Where the Portland Trail Blazers lack in championships and Hall of Famers, they’ve made up for in improvisation. They’re probably on Mount Rushmore for it. As a case in point: Portland’s made the postseason in 35 of a possible 49 seasons, and their best free agent since joining the NBA in 1970 is … maybe Rod Strickland? Wesley Matthews? Kenny Anderson?
The same story is told in 2020. Chemistry and continuity are the name of the game in Rip City. The roadmap to a Western Conference Finals a season ago was predicated on chemistry and role players playing their roles to a tee.