Portland Trail Blazers: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

Strength: One of the best backcourts in the NBA

Guards Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have served as the Blazers’ backbone for the past two seasons. Both are capable of scoring and making plays at such a high level. So much so, their combined 50.0 points per game during the regular season led the league among starting guard combos.

Both players are coming off of career seasons in multiple categories. Lillard set personal bests in points and rebounds per game, field goal percentage and even free throw percentage. Meanwhile, McCollum led the league in free throw percentage and was seventh in 3-point percentage. He also improved in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game and field goal percentage.

Lillard has been a lead guard for Portland since he first arrived in 2012, and he’s shaping up to be an all-time Blazer. McCollum is an example of constantly working to get better. The lanky guard from Lehigh went from benchwarmer to marquee player in four years time.

The Blazers have this dynamic duo under contract through the 2020-21 season. These contracts will take them through their peak seasons, which the team hopes will bear great things. The key will be how well the front office continues to build around these two.