There are a couple of key differences between the Portland Trail Blazers and the just-covered Raptors, and hardly any of these provide support for Rip City’s better chances.
The Blazers were thin last year, buttressing a elite beginning five with next to nothing off the seat. Bringing in Chris Kaman and Steve Blake doesn’t feel like a remedy.
Of course, second-year guard C.J. McCollum needs to see his role increase this season, and he has the combo-guard skills to produce an impact. Head coach Terry Stotts is apparently leaning toward him as a first man; McCollum directed all Blazers reserves in minutes per game during the preseason.
For all that, it’s hard to grasp why Portland is seen as a larger title hazard than Toronto. The Blazers’ conference is tougher, their seat remains thinner and they ended the year at just 23-19 after a start. Portland is a fantastic group, but it may not be more than that.
It is going to be around Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and the remaining starters to replicate that fifth-ranked offensive evaluation. If they can’t do this, imagine defense and also an abysmal chair may finally hit among the past year’s biggest surprises having a painful dose of truth.

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