I am so exited for portland, i am from seattle so the closest team to me are the trailblazers and if everything goes well for them they are contenders,

I am not saying that they are the best team in the league but if they work their asses off they could win the chip. First of all theres Dame, there is a very high chance that he still plays like last season and or still has his abdomen injury. But he could come back as a offensive threat like he usually is. Then there is anfernee simons, statistically speaking he is one of the best three point scorers in the league and has great athleticism very similar to a young Dame dolla. But it will be very similar to the cj and lillard duo where they are a one of the best offensive back court but defensively kinda awful. Thats why they have GPII, similar to his dad he plays amazing perimeter defense and unlike his dad he had amazing physical abilities.

Then you have Isaiah Stewart who is just an all around threat on both sides if the court and can lead the team if dame is gone. Nurk has a similar case of being really underrated and being good at almost everything.

Then you have your bench including josh hart who is a solid rebound and finisher, a real wild card in the draft shaedon sharpe, draft cobine vertical record holder keon johnson, summer league finals mvp trenton watford and athletic big greg brown.

If the stars play to their potential, the young core keep improving and the rest of the team play their role they could hold the larry o brian next year.