Injuries Begin To Mount For Blazers As Playoffs Loom

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Robby Davis, GolocalPDX Contributor

With a little over a week left in the regular season, the Portland Trailblazers are eagerly awaiting to see who they will be facing in the 2015 NBA playoffs. If the playoffs started today the Northwest Division champs would be facing the Los Angeles Clippers, a team who they have lost to three times this season.

Unfortunately, the Trailblazers will be dealing with a number of injuries heading into this year’s playoffs. Wesley Matthews has been lost for the season due to a torn Achilles, Dorell Wright is out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, and LaMarcus Aldridge has been playing through a torn ligament in his thumb.

There’s no doubt that all these injuries will have an affect on the Western Conference playoff picture.

Fortunately for the Trailblazers, many of their young bench players have stepped up and shown what they are capable of. Specifically C.J. McCollum.

Since Matthews sustained his season-ending injury C.J. McCollum has stepped up in his absence. Against the Golden State Warriors on March 25th McCollum scored a season-high 23 points. Eight day after that he set a new season-high with 27 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the last 12 games McCollum is averaging 11.3 points and 2.1 rebounds. With Matthews out indefinitely McCollum has an opportunity to show why the Blazers drafted him 10th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

After last year’s second round exit, Portland is hoping that the development of their bench players can take them even further in this year’s playoffs.

Related Slideshow: Oregon’s Top Pac-12 College Football Players

Here are some of the Oregon players who have managed to make it into the 2014 Top Pac-12 Players List.

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#22 Byron Marshall

College: University of Oregon

Position: Running Back

In 2013 he had 168 carries, 14 touchdowns, 13 catches, 155 receiving yards, and 1,038 rushing yards. It’s no wonder he makes it as #22 on this list. Not only do these stats make him a player to watch, but also a player with a lot of potential to climb the rankings.

Photo Credit: Scott Enyeart (Own Work) Live Link (Image Cropped)

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#19 Isaac Seumalo

College: Oregon State University

Position: Offensive Lineman

This Offensive Lineman managed to block QB Sean Mannion who set the Pac-12 single-season record with 4,662 yards passing. With his abilities to block in the manner of which he did makes him a prime candidate to possibly win the Rimington Trophy, Outland Trophy, and/or Rotary Lombardi Award.

Photo Credit: Karl Maasdam (Own Work) (Image Cropped) Courtesy Oregon State University

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#10 Hroniss Grasu

College: University of Oregon

Position: Center

As a junior in 2013 he became one of three Oregon native players to be named All-Pac-12 two seasons in a row. He has managed to lead the offensive line to the conference’s number 1 rushing attack. Entering his final year at U of O, Grasu has started all 40 games of his career at UO making him one of the Duck’s greatest players.

Photo Credit: Daniel Hartwig (Own Work) Live Link (Image Cropped)

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#6 Sean Mannion

College: Oregon State University

Position: Quarterback

Ranking here for breaking the Pac-12 single-season record with 4,662 yards thrown, 35 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, this is a player the NFL is watching closely. Already sitting at #10 on the conference’s all-time passing list, it’s going to be a breeze for him to pass Matt Barkley’s record of 12,327 yards thrown.

Photo Credit: Karl Maasdam (Own Work) (Image Cropped) Courtesy Oregon State University

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#4 Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

College: University of Oregon

Position: Cornerback

In 2013 he was the second Ducks player to have 84 tackles with 3 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. He is a force to be reckoned with. It has been unanimous that he is to be the 2014 Preseason All-American. It’s also been hinted that he may not last too long in the 2015 NFL draft.

Photo Credit: Daniel Hartwig (Own Work) Live Link (Image Cropped)

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#1 Marcus Mariota

College: University of Oregon

Position: Quarterback

With stats such as completing 63.5% of his passes with 3,665 yards, 31 touchdowns, only 4 interceptions, rushing a total of 715 yards with 9 touchdowns, this makes him a hot candidate for the NFL. He has managed to make U of O one of the Pac-12 favorite college teams as well as a national title contender. He has also set a U of O single-season record throwing 4,380 total yards and set a Pac-12 record by attempting to throw 353 consecutive passes without interception. He is also in the running to win the Heisman Trophy as a 1A option.

Photo Credit: Scott Enyeart (Own Work) Live Link (Image Cropped)