Bold Predictions For The 2013-14 NBA Season

Apr 3, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) dunks against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers will be this year’s Golden State Warriors

Thanks to Damian Lillard’s incredible rookie year, the Portland Trail Blazers surpassed what many expected them to do last season. Admittedly it was a pretty low bar. Portland had a playoff caliber starting five last season, but their bench was anemic at best producing 18.5 points per game. That total is almost a full 6 points behind the second to worst bench in the league (Indiana).

The Blazers have been busy correcting their bench woes this offseason bringing in big men Robin Lopez and Thomas Robinson via trades. Portland also bolstered their scoring options signing 76er unrestricted free agent Dorell Wright and drafting CJ McCollum.

Portland may falter a bit at the beginning of the 2013-14 season mainly because they’re still a young team that needs to gel. With the exception of Lillard, every other player on the roster is quite sure what their role will be come fall. There’s also the looming question of what will happen to LaMarcus Aldridge. But as the season will progress so will the Blazers. Being young and under the radar will help this team win more games than people think, similar to last years’ Warriors and the 09-10 Thunder.