The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off arguably their best season in fourteen years. In fact, their 54 wins a year ago is tied for the best record since the 1999 season. Their trip to the Western Conference Semi-Finals was also their best playoff finish since the turn of the millennium. But might that just be the first of many successful years to come? It might.

The Blazers look poised to repeat if not improve upon their record from a season ago. And if they can do that, they could find themselves last night's box score.

What We Don't See

The Blazers' grueling schedule. Let's take a look at who the Blazers have played so far this season.

Now, if I asked you at the beginning of the season, what you thought the Blazers' record would be through nine games, you'd probably have said 5-4 optimistically or 4-5 realistically. That's what I would've told you at the beginning of the season if you told me they'd have to face the Kings, Warriors, Cavs, Mavs and Clips in five consecutive matchups. But I would've been wrong. The Blazers are 6-3 through their first 9 contests, winning by an average margin of 15.3 points in those six wins. They've really showed that they can match up with some of the best teams in the league and come out with crucial victories.

After disposing of the depleted Thunder in their first game of the year, the Blazers lost to the Kings, in Sacramento, and the Warriors in a close game at home. But they then impressed in back-to-back wins over the Cavaliers and Mavericks by winning by an average margin of 20 points en route to scoring over 100 points in each contest. The Blazers then suffered a four point loss to the Clippers at the Staples Center before putting up 116 against the Nuggets the following night. And now, Portland's riding a three game winning streak after beating the Hornets and Nuggets in consecutive nights.

The Blazers now sit at 6-3 by doing simply doing what they needed to do - competing in every game and taking care of business against inferior opponents. It's no wonder they're our number-three ranked team (with a nERD of 69.2) behind only the Rockets and Warriors.

What We Don't Hear

The Blazers have been playing solid defense. This season. Though the Blazers enjoyed a successful 2013-14 campaign, good defense was not a contributing factor. They finished last year 22nd of 30 teams in opponents' points per game (102.8). They also finished 16th in Defensive Rating (107.4) and dead last in turnovers forced per game (12.0). But the Blazers seem to have turned over a new leaf on the defensive side of the ball.

Through nine games, the Blazers have held opponents to 97.2 points per game - good enough for 10th in the league - while posting a much improved Defensive Rating of 103.9 (10th). Even though they haven't turned over opponents any more than last year (12.2 per game), the Blazers have managed to hold opponents to 42% shooting from the field. That's fourth in the league.

While Batum and Matthews have proven themselves willing and able defenders, Lillard's poor defense has drawn the ire of Portland fans. This past season, Lillard posted a very mediocre Defensive Rating of 110 - meaning he allowed 110 points per 100 possessions to opposing players. With such a poor defensive effort, it comes as no surprise that Lillard tallied a mere 1.8 defensive win shares in 82 games played. However, Lillard has picked up the defense this year. His defensive rating has improved to 105, and he already has a sixth of his total defensive win shares from a year ago (0.3) in just nine games.

If the Blazers can continue to thrive on the offensive end of the floor while also improving on the defensive end, there's no telling what the Blazers might accomplish this season.