State of the Blazers: Quarterseason Update
My favorite team, the Portland Trail Blazers, have had an eventful season thus far. So, let’s give them a quarterseason update.
The Portland Trail Blazers are a little more than a quarter of the way through the 2023 season. So, I thought it would be a good time to check in on them again. The last time I did this, the team was off to a hot start. Things aren’t looking so bright this time around, but regardless, let’s give my favorite team quarterseason update.
Maybe I Was Right About Shaedon Sharpe
When the Blazers first drafted Shaedon Sharpe, I complained. Sure, Sharpe had all the potential in the world, but this team needed production, not potential. I doubted whether or not Shaedon would get the development he deserved. So far, unfortunately, it looks like I’m right.
Coach Billups and the Blazers seem to use Sharpe only in spurts. While his athleticism and handle flash at times, it’s clear he needs a lot more development. Even as injuries have ravaged the second unit, Sharpe usually doesn’t see more than 15 minutes a night.
It’s a sign that they don’t trust him enough. Even more concerning is that the Blazers don’t use Sharpe at all in the second half of games. It’s almost like he’s a toy for about eight minutes of first-half action, and then that’s it. His night’s over.
I was at the Pacers game last night, and he seemed checked out and kind of moody. Obviously, he wants more opportunities, and I can’t blame him. Portland isn’t wrong to be taking it slow with Sharpe, but it seems like a waste of a pick.
Will Shaedon get any opportunities? Can he prove himself? Those questions that will have to be answered soon.
(Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels is starting for the Pelicans. God kill me.)
What’s Up With The Defense?
The biggest reason the Blazers went from the heights of 10-4 to 13-11 is the fall of their defense. To start the season, it was the reason they were winning games. Now? It’s the reason they’ve been losing them. An obvious asterisk on all of this should be Gary Payton II. Payton has yet to play this season due to injury.
In any sense, what’s been going on with the defense? Well, for starters, it’s hard to play good defense with our personnel. Jusuf Nurkic isn’t the player he once was. His lateral quickness isn’t great. Our small backcourt isn’t helping matters, either. Guys like Grant, Hart, and Winslow are good defenders, but they can only do so much.
Expecting this defense to remain amongst the best in the league was a pipe dream. Still, Portland’s 27th-ranked defense over the last 8 games leaves lots to be desired. The rotations are a lot slower. Guys get beat off the dribble regularly. There’s less of a connected feel compared to the start of the season.
If the Blazers want any hope of postseason success this year, they’ll need some help defensively. Whether that be playing more zone, hoping for better health, or being more aggressive, something’s gotta give. The good news? Portland’s schedule for the rest of the season is pretty easy. Good defensive results should follow.
Eubanks vs Nurkic
Nurkic and Eubanks have been a physical, overwhelming 1-2 punch down low for Portland. Nurkic provides more offensive capabilities than Eubanks, but there’s no such thing as outworking Eubanks. Every time he’s on the floor, something always happens. It’s like the game increases in intensity as soon as Drew is on the floor, and it’s great.
At times, it’s seemed like the faster, quicker Eubanks has suited the Blazers better. Chauncey hasn’t been shy about sitting Nurkic early and going with Eubanks. Now, I’m suggesting any change, but this relationship is so interesting.
For instance, the lineup of Dame, Anfernee, Jerami, Josh, and Nurk has a -1.7 net rating in 164 minutes. That same lineup with Eubanks at the five instead of Nurkic has a net rating of 0.9 in 62 minutes. Now, neither of those returns are that promising. But, just from watching, these lineups play so differently.
In fact, Portland’s best five-man lineup this season comes when Dame isn’t even on the floor. I’m getting off-topic. The point is, if there even is one, I think it’s good that the Blazers have some competition down low. We haven’t had that in forever.
Nurkic hasn’t even played that bad. He’s been really good when he’s needed to be. It also helps that his 3-PT shot is finally coming along. Eubanks will always be that shot in the arm that we need. And I think that Chauncey Billups has picked the right moments to insert both of these guys.
Given Portland’s lack of size, how these two play will be vital to our success this season.
I Love Jerami Grant
Amidst Portland’s recent tumble, Jerami Grant has been one of the few bright spots. I was surprised at how little it took to get him from Detroit. As it turns out, he’s been exactly what the Blazers have needed at the wing position.
After years of Al-Farouq Aminu and Mo Harkless, Grant is a weapon. He can create his own looks and has become a knockdown shooter off the catch. He’s more than capable of leading the offense on his own.
Grant has been trusted twice in close games this season, delivering both times. I can’t understate how well he’s fit in with Portland. Grant’s contract may be up past this season, but I don’t care. I’ll enjoy him while he lasts.
Newfound aggressiveness is the best way to describe this new Jerami Grant. He’s attacking the rim more than ever and generating a lot of free throws. You don’t shoot a franchise record 28 free throws in one game by accident. Even though the Blazers sometimes don’t go to him enough, Grant has become a mainstay of the offense.
He’s the new light that this offense needed. It’s some autonomy from guys like Dame and Simons. And I can’t get enough.
Outlook
Dame’s continued and concerning injury problems have put the Blazers on a more linear season path. For once, they’ve had to live life without their superstar, who has been a model of consistency and durability. But, if Dame can stay healthy, this team can remain competent.
Getting back Gary Payton II and improving the defense will go a long way. But, a threesome of Dame, Ant, and Grant is going to be hard to stop. Not many teams can stop all three of those guys. In a tight Western Conference, it’s going to be hard to stand out.
There are so many teams within a few games of one another. Even though it’s December, the margins are already thin. 5 game losing streaks can’t be tolerated. This team is going to show us what they really are in the next few weeks.
Whether that’s good or bad? That’s for them to show us.
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