Trail Blazers Have Each Other's Backs Through Early Challenges

Now owners of the second-longest active losing streak in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers (4-8) are tasked with sticking together through adversity. Six straight losses are enough to rock the steadiest boats. This crew of novice oarsmen is not about to let water in. Per Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, Mason Plumlee identifies cohesion as paramount to prosperity:

"Everybody in here is a competitor, they want to win," center Mason Plumlee said. "And I think the key is to come together at a time like this. This isn't a team where people are going to start pointing fingers or blaming each other. We're going to grow from it, we're going to come out better because of it. Every season has adversity and we're meeting ours early. Now it's up to us to do something with it."

Frontcourt partner Ed Davis further elaborates, suggesting that it goes beyond having his teammates’ backs, but his coach’s as well:

"We've got a good locker room and we've got some guys on this team that are going to help keep this locker room together," Davis said. "We're going to fight for Coach. We know Coach has our backs and we're going to have his back and that's just how it's going to be. Teams that break apart, it's more the players don't have the coach's back. It's not like that and it's not going to be like that here. We're going to get over this hump eventually. We're just going to prepare for Houston and get ready for them on Wednesday."

Freeman’s full article can be found here. The Blazers have until 5:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday to prepare for the Rockets, who have also been struggling.