Reiseplan » . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saska

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Portland Trail BlazersOverall: 46 Title track: 80 Ownership: 47 Coaching: 28 Players: 17 Fan relations: 51 Affordability: 69 Stadium experience: 51 Bang for the buck: 45 Change from last year: +25Portlands first year without LaMarcus Aldridge went better than expected. Led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Blazers made the playoffs and even won a game against the Warriors in the conference semifinals (no easy feat!). They also landed in the NBAs top 10 in average attendance for the ninth straight season. The young Blazers are hoping for a fourth straight playoff appearance this season, but this one wont be a surprise.Whats goodBoth Lillard and McCollum set career highs in scoring, with the former landing on the All-NBA Second Team and the latter more than tripling his scoring average in his first year as a starter. Add leading rebounder Mason Plumlee and role players Al-Farouq Aminu, Allen Crabbe and Maurice Harkless -- at 26, 24 and 23 years old, respectively -- and youve got a nice core. That explains the 46-spot jump in players (17th overall, Portlands best showing). Coaching also improved 41 spots and is now 28th overall, thanks to the steady hand of Terry Stotts, whos entering his fifth season as Portlands head man. The Blazers have made the playoffs the past three seasons and won 50 games twice, and Stotts earned an extension through 2020.Whats badWould we be shocked if the Blazers matched or exceeded their 44-win output from last season? Not at all. Does that mean they are any closer to winning a championship? Also no. Tucked away in the exceedingly competitive Western Conference, Portland doesnt have the firepower to take down the Warriors or Spurs. That explains a title track that sits at No. 80 -- 18 spots better than last year but not high enough to land the Blazers among the leagues elite. The reason, in part, is that Portland has not been a free-agent destination throughout its history. While Kevin Durant decided to take his talents to Golden State, for example, Portland landed Evan Turner. Thats good but not championship great.Whats newA 42-spot increase in ownership is a tribute to billionaire Paul Allen, also the owner of the NFLs Seahawks, who green-lighted about $350 million in offseason spending, mostly on the retention of players from last seasons roster. Portland gave McCollum a $106 million extension and brought back role players Harkless, Crabbe and Meyers Leonard. Oh, and they also signed versatile wing Turner and upgraded the frontcourt with former Warriors big man Festus Ezeli. There will be no super-team in Portland, but the Blazers seem just fine with that: Theyll go about winning a different way, by keeping their guys together.Next: Toronto Raptors?| Full rankings Basket Adidas Nmd Femme Pas Cher . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Adidas Nmd Sans Lacet Pas Cher .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. http://www.basketnmdpascher.fr/pas-cher-basket-yeezy-boost-350.html . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Adidas Human Race France . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Fausse Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Pas Cher . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. PHILADELPHIA -- Wide receivers Rueben Randle and Chris Givens have been released by the Philadelphia Eagles.Randle signed a one-year contract with the Eagles after he had 57 catches for 797 yards and eight touchdowns for the New York Giants last season. But he only caught three passes in three preseason games and didnt separate himself from a mediocre group.Randle and Givens became expendable when Philadelphia acquired Dorial Green-Beckham from Tennessee last week.Offensive lineman Andrew Gardner was among eiight players cut on Sunday.dddddddddddd Cornerbacks Denzel Rice and Randall Evan, long snapper John DePalma, defensive tackle Mike Martin and safety Nick Perry also were released.Linebacker Joe Walker (knee) and defensive end Alex McCalister (calf) were placed on injured reserve.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '