Here’s What You Need to Know Before the Blazers Upcoming Season
Damian Lillard in a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings
The Trail Blazers’ 2019–2020 season ended rather unceremoniously: a 4–1 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers played mostly without Damian Lillard, who dislocated his left index finger earlier in the series, in a “Bubble League” with virtual crowds watching from the sidelines. It was especially disappointing considering Charles Barkley brought out the old broom after the Blazers’ win against the Lakers in game one. (Thanks a lot, Chuck.)
But it’s not all bad.
If you’re counting, last season was the Blazers’ seventh consecutive appearance in the playoffs (three more and they win a free sub). So let’s all take the L with a grain of salt (and a shot of tequila), and look forward to the 2020–2021 season, which promises a new rotation, cardboard crowds, and more opportunities for the Blazers to become the most dominant team in the West.
SQUAD GOALS
Because Lillard and CJ McCollum can’t do everything themselves, the Blazers have spent the offseason working out the kinks in their rotation of players. This year, we’ve got a lot to look forward to.
From left to right: Jusuf Nurkić, Rodney Hood, and Enes Kanter
Last season saw the return of Jusuf Nurkic, who suffered a horrifying injury to his leg in 2019, and we couldn’t be happier to see the big man back on the court. He racked up a 17.6-point average over the eight games he played after his July return.
Twitter did its thing back in November after news broke of Enes Kanter’s return to Portland. A three-team deal brought Kanter, who spent half a season in Portland and was with the Celtics last year, back to the Blazers. In his previous stint with the team, he averaged 13.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22.3 minutes.
Also in the Blazers arsenal: former Rocket Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr., who was picked up by Portland in a $19 million deal. Rodney Hood and Carmelo Anthony have also re-signed, although Melo is finding himself more on backup (but nonetheless important) duty this time around.
CARDBOARD CROWD
So you want to go catch a game at the Moda Center. Well … you can’t. Not until we all start wearing masks, get our vaccinations, or reach herd immunity the natural way (let’s try to avoid that one). But what you can do is what the MLB invited fans to do last season, which is get yourself a fan cutout.
It’s pretty simple: for $99 you can choose from three Blazers jersey options, upload a photo of yourself, and … well, that’s it! Ten percent of the proceeds from each cutout go toward the Trail Blazers Foundation, and you may get a chance to see you and your tiny head in the Fred Meyer Fan Zone live on TV. Even the Portland Pickles got in on the action.
Lets go @trailblazers! Dillon will be in the stands supporting you this season! We need a spot in the front row so that he can be looking over @brookeolzendam's shoulder all year!!😂🥒#RipCity #FrontRowDill https://t.co/zlrabNRHO7 pic.twitter.com/vLIg2wuTl7
— Portland Pickles (@picklesbaseball) December 16, 2020
FIVE & DAME (D.O.L.L.A.)
Lillard doesn’t just drop vicious stepback threes and then wave goodbye, he also drops bangers (apologies to my middle school English teachers, who would certainly be solemnly shaking their heads at me right now). When he’s not on the court, Dame D.O.L.L.A. (Different On Levels the Lord Allows) is in the studio, crafting hits like this year’s “Kobe” and “GOAT Spirit.” Maybe you could listen to a few of them while we go over the Blazers’ five upcoming games.
Utah Jazz
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
When: Wednesday, December 23, 7 p.m. PST
TV: NBC Sports Northwest
Radio: Rip City Radio 620
Houston Rockets
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
When: Saturday, December 26, 7 p.m. PST
TV: NBC Sports Northwest, NBA TV
Radio: Rip City Radio 620
Los Angeles Lakers
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: Monday, December 28, 7 p.m. PST
TV: NBC Sports Northwest, NBA TV
Radio: Rip City Radio 620
Los Angeles Clippers
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: Wednesday, December 30, 7 p.m. PST
TV: NBC Sports Northwest, NBA TV
Radio: Rip City Radio 620
Golden State Warriors
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
When: Friday, January 1, 7:30 p.m. PST
TV: NBC Sports Northwest, NBA TV
Radio: Rip City Radio 620
