The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the world last season. They were supposed to win around 20 games and get a lottery pick. Instead, they won 44 games, made the playoffs as a fifth seed, and took out an injured Clippers team in the first round. This year, Portland’s star point guard Damian Lillard is aiming to make an even bigger splash; he wants to make the NBA Finals. From ESPN’s J.A. Adande:
“Make the playoffs,” Lillard said. “Last year I said we were going to make the playoffs, and we did that.”
…
“This year I want to get to the Western Conference finals and give ourselves a chance to get to the [NBA] Finals,” Lillard said. “I think it’s possible.”
To quote the recently-retired (great now I’m crying again) Kevin Garnett: “Anything is possible.” Or, more accurately: “ANYTHING IS POSIBLLLLEEEEEEE!!!” So yes, Damian. The Portland Trail Blazers making the NBA Finals this year is possible. It is not probable. It is about as close to impossible as something can get without being impossible. I do not say this with any disrespect to the Blazers. But this is a team with a starting lineup that will look something like this: Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Al-Farouq Aminu, Evan Turner, Mason Plumlee. That team cannot beat the Warriors. That team cannot beat the Clippers (assuming they’re healthy). That team cannot beat the Spurs. I would say that other teams such as Utah, and perhaps Houston and Memphis will also be better than Portland, with decent injury luck.
I love the confidence from Lillard, but if you’re a Portland fan, don’t expect to be watching your team play come June.
