I think you're right in your predictions, but I don't think the season is without meaning. I think we'll get passed by pretty much everyone, maybe even the Pelicans, especially if Zion stays healthy. I also think we've already established ourselves as a team on the rise that's got a chance to be a real threat next season depending on where we land in the lottery and what trades we make. In the meantime, we're doing a lot of good things, beating some teams we probably shouldn't, developing, and finding out who can be a piece for us moving forward and showcasing some potential trade chips.
I think we're being extra careful with some of the injured guys because, while I think the injuries are legit, I think some of them could play, but there's little benefit in playing them and winning a few more extra games right now. I posted before, no matter what the organization said publicly, the organization's actions proved this was not a team trying to make the play-in round.
And it won't, but that's not a bad thing right now. This team is exponentially better than it was last year, and it will be at the end of the year regardless of the record. And the Blazers should be exponentially better next year. I wouldn't be shocked if next year's Blazers are in the top six in the West. Not a prediction or a guarantee, but I see things coming together that make me think that could be the case. If not, certainly in two years.
So all can be true. We can still play to win (aside from holding out some marginally injured players) and still drop in the standings and still improve.
