Trail Blazers' NBA Cup Court Receives Strong Recognition

The Portland Trail Blazers have once again received some recognition for their in-season tournament court, even if they were unable to repeat last year's impressive finish.

The Athletic recently ranked all 30 NBA Cup courts, placing Portland's design fourth in the league. While that represents a slight step backward from last season, when the Trail Blazers were considered to have the best in-season tournament court in the NBA, finishing inside the top five is still a strong showing. 

There is plenty to like about Portland's latest design, which incorporates the team's traditional color scheme while giving the court a distinct look for NBA Cup competition. One of the standout features is the slogan "Rip City Runs Deep," which adds another connection to the franchise and its fanbase. It’s a unique court and one that gives the team’s uniforms an extra pop. 

The Athletic's Will Guillory was particularly impressed with that detail, giving the Trail Blazers plenty of credit for their latest design, "'Rip City Runs Deep' might be the best slogan featured on any of these courts. The color scheme fits really well with what I'd expect to see from the Blazers. Job well done here."

That praise speaks to what makes Portland's court stand out. While some teams have gone in completely different directions with their tournament designs, the Trail Blazers have found a way to incorporate their identity without straying too far from what fans recognize. The slogan is simple, memorable and representative of the connection between the franchise and the city.

The NBA's in-season tournament has continued to give teams an opportunity to showcase different designs, with the specialized courts becoming one of the more recognizable parts of the competition. Some have been received much better than others, making Portland's consistent placement near the top particularly noteworthy.

Losing the No. 1 spot is a small step backward, but fourth overall is hardly something for the organization to be disappointed about. The Trail Blazers clearly understand the importance of maintaining their visual identity while adding something different for the tournament.

Portland will get another opportunity to put its court on display as it competes in this year's NBA Cup. Based on the latest rankings, the design should have no trouble catching the attention of fans around the league.

This team will look to continue making a statement in the coming weeks as the NBA Cup unfolds.