Record: | PPG: | OPP PPG: | Pace: | Off Rating: | Def Rating: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record: 44 – 38, 2nd Northwest Division | 105.1 (6th) | 104.3 (20th) | 96.0 (13th) | 108.8 (6th) | 108.0 (20th) |
Coach: Terry Stotts GM: Neil Olshey
PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
---|---|---|---|---|
D. Lillard | C. McCollum | E. Turner | A. Aminu | M. Plumlee |
S. Napier | A. Crabbe | J. Layman | M. Harkless | E. Davis |
P. Connaughton | L. Montero | M. Leonard | F. Ezeli | |
T. Quarterman | N. Vonleh | G. Stiemsma |
Evan Turner (BOS), Festus Ezeli (GSW), Jake Layman (Draft)
Gerald Henderson (PHI), Brian Roberts (CHA), Chris Kaman (FA), Greg Stiemsma (FA)
Mason Plumlee
None
MPG: | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
35.7 | 41.9 | 89.2 | 3.1 | 25.1 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 3.2 |
Terry Stotts put the ball in Dame’s hand, took a seat & nodded his head in approval. His usage was an incredible 31.3% last season; it was all for you Damian! His FG% took an expected dip (Down from 43.4%) with all the starters leaving town & the turnovers weren`t pretty either (0.5 increase). However, the offensive stats (FGA, FGM, PTS, 3PTM, AST, FT%, FTA) were a thing of beauty as they all saw increases in his first season as THE franchise player. Not much has changed in Portland & we expect the same output from Lillard as he’ll pair up with McCollum once again to light up teams. A fine choice in the late first-round.
MPG | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25.5 | 51.6 | 64.2 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 7.7 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.9 |
One of the unsung heroes on this Blazer’s squad as he had tremendous peripherals last season, also adding value in AST from the C spot. The FT% (on 4.1 FTA) was Mason’s lone blemish, but he should have a clear runway as the starter all season even with Portland bringing in (an injured) Uncle Festus Ezeli. My favourite thing about Plumlee is that he should come relatively cheap on draft night. If you can swallow the FT%, (which may improve slightly with Mason working on it in the offseason), then you could catch some great value in the later parts of the draft.
MPG | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
34.7 | 44.8 | 82.7 | 2.5 | 17.9 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 2.5 |
With all but one starter leaving town last season, CJ was given the opportunity to be the Murph(!!!) to Lillard’s McConaughey. He didn’t disappoint as he had his coming out party, easily shattering career highs in every category. Portland didn’t want him to go, so he was signed to a massive 4-year $106 million extension in the offseason; the potent frontcourt will stick for the foreseeable future. The most important question is, “Where’s McCollum’s ceiling?” Before last year, he averaged a mere 15.7 & 12.5 MPG on negligible production, so it’s tough to draw conclusions from there. If I’m playing it conservatively, I’m guessing he doesn’t stray too far away from last year’s breakout. He won’t fly under any radar’s on draft night so you might have to overspend on the 25-year old guard.
MPG | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28.6 | 41.6 | 73.7 | 1.5 | 10.2 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 |
With the addition of Evan Turner, Aminu is expected to slide over to the PF spot in Terry Stotts’ small lineup & should easily lock-up minutes at the 4. If you can look past the stinky FG%, he’s got the ability to provide in multiple areas (REB, 3PTM, STL, BLK). He won’t give you a massive boost in any one cat, but should have an increased opportunity to provide modest rare-cat totals; great underappreciated value in standard formats.
MPG | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28.8 | 45.6 | 82.7 | 0.2 | 10.5 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 2.1 |
Although he came off the bench for Boston, Turner was able reel in sound AST + STL totals with good percentages. His one knock is the non-existent 3PTM from a wing spot, but he holds enough value elsewhere to be rostered on most fantasy squads. Add in that Stotts is going to rely on him for backup ball handling duties & you could see how he has the opportunity to surpass last year’s numbers. Allen Crabbe does linger in the shadows as he gives the Blazer’s a different look with his three-point shooting, but the Blazer’s aren’t dying for perimeter threats in the starting lineup. I like Turner if he gets the start at SF.
MPG | FG%: | FT%: | 3PT: | PTS: | REB: | AST: | STL: | BLK: | TO: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26.1 | 45.9 | 86.7 | 1.4 | 10.3 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
Last season, Crabbe doubled his minute average from his ’14 – ’15 campaign having undoubtedly the best season of his young career. He should be able to repeat last season’s numbers, but the addition of Evan Turner will limit his ceiling. Stotts should slot him in for 25+ MPG, which should be good enough for deep leagues as Crabbe could end up being one of the better bench options in the West.
Aminu should get the starts at PF for most of the season, but there is some depth there with Harkless, Meyers Leonard, Noah Vonleh, & Ed Davis (to be fair, I did say some) all able to play the 4. He should be able to hold it down all season, but the latter are all candidates to get some minutes should he struggle early or often. Evan Turner is the favourite to start & will have backup PG duties, but Allen Crabbe can give the Blazers more shooting on the perimeter if Coach Stotts wishes. Crabbe could take legitimate minutes away, but I’m still leaning in favour of Evan Turner at this point.
What was supposed to be a rebuild turned out to be a great season for the Blazers as they destroyed all pre-season expectations finishing 5th in the Western Conference & making Playoffs. It’ll be business as usual for Terry Stotts & crew as Portland didn’t pull off any big signings in the off-season & managed to retain most of their core. Their biggest acquisition was headlined by Evan Turner & their biggest loss was Gerald Henderson…I think they’ll manage. Their success can be credited to Stotts’ (6th rated) shimmering offense led by Damian Lillard & CJ McCollum; these two will be firing all year. Aminu should find a regular spot at PF, which is great as the small-ball unit found lots of success in Portland when employed. Mason Plumlee provided great value all year only mired by his low FT%, but should continue to appreciate as the starting C. At SF we have Evan Turner, who should be great as he turned in a solid season coming off the bench in Boston. Allen Crabbe should retain his numbers from last year & could battle Turner for more minutes, while being a cheap option in deep leagues. Coach Stotts did an excellent job channeling this young Blazers squad’s potential as they rose in the standings & will hope to do so once again this season. They’ve solidified their core & it should be another exciting season in Portlandia.