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NBA Power Rankings: 2014-15 Western Conference Projections

By Shane Young

May 29, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) react during the second half in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) react during the second half in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) speaks with small forward Nicolas Batum (88), point guard Damian Lillard (0), center Robin Lopez (42) and shooting guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

7.  Portland Trail Blazers — 51-31

Hardest month:  February  (.528)

Weakest month:  January  (.490)

Back-to-backs:  19

The phenomenal job Terry Stotts did last season with Portland has been put to the side, stomped on, and disrespected this offseason.  If there’s one team pundits decide to slide toward the bottom in their conference forecast, it’s been the Trail Blazers — due to their below-average defense and everyone in the West figuring them out.

Wait, am I really the one to talk?  They have slid from the No. 5 seed to No. 7, with only a decrease of three wins from last season.  It’s a tightly contested West, and you’ll find Oklahoma City taking advantage of the four games they’ll have with Portland.  While the Timberwolves and Jazz don’t pose tough divisional opponents, it’s never a foregone conclusion that you’ll sweep each 4-0.

After the first round of the 2014 Playoffs, LaMarcus Aldridge decided it was time to climb out of a shell and show why he needs the credit as the best power forward in the game.  He doesn’t live from beyond the arc, but his shooting touch from mid-range — Portland being a top three leader from that area — is something I’d take over Kevin Love’s cloudy identity as a “stretch four.”

What makes this team so nonsensical is the ages of Damian Lillard, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews.  With an average age of 25.3, they aren’t declining anytime soon, and that rests as a scary problem for the West’s top contenders.  Of any seed below five, they easily get the recognition of the one you don’t want to draw in a first round matchup.  Especially if your shooting guard can’t defend the pick-and-roll or a simple baseline drive-by.

Leading the league in rebounding last season (46.4 per game), Portland made sure Robin Lopez stood out defensively on a playoff-caliber team, something that hadn’t been done.

Replacing Mo Williams (who had his fair share of thrilling moments) with veteran Steve Blake, the Blazers attacked more outside shooting, and they’ll have a guy that knows how to run screen rolls to a perfection, and enjoys spotting up in the left or right corner.  He’s the best combo guard they could have attended to.

Chris Kaman won’t have to spread his body out sleeping on the bench next season.  The excitement in the Moda Center exceeds what went down in Staples, for either Los Angeles team last season.  Portland’s fourth quarter specialties are the cause for a resurgence in the fan base.