Pioneers
Final season: 21-61, missed the playoffs for the third straight 12 months.
COACH: Chauncey Billups (Fourth season with Portland, 81-165).
SEASON OPENING: October 23 at house in opposition to the Golden State Warriors.
DEPARTURES: G Malcolm Brogdan.
ADDITIONS: C Donovan Clingan, F Deni Avdija.
BetMGM Championship Odds: +10,000.
What to anticipate
The Path Blazers have made few adjustments within the offseason and Portland stays in rebuilding mode after a season with out All-Star Damian Lillard. The perennial All-Star signed to the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland has dedicated to a younger core that won’t get the group to the playoffs after a three-year drought. The youth roster might put together the Blazers for a brilliant future. Ahead Jerami Grant, 30, is the oldest participant on the roster. He led the group with a mean of 21 factors per recreation final season. Guard Anfernee Simons is just 25 years previous however already has six years of expertise.
Coach Chauncey Billups, just lately inducted into the Basketball Corridor of Fame, is lifelike and thinks this season might nonetheless be robust. His undertaking? “Now we have to play quick. Now we have to maneuver the basketball,” Billups mentioned. “Now we have to assist one another on protection. Now we have to do all of the little issues to be aggressive.
Strengths and weaknesses
The nice: Portland’s power is its youth. And his weak point can also be his youth. The younger gamers have the athleticism and power to suit into Billups’ plan to play quick — and it could possibly be entertaining for followers. However the group’s inexperience could possibly be an impediment.
The Unhealthy: Three of Portland’s projected starters – Grant, Simons and Deandre Ayton – will probably be leaned on as locker room leaders to maintain the younger guys in verify. “We need to win as quickly as attainable,” Simons mentioned. “As opponents and gamers, all of us need to win. So for me it is at all times the identical factor: what can I do to enhance and win?
Gamers to observe
Shaedon Sharpe, 21, is a dynamic playmaker however has been hampered by accidents. In January, he underwent surgical procedure and missed the rest of the season. He won’t play at the beginning of the season because of a small labral tear in his left shoulder. Scoot Henderson, 20, was the third total decide within the 2023 draft out of Ignite of the G League. He skilled some rising pains throughout his rookie season, however confirmed enchancment over his remaining twelve video games, the place he averaged over 19 factors per recreation.
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