PORTLAND, Ore. -- Last season the Trail Blazers were all about defying expectations. This season they want to build on them.We did great things last year, now its time to prove it up, guard Damian Lillard said. Its time to show that what we did -- thats who we are, thats what were capable of as a team, and we can do better.On Monday, the Blazers had their first official gathering, although many players stuck around Portland to work out during the summer. The team also took a bonding trip to San Diego earlier this month.Portland went 44-38 last season despite losing four starters to free agency the previous summer. The team got the fifth seed in the Western Conference, then beat the injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.The Blazers ran into the Western Conference champion Warriors in the second round. After dropping the first two games in Oakland, California, Portland won the third at home and lost the fourth in overtime. Golden State closed out the series with a nail-biter in Oakland.We dont have a reason to be complacent about last year. We didnt win a championship, Lillard said. The team was put together, and we come together to win it all. Sure, we did some good things last year, but we didnt do what were here for.Lillard averaged a career-high 25.1 points in the regular season, becoming the third Portland player ever to average more than 25. He also averaged 6.8 assists.Backcourt teammate CJ McCollum averaged 20.8 points in his first year as a starter, giving the Blazers their first backcourt duo with an average of 20 or more points apiece in a single season. He was named the leagues Most Improved Player.This summer, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension worth $106 million that will keep him with the Blazers through the 2020-21 season.McCollums deal was part of a busy offseason as the Blazers sought to secure their young prospects and create depth.Forward Meyers Leonard is staying in Portland with a four-year, $41 million deal signed in the offseason. Still rehabbing from shoulder surgery in March, Leonard said he should be able to participate in 5-on-5 drills by Oct. 8, although he may not be in game shape.Maurice Harkless, who filled a key role when Leonard was injured, also signed a four-year contract with the Blazers worth a reported $40 million. Over Portlands final 11 games, Harkless averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds.The Blazers also brought back Allen Crabbe, a restricted free agent, matching a four-year, $75 million offer from the Brooklyn Nets. Other returnees for the Blazers include Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee.Portland signed free agent forward Festus Ezeli and wing Evan Turner and traded to get guard Shabazz Napier and rookie forward Jake Layman.Turner agreed to a four-year, $70 million contract at the start of the NBAs free agency period. Last year with the Celtics, the 6-foot-7 wing averaged 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists as Bostons sixth man.I thought it would be advantageous to my game, Turner said about signing with the Blazers. Portland is a hot spot right now, players keep getting better and better.Ezeli, who played last season for the Warriors and averaged seven points and 5.6 assists, had a procedure on his left knee in August and was ruled out for at least six weeks. He said Monday he has been cleared to run.Ezeli was able to go with the team to San Diego, a now-annual trip to bring the players together and work out. The trip south was started by Lillard and McCollum in 2015.I always knew they were cool guys and they had good chemistry, Ezeli said. But I didnt know the team was this tight.Fake Red Wings Jerseys . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Detroit Red Wings Gear . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. https://www.cheapredwings.com/ . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Red Wings Jerseys 2020 . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. Custom Detroit Red Wings Jerseys .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach.The clock is ticking fast for NFL teams looking to help themselves before the 2016 trade deadline passes on Tuesday afternoon.The Seattle Seahawks championship hopes could hinge on their ability to upgrade at offensive tackle. The Green Bay Packers could use help at receiver and/or tight end. Jobs could be on the line for the New York Giants if the team cannot upgrade its rushing attack. Other teams in varying stages of development also have reason to make a move.Vernon Davis, Mark Barron, Jonathan Casillas and Aqib Talib switched teams near the deadline in recent years, with varying results. Trades are relatively infrequent (see chart below), but thinking through them is still a worthwhile exercise. Ive proposed six somewhat realistic ones here, plus one straaight from fantasyland (even though it makes sense for both teams).dddddddddddd.Deadline deals that make sense1. Seattle Seahawks acquire LT Joe Thomas from the Cleveland Browns for a second-round pick.The Seahawks started George Fant at left tackle during their 25-20 defeat at New Orleans. 1st start since junior high scrolled across the screen as Fox introduced him, as if viewers needed a reminder how far the team has fallen at left tackle since Walter Jones manned the position. The question is, can Seattle afford to play undrafted prospects at both tackle spots while quarterback Russell Wilson lacks the mobility to elude trouble? ' ' '