The Trail Blazers are going to keep winning as long as the bench keeps delivering

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 25: Evan Turner #1 high fives Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Orlando Magic on October 25, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Despite finishing the the 2017-18 season with 49 wins, there seemed to be a general malaise around the Trail Blazers and their fans entering the year. Getting trounced in the playoffs can have that effect. Vegas set their over/under around 43 wins despite Portland returning every key player (apologies Ed Davis-stans).

After 10 games, it looks like Portland is still poised to fight for a high playoff seed and worries of a post-season hangover were misplaced. And a large contributor for the strong start has been the improved play of the bench.

Zach Collins, former lottery castoff Nick Stauskas and a resurgent Evan Turner have given the Trail Blazers a boost that has been missing in previous seasons when Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum went out. McCollum hasn’t been given the task of trying to carry the second unit so far, as Terry Stotts has entrusted Turner to run the show. The early returns have been promising, but is this merely an example of small sample size theater? How far can Portland go if they continue to get contributions when their starters are out?

To answer that question and discuss other Rip City topics, Dan Marang and Corbin Smith join the latest episode of Fastbreak Breakfast. Dan is a member of Blazers Outsiders and co-hosts the Blazers Edge podcast while Corbin is the host of Take It or Break It.

Fastbreak Breakfast is a podcast for serious NBA fans that is incredibly not serious. All episodes are available on Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud or any other major podcast service.

Music provided courtesy of New Man and Codaphonic.

Next. Ty Lue won the lottery by getting fired. dark

If you want to gain access to exclusive Fastbreak Breakfast bonus content including extra full episodes, go to Patreon.com/Fastbreakbreakfast. We believe in supporting the content we enjoy and also building relationships with our biggest fans, and all of that is accomplished at Patreon.com/Fastbreakbreakfast.

At the very least, consider writing us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts!

Home/Podcasts