BTBP NBA Power Rankings: December Edition
By Adam McGee
Nov 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Tim Frazier (10) talk after a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 108-96. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
22. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers were left with a pretty bare closet after four of their five starters departed Rip City for pastures new this summer, yet all things considered, they’ve done a nice job of retooling. The Trail Blazers may not be good this season, but they’ll have a young, flexible core who will learn and get better.
Portland is Damian Lillard’s team now, and the All-Star is as good as ever, but perhaps the most encouraging detail for the Blazers has been the production of some of his young teammates. C.J. McCollum has proven himself to be a more than suitable backcourt mate for Lillard, averaging 19.5 points of his own, while Mason Plumlee provides a steady center presence.
Next: 21. New York Knicks