In the first iteration of 2017-18 NBA Power Rankings, ESPN places the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 14 overall, just behind the Milwaukee Bucks, just ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, and No. 9 among Western Conference teams. Their projected record, using ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, is 42-40, an improvement of just one win from their 2016-17 campaign:
Projected 2017-18 record: 42-40
Last season: 41-41 | L, Round 1
Damian Lillard averaged 25 points per game each of the past two seasons but wasn't selected an All-Star in either season.