuild without a second star next to Damian Lillard, the Portland Trails blazers have been incredible. There are many reasons for the early success of the Blazers, and having Lillard back is only one of them.

Few players stay loyal to a team for their entire career, especially in a small market like Portland. Lillard has been the face of the franchise for a long time and committed long-term by signing a contract. Lillard is averaging over 28 points a night, but he’s just one player seeing early success this season for the Blazers.

Anfernee Simons has always been on the radar for potential stardom, and now he is well on his way to becoming a star. Simons is a very similar player to his teammate, Damian Lillard. The second option in the offense is Simons, who plays in a similar style to his teammate. Simons has no problem stepping up when the team needs it. He has waited years for this opportunity and will now be in the conversation for an All-star season.

The Trail Blazers made two acquisitions in the offseason. They added Gary Payton II, one of the league’s best defenders who broke out last season. Payton II will benefit the Blazers’ defense. The second addition is adding forward Jerami Grant, who has established himself in a critical role on the offense.

Grant can drop 30 points on any given night but can struggle on other nights. Grant has become the third and the second option on the offense behind Lillard and Simons. He and Payton will be great additions, as Grant is already living up to expectations, but their defense will only improve once Payton returns.

There is one player that fans have to monitor, rookie guard Shaedon Sharpe. Being the seventh overall pick can be stressful, but his last meaningful game is in high school. Sharpe has all the potential and athletic ability to become a star in the near future, so there is a lot to be excited about as a Blazers fan.

The Trail Blazers’ defense has improved dramatically, and success comes as a surprise as the Blazers have been primarily an offensive system. Still, Chauncey Billups has a different mindset this season. Their communication and mentality of leaving the ego at the door are essential for a team’s success, which is what Portland has instilled as a team. The Blazers rank in the top six on defense, yet Gary Payton II still has yet to suit up for the Blazers, but once he is back, this defense will only improve.

The Trail Blazers are well on their way to a playoff run this season. The team is talented, and their impressive play doesn’t appear to be in the downturn. Success will continue, and the Western Conference has become much more challenging.