New 12 months, standard Portland Path Blazers.
The Golden State Warriors spoiled the Blazers’ residence opener with a tricky loss, beating them 139-104 in a recreation during which they led by as many as 37 factors.
That’s why Chauncey Billups wasn’t more than happy with what he noticed from his workforce.
Following the loss, the previous NBA champion claimed that he didn’t assume any of his gamers really performed effectively within the season opener (Through Sean Highkin).
Chauncey Billups: “I didn’t think one guy on our team played well tonight.”
The Blazers have been with out key contributors, equivalent to Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, and Shaedon Sharpe, who’re nonetheless nursing accidents.
Even so, that wasn’t a lot of an excuse for the shortage of effort on the defensive finish.
Scoot Henderson got here off the bench and put up a team-high 22 factors, however the former No. 3 decide continued to wrestle with effectivity, taking pictures simply 7 of 18 from the ground.
On the brilliant facet, the Blazers had six guys — all their starters, plus Henderson — rating in double digits, however they didn’t get a lot offensive manufacturing from anyone else within the second unit.
They shot 39% from the ground and 23% from past the arc, and so they have been out-rebounded by 15.
Additionally, they solely scored 5 fast-break factors in your complete recreation, all whereas handing out simply 21 assists.
It wasn’t a superb displaying for the Blazers total.
They’re not anticipated to be a playoff workforce, however Billups is likely to be on the new seat anyway, as they haven’t proven many indicators of progress or improvement below his tutelage, and that was alleged to be some extent of emphasis there.
