With the Playoffs Looming, the Trail Blazers can Decide Their Own Fate

The Blazers of a year ago were a team full of young talent. They had made the playoffs for the first time since the jail Blazer era, and had very low expectations for the postseason.

They were unfortunate in the aspect that they were matched up with the Houston Rockets. 

However, this season, is completely different. The Trail Blazers came into the season brimming with their young talent from a year ago, but the expectations from the city sat heavier on their shoulders than ever before. They were expected to win more games and advance past the first round and beyond.

Even I found that hard to believe before the season started. I mean 52 games is quite an achievement for a young roster such as the Portland team had. The season started slow; Andre Miller took criticism for everything he was not instead of everything he could contribute. Nate Mcmillans' future was in question, and the playoff hopes of this promising franchise seemed further away than anyone could have ever expected.

After heart breaking injuries to Nic Batum, Greg Oden, and Joel Pryzbilla, the energy around the team fizzled away. But the coaches would not let misfortune define their season.

18 different starting line ups later, the Portland Trail Blazers have the opportunity to do something special in the playoffs. They finally have the veteran leadership the organization was seeking (albeit it was not how they expected to go about acquiring experience) and seemingly show the toughness of a battle-hardened playoff team, even if they are not.

If the Blazers win this afternoon at the Lakers, they will have an excellent chance to win out, finishing with the same record as the end of last season, which is an accomplishment within its self.

With those 52 wins would come either a first round matchup of either the Dallas Mavericks or the Denver Nuggets, two teams in which the Blazers have seen varying success with on the road this season, but it goes without saying that the Blazers would enjoy a Dallas matchup due to their recent success.

But whatever they do, the Portland Trail Blazers cannot be afraid of anyone.

We want Utah.

We want the Lakers.

We want Denver.

We want Dallas.

No fear.

The Trail Blazers cannot afford to play for a particular matchup. They are in control of their own fate, which is something that should be taken advantage of.