Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Call. I think Lillard has a chance, but It is dependent on the success of the team which I don’t have them being a top 3 team with the roster as currently constructed.
Raise. Damian Lillard is one of the best shooters in the NBA. Unfortunately, he is on a team that will probably make the playoffs, but exit in the first round, again. Not until Neil Olshey is gone.
Fold. Last I checked, basketball is a team sport. Someone else has to step up, so opposing defenses don’t swarm Lillard. Additionally, if Nurk misses any time, there is no inside game to count on. Even if Nurkic does play well in every game, Dame can expect double teams.
Fold. Dame only has an MVP season if the Blazers win it all. See the previous answer for my thoughts on their outlook.
Fold, I think the backcourt defense has not improved enough to really allow the better defenders to have the impact the defenders on the roster could have. Hiding one bad defender can be done. Hiding two, who are both perimeter players, is just too much.
Call. I hear all the rumors surrounding CJ McCollum being the base of a (big) trade, and I don’t believe it. The only thing good about the Portland Trail Blazers is Dame and CJ. They need to build a team around them. Trading CJ is the easy way out. He and Dame deserve to win in Portland, the city that made them a name.
Fold. As presently constructed, Portland doesn’t have enough talent spread out among their starting five. McCollum gets traded for an impact forward. Hopefully, it won’t be too late to make a difference.
Call. If the Blazers are winning and in the playoffs, McCollum is staying put. Anything else, and this team may be rebuild mode.
Raise. I think Jusuf Nurkic finally had enough time to fully heal from everything, and him coming into training camp in shape will only help deter new injuries.
Raise. I understand that Nurkic is injury-prone. But he worked hard this offseason working out with Dame, and I believe he’s going to be ready. Not just physically but mentally. He likes his new coach. He may not make it, but it won’t be because he didn’t try.
Call. Nurkic has been working hard to get himself ready for the season. We’ve seen what Nurkic can do when he’s feeling good. My biggest fear with him is that defenses playing him will be overly physical, leading to an injury.
Fold. Death, taxes, water being wet, and Nurkic missing time are guaranteed every year. And he always misses large chunks of time.
Raise. I Agree; though I don’t have them at contender status due to the defensive issues in the backcourt, I still think offensively they are potent enough to hover close to 50 wins and be a solid playoff team.
Raise. The Blazers will make the playoffs because they always make the playoffs. What happens next depends on how they play during the regular season. It also depends on the moves they make, if needed, by the front office.
Raise. Yes, the Trail Blazers have enough to reach the playoffs. Once they get there, it’s another story. I think it’s another one and done this year.
Raise. This team has enough talent to be in the playoffs. No question. Will they? That’s up for debate, and I say they will.
Short answers.
RR: Raise. I agree, but strictly as a backup shooting guard.
TP: Raise. Simons has been working on his game this offseason, and it showed in the preseason. I don’t see why it wouldn’t continue.
CC: Raise. He’s ready to take a big jump.
CP: Raise. Simmons gets the most improved player.
RR: Call. I don’t see his stats increasing unless CJ is traded.
TP: Fold. That trade was a bust. RoCo has never lived up to the price that was paid for him.
CC: Fold. Since arriving in Rip City, nothing he’s done leads me to believe Covington won’t be much better than he is right now.
CP: RoCo has a similar year to last year but with an increase in points scored.
RR: Meh, I think they will improve in some areas, but that improvement will only further highlight how inadequate the backcourt defense is.
TP: Call. Billups will try his best. I believe the Blazers need more defensive players.
CC: Raise. Yes, they play defense, but not enough of it to make a long playoff run.
CP: Call. 82 games is a long time. If the team is going to the playoffs, they’ll have to play some level of D.
RR: Raise. His addition should unlock so much lineup potential that the team did not previously have.
TP: Raise. Larry Nance brings offense and defense to the team.
CC: Call. He’s a significant improvement over Derrick Jones Jr., But the price was too high.
CP: Raise. Nance is a good move. Just hate the first-round pick to get him.
RR: I hate to say it, but if Dame gets traded, I expect it will be Olshey doing it. Then he gets fired the following day.
TP: Fold. As much as Dame has professed that he does not want to leave Portland if he ever says he does, Olshey is gone.
CP: Call. Again, if the Trail Blazers the playoffs, no problems. If not, then it’s a rebuild with all the major people being gone.
How did your answers compare to ours?? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.