There are a few key differences between the Portland Trail Blazers and the just-covered Raptors, and hardly any of them provide aid for Rip City’s better odds.
The Blazers were thin annually, buttressing an elite starting five with next to nothing off the seat. Bringing in Chris Kaman and Steve Blake does not feel as a Fantastic remedy.
Obviously, second-year guard C.J. McCollum needs to see his role increase this year, and he’s got the combo-guard skills to produce an effect. Head coach Terry Stotts is apparently leaning toward him as a first man; McCollum led all Blazers reserves in minutes per game during the preseason.
For all this, it’s hard to grasp why Portland is seen as a larger title hazard than Toronto. The Blazers’ conference is tougher, their bench is still thinner and they ended the year at just 23-19 after a red-hot start. Portland is a good team, but it might not be more than that.
It’ll be up to Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and the remaining starters to replicate that fifth-ranked offensive rating. If they can’t do this, suspect defense and an underwhelming chair may finally hit one of the past year’s biggest surprises with a painful dose of reality.

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