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. 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LIVERPOOL, England -- The English Premier Leagues battle of the Belgium strikers ended in a stalemate when Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke scored in Evertons 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Friday.Benteke grabbed Palaces equalizer in the 50th minute, rising above Seamus Coleman to connect with Joel Wards cross and guiding a header inside the far post.We really fought hard, Benteke said, and came back in the game.All three of Bentekes goals have been headers since joining Palace from Liverpool for a club record 27 million pounds ($35 million) last month, securing five points.But Lukaku is ahead of his Belgium teammate in the English scoring chart with a league-leading five goals after curling in a free kick over a static Palace wall in thhe 35th at Goodison Park.ddddddddddddverton had referee Jon Moss to thank for holding on for a point after Damien Delaneys second-half header was ruled out.Replays showed Delaney was onside, and although James Tomkins was offside, the Palace defender was not interfering with play.Confusion reigned as Moss went over to his assistant to discuss the incident for a number of seconds, before deciding the goal should not stand.(Moss) said that James McArthur was down the line of the goalkeeper, Delaney said.Palace was denied a fourth successive league win, leaving the London club three points behind third-place Everton. 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