The Blazers’ Season Thus Far

The Blazers are off to a hot 2-0 start but sadly it means little at this point. With still 64 games to go, the NBA season, even in its shortened state, is a long one. Even after twenty games played, teams will fall and rise in the standings as quickly as fireworks on the 4^th of July. However, as always, the Blazers provide shimmering hope that will keep Portland’s fingers crossed until their season comes to a close.

The bench for the Blazers should be deeper than last year’s barring any injuries. In this being Jamal Crawford’s 12^th NBA season, he has averaged 17 or more points a game six times and only two seasons, he has shot under 33% from the three point line. I can also guarantee he will play more games this season than Roy did last year.

Crawford, along with Nicolas Batum, will be the two players coming off the bench for the Blazers. Amongst the super teams emerging in the Association, the Dallas Mavericks showed the world that a well-rounded team with key contributors coming off the bench will win championships. Basketball is a game fought in waves with each team riding their own. The longer a team can maintain a run, especially when their starters are resting, the more games they will win.

The Blazers on paper are a prototype of a team that could make a deep run into the playoffs. LaMarcus Aldridge has been, so far, putting up big numbers, averaging 24.5 PPG and finally seeing some help from last season’s late comer Gerald Wallace, who has averaged 23 PPG. They have a scoring threat inside and outside, a sharpshooter (Crawford), a defensive presence (Marcus Camby), a quick point who can dish the ball (Raymond Felton), and supporting scorers (Batum and Wesley Matthews).

Despite not having Oden back, and Roy retiring, the Blazers seem to be in a better position than when their season ended last year. And assuming the injury plague does not hit Portland again, (lightning never strikes the same place twice right?), the Blazers will make the playoffs. Looking at their team and success thus far, I believe that the Blazers will get past the first round for the first time since 2000, when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Championship.