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NLL Insider - Team by Team: Portland Trailblazers

by Mavs4Life, updated on Saturday, October 18 2014, 08:26 pm EST

2013-2014 Finish: 57-25


Season Highlight


The Portland Trailblazers got really good, really fast.  It all started shortly before the season did, as GM DJDrew made one of the biggest trades of the year, giving up young superstar John Wall and other assets to acquire not just Dwight Howard, one of the best players in the league, but also sharpshooting veteran Manu Ginobili. What happened next was immediate magic, as Dwight and Manu immediately clicked in Rip City, and the Blazers took off, becoming one of the powerhouses of the league as a leader in the Western conference. The Trailblazers finished the season 57-25, finishing third in the West behind the two main powers of the conference, Sacramento and San Antonio.


Season Lowlight


Things were only going up, and only looked to be getting better after a sweep in the first round over the team the Trailblazers traded with to become so good, the Denver Nuggets. Sacramento was now the only thing in the way left to stop Portland for a chance at the conference title. Then seven games happened. Everyone besides the first (a road blowout of 19 points by Portland) decided by seven points or less, going into game seven, it was anybody’s series. An intense fight came down to the final minute, but the Blazers just couldn’t pull it out. In one of the best playoff series the NLL had ever seen, Sacramento squeaked out of Game 7 and the semi-finals with a 113-108 win. Portland’s dream season was over in the blink of an eye.


Best Trade


The Denver Nuggets send Manu Ginobili, Udonis Haslem, Dwight Howard, Tyshawn Taylor and Mike Muscala to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Portland Trail Blazers send Kwame Brown, Travis Outlaw, Kendrick Perkins, John Wall, Derrick Favors and Lucas Nogueira to the Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets receive 20 GM points. The Portland Trail Blazers trade -20 GM points.


There likely has never been a more obvious “Best Trade” then this one. DJDrew and former Nuggets GM Nick made an excellent trade that perfectly benefited both teams. Without this move, the Blazers may not have made the playoffs at all, with it; they were just minutes away from a chance to play for the West’s NBA Finals spot. Not much else can be said, it was an excellent trade and franchise changing move.


Worst Trade


The Philadelphia 76ers send Ramon Sessions, Robert Sacre and Henry Sims to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Portland Trail Blazers send Udonis Haslem and Jordan Crawford to the Philadelphia 76ers.


The Blazers needed a point guard, but not like this. Yes, Ramon Sessions became one of the league’s best all-around players following the move, but Jordan Crawford was one of the Blazers’ best players in the first quarter of the year, while also being well-rounded playing combo guard. This was less a worse trade and more of an unnecessary one. Who knows, maybe if Crawford stays, his streaky shooting would help Portland squeeze out some of those close games against the Kings. We’ll never know, but with Sessions and Crawford both seeming to be out the door for the next year, this trade really didn’t need to be done.

 

Other Notable Trades


The Charlotte Bobcats send Austin Daye to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Portland Trail Blazers send Tyshawn Taylor to the Charlotte Bobcats.


The Charlotte Bobcats receive 8 GM points. The Portland Trail Blazers trade -8 GM points.


GM DJDrew spends 8 points on Austin Daye and he gets him 12 additions to the stat sheet, none of them points.


Best FA Signing


Cartier Martin- The Blazers made a key re-signing in bring Martin back and for less than a million dollars, his super sharp three-point shooting was worth every penny.


Worst FA Signing


Dwight Buycks- Without knowing league rules, Portland wastes their BAE for a player that ended up playing only eight games. It’s unlikely that it will have too big of an effect going onto next year, but this just didn’t need to be done.


Star


Dwight Howard- Howard has proven time and time again that he can be a pure beast, and he did it again in the 13-14 season.  The man they call Chocolate Shoulders averaged just a tick under 20 points per game, a tick under 13 rebounds per game, and a block while shooting 69% from the field and a slightly surprising 73% from the free throw line. He was without a doubt the best center in the league, and made the blockbuster deal worth every element moved.


Surprise


Ramon Sessions- Ramon Sessions went off after spending his 1st 30 games of the season as a benchwarmer. In a career year, Sessions did basically everything he could possibly do for the Trailblazers. Scoring, grabbing the boards, throwing lobs up to D-12 and fast break pass offs to Manu. If something was happening for the Blazers, it was likely that Ramon Sessions started it all. His shooting wasn’t the best, but that doesn’t change his rebounding and assists numbers, which are those of an all-star player. Sadly, the likelihood that Sessions is back in Rip City for this year is small, but last season’s performance should gain him a ton of interest as free agency begins. Get those GM points ready!


Goat


They key to success in the NLL- have no true goats on your team. Portland did just that, and it was a big part to their 57-25 success.

 

 

Draft Report Card


P.J. Hariston- For one of the best teams in the league, Portland got an excellent draft pick in North Carolina’s P.J. Hairston…. at least on paper. While Hairston should’ve been able to jump in and get to work off the Blazers bench, he’s already in trouble before his premiere game. First up was the fighting incident, then the assault charges. If Hairston keeps at it, he’ll find himself in court more than on it. Hopefully Manu, Dwight, and Joe Johnson can use some of their veteran knowledge to get the young guy together, or he’ll likely find himself out of the league, quickly.


Looking To the Future


There’s a lot to live up to in Portland this year. After the best season since 06’ (NLL Finals Appearance), it’ll be tough for the Blazers to do even better, but it definitely is possible. The Big 3- Dwight Howard, Joe Johnson, and Manu Ginobili- will all be back for another go around. After that comes some question marks, and not too much cap space, just a bit over twelve million dollars left under the luxury cap. There are some pickups that definitely need to be made, but if DJDrew showed anything last year, it’s that he’ll make a needed deal or signing happen.


Upcoming Free Agents


James Jones- (Surprisingly) barely used by the Blazers, the sharpshooter will be heading out to try and find greener pastures.

Ramon Sessions- With his cheap production, Portland would likely love to have Sessions back, but with chances for a payroll increase, a return is unlikely.

Cartier Martin- Once again solid production for a cheap cost will likely be unable to be duplicated.

Dwight Buycks- Reports are the lesser Dwight is headed for a bigger payout in Europe. There’s a strong chance the Blazers don’t care.

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