2. Win 50 games
Winning 49 games in the Western Conference is certainly an accomplishment, and one that the Portland Trail Blazers should be proud of. Naturally, the next step would be to improve on that win total.
Rip City was well on its way to the 50-win mark on April 1, as a 113-98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies gave them a 48-29 record with five games remaining in the season. Unfortunately, the team followed up their victory with a 0-4 road trip, putting the 50-win plateau out of reach.
Reaching that goal will be a tall order this year, as teams across the conference have fortitied their rosters to better compete for a playoff spot. Last season, the Trail Blazers clinched the third seed, but were only three games better than the ninth-place Denver Nuggets. The margin for error is going to be even slimmer in 2018-19.
Portland’s last 50-win season came in 2014-15 when it won 51 games. To reach those heights again, the rotation will have to jell quickly with the new acquisitions, the team will have to replicate its top-10 defense and the offense will need to speed up and spread out more.
While most fans and media will understandably focus on the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, the Blazers could also make their own noise in the West if they bring it all together and win at least 50 games.