There are some vague similarities, the main one being that the team is attempting to make up for its lack of superlative stars (one All-Star at PF, much like the single All-Star the Blazers had with Rasheed Wallace), with a strong bench. But don't confuse a solid improvement over last year - from a deplorable bench - and think the current Blazers have a bench to rival one of the deepest teams in Blazers' history.
On individual basis:
Overachieving point guard? On its face, Damian Lillard is this team's Damon Stoudamire, only better.
Tough as nails shooting guard? Wesley Matthews has some of JR Rider's attitude, without the penchant for idiocy, so I'd buy that one.
Huge front line like Wallace-Grant-Sabonis? Nowhere close. But with Lopez blocking shots, Aldridge holding his own as a long 6'11", and Batum playing bigger than his height, the current Blazers could see some of the same defensive benefits.
Maybe Dorrell Wright has the makings of a Walt Williams and Stacey Augmon blend, if he turns out as promised?
Thomas Robinson could well be the Blazers' Jermaine O'Neal - but let's hope they actually give him significant minutes.
I don't expect CJ McCollum to be another Greg Anthony, Jimmy Jackson, or Bonzi Wells - but I wouldn't mind seeing him become a clone of a player from a different team from that era: Bobby Jackson of Sacramento. That was back when the Kings were a tough out in the playoffs, Arco Arena was hell to play in, and Jackson was the general of the bench mob, that held or created, many a Kings' lead.
Oh and Kelvin Cato a significant contributor? I beg to differ. He was five fouls and the occasional burst of blocked shots. He'd be about the 10th most important player on that team.
