Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Power Rankings Week 16: Rise of the Phoenix Suns

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 31
Next
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

Last Week: Lost to LA Clippers 131-116, Lost to Utah Jazz 122-103, Beat Detroit Pistons 118-103

This Week: 4/11 vs. Miami Heat, 4/13 vs. Boston Celtics, 4/16 at San Antonio Spurs

Can there be an x-factor more important for the Portland Trail Blazers greater than Damian Lillard? He is averaging 29.0 points, 7.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game and is one of the most clutch players in the league. As the roster remains in flux around him due to injuries, he continues to put the Blazers on his back in route to another playoff berth.

The beauty of the roster is that the variability of the rest of the contributors is nearly impossible to predict. Some nights it will be Enes Kanter, who grabbed a franchise-record 30 rebounds Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons. Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons show flashes of the role players they hope to be. CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Norman Powell are impressive offensive co-stars, each primed to go off on a nightly basis.

Lillard is the one true constant. He has missed just two games this season and appears determined to lead the Blazers on another playoff run. The road will not be easy, considering they currently rank sixth in the Western Conference. However, if the standings hold that would give them a first-round date with the LA Clippers. Remembering the end to last season, this could be the perfect time for Dame Time.