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| LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard plan to take the Blazers to the playoffs |
The Western Conference has been the tougher conference when it comes to making the playoffs (needs at least 50 wins to assure yourself a slot) for the last 8 years or so. This season appears to follow that trend with teams like the LA Clippers improving their coaching staff and bench, the Rockets signing Dwight Howard, the Warriors getting Andre Iguodala and the Grizzlies adding perimeter shooting. Meanwhile, the top of the class: Thunder and Spurs both made minor changes. These six teams are expected to make the playoffs which leaves two slots left for the remaining 9 other teams in the West.
Last season, the Blazers were in the running for the last playoff spot (against the Rockets, Mavericks & Lakers) until mid-March when they stood at 31-34 and only a couple of games from the 8th spot. Injuries to Aldridge, Matthews and Batum plus their lack of depth contributed to their demise as they finished 3-15 in the last 18 games and lost 12 straight to end the season.
This season is a much different story with the Blazers being chosen as the sexy and popular pick to make the playoffs. Their number one priority in the summer was to address their deficiency regarding their bench players. Last year, the Blazers could only go 6-deep in their rotations most nights in order to compete. The starters played major minutes (JJ Hickson played the least at 29 mpg) and Damian Lillard (a rookie) led them in minutes played and was the only one who played all 82 games.
The bench problem was emphatically fixed this summer with the additions of Robin Lopez, Mo Williams, Dorell Wright, Earl Watson, Thomas Robinson and their lottery pick CJ McCollum. Four of their starters (Lillard, Aldridge, Matthews, Batum) are coming back and are presumably healthy. Meanwhile, JJ Hickson and his 40 double-doubles left for Denver and his production will be missed but the Blazers more than added personnel who can replace Hickson.
Robin Lopez cannot match the rebounding numbers of Hickson but he can score and defend bigger players. Lopez is also an improved defensive player who can draw charges and cover the pick and rolls much better than Hickson. If Thomas Robinson finally gets to play more minutes, the #5 pick of the 2012 draft can definitely help this team. People forget that in his last year of college ball, Robinson posted 18 points and 12 rebounds for Kansas.
The Blazers are loaded with solid perimeter players who can make threes. Lillard finished at 5th in threes made while Mattews and Batum were in the top 15. No other team (except the Warriors' Curry and Thompson) had more than one player in the top 15. Then, they promptly added Dorell Wright and Mo Williams who made 38% of their treys last season. Shooting from deep will continue to be a key component of their game plan. That helps open up the lanes for LaMarcus Aldridge to operate from the high post or low post.
The Aldridge and Lillard pick and rolls/pops will continue to be their bread and butter. Variations of this basic play allows Lillard to turn the corner more and drive to the hoop where he was fairly successful as a rookie. Lillard made 210 out of 419 (50%) shot attempts from within 10 feet of the rim. If help defenders come to meet Lillard on a drive, he can easily swing the ball to any of their perimeter shooters including LaMarcus Aldridge who made 396 out of 947 (42%) long jumpers he took. Only Dirk Nowitzki (46%) and Chris Bosh (44%) shot better than Aldridge (minimum 300 makes).
The Blazers have high hopes for CJ McCollum, the #10 pick of the 2013 draft. McCollum comes from a similar college basketball background that Lillard had. Both guys played 4 years in the NCAA for a small school. Both had impressive scoring numbers to lead their college teams in that stat. The difference comes in playing style where Lillard is a better passer/playmaker while McCollum is a more polished scorer. McCollum played mostly PG in college but only averaged 3 assists per game. The Blazers envision McCollum and Lillard eventually playing both guard spots at the same time where either one can be PG or SG.
Portland is a much better team this season. Their additions have improved the bench while bigger things are expected from Lillard and Aldridge. They should make the playoffs especially with the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets facing some injury problems from their best players.
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