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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

By Raymond Simms

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 2: The Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 2: The Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. They will rebound everything

The power forward position is a little jumbled at the moment. There are six players on the roster that can play the 4. However, it’s not clear how the depth chart will shake out yet. That can be problematic when it comes to offensive schemes or defensive assignments.

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However, regardless of who is playing at power forward and center, they will certainly rebound the ball.

Three Blazers averaged over 10 rebounds per 36 minutes in 2016-17: Nurkic (12.8 as a Blazer), Davis (11.1), and Noah Vonleh (11.0). On top of that, Portland’s two rookie additions are also proficient at rebounding. Caleb Swanigan averaged 15.3 rebounds per 40 minutes at Purdue last season, while Zach Collins averaged 13.6 boards per 40 at Gonzaga.

Rebounding is facet of the game that can sometimes be taken for granted. The boards can be overlooked because they happen so often and lack the flash of scoring, assists or defensive plays. However, defensive boards are crucial to cutting an opponent’s possession short, while offensive rebounding gives the team more opportunities to score.

Being able to shoot threes efficiently while also limiting opponents chances to score via rebounding will equal wins for the Blazers.

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