Preseason NBA Power Rankings 16-30

Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard

greets Portland Trailblazers guard CJ McCollum (3) after game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

23. Portland Trailblazers Projected Record: 32-50 Shocked? The 2014 starting roster of PG Damian Lillard, SG Wesley Matthews, SF Nic Batum, PF LaMarcus Aldridge and C Robin Lopez is no more. Only franchise point guard Damian Lillard remains, and his new teammates will be SG Gerald Henderson, SF Al-Farouq Aminu, PF Ed Davis and PF Mason Plumlee. How do you even attempt to predict their chemistry, their ability to work together when they are only now making their introductions to one another?   Well the algorithm goes something like this.   Begin by taking last season’s win total (51) and divide by 2 (25.5).  Then factor in the win contribution of Lillard to this team (+3.5).  Then factor in the success factor of the team in the last 3 years (33,54,51) And then spin the wheel.   I simply cannot fathom how a team can repeat success in this NBA with a virtually entirely new team.  So I haven’t.

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