{"id":11817,"date":"2017-12-20T19:08:15","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T00:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=11817"},"modified":"2017-12-20T21:27:45","modified_gmt":"2017-12-21T02:27:45","slug":"unpredictable-portland-trail-blazers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/12\/20\/unpredictable-portland-trail-blazers\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpredictable Portland Trail Blazers Are Perplexing"},"content":{"rendered":"

This season, the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> have been unpredictable and inconsistent. At times, they have been in sync and shown a drive unmatched by many \u2013 markedly during their 4-1 November road trip. But at other times, they\u2019ve melted away to weaker oppositions \u2013 look no further than their 0-5 homestand following the road trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

To say the least, we\u2019ve seen a roster that has both bedazzled and tripped over itself at different stages of the season. Although the team is now placed where many expected them to be, among the lower Western Conference playoff spots, its journey thus far has been an up and down rollercoaster. There are multiple facets of Blazers basketball that have slightly contrasted with their usual brand of play this year. Let\u2019s take a look at some of these.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unpredictable Portland Trail Blazers Are Perplexing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Damian Lillard<\/a> Playing Differently <\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Along with heart and hustle, Damian Lillard<\/strong> has continued to lead the team from a production standpoint. His stats (25.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds per game) demonstrate the extent of his involvement. However, even with these numbers, he\u2019s prone to starting games off relatively slow. Here are his field goal attempts and makes in the first quarter over the last handful of games:<\/span><\/p>\n

0-2 vs.\u00a0Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

3-7 vs. Charlotte Hornets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

1-3 vs. Orlando Magic<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

1-3 vs. Miami Heat<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

3-7 vs.\u00a0Golden State Warriors<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

4-5 vs. Houston Rockets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

1-3 vs. Washington Wizards<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from a couple of anomalies, Lillard has begun games less aggressively, and\u00a0instead looked to get teammates involved early. It is no surprise that he is averaging a career-high 6.5 assists per game. Lillard has clearly sought passing opportunities, particularly to begin games. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because of a slightly reduced focus on shooting, Lillard’s productivity has dipped in this regard, with mediocre clips from the field and beyond the arc. He has shot just 42 percent and 34.8 percent, respectively. However, Lillard makes up for the subpar shooting numbers and the lack of scoring production early in games by averaging the most second-half points per game of any player in the league. He\u2019s maintained his cold-blooded instinct to take over when required, and the Blazers cannot afford to lose that factor. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s apparent that we\u2019re seeing a different <\/i>Damian Lillard this season. Although he continues to play fantastic basketball, we\u2019re seeing less of his killer scoring instinct and more cerebral basketball. He’s found better passes and been more effective off the ball through 30 games. <\/span><\/p>\n

Three-Point Shooting Dipping<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

While the market for good shooters has never been higher in the league, the Blazers \u2013 usually known as a run and gun, three-point bombing team \u2013 have shot far less from beyond the arc this year. In the four seasons prior to this one, they were never out of the top 10 in three-point attempts per contest in the league. But this year, Portland sits at 26th in that category with just 24.7 attempts per game. In contrast, the Rockets shoot nearly double that, with just under 43 attempts nightly. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that the Blazers don\u2019t have the ability to hit more threes. Their star backcourt of Lillard and\u00a0C.J. McCollum<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0have always been proficient from distance. Some of their role players this season have been particularly potent as well.\u00a0<\/span>Al-Farouq Aminu<\/a><\/strong> is shooting 48.1 percent from beyond the arc, while\u00a0<\/span>Meyers Leonard<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is at 53.8 percent. Reserve guard\u00a0<\/span>Shabazz Napier<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is at 47.6 percent and swingman\u00a0<\/span>Pat Connaughton<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is 39.1 percent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are they shooting less if their clips are so high? The answer is simple. Head coach Terry Stotts<\/strong> has imposed a premium on higher quality threes, sacrificing quantity for quality. By converting fewer looks from outside at a better rate, the team is able to devote more attention to better looks closer to the rim. These chances have come in the form of pick-and-rolls and big men getting easy looks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pick-and-Roll Duo<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic<\/a><\/strong>, Portland boasts one of the most successful pick-and-roll tandems in the league. Lillard\u2019s passing has improved to the point where he can slice the ball through the arms of many defenders to meet a rolling, barrelling, and athletic Nurkic who can find the basket from anywhere. The Bosnian’s lost weight over the summer has translated to increased speed and agility. <\/span><\/p>\n

These highlights from the team’s one-point loss to Minnesota show how in-sync Lillard and Nurkic have been.<\/span><\/p>\n