Clipperholics
Fansided

Ranking the LA Clippers’ toughest Western Conference opponents

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 shakes hands with CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Three of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 shakes hands with CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Three of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Portland Trail Blazers

Considering the LA Clippers’ big moves on Friday night, the Portland Trail Blazers won’t be given much attention as a potential title-contending team next season. Whether that’ll be the case or not will remain to be seen, but even if they aren’t in that conversation, they’re always a threat to give you a hard-fought game — especially come playoffs time.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are still one of the best backcourt duos in basketball, if not the best, and that doesn’t look like it’ll be changing any time soon. According to The Athletic, Lillard agreed to a four-year supermax extension with Portland this offseason, worth $196 million. In addition to that, McCollum is signed through the 2020-2021 NBA season, and I wouldn’t expect their partnership to come to an end soon.

Outside of those two, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Blazers perform in the upcoming season. Portland traded for Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside this summer, presumably to fill the gap at center while Jusuf Nurkic recovers from the devastating injury he suffered back in March.

Other notable additions include Kent Bazemore, Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver, all of whom add a considerable level of depth to Portland’s roster. Zach Collins and Anfernee Simons should take steps forward in 2019-2020 as well, giving the Blazers some young talent to rely on.

The Blazers are as much of a lock to make the Western Conference playoffs as ever, and they could be a team that the Clippers may end up meeting in the first round. And as long as Lillard is on that squad, they’re a threat to upset any team they’re up against.

Home/Clippers News