Portland’s time to shine?

When the NBA season began, experts had the likes of the Heat, Pacers, Thunder and Spurs pegged for success. Most had Portland failing to reach the playoffs. No one expected the Blazers’ dominance this season.

After tough losses against the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings, Portland ended its two-game losing streak with a big second-half comeback win over the Orlando Magic.

Portland is currently third in the Western Conference standings with a record of 27-9. They trail the Russell Westbrook-less Thunder by half a game and the San Antonio Spurs by a game. The Trail Blazers are undefeated against these teams, with two victories over the Thunder and a victory over the Spurs.

Last season, Portland lost their last thirteen games of the regular season to finish with a 33-49 record. Aside from spectacular play from All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, Portland lacked two key ingredients of a contending basketball team: size and depth.

GM Neil Olshey took notice of these issues, making key moves during the off-season. Olshey traded for big man Robin Lopez and signed veterans Mo Williams and Dorell Wright out of free agency. Williams and Wright were brought in to back up their respective positions, and to give Portland solid scoring options off the bench.

Another key acquisition was trading basically nothing for the former fifth overall pick Thomas Robinson, an athletic power forward.

The size and depth of the “new look” Blazers has made all the difference in Portland’s amazing turnaround from last season. Portland now has the ability to defend the basket and get buckets. Portland leads the league with an astounding 109.0 points per game average.

The play of Aldridge has been nothing less than the level of a superstar. Aldridge is averaging 23.3 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. The sure-to-be All-Star sits third in the MVP race (based on an nba.com poll) and has taken home multiple “Western Conference Player of the Week” awards.

Lillard is building on his rookie of the year performance last year by averaging 21.9 points and 5.8 assists a game. Lillard has been clutch for the Blazers, hitting multiple game-winners. He recently set the Blazers franchise record for points in a quarter by scoring 26 points in the final quarter against Sacramento. Lillard is currently eighth in the MVP race (nba.com).

The last time Portland hit the 60-win mark was the 1990-1991 season when the Blazers and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler finished with a 63-19 record. Winning 60 games isn’t too far of a reach for the Blazers. Their current record of 27-9 equates to a 61-21 record by season’s end. I believe the Blazers can continue their tear on the league and reach 60-win total.

Contending for an NBA title is a daunting task, but I’m confident the Blazers have what it takes to get there and even take home the crown. The Blazers have played admirably against the best the league has to offer, beating Indiana (who hold the best record in the league), Oklahoma City and the Spurs. The Blazers did suffer a heartbreaker against the Miami Heat when Chris Bosh hit a game winner as time expired.

The Western Conference is talented this year, meaning a ticket to the finals will be challenging. If the Blazers can rally together and continue to play team-orientated basketball, I believe we might be watching Portland fight for the title come June.