The Blazers made the playoffs this season, but Damian Lillard doesn’t consider that a success, as Chris Haynes of ESPN.com relays.
“We got tested, and I think we answered the bell,” the point guard said. “I felt like we showed our true colors by the way we fought. But I wouldn’t say successful. I think it was growth. A year of growth for us.”
The Warriors swept the Blazers in the opening round of the playoffs and Lillard understands that his team needs to beat Golden State if it’s going to win the Western Conference.
“You also got to understand that if you ever want to get out of the West, you’re going to have to go through them,” Lillard said. “And for me, I understand that’s what it is. It’s always been that way in the NBA. I think about when the Pistons were just beating up on [Michael] Jordan. [They] were just kicking his butt every year, and he had to get through them if he wanted to get to where he wanted to get to. That’s just what it is.
“[The Warriors are] going to be there. They’re going to be there every year. We have to look at that and understand that we got to be better. We have to go get better, and come back better as a group if we want to move past them.”
Here’s more from Portland:
- Kevin Durant believes the Blazers are a few pieces away from contending for the conference’s crown, as Haynes passes along in the same piece. “I think they want somebody on the wing that can take the pressure off those two guards [C.J. McCollum and Lillard], somebody that’s big for their position. But they’re right there, man,” Durant said.
- Breaking up McCollum and Lillard might be the only way the Blazers bring home the title, Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer contends. The scribe sees parallels in Portland’s current team and Golden State’s in 2012. The Warriors knew Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry couldn’t defend opposing backcourts at a top level and the team decided to trade Ellis away.
- The Blazers acquired the No. 20 overall pick in the upcoming draft in the Jusuf Nurkic deal and that selection could be more important than the center, O’Connor argues in the same piece. Portland needs to find another piece to take the team from good to great and without cap space, the team will likely need to add that player through the draft. In addition to No. 20, the franchise also owns the No. 15 and No. 26 overall picks.
Portland is definitely a team on the rise. They have a solid coaching staff, and a good-young foundation from which to build upon.
I disagree that Dame and CJ cannot coexist on a contending team; however, I agree with KD in that they just need a big wing that can hit three’s, moves well without the ball, and one that can defend an array of different positions.
Obviously, that player isn’t easily found, but Portland could very well package their three first rounders and move up to select their ultimate, perfect fit in Josh Jackson. I think Jackson could ultimately really help Lillard, CJ, and Nurkic make it to the next level. In order to reach that next level though Portland still has a couple of hokes to fill via free agency.
Portland should go after two players, in my opinion, and those two players are Serge Ibaka and Shaun Livingston. Those two would add a ton of versatility, and both are very solid defenders, which Portland desperately needs.
With a starting five of Dame, CJ, Jackson, Ibaka, and Nurkic coupled with a rotation of guys on the bench like Livingston, Ezeli, Turner, Crabbe, Harkless, and Vonleh, I honestly think Portland could contend with the heavyweights of the Western Conference. It might take the group a little while to all mesh together, but once they do they very well could end up becoming a real force to be reckoned with!!
They don’t have the cap for Ibaka and no one is trading away a top three pick for their picks.
They have a shot at drafting OG Anunoby though and if he comes back at full strength I could see him giving them what they need on the wing.
Jackson would be amazing for Portland but why not take a shot at Rudy Gay? Hes not the best shooter in the world but the dude could get buckets and create his own shot and get you 15-35 points a night if he is healthy.
Rudy Gay is a premium talent who wont be cheap, AND he coming off major injury at 30+. AND he won’t be ready till January?
Maybe they can steal Porter from Washington, Kelly Oubre might be able to take over for Porter next season
They don’t have the cap to steal anyone away from any where. The draft is pretty much their only option to add talent right now.
They should be able to get a decent wing and 4 in this draft though.
Portland’s backcourt is a defensive disaster, much like the Warriors with Ellis and Curry. It’s hard to imagine how they can ever guard a team with a good offensive backcourt. It’s impossible to imagine them doing that against a team like the Warriors who also get a lot of offense out of the SF position.