Hoops Habit
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Ti’s Four-Point Play: Fighting For The Middle Of The NBA’s West

By Ti Windisch

Jan 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives to the basket on Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) and center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter of the NBA game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives to the basket on Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) and center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter of the NBA game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers (18-25)

The Portland Trail Blazers are a nice way to end this piece, because they’re so, so happy to be where they are right now. Portland essentially tore down its roster after losing LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, and went with a full-on youth movement to rebuild around Damian Lillard.

I hesitate to call that tanking, especially because Portland hasn’t been horrible this year. The odds of them capturing that eighth seed are slim to none, but at least the Trail Blazers are competitive. And they’re certainly not out of the race entirely.

It was easy for Portland to exceed expectations given that there were none, but that doesn’t make them any less fun to watch this year. Head coach Terry Stotts is proving his worth as an NBA coach by molding this group of youngsters into a team in the playoff hunt, even if they’re likely going to end up on the outside looking in.

Keep an eye on Portland’s guard situation. Dame is obviously the starter at point guard going forward, but it’s going to be fascinating to see what the Blazers do with C.J. McCollum.

More hoops habit: Every NBA Team's Best Bargain Contract

McCollum has been amazing all season starting next to Lillard and has a great chance to win the NBA Comeback Player of the Year award, but concerns remain that he and Lillard are too small to start next to each other on a championship team. McCollum being too good to be used as a super sixth man is a great problem for the Blazers to have, but it’s one that has to be dealt with regardless.