National Basketball Association

What to make of the Trail Blazers Perfect Preseason Record

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 30, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns XXX in the first half of the NBA game point guard Eric Bledsoe (2) handles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

A 3-0 start to the preseason is reason for optimism. What can fans take away from the first three Trail Blazers games this season?

The Portland Trail Blazers continued their winning ways last night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Even more impressive, the Blazers’ third stringers beat out the Lakers starters in the overtime session.

What can we make of the 3-0 start to the preseason?

Damian Lillard looks to be in mid-season form

Maybe it was a good idea to skip the Olympics and heal his foot. Lillard declared earlier this month that he hasn’t played in a game without pain since early last season. Even if he didn’t show his foot pain the last half of last season, Lillard looks like a new player.

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Last night, it was very evident that the Trail Blazers have a superstar and the Lakers do not.

C.J. McCollum does not look to be in mid-season form

The shooting woes continued for the fourth year guard from Lehigh. It’s tough to ever know if McCollum is pressing or taking bad shots because of how adept he is with racking up points in unorthodox fashion. CJ proved last season that no shot is a bad shot when he is in rhythm. Unfortunately, he is not in rhythm at the moment.

However, it’s nothing to worry about going forward. McCollum had these type of shooting slumps during last year’s breakout season as well. Maybe it’s a good thing that McCollum gets one of his shooting slumps out of the way during preseason.

McCollum called himself out after the Suns game for not getting others involved. Despite his poor shooting against the Lakers, he did provide a couple of fantastic assists. It’s important that he continues to distribute on his off nights.

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) moves the ball defended by Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) and forward Meyers Leonard (left) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Two more Trail Blazers takeaways

This is Portland’s deepest roster in recent memory

Remember the early Terry Stotts’ coached rosters? He couldn’t find a consistent bench performer. Fast forward to this year, Stotts might have seven solid, consistent options off the bench. Sure, that is too many bodies to provide stable minutes come playoff time. However, it is such a luxury beginning a season with such a deep and talented roster.

The additions of Evan Turner and a healthy Meyers Leonard will put this roster over the top. Both players become an integral part of creating a small-ball lineup or switching to a larger lineup to counteract an opponent’s strength. Whether or not Festus Ezeli can get healthy would be the cherry on top of an incredibly versatile roster.

The Trail Blazers’ schedule will get tougher

Thus far, the closest player to a super-stardom the Trail Blazers have faced is probably Devin Booker – And he torched Portland. Sorry, Gordon Hayward does not meet the superstar criteria. No one is telling their grand kids about the time they saw Hayward play. Lillard has been the best player on the floor all three games, which will change soon.

We will find out how the Trail Blazers look against a contending team with superstars tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Remember, last season’s preseason match-up against the Clippers got a little heated. Also, the Clippers cannot be stoked about the Trail Blazers knocking them out of the playoffs a few months ago.