Fansided

Holiday wish list for every NBA team

By Ernest Shepard

Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) talks to referee Tony Brothers (25) during the game against the New York Knicks at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) talks to referee Tony Brothers (25) during the game against the New York Knicks at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trailblazers

As far as scoring goes for the Portland Trailblazers it is Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum or bust. It is quite the conundrum for the Trailblazers who do not have another player who averages more than 11 points a contest beyond Lillard and McCollum. Shockingly enough, Portland is 12th in the league in scoring. That is with the starting backcourt accounting for over 40 percent of the offense. Third-year swingman Allen Crabbe has the potential to score a ton of points, but the player who plays in front of him, Al-Farouq Aminu.

Aminu is a plus defender who does the little things such as rebounding, setting screens and showing the commitment to making the hustle plays. Like he does on the offensive end, Crabbe has the room to grow into a good perimeter defender. That would help Portland go against most of the teams out west, but here lies a problem.

When the Trailblazers have to sit either Lillard, McCollum or both of them who is going to put the ball in the basketball? Expect a heavy minutes’ log for both of them until another scorer is added. Even with a deal to bring more scoring to the team it will not guarantee a spot in the playoffs. The overall talent is there though. Portland has the players to make a trade happen.

Are the Trailblazers serious about making the playoffs?

Getting back into the NBA draft lottery makes the most sense. Adding a scorer should be the primary need on Portland’s list. And it does not matter of the team compete for the playoffs or not.

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