Portland Trail Blazers Preview 2021

PreviewsNBAWESTERN CONFERENCENorthwest DivisionPortland Trail Blazers

Oct 19

Our Portland Trail Blazers preview 2021 finds that for most of this team’s 50-year history they have been playoff bound. Last season for the 37th time the Blazers went to the postseason. In 2020-2021, the Portland Trail Blazers (42-30) finished third in the Northwest Division and sixth in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, the team lost in the First Round to the Denver Nuggets two games to four.

Trail Blazers Frontcourt

In the paint, this team is good but not extraordinary. Center Jusuf Nurkic (11.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.1 BPG) is an All-Star caliber player. However, over the past two seasons, he’s played in just 45 games due to injury. Our Portland Trail Blazers preview 2021 finds that a healthy Nurkic would make a big difference for the Trail Blazers. Small forward Norman Powell, who came to Portland midseason from Toronto, and power forward Robert Covington, a 3 and D player, start. Last season Powell set career highs in various offensive and defensive categories. If he can continue on that track, the paint will take on a new energy.

After seven years with the Lakers and Cavaliers, versatile Larry Nance Jr. joins the Blazers. Nance, who last season with Cleveland averaged 9.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 3.1 APG over 31.3 MPG, can play any three frontcourt positions. Tony Snell comes from Atlanta and Cody Zeller comes from Charlotte to play inside-out. Both are experienced veterans.

Portland Trail Blazers Preview – Backcourt

The backcourt is the strongest part of this team. Point guard Damian Lillard (28.8 PPG, 7.5 APG, 4.2 RPG) and shooting guard CJ McCollum (23.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.7 APG) are both first-rate talents. Both shoot 45 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Anfernee Simons and Ben McLemore back up at point and shooting guard respectively. Both are solid shooters.