TRAILBLAZERS BEGIN PRE-SEASON WITH 50TH CELEBRATION

In a league that was once ruled by Goliath, the NBA is now full of Davids looking to become that very monster.

The Portland Trail Blazers found out the hard way that they need every weapon they have. Center Jusuf Nurkic went down with a broken leg in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 25, and everyone was left holding their breath as the playoffs began. The Blazers soldiered on to defeat Oklahoma City, then the Denver Nuggets, delivering a Game 7 Mother’s Day victory that Rip City fans could surely be proud of.

It was then on to Goliath: the Golden State Warriors. 

Counted out from the beginning, the Blazers showed some heart against the Warriors. But they were quickly outmatched and outgunned from every angle and were hurting for their missing big man, riding the bench in civilian clothes after his season-ending surgery.

Still, Rip City showed other free-agents and future NBA players that Portland had a solid team to offer as a destination. Going to the Western Conference Finals could be viewed almost as a publicity stunt for the Blazers: Players around the league watched our small-market team take its swings against some better-known teams, and find success.

Being constricted by several earlier bad signings and trades, the Blazers, as always, had to look to make every penny work for them this off-season. And again, they found success.

Guard-forward Rodney Hood luckily decided to re-up with Portland even though he had more lucrative offers elsewhere. The versatile forward Mario Hezonja, then with the New York Knicks, had a showtime block on LeBron James last season, leaving James to take a knee and rethink his career. Filling in for a recovering Nurkic – still out until January or February, at least – big man Hassan Whiteside will be looking to bring more value to his next contract, as he is in the last year of his current deal.

Whiteside has been known for being a problem in the Miami Heat locker room, but Damian Lillard won’t stand for that. A more “family” friendly environment in the Blazers’ locker room should help Whiteside mold his attitude and demeanor into the fantastic player he can be.  

Second-year Portland guard Anfernee Simons will be looking to fill some big shoes. Evan Turner departed Portland, leaving the backup point guard rotation open. Last season, Simons was able to show some flash in the last regular-season game, putting 37 points on the board while playing the full 48 minutes.

While we could discuss the rookie, forward Nassir Little, that the Blazers acquired in the NBA draft, it would do a disservice to laud praise and expectations on such a new prospect. Remember No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden? Yeah, I want to forget, as well. Luckily, veteran forward-center Pao Gasol, who also signed with Portland, will be here to mentor the rookie and provide even more stability within the locker room. 

If you are searching for hope in the numbers this season, don’t look to NBA analysts for help. The closest to a guaranteed playoff prediction from the media “big guys” sees the Blazers as an unlikely possibility as a title contender. If you were to ask me, that only adds fuel to Lillard’s internal fire.  

The Blazers kicked off their preseason on Tuesday at the old Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in celebration of their 50th year in the league. Beyond that tribute, there is a special design for the playing court this season, along with vintage jerseys for the team on certain games. So, yeah, let’s take this back to the ’70s – mainly, 1977 – and go grab that ’chip.