It was written a thousand times: The Portland Trail Blazers reached a ceiling in the playoffs because defenses could throw every defender at Damian Lillard and not worry about any repercussions. With so-so shooters in Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless on the wings and a traditional center in the paint, simply not enough space existed for the back court to operate.
This season was supposed to be different. The Blazers signed Rodney Hood and Anthony Tolliver and traded for Kent Bazemore; all three were proven shooters.