2015-16 NBA Season Preview: Portland Trail Blazers
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Portland Trail Blazers
2014-15
| Record | Northwest | West | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51-31 | 1st | 8th | Round 1 loss to MEM (4-1) |
Offseason Roundup
Extended Damian Lillard (5/$125M)
Projected Starting 5
- PG Damian Lillard
- SG Gerald Henderson
- SF Al-Farouq Aminu
- PF Ed Davis
- C Mason Plumlee
MVP: Damian Lillard
Lillard will be having flashbacks of his collegiate days at Weber State in 2015-16. With potentially four fresh faces in the Blazers' starting lineup on opening night - "Dolla" being the lone 2014-15 holdover - Lillard will be tasked with shouldering an even bigger load than has been asked of him throughout his previous three seasons.
Lillard has said all the right things in the wake of Aldridge's departure. Nevertheless, much of Portland's scoring responsibilities will fall on the man wearing No. 0.
Comparing Lillard's perimeter partners from last year to whom he will be playing with next season illustrates a possible drop in offensive help from the wings.
Shooting guards:
| Player ('14-'15 stats) | PPG | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Matthews | 15.9 | 12.5 | 44.8 | 7.4 | 38.9 | 2.4 | 75.2 |
| Gerald Henderson | 12.1 | 10.6 | 43.7 | 1.7 | 33.1 | 2.7 | 84.8 |
Small forwards:
| Player ('14-'15 stats) | PPG | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Batum | 9.4 | 8.5 | 40 | 4.4 | 32.4 | 1.4 | 85.7 |
| Al-Farouq Aminu | 5.6 | 4.8 | 41.2 | 1.7 | 27.4 | 1.6 | 71.2 |
Lillard will, therefore, be presented with countless opportunities to prove his worth to a team that will look drastically different from those of yesteryear.
Breakout Player: Gerald Henderson
Choosing a "breakout player" candidate for next season's iteration of the Blazers is no easy feat, as looming free agency for Meyers Leonard, Maurice Harkless, C.J. McCollum, Vonleh, and Miller could jump start solid 2015-16 outputs from any of these individuals.
However, each of the aforementioned players won't necessarily be guaranteed significant playing time next season. Henderson, though, will likely be slotted in as starting shooting guard, giving the 27-year-old Duke product a chance to shine.
As a member of the Charlotte Hornets - formerly the Bobcats - Henderson was never the team's primary weapon. Taking a backseat to the likes of Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Josh McRoberts, and Corey Maggette throughout his six-year pro career, the 6-foot-5 slasher will be head coach Terry Stotts' second choice on offensive sets.
Expect a fully healthy Henderson - who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer - to capitalize on his newfound freedom in 2015-16.
Season Expectations
One season removed from winning the Northwest Division, Rip City fans will need to temper their 2015-16 expectations.
Dramatic roster face-lifts such as the one the Blazers have recently undergone are often precursors to eventual chemistry issues, playbook confusion, and a less than stellar winning percentage.
While the Blazers set the basketball world on fire not long ago, a 2016 playoff berth would be a stretch, as the Western Conference has gotten even stronger during the offseason. Lillard's current squad, however, will have to adjust on the fly and focus on developing its young talent throughout the upcoming season.
HEADLINES
- NBA Bet or Bail: Rookie of the Year race, Jokic MVP case
- NBA urges players to be vigilant following home break-ins
- 5 role players making star-level impacts this season
- Here for the long haul? Selling high on Poeltl isn't Raptors' only option
- Raptors' Barnes returns in win vs. T-Wolves after 11-game absence