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NBA Teams Making the Postseason Hunt Interesting

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9, left) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9, left) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 36-35

Last 10: 3-7

Current Seed: No. 6

Current Streak: Lost 1

If the Portland Trail Blazers somehow manage to make the playoffs, Terry Stotts will be a prime candidate for Coach of the Year. In order to reach the postseason, Portland just has to stop losing during its most important stretch.

Since jumping out to a record of 33-28, the Trail Blazers have gone just 3-7.

Portland’s sudden regression is to be expected, to some extent, as it’s severely overachieving. LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews, and Arron Afflalo all left during the summer of 2015, and Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have been the only star-caliber players in 2015-16.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has gone as far as singling coach Stotts out as the man whom he’d vote for as Coach of the Year.

For what it’s worth, Stotts used to be an assistant under Carlisle. Nevertheless, the point is valid.

Portland’s overachievement has made it one of the most compelling success stories of the year. Not many view the Trail Blazers as viable threats to win the NBA championship, but all will readily acknowledge how dangerous of a team Neil Olshey has constructed.

If you’re at all concerned about Portland missing the playoffs, star point guard Damian Lillard has a message for you: “Not on my watch.”

Lillard’s, “Chip on my shoulder,” approach to the game has rubbed off on his teammates. Portland’s roster is flush with players who were essentially rejected by other teams, and have come together to create one of the deeper and more productive rotations in the NBA.

The Trail Blazers are on thin ice as one of four teams fighting for three spots in the playoffs, but Lillard is confident that he can lead Portland back to the postseason.