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PORTLAND, Ore. -- Damian Lillard has big plans for the 2016-17 NBA season -- for himself and the Portland Trail Blazers.I want to get to the Western Conference finals and give ourselves a chance to get to the (NBA) Finals, said Lillard, who leads the Trail Blazers into action Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz at the Moda Center in the regular-season opener for both teams. I think its possible.Lillards personal goal entering the season?MVP, he said. I want to be the MVP. If we come out and do the things were capable of doing as a team, if we win games, that means my performance will be at the level of an MVP.There are people in high places who arent scoffing at the possibility. In Oakland, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was asked about Kevin Durants chances to claim the MVP Award in his first season with the Warriors.I think K.D. is kind of like Gary Johnson -- a third-party guy who is going to come in and take a few votes from Steph (Curry), takes some from LeBron (James), and then Damian Lillard wins the election, Kerr told Bay Area reporters. Thats my forecast.Lillard, 26, had his best season in 2015-16, gaining second-team All-NBA honors for the first time. The two-time All-Star point guard finished eighth in MVP balloting, joining James, Curry and Russell Westbrook as the only players to place among the leagues top 10 in scoring (25.1, sixth) and assists (6.8, eighth) during the regular season.After finishing fourth in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record and advancing to the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Warriors, the Blazers have reason to believe they can make a deeper run this season.Except for reserve guard Gerald Henderson, they retain all the key components of the 2015-16 team. And they have added free-agent Evan Turner, who finished fifth in the NBAs Sixth Man of the Year Award balloting while with the Boston Celtics a year ago.Portland has one of the NBAs deepest rosters. Lillard and CJ McCollum will start in the backcourt, flanked by Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee on the front line. The rotation to start the season is expected to include Turner, forward Meyers Leonard and swing man Allen Crabbe, plus perhaps forward Noah Vonleh and/or point guard Shabazz Napier.Utah expects to show improvement, too, after barely missing the playoffs last season, finishing ninth in the West with a 40-42 record. The Jazz made three veteran offseason acquisitions -- point guard George Hill, swingman Joe Johnson and power forward Boris Diaw -- to a young nucleus that includes front-liners Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert.We get something from all three, shooting guard Rodney Hood told the Deseret News. With Boris, his passing ability, his knowledge of the game. Hes always teaching us little things here and there to make things easier. With George, pushing the pace, being a leader ... youre always hearing his voice. With Joe, hes always in my ear telling me little things I can do to make the game easier. All three have helped a lot. Its more than just the physical things.The Jazz come to Portland with a decidedly short cast. Hayward, their best player, will miss the game with a left ring finger that was broken three weeks ago. Reserve guard Alec Burks, and probably Favors, will miss the game with knee issues.That means Diaw and Johnson will likely team with Gobert on the front line in a Utah starting lineup that will include Hill and Hood in the backcourt.Utah has being forecast to finish as high as fifth in the West.Were a little bit of a fashionable pick, third-year coach Quin Snyder said. But that was with Gordon and Derrick and Alec.Guards Dante Exum and Shelvin Mack and forwards Trey Lyles and Joe Ingles are among those who will come off the bench for the Jazz. Custom Bernie Williams Jersey . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Custom Paul ONeill Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/custom-brian-roberts-jersey-large-394i.html . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Roy White Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Estevan Florial Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Barcelona host Real Madrid in the seasons first El Clasico on Saturday. Bookmark this page to keep track of the latest stories around the biggest fixture in club football. You can also stream the game live and exclusive on ESPN.in.?You can watch the match live at 8.45 pm IST here.ESPN FC writers Clasico predictionsThe latest edition of the biggest game in club football takes place on Saturday when Barcelona host Real Madrid. Here are our writers predictions.All you need to know about Saturdays ClasicoThe latest edition of El Clasico could be decisive in the Spanish title race. Sid Lowe runs through everything you need to know about Saturdays game.El Clasicos global appeal the main focus for La LigaLa Liga is keen to ensure that fans of the Spanish game all over the world get to be part of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.El Clasico: How big is the rivalry?El Clasico is arguably the biggest game in club football each year, but just how does Barcelona vs. Real Madrid rate alongside other big matches?Players to star not named Ronaldo, MessiBarcelona vs. Real Madrid is usually all about Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo. But which other players will make an impact iin El Clasico?Clasico more subdued but still intenseAround the city of Barcelona, its largely felt much like any other week.dddddddddddd The Clasico is more subdued, but the match is still key.Barcelona on the brink ahead of El ClasicoThe biggest match in club football is even bigger than usual this time around for Barca, who need a Clasico win to climb back into the title race.Bale set to miss Clasico with ankle injuryReal Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale suffered damage to the tendons in his right ankle in Tuesdays 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.Iniesta to make return in Saturdays ClasicoBarcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is set to return to first team action against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Saturday.Rust hits Barca at a bad timeBarcelona were vibrant and unstoppable in 2015 but rust has set in this season. Can they rebound for a must-win Clasico, asks Graham Hunter.Pique: Fans must rally behind BarcelonaIts a very important match and I know that the fans will respond, said Pique headed into the Clasico vs. Real Madrid. ' ' '