Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Ron Leyba, the lead editor of FantasyBasketballMoneyLeagues.Com – good source of fantasy basketball news and rumors. You can follow @NBAFantasyInfo via Twitter or via Facebook for more updates.
The Portland Trail Blazers recorded a breakaway season in 2014 – 2015. Rip City entered the campaign really strong and it very quickly reached the top of the Western Conference, only to fall to the fifth spot by the end of the regular season. The Blazers did make a solid run during the 2014 NBA Playoffs and if there was one aspect of their game that needed a significant upgrade that was bench production. Rip City tried to make some changes up to now in the offseason and targeted some players who may be able to make the difference next season, coming off the bench. So, how much can the reserves help Rip City do better in 2014 – 2015?
Experienced veterans into the mix
The Blazers were one of the first teams around the league to enter the offseason signing’s dance, even before the post LeBron James’ Decision dominoes started falling. The Blazers brought in two former Los Angeles Lakers, two veterans with much experience and a championship mentality, Steve Blake and Chris Kaman. Whilst none of them is the true difference maker, both of them can be very solid options coming off the bench. Blake is a terrific ball handler; he can set the team up on offense and he can knock down the open three pointer. Kaman, on the other hand, came to address the Blazers’ need for a quality presence inside. He has the size and the skills to defend the backup center position and in fact, he is projected to be one of the main members of the Blazers’ bench next season. Both of them may be viable members of the team when it comes to the postseason.
Youngsters getting a bigger role
Three young, emerging players with lots of potential, Thomas Robinson, Will Barton and C.J. McCollum, will probably see their role getting upgraded next season. Terry Stotts will have to rely more on McCollum, now that Mo Williams is no longer a member of the Blazers’ roster and as a matter of fact, the 22-year-old guard has proven he can be a factor. A severe injury at the start of the 2013 – 2014 campaign didn’t allow him to unfold his full skillset but next season, McCollum should be able to showcase his abilities. In fact, he may end up being the sixth man of the team, a role Mo Williams held last season. Will Barton will most probably see more minutes next season, too.
Other significant reserves
Dorell Wright, Meyers Leonard and Joel Freeland were good but not great last season for Rip City and it’s still unknown if they’ll manage to produce more. The addition of Kaman will definitely cut a few minutes from Freeland and Leonard, but the Blazers will definitely need the 100 percent of all their members in order to compete against the powerhouses of their conference.
Summing up
For yet another season, the starting five will be the ones who will take the biggest chunk of the load, on both ends of the floor. The stats show that the Blazers’ starting unit played the second-most minutes out of any other starting five around the league. So, yes bench will be a factor for Rip City but look for Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and the rest of the starters to try and make the difference.
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