Who improved in the NBA this year?

 The Portland Trailblazers (49-27) franchise is headed in the right direction. They may be the most surprising playoff team in the NBA.  With 49 wins, the Blazers have already exceeded last years win total by 16 games.  What Portland has been able to accomplish this season is amazing considering the debilitating injuries they've suffered in recent years.  Brandon Roy and Greg Oden were once considered the future of the organization. Oklahoma City (54-19) now has a team to reckon with in the division for years to come.  LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard are as good as any tandem in the league on any given night.

The Washington Wizards (38-36) are a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.  The Wizards winning a playoff series this year isn't out of the realm of possibilities.  If Toronto holds on to the number three position, the Wizards just may have enough explosiveness at the guard position to upset the Raptors.  Washington has a 19-19 road record this season.  Indiana is 19-18 on the road this season.  If the Wizards can learn to play with more consistency at home they may be a 50 win team next season.  John Wall has increased his scoring average every year he's been in the NBA.  A year ago, the Wizards were ridiculed for giving Wall a hefty contract extension.  That decision has panned out short term. The pieces are in place for the Wizards.  Washington may be a few additions away from competing in the east.


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