As a fan of the Portland Trailblazers for over 20 years, I've been through a lot. However, I don't think I've ever been through a season as agonizing as this one. They began the season towering with young potential and had arguably the deepest team in the league, leading to lofty expectations of perhaps a Western Conference Finals appearance. Portland came out of the gate rusty due to ridiculous rotations instituted by coach Nate McMillan and general lackluster play.

Lately, however, they've played with some grit, by sheer necessity. The players are dropping like flies! They won last night in Dallas for the first time in nearly 7 years, but lost backup center Joel Przybilla for the season in the process. This comes after they already lost starting center Greg Oden for the season due a few weeks ago.

It gets worse. Two-time All-star guard Brandon Roy couldn't lift his right arm over his shoulder and is having an MRI once the team returns to Portland. If he misses any time, Portland's season is officially doomed, even if they have stayed afloat with a 18-12 record up to this point.

Here's a list of Portland's injuries:

Nicolas Batum (right shoulder surgery- out until February)
Rudy Fernandez (back surgery- out until late January at least)
Patrick Mills (right foot surgery- should be back in January)
Greg Oden (left knee surgery- out for the season)
Travis Outlaw (left foot surgery- out until February at least)
Jeff Pendergraph (hip surgery- just returned)
Joel Przybilla (right knee surgery- out for the season)
Brandon Roy (tweaked right shoulder- MRI over Christmas)

Has there been a team more plagued by injuries in recent history?

:sympathybump:

Apparently, Brandon Roy is going to give it a shot tonight against San Antonio. I can only hope he doesn't make whatever is bothering him worse!

So Brandon Roy sits out, and Portland beats the Spurs by 4 in San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back. This team has heart, that much is certain!