Not sure this deserves its own thread and wasn't sure where to put this, so here it is!
Some think the Blazers failed tanking is a blessing in disguise!
https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...rN-miS1MCoCwUEfWFt_aem_Svz1LUhTIJWFhFoIU3-Swg
The odds of the
Portland Trail Blazers securing a postseason berth were always long.
They were chasing numerous teams while proving unable to defeat winning teams along the way consistently.
Nevertheless, the exercise of the chase, which essentially halted with Friday’s loss at Chicago and mathematically ended on Sunday, could pay dividends moving forward.
“It’s a necessary process as you’re climbing and getting to that point,” Blazers coach
Chauncey Billups said. “For our guys to have played in so many meaningful games this year, where all the possessions matter, everything counts, that was new for a lot of these guys. That was new for me, as the coach. So, it’s so much fun to be able to be in the mix like that. And we’ve all grown because of it.”
The Blazers (35-44) were officially eliminated from contention Sunday when the Sacramento Kings (38-40) won at Cleveland to remain 3½ games ahead of the Blazers, who have three games remaining after defeating San Antonio.
The dream died with a win, but according to forward
Toumani Camara, strides made over the last 38 games were valuable.
“I feel like we didn’t really have too much of an expectation when we started the season,” he said. “We had a lot of ups and downs and stuff like that. And we’re down a lot of people right now, so we’re just trying to stack up as many wins as we can and get better every day. That’s been the main emphasis for us. Trying to focus on us and see what we can do in the future. We have a great group of young guys.”
Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) drives against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) APAP
Before the season began, bookmakers set the expectations for the Blazers with an over/under win total of 22.5 victories.
At the season’s midpoint, the Blazers were on pace for 26 wins at 13-28. Still, acquiring a high NBA lottery pick appeared far more likely than making a run at the postseason.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, the Blazers elevated their play, won 10 of 11, and found themselves within a few games of 10th place and the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
That was quite the contrast from last season when the Blazers finished 21-61, one of four 60-loss seasons in franchise history.
While the run of victories highlighted the team’s growth and potential, what came next further illustrated its youth and inexperience.
The Blazers lost their next 10 games against winning teams, while mixing in five victories over some of the worst teams in the NBA. That trend continued for the rest of the season and ultimately did in their chances.
The Blazers went 2-13 against winning teams, with the two victories coming against Memphis, minus Ja Morant, and Denver without Nikola Jokic.
The Blazers also dealt with more than their share of injuries. Center Deandre Ayton, who played his best basketball with the franchise during their winning stretch, was lost with a left calf injury. Jerami Grant followed with a knee injury. Robert Williams III rarely played, also because of a knee injury. Anfernee Simons (forearm) and Scoot Henderson (concussion) have missed the team’s last several games.
But despite the setbacks, the Blazers kept winning just enough to remain in the hunt.
Forward Kris Murray said the team embraced the challenge, and the competitive vibe around the team elevated.
“You kind of want to be in those scenarios,” Murray said. “It’s a long season, and we had tough points this season. We got really good highs, really good lows. And I think just kind of being in that conversation and kind of treating every game as a game seven these last few weeks has been really good for us, and it’ll help us in the long run, for sure.”
Kris Murray #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center on April 06, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers won 120-109. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)Getty Images
Billups said he enjoyed witnessing his team embrace the intensity of the race.
“It was nice,” he said. “Guys got up for the challenge every single game. We chased that thing. I loved how we showed up. There were so many games that we didn’t play great, but man, we would scrap our butts off understanding what was on the line. So, I think we learned so much because of it as a group.”
A valuable lesson learned was how important each game can be. Looking back, Billups said he could identify a handful of losses that should have been victories.
“I always tell our guys all year long, I’m saying, ‘These are the type of games that bite you in the end,‘” Billups said. “You can look at six or seven of those games, and it’s like, well, we had this game. It was over, in my eyes. But it just happens.”
Murray agreed.
“We know we’ve had a few games this year we kind of let get away,” he said. “And that could have been the difference between us being in the play-in our playoffs versus us going home early.”
The bar will be raised next season. The Blazers have
signed general manager Joe Cronin to a contract extension. Billups could be next. He has just a club option remaining on his deal.
The Blazers could make impactful roster moves this offseason. Growth from its core should be expected, as well as a .500 team, at least, for next season. Billups also hopes to be better.
“It’s just been so much fun for me, to be playing for something at this part of the season,” he said. “I’ve learned a ton. I’ve grown a lot in those moments, too. All in all, it was amazing.”
