When the Portland Trail Blazers’ schedule for the 2017-18 season was released back in August, the first three games loomed large. Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who commands respect from all opponents, the Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks weren’t inherently intimidating. Given Portland’s tendency to start seasons slowly, though, a trio of road games held ominous implications. Ominous morphed into awesome as the Blazers ended up breaking records in Phoenix and handling the Pacers easily before falling in a close contest with the Bucks to earn a 2-1 mark in the young NBA season.
How the Trail Blazers Can Sustain their Early Success
