Portland Trail Blazers open 2021-22 season – Raise, Call, Fold

Chip Clark   |  

Oct 19, 2021

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Our basketball writers sound off about the upcoming Portland Trail Blazers season, and we do it poker style.

At the outset of another NBA Season, our basketball writers will answer some questions facing the Portland Trail Blazers this year. To mix it up from a standard Q&A, we have a game of Raise, Fold, Call.

This is how “Raise, Call, Fold” works:

We have a list of five statements. For each scenario, the writer must answer either raise, call, or fold.

“Raise” means they agree with the statement. “Fold” If they disagree. “Call” is for undecided or torn on the subject. An explanation follows to define their decision and explain their thoughts. Joining me in the game are Chris Phillips, Teresa Powe, and Rob Ryan. We encourage you to play along with us.

Blazers fans should be worried about the team’s awful preseason.

Rob Ryan

Call. I think there should be some concern as the team didn’t seem to have much chemistry, and the defense still looks out of whack, but I also think barely having all five starters on the court at the same time throughout the four games might have a lot to do with that lack of chemistry.

This team literally switched up about 70 percent of its bench this offseason. Not playing starters plus new bench players in a new system with a new coach is bound to have growing pains.

Teresa Powe

Raise. Blazers’ fans should be terrified. I found one good thing this preseason, and that was Dennis Smith Jr. playing better than I’d seen him in a while. Other than that, Anfernee Simons was great. The team pulled out a great rookie from the draft in Greg Brown III. But as far as their regular roster, they will need some time to gel, let alone learn some defense. They couldn’t win one game in the preseason, though?

Chip Clark

Raise. The Portland Trail Blazers looked awful in the preseason. They couldn’t get it in any sort of rhythm. Now, I question whether or not new head coach Chauncey Billups can find competitive lineup combinations. I’m also not sold on the Blazers’ depth.

Chris Phillips

Raise. Blazers fans should be worried. This is basically the same team from last year. Is coaching the sole thing that will yield a different result.

Next: Page 2 – Is it Dame’s time?

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