I am surprised to see Portland has won 8 out of last 10 games. If in the Eastern conference they could easily make a playoff spot.
4th winning streak. I didn't expect that too. I put the Trail Blazers in my worst teams this year including the Wizards. But truly, they had been surprisingly winning their games.
When I saw Avdija's name in their roster I though why they are winning games. That dude is phenomenal and he can do everything. From rebounds to assists and some points. He plays like Sengun but because he is on a team that relies on isolation he cannot manifest his skills.
If I am to make a team, I will definitely added Avdija in my team. Not selfish and better for teams who plays a passing game.
I think teams like Trail Blazers are not diving in any game and really doesn't want to lose. It's just because the teams doesn't have great players that's why they keep on losing. And with that kind of mindset, maybe they treat like every game as their last and so they really try to give everything they got. And amongst they've lost, there are games that are really very close. So let's see how far or what kind of mindset they will have up to the end of this regular season. And then just look forward to next year, just like when Detroit had 28 losing games last season if I'm not mistaken. But now look at the end, so much improvement and forget what had happen to them. Hopefully, the same with Wizards, there are trade rumors surrounding Kyle Kuzma. If that materialized then we might see a different team next year.
Let's also add that they may be underestimated which is why that happened. When it comes to the Wizards, I have not seen them getting aggressive in the trade or even rebuilding.
There's a rumor that the Wizards will be trading Kuzma for Middleton of the Bucks and the deadline is really near so they might want to prepare their chess pieces if they are sure about this. They have a good core but I don't see any teamwork within their team. Poole does what he wants and Kuzma does the same and that's the reason behind most of their losses because they are so predictable with only isolation plays.
I think the only good chance of the Wizards is to get a good draft pick and maybe make it the face of their franchise.