Portland Trail Blazers Season Preview: Can They Exceed Expectations?
The Portland Trail Blazers had a mixed season last year, winning 36 games but playing .500 basketball after January 1. Despite the improvement in play and vibes as the season progressed, there are concerns about their performance in the upcoming season. The Athletic's John Hollinger is skeptical about the Blazers' ability to meet expectations, placing them on a list of teams likely to fall short. Sportsbooks have set the Blazers' over/under line at 34.5 wins, with Hollinger suggesting they may not even reach that mark due to a lack of offensive firepower.
Hollinger points to the trade of Anfernee Simons and the buyout of Deandre Ayton as factors that could impact the Blazers' performance. However, looking at games last season without Ayton or Simons, the team had a decent win rate, indicating potential for success. While Hollinger's analysis raises concerns, Blazers fans are hopeful about the growth of young players like Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan, as well as the potential impact of Yang Hansen.
As the preseason approaches, starting on October 8, fans will soon see if Hollinger's predictions hold true or if the Blazers can defy expectations and exceed their projected win total.