Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: Will the Lakers ever win again?

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 16
Next
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 20: the Portland Trail Blazers react during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 20, 2018 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 20: the Portland Trail Blazers react during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 20, 2018 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: 13th. Portland Trail Blazers. 8. team. 34. .

The Trail Blazers appear to have shaken off any bad juju they accumulated during last year’s first-round sweep out of the playoffs at the hands of the Pelicans. They bounced back, starting their season 2-1 with wins over Los Angeles and San Antonio, both of whom they may be fighting for a playoff spot in the spring, and dropping an overtime game to the Washington Wizards. Putting together a top-10 offense and a top-15 defense, Portland looks ready to stay in the middle of the Western Conference as the season goes on.

One of the things to keep an eye on for Portland is the development of their bench. Nik Stauskas and Zach Collins have both given them some nice minutes and fleshing out their rotation with reliable depth and players who give them a different look from last season seem like one of the few things that could really raise their ceiling.

Home/NBA