The Portland Trail Blazers are 8-14, good enough for the seventh worst record in the league. This is not exactly an envious position for postseason hopefuls across the league. And yet there’s an ongoing debate within the fanbase about whether the Blazers are winning too many games for their own good.
The point of a basketball game is to win though, right?
As a fan, it’s thrilling to see the team compete and win, but there’s a strategic element to consider. The Blazers are in a rebuilding phase, and securing a high draft pick is likely crucial for acquiring superstar talent. Yet, winning games often means that young players like Scoot Henderson, Shaeden Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija are developing well, which is a positive sign for the future.
You want the young players to play well. That is also the point of roster building, right?
The team has done an impressive job of identifying and developing role players, creating a roster filled with competent contributors. However, the absence of a true superstar remains a glaring gap. The hope is that players like Sharpe can evolve into key figures, potentially reaching the level where role players complement their star qualities.
But thus far the Blazers don’t have an obvious franchise pillar, and winning games that hurt their draft lottery odds might seem to some like steps in the wrong direction.
Let us for a moment step back. It’s friggin December. The Blazers have a very clean path to one of the five worst records in the league and they’re getting some useful developmental minutes along the way.
As the season progresses, the Blazers face the challenge of maintaining a balance between winning and developing their young talent. The front office, led by Joe Cronin, must decide when to pivot and make strategic trades (and fake injuries) to align with their long-term vision. It’s a delicate dance, but one that could define the team’s trajectory for years to come.
For now, enjoy the wins. It’s fine! As Herman Edwards once noted, you play to win the games. The losses will come naturally and eventually unnaturally when the late Winter to Spring tankathon truly commences. In the pre-Christmas portion of the NBA schedule, earning a few extra entertaining wins should be celebrated not fretted.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Portland Trail Blazers’ season, tune into today’s Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more with guest Conor Bergin of Blazer’s Edge.
