The Portland Trail Blazers are quietly putting together a good run under interim coach Tiago Splitter. After a three-game slide, Portland has responded by winning six out of its last seven contests. These victories are also coming against notable teams; they’ve notched dubs against the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets during this stretch. Even though Splitter’s doing an excellent job filling in, it takes talent to win. The Trail Blazers’ sorta unknowns have developed into a prominent trio. Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, and Shaedon Sharpe provide a mix of veteran leadership and youthful athleticism. Jrue Holiday and Donovan Clingan are also crucial pieces. The Blazers probably won’t survive the loaded Western Conference, but they could upset someone in the playoffs if they make it through. Especially if Holiday and Grant get healthy, think of the Golden State Warriors’ “We Believe” season. This article will examine PDX’s three best players and provide an analytical look at their playing styles.
Deni Avdija
Deni Avdija has taken a step forward this season, and the NBA elites are noticing.
In a recent podcast, both LeBron James and Steve Nash praised Avdija. James stated, “The Washington Wizards are ‘kicking themselves’ because they decided to trade Avdija for Malcolm Brogdon.
LeBron praised Deni’s driving and then added, “But this year in particular, I’ve seen him expand his range and make some shots from the perimeter at a more consistent rate. And it’s resulted in him having a breakout career year so far.”
His three-point percentage isn’t actually that much better than the previous two seasons; he’s only shooting 35.9 percent for the season. But it comes in spurts, which makes him dangerous.
He struggled beyond the arc against Houston on Wednesday, but scoring 41 points works. The Israeli was hot in the previous three games, though, making 10 threes and shooting 48 percent.
If he can continue to shoot at a decent clip, he could develop into a superstar. His height, strong drives, and passing make him the total package on offense.
Another trait that will benefit him throughout his career is his ability to get to the free-throw line. He currently ranks 13th in the NBA in free throw attempts. (*Before Thursday Night)
When Portland traded for the fifth-year veteran, they knew they were getting a solid player. But what they may not have realized is that they stole a diamond from the DMV.
Shaedon Sharpe
Shaedon Sharpe might lack consistency and isn’t fully developed on offense yet, but his explosiveness is game-changing.
Starting with the negatives. If Sharpe can improve his three-point shot, dribbling, and playmaking, he has the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA.
He reminds me of a young Vince Carter, but Carter’s legacy could’ve proven more. If he had developed his three-point shot earlier in his career, he could’ve been known as a champion instead of an all-world dunker.
Sharpe has raw skill, and he’s averaging 21.5 points per game, but if PDX ever wants to win a Championship with their current roster, he’s the guy who’s got to take the biggest leap. If he develops at the same rate as Avdija, the Blazers are a problem.
Even though Sharpe isn’t the most efficient offensive player, he’s phenomenal as a cutter off the ball. This can prove dangerous for rim protectors. When he’s running full speed at the basket and has time to gather, “NBA JAM” happens in real life.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5cG-pA2I8tQ (See No. 5 and stay for fun)
This is a lost art in youth basketball; kids should watch his movement off the ball.
His athleticism also gets him to the free throw at a high clip. He ranks 23rd in the association in free throw attempts *(Before Thursday Night)
Shaedon has the potential to take the Blazers to the next stratosphere, and he believes he can get there. He once stated, “ I see myself as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.”
That may be a false claim, but development takes time. He’s only 22.
Donovan Clingan
The intro may have been a little misleading. Donovan Clingan isn’t one of Portland’s best three players, but he’s in their top three in terms of importance.
Long are the days of good-looking basketball that never wins. LaMarcus Aldridge, Meyers Leonard, and DeAndre Ayton could all score but were softer than an organic baby diaper.
Aldridge did win some.
While Clingan is limited on offense, he’s one of the first rim protectors the Trail Blazers have had in quite a while.
He’s 7-foot-2 and has a 7-foot-7 wingspan, making him a presence down low.
Fellow NBA player Zach Edey said the following about Clingan before they faced off in the NCAA Championship, “He’s a unique player in the way he can protect the rim, block shots, and move around.”
He’s also a low-maintenance offensive player. He doesn’t need the ball to create opportunities for himself; he gets buckets as a roller on picks-and-rolls and on the offensive glass.
His stat line has proven phenomenal this year. He’s currently averaging 11.2 points per game, 10.7 rebounds, and is shooting 54 percent from the field.
He’s also heating up from beyond the arc.
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