5 Most Important Changes for Blazers to Make After 2015 NBA All-Star Break

They say history repeats itself. Who "they" are is unclear, but what's apparent is that the 2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers epitomize this unattributed phrase. 

In 2013-14, the team from the Pacific Northwest shocked the NBA, only to come back down to earth partway through the season. It began with a 31-9 record, but what immediately followed was a 5-9 stretch over its next 14 contests. 

This season, Portland started 30-9 before going 5-8 en route to its current record of 35-17.

Luckily for the Blazers, they proved in 2014 that a lull in the middle of the season isn't the end of the world. The team went on to make the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, and it has a chance to exceed expectations once again if it can get back on track with the 2015 All-Star Game around the corner.

Return to Defending the Three

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As it stands at the time of this publication, the Trail Blazers are second in the NBA when it comes to three-point percentage allowed to opponents. Not bad, right?

Here's the problem: The Blazers' ranking in this category comes from success early in the year—not from recent trends.

Over its last 14 games, Portland is third-to-last in that category, giving up 38.1 percent from the three-point line, according to NBA.com. In the 38 games prior, the Blazers were first in the Association, giving up an impressive 28.7 percent from deep.

What changed? Part of it is health. With Robin Lopez and Joel Freeland out of the lineup—two players who are superstars in the underrated category of standing tall with two hands and not fouling—perimeter defenders may have felt the need to play back a step in fear of getting burned and having no rim protection.

Luckily for this squad, the team is getting healthy. Lopez is back, and Freeland (while still a question mark) is no longer listed as injured on ESPN.com.

The Blazers need to remind people of the defensive improvements they made early in the year. That includes forcing more shots in the mid-range, and, of course, standing their ground on the perimeter.

Return to Fourth-Quarter Greatness

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Fourth quarters in Rip City are known as Lillard Time. And for good reason. 

This season, Damian Lillard has established himself as one of the most reliable players in the game when it counts. Coming on the heels of his walk-off three-pointer in Round 1 of the 2014 playoffs, Lillard leads the league in fourth-quarter scoring, according to NBA.com.

Also according to NBA.com, Lillard is averaging 3.1 clutch points per game (16th in the NBA), while his partner in crime, LaMarcus Aldridge, is averaging 3.3 in the same category (11th).

Unfortunately, this group is now losing the close games it won at the beginning of the year. With the exception of a 103-102 win over the 19-33 Utah Jazz on Feb. 3, the Blazers have lost six games by six points or fewer since Jan. 11 (they've played 14 games in that period).

Don't forget: That record doesn't include an overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks—a game that saw them fall 111-101 on Feb. 7 after going "seven minutes without a field goal bridging the fourth quarter and overtime," according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com).

As reliable as Lillard is, Portland needs to look the way of Aldridge late in games. Wesley Matthews is an option as well, considering the elite level at which he's shooting from behind the arc (39.8 percent). 

While it's unreasonable to expect a last-second three-pointer every night, the Blazers need to scare teams late in games. That was the case early, but not so much entering All-Star weekend.

Establish a 10-Man Rotation

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As good as the depth has been in Portland compared to years past, head coach Terry Stotts needs to do what's necessary when it comes to the rotation.

At this point, he must get ready for the postseason with a 10-man unit that's jelled and that has established chemistry. 

To start the year, I personally called for an expansion of the rotation. Back on Nov. 19, I stated, "As far as the rotation goes, now is the time for Stotts to test guys such as Crabbe and Barton as backups."

I continued, stating, "...alternating which forwards and which guards get time to shine between contests would allow each player to get up to that 15-minute mark (or higher) when in the rotation."

But guess what? It's no longer early in the year. The season is approximately two-thirds complete, and it's time to keep players such as Will Barton and Thomas Robinson—as much potential as they've shown—on the bench considering their inconsistencies. 

As Portland commentator Mike Barrett stated (h/t Portland's Twitter account), "The development of Meyers Leonard has the same effect as acquiring a new player."

Leonard has produced as of late, recording 12 points, six rebounds and one block in 15 minutes during the 109-98 win over the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8. While he may not be the model of consistency, he's outplayed Robinson and deserves a chance to push through any future struggles.

The only catch comes when Joel Freeland returns to the lineup from injury. Leonard vs. Freeland should be the final battle in the rotation, and while it won't captivate audiences the same way a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight would, it's just as important to Blazermaniacs who are ready to make their first Western Conference Finals since 2000.

Swap Youth for Depth

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Remember how we said Portland needs to cut down the rotation? Adding a player to the roster seems counterintuitive, doesn't it?

Not if it means sacrificing youth for someone who could contribute right away. 

If the Blazers were rebuilding, as they spent so many years doing over the last decade-and-a-half, this wouldn't make sense. However, Portland is on the cusp of contention, and swapping potential for current production would benefit a squad hoping to exceed its second-round appearance from 2014. 

With Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard set to duke it out for the second big-man position off the bench, B/R's Alec Nathan has stated, "...it's hard not to notice a very apparent lack of compelling depth behind Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum on the depth chart."

According to Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy, the Blazers have interest in Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. In Kennedy's own words, "The Blazers like Chandler and believe he would bolster their roster for a playoff push."

Expect the Blazers to be buyers this trade deadline if the price is young talent. Standing pat won't be the worst thing in the world, but adding depth on the perimeter will put this group one step closer to the championship it covets.

Stay Healthy

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This is the big one. It's not one the Blazers have total control over, but it's the one that could make or break their success between now and the end of 2014-15. 

So far this season, the following players have missed the noted number of games to injury:

• Robin Lopez (23)
• Joel Freeland (21)
• Nicolas Batum (7)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (6)

Ironically enough, all four players have missed time due to hand or shoulder injuries.

Simply put: The arm is the new knee in Rip City this season.

Although Portland can't control health, that doesn't make it less important. Avoiding further injury to Aldridge, Lopez and Batum—while getting Freeland back on the court—will allow the starting five to jell at the level it did during the beginning of the year. 

Furthermore, it will give this team the depth it was seemingly developing before the calendar turned to 2015. 

If Portland wants to compete in the playoffs, health is crucial. The Western Conference is too good for any group to be short-handed, and staying injury-free is essential for every franchise competing for a championship.