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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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

1. The teams they’re competing against are flawed

The Portland Trail Blazers are not a perfect team. However, if the four aforementioned things come together in 2017-18, they will be in the playoffs again. In addition to those four things, it will also require some help from things they can’t control.

As stated in the intro, competition in the Western Conference is tougher this season. So much so, that it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Blazers once again fighting for one of the final playoff spots. They will likely be battling with teams like the Nuggets, Pelicans, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies for postseason position.

Each of those teams have valuable players that will lead them to many victories this season. The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap, the Pelicans have Davis and Cousins, the Jazz have Rudy Gobert and the Grizzlies have Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.

However, those teams also have major flaws that could derail their paths to the playoffs. For instance, the Nuggets are a volatile team that struggles to defend. The Pelicans have two cornerstone players in the frontcourt, but depth issues on the wings and the bench.

Utah lost a major star in Gordon Hayward this summer, and will have to figure out who their new offensive engine will be. Lastly, the Grizzlies lost several key veterans that were important to the team culture and are left with youth and depth issues.

If any of these teams see these problems surface as the Blazers surge, Portland will be able to leapfrog them and earn a playoff spot.

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However, instead of hoping others fall and backing into a playoff spot, it’s more important for the Portland Trail Blazers to handle their part by playing their best. Getting into the playoffs this season indicates that the team improved on its strengths. A Blazers team that lets its stars flourish in the pick-and-roll, shoots threes, rebounds efficiently and improves defensively is one that is playoff-caliber.

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